“Si Janus Silang at ang Tiyanak ng Tábon” - The Award-Winning Young Adult Bestseller Comes Alive on Stage Feb. 1 – 25

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Tanghalang Ateneo, the longest-running theater company of the Ateneo de Manila University’s Loyola Schools, continues its 38th season: De/Constructing Narratives with a production of the award-winning young adult bestseller “Si Janus Silang at ang Tiyanak ng Tábon” by Palanca awardee Edgar Calabia Samar.

Si Janus Silang at ang Tiyanak ng Tábon won the 2015 National Book Award for Novel in Filipino and the 2016 National Children’s Book Award for Best Read for Kids.

The play will be the first live action adaptation of the book. Two-time Palanca First Prize winning playwright Guelan Varela-Luarca adapted Samar’s work while Tanghalang Ateneo alumnus Charles Yee is bringing it to life onstage.

Si Janus Silang at ang Tiyanak ng Tábon takes place in the everyday world of an adolescent boy, Janus, whose world is turned upside down when characters from his favorite computer game and comic books appear and disrupt his personal life thereby forcing him to confront the mystery of his bloodline and his destiny.

Ateneo High School’s Earvin Estioco plays the title role of Janus Silang, a teenager who frequents the Malakas Internet Shop in Balanga where he plays TALA Online with his friends. His father disapproves of this which is why he often gets in trouble with him.

Ateneo Grade School’s Joachim Galvez and Sam Tango alternate as Juno, the tiyanak from Philippine mythology who disguises as Janus’ younger brother.

Allan Forte as Mang Joey, a bagani (protector of the Pusong bloodline) who becomes Janus’ mentor.

Bong Cabrera, JJ Ignacio and Diega Villanueva as Juan and Josie, Janus’ parents. Juan however is really a do-ol, a mythical creature sent by the tiyanak to keep an eye on Janus. By the time the play opens, Janus’ real father has already been dead for three years.

Cloie Hilomen as Mica, the love interest and classmate of Janus.

John Sanchez as Harold, Janus’ friend who dies along with other gamers upon reaching Level 9 of TALA Online.

Jacob Whittaker as Renzo, the messenger of Mang Joey tasked to meet and accompany Janus to him.

Dr. Jerry Respeto, Fr. Rene Javellana, SJ, and Xander Soriano alternately play the role of the mysterious Bungisngis. Mang Joey’s brother who disguises himself to watch over Janus.

Ateneo theater practitioners Peanuts Valerio, Ace Elgar and Soc de los Reyes, and the Tanghalang Ateneo ensemble of actors complete the cast.

The artistic team of Si Janus Silang at ang Tiyanak ng Tábon is composed of Tanghalang Ateneo Artistic Director and Moderator Glenn Sevilla Mas, Charles Yee (Direction), Guelan Varela-Luarca (Adaptation), Gwyn Guanzon (Set Design), Mitoy Sta. Ana (Costume Design), Toni Muñoz (Sound and Music Design), Delphine Buencamino and Zyda Baaya (Choreography), and Gab Mesina, Diana David, and Victor Datu (Graphics Design).

The playdates of Si Janus Silang at ang Tiyanak ng Tábon are February 1-4, 7-11, 13-16, 18, and 21-25. Performances start at 7:30PM while Saturday matinee shows start at 2:30PM.

For questions and additional details about the show, please contact Dean Silva at 0916-314-5475.

Connect to Tanghalang Ateneo online through the following social media networks:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/TanghalangAteneo
Twitter: www.twitter.com/TAOfficial_
Instagram: www.instagram.com/tanghalangateneo

See you at the theater !

Japanese Video Art at Yuchengco Museum

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Japanese media artist Naoko Tosa, whose work includes the multimedia façade of the ArtScience Museum in Singapore, brings her Genesis video art projections to Manila until March 31

Yuchengco Museum is pleased to present Digital Dimensions, featuring the video art projections of internationally renowned Japanese media artist Naoko Tosa. She has recently been appointed as Japan Cultural Envoy 2016 by the Japanese government. Transforming the museum’s galleries into a scenic environment, Digital Dimensions: Video Art Projections by Naoko Tosa envelopes viewers in a sensual exploration of materials and ephemerality.

The exhibition will feature Tosa’s Genesis video art series. Inspired by Rimpa, one of the major historical schools of Japanese painting with its 400-year legacy, Tosa plays with Zen concepts of chance through her use of Japanese color inks to generate solemn forms in water, the origin of all life. A pioneering feature of her practice is to introduce cutting-edge technology at the core of her creative process, playing with inks and dry ice captured by high-speed cameras.

