Hadrian Mendoza's August Exhibit at Galleria Duemila

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Red. The color of ferocity and passion. Hadrian Mendoza chooses to reference the societal issues enveloping the country today in his latest exhibit at Galleria Duemila. The war on drugs, the cycle of life and death and a momentous scene of forgetting, even letting go in his new set of ceramics bombard and astonish the viewer in the two rooms of the gallery.

A Drop of Red, a wall-hanging installation illustrates the cycle of nature mixed with the intervention of the government to actively solve some if not all drug problems in the country. Pusher, a large installation of ash-glazed ceramics composed of haggard and tense facial expressions make the exhibition grounded and humane, establishing a connection with the characters in the narrative that we exist in. Blood Moon, made up of 28 square ox blood red glaze with porcelain slip wall pieces, represent Mendoza’s affinity with the lunar theme although incorporating it with a practical solution for the aforementioned problem.  It is a both a story-telling and a commentary sculpted in elegant and red-glazed works.

Awarded by the George Washington University as bearer of the Alfred E. Steck Memorial Prize in Sculpture this April 2017 and a Master of Fine Arts candidate in the institution, Hadrian Mendoza is an esteemed studio potter and kiln-builder. Participating in local and international conferences in ceramic such as the Southeast Asian Ceramics Festival and the Ceramic View Symposium in Thailand organized by the International Academy of Ceramics in Switzerland, Mendoza prides himself with hard work in expanding the practice of pottery both in the Philippines and abroad.

Hadrian Mendoza’s works are on display at Galleria Duemila, 210 Loring St. 1300 Pasay City on August 5 – 31 2017. 

Tying the Knot? Find Out the Best Locations to Live and Start a Family

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Leading real estate portal Lamudi Philippines helps newlyweds how to choose a location where to settle down

After the hype and excitement of the honeymoon wears off, the most important matter that the newlyweds have to consider and decide upon is where to settle down. For most couples, making their own family nest is a thrilling yet a challenging first ride as husband and wife.

To ease the task a bit, global property website Lamudi Philippines shares it expertise to guide new couples on how to choose the best place to begin a lifetime of adventures.

In the Philippines, the first few months or even years of the newlywed couples are often spent with the in-laws as close-family ties are seriously observed in the country. They usually go back and forth to visit and stay with both sides of the family. This scenario could be happy, endearing, and tiresome at the same time, and as real life sets in, the marriage will not be complete without a place they can call their home.

But what does it take for a community to house your future home? As the need of each couple varies, different deciding factors are also at play before finally being able to pick where to settle. It can be proximity to family, nearness to work and leisure, affordability, amenities, or even house architecture.

Mostly, the top deciding reason is still familiarity and closeness to family. Newlyweds start their solo life together but still prefer to be easily surrounded by family and