Naoko Tosa explains: “Art can make it possible for us to experience invisible worlds that cannot be captured by our normal sense of time and space. Such experiences would induce awe and move toward nature and its energy in our mind. This work makes it possible for the viewers to experience a world where time is expanded one hundred times. Also, this work cannot be created using computer graphics, and dry ice is too complex to be expressed by a numerical formula of fluid dynamics. In other words, this is a hypernatural form of art that can be visualized only by using a high-speed camera.”

Naoko Tosa’s practice covers a wide range of areas from sculpture and visual arts to video art and digital art. Tosa also explores photography, media art, and software art. After receiving a PhD in Art and Technology Research from the University of Tokyo, she was a fellow at the Center for Advanced Visual Studies at Massachusetts Institute of Technology from 2002 to 2004 and is currently a professor at Kyoto University. Tosa has exhibited her artworks at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, London County Hall, Long Beach Museum of Art, and Japan Creative Center, among many locations worldwide. Her works are in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art, the American Film Association, the National Museum of Art in Osaka, and the Nagoya City Art Museum.

Artist’s talk and Japanese products mini-fair
To give visitors a more enriching experience of the Digital Dimensions exhibition, Naoko Tosa will share insights into her creative process and examples of her major works in an Artist’s Talk on February 11, Saturday, at 2:30 p.m. Tosa will also discuss the technology behind her art and how she bridges Japanese tradition and technology. The talk is free with museum admission (P100 for adults, P50 for students and seniors). To reserve slots for the artist’s talk, email info@yuchengcomuseum.org.

In addition to Dr. Tosa’s talk, there will be a mini fair of new lifestyle products from the Land of the Rising Sun. Called Snapshot Japan, the mini product fair will showcase a different side to modern Japanese culture. Snapshot Japan will feature the country’s unique food, fashion accessories, apparel, and cosmetics. The mini product fair will be at the Yuchengco Museum lobby from February 9 to 11, Thursday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Entrance to the mini fair is free. Snapshot Japan is presented by Global Initiative, Inc. with the support of The Japan Foundation, Manila. For event details, follow @YuchengcoMuseum and #SnapshotJapan on social media.

Digital Dimensions: Video Art Projections by Naoko Tosa is presented by Yuchengco Museum with the support of The Japan Foundation, Manila and with thanks to the Agency for Cultural Affairs of the Government of Japan. The exhibit will be on view from February 11 to March 31, 2017.

Yuchengco Museum is located at RCBC Plaza, corner Ayala and Senator Gil J. Puyat Avenues, Makati City. Museum hours are Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call (632) 889-1234, visit www.yuchengcomuseum.org, or follow @YuchengcoMuseum on social media with the hashtags #DigitalDimensions and #NaokoTosa.

First NBA Filipino Heritage Week to Celebrate Philippine Culture

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The National Basketball Association (NBA) today announced the first NBA Filipino Heritage Week to celebrate Philippine culture with millions of Filipino fans around the world. The celebration in the Philippines, which will run from March 13-19, will feature a viewing party attended by an NBA legend, an NBA Cares event, and social media activations on the NBA’s Facebook and Twitter accounts in the Philippines.

As part of NBA Filipino Heritage Week, the Golden State Warriors and the Miami Heat will host Filipino Heritage Nights in March, featuring in-arena Philippine-themed activations including musical performances and giveaways. All three games will be available in the Philippines on Basketball TV, with the Heat-Minnesota Timberwolves and Warriors-Milwaukee Bucks matchups also airing on ABS-CBN Channel 2 and Sports + Action respectively.

“The first NBA Filipino Heritage Week is the perfect opportunity for the NBA to celebrate the support of our Filipino fans around the world,” said NBA Philippines Managing Director Carlo Singson. “The activities in the Philippines, Miami and Oakland will showcase the country’s vibrant culture and passion for basketball.”

In addition, there will be specially designed merchandise to commemorate the first-ever Filipino Heritage Week.

Energy Department Closely Monitors LPG Market to Protect Consumers

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Amidst the increase of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices, the Department of Energy (DOE) today assured that it is closely monitoring the local LPG market to make sure that only reasonably priced LPG products are being sold to consumers.

Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi reported: “Our Oil Industry Management Bureau (OIMB) is closely assessing the global trend of supply and demand, while also taking into consideration other factors affecting the prices of LPG.”

"The DOE-OIMB reported that the root cause of the LPG price hike this month was due to the increased demand by the cold weather continents such as North America, Europe and even Northern Asia," Sec. Cusi explained.

Moreover Cusi added, "LPG is primarily being used as a heating fuel in these regions, especially with the extended cold weather or winter attributed to La Niña."

Sec. Cusi clarified, “Large consuming countries are having a hard time getting their supply because even the transportation of these LPG products, mostly through railway, is also affected by the cold weather. This curbs supply, then affects the demand, and ultimately the prices.”

"The DOE-OIMB report also cites the rising global crude oil prices and outages of oil refineries in some oil-producing countries as additional factors for the rising prices of LPG."

Say it with Red Ribbon's “Team Kilig” and “Team Hugot” Valentine Mamon

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Love is one of the hardest emotions to express. That is why, oftentimes, it is hard to either show or say it. But, what if you can do both ways for your loved ones this Valentines?

This February, Red Ribbon, one of the most loved bakeshop chains in the Philippines, joins its customers in celebrating Valentine’s Day with its new limited edition “Team Kilig” and “Team Hugot” Valentine Mamons that are guaranteed to make this Love Month more memorable.

The Red Ribbon Valentine Mamons are made with moist white chiffon Mamon topped with Valentine-themed designs. It comes in two variants, the “Team Kilig” and “Team Hugot.”

The “Team Kilig” Mamons are for those who want to give their special someone with Valentine messages that will surely make them feel the warmth of love. On the other hand, the “Team Hugot” Mamons, which are decorated with witty “hugot” lines, are perfect for those who choose to happily celebrate the occasion even without a special someone.

“We know how important Valentine's Day is to our loyal customers whether they are single or not. These two new Valentine Mamons are our way of making the day for them more memorable and sweeter,” said Ned Bandojo, Head of Marketing of Red Ribbon. Both Team Kilig and Team Hugot Valentine Mamons are topped with unique designs and are packaged in a Valentine’s Day gift box of threes. It is available in all Red Ribbon stores nationwide for P100 per box only.

As one of the fastest growing bakeshop chains in the country, Red Ribbon is dedicated to making every celebration more special by offering new, exciting, and delicious lineup of cakes, breads, and pastries. To know more about Red Ribbon’s many delights, visitwww.redribbonbakeshop.com.ph.

#MayNanaloNa: Issay Gallano Receives Gown Worn by Miss Bulgaria at #MissUniverse Preliminary Competition

Wazzup Pilipinas!

"Remember the announcement made by Miss Bulgaria Violina Ancheva about the Sherri Hill dress that she'd give to one lucky Filipino in time for prom season?

Well, someone already won. #MayNanaloNa and she is the daughter (Zhyra Nicole Cifra) of single mom Issay Gallano! In her Facebook post, Gallano was able to take selfies with Ancheva when they met at the Conrad Hotel in Pasay. Gallano thanked Ancheva for having a beautiful heart." - The Philippine Pageantry

"Dear friends, I would like to give as a present my Miss Universe Gown [...] to one of you that really want it and need it," Ancheva wrote in a post on her official Facebook page. "I want to give the dress to a girl in need that can't buy a dress for her prom the next month. Please write to me a personal message for details." - says Violina Ancheva of Bulgaria.

She wanted to give away the outfit that she wore in the preliminary rounds of the 65 edition of the Miss Universe because she wanted to share the joy she felt when using it. 'I wanted you to its next owner feel beautiful and happy,' says the Miss Universe candidate.

The 15-year-old daughter of Gallano, a single mother of two, received the surprise of her life. "Thank you so much Miss Bulgaria. You have a beautiful heart. We wish you all the best. God bless you and your family" says Issa on her Facebook account when she proudly posted the photo of her daughter wearing the gown.

Gallano's daughter is attending her prom in a few weeks, but her mother - the only breadwinner - couldn't afford to buy a ball gown.

Feb-Ibig Month: Kapalaran ng mga Inechos, Chinurva at Kineme this Valentine's Day

Wazzup Pilipinas!

"I will never let you fall, I'll be there for you forever!" 

For those still healing from wounds inflicted by the ones they trusted the most, Valentine's Day can really suck.
Kawawa naman ang mga nakaranas ma-echos, ma-churva, o ma-keme ng mga nakaraang araw. Araw-gabi na lang toxic kapag walang special someone! Walang pampatanggal ng stress mula sa trabaho o traffic kapag walang kaniig. Puro na lang kunsumisyon kapag walang ka-relasyon.

This Feb-ibig month of February, tunay na manalig sa tapat na pag-ibig at magmahal ng walang "bakit." Kahit pa man tayo ay nakaranas ng napakasakit na relasyong hindi nagtagal, nanininwala kami na may darating pang muli na magpapatibok ng ating puso at tayo ay mamahalin ng walang pag-aalinlangan.

Ramdam mo na ba ang kilig vibes na ihahatid ng bago mong kakilala? Lubos-lubusin mo lang ang pananampalataya at sabay-sabay tayong manalig mga naging sawi sa pagmamahal, itodo na ang taimtim na pagdarasal sa Poong Maykapal.

Love is in the air! Keep telling that to ourselves! Sooner or later, all that faith will soon be a reality!

No more heart aches for me! Believe in the month of February!

Lord puwede bang himiling? Pusuan sana ni crush ang aking post sa Facebook, Twitter o Instagram! Pampalubag na rin po ang seen-zoned, at least napansin niya. Malay mo nahihiya lang siyang mag-Like.

Kahit re-tweet or reshare ay masaya na rin ako. I cannot be so choosy naman kasi, but always willing and ready for a selfie, kahit na groupfie! Kahit walang filter pa dahil always glowing naman ako kapag siya ang aking kasama. Sige na nga, kahit ka-text mate na lang po.

Puwede bang humirit? Kahit makatabi ko na lang sa jeep! O makasabay make tusok-tusok sa nagtitinda ng fish ball o squid ball o kahit sa paghitit na lang ng sigarilyo tuwing break time. Lol!

Ayan, naririnig ko na ang musika, malapit na akong uminit kasama ang isang kaniig sa malamig na klima ng gabi. February is really the month of love. Abangan ninyo ang pagrampa ko ngayong Feb-ibig kasama ang aking bagong ka-heart!

"Kapag tumibok ang puso, wala ka ng magagawa kundi makinig dito."

We heart you, everybody!

Security and Privacy is Now a Must for Your Company

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Do you know how Office 365 E5 gives you peace of mind in the age of leaks and hacks?

Regardless of the size of your business or the number of your employees, (or even if it is just you), you just can’t get work done without Word or email. Nowadays, it is no longer just about being productive. It is also about securing the important information in your documents and sending that confidential information to the right person.

Yes, it has to be more than just productivity. You need to be conscious of security, especially with potential security threats and unauthorized access to your confidential information. While using Word or Excel are not collaboration tools and not designed to store personal data, important and confidential information may be transmitted through emails or sharing of documents.

Especially with the Data Privacy Act of the Philippines (RA No. 10173) in place which requires that all personal data be encrypted whether at rest or in transit, extra security measures must be in place if your business stores personal data in your documents.

This is where Microsoft Office 365 E5 enables all businesses for security and privacy. Many Office 365 plans also include the desktop version of the latest Office applications, which users can install across multiple computers and devices. The fully installed applications include: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, Publisher, and Access. And you can install them across multiple devices, including PCs, Macs, Android tablets, Android phones, iPad, and iPhone. When you have an active Office 365 subscription that includes the desktop version of Office, you always have the most up-to-date version of the applications.

Brazilian Fighter Alex Silva Motivated to Get World Title Crack

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In the sport of mixed martial arts (MMA), every fighter dreams of becoming a world champion because it signifies that they have reached the pinnacle of success.

Competitors invest blood, sweat, and tears to achieve the ultimate career-defining moment of having a gold-plated strap wrapped around their waists and hearing the announcer declare their names as champions.

Like any other professional MMA competitor, Brazilian fighter Alex “Little Rock” Silva has the same desire of becoming a world champion in the sport.

According to the 34-year-old submission specialist, winning an MMA world title is what keeps him focused and motivated to continue the intensive work at the gym.

“My goal is to be champion. I know where I am right now and where I will be in the future. That’s why I am taking it one fight at a time and continuing the hard work in training. I will just be focusing on reaching my goal regardless whom I face inside the cage,” he said.

Widely recognized as one of the best strawweight combatants in ONE Championship today, Silva is riding high on a three-fight winning streak.

Roy Doliguez Determined to Return to Winning Form

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Filipino fighter Roy Doliguez sees his upcoming three-round encounter with Alex Silva as an opportunity to bring back the glimmer of his professional mixed martial arts (MMA) career.

Both highly-decorated combatants are set to collide on the undercard of ONE: THRONE OF TIGERS, which takes place at the 10,000-seater Stadium Negara in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 10 February.

Doliguez was once considered as one of the brightest strawweight MMA competitors in the Asian region, but his billing lost its luster due to a string of setbacks.

When Doliguez made his ONE Championship debut against Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke for the inaugural ONE Strawweight World Championship belt in May 2015, he yielded to the highly-touted Thai combatant via fifth-round technical decision.

Doliguez tried to bounce back from his loss to Sor Amnuaysirichoke by squaring off with Riku Shibuya in January 2016, but he dropped a three-round unanimous decision to the Japanese stalwart.

Coming off a year-long hiatus, Doliguez is eager to put himself back on the winning track as he set to have his ONE Championship cage return on 10 February.

“I haven’t won a bout in ONE Championship. This is my chance to get that win. If I want to fight for the title again, I have to win first. I am determined to win this fight,” he said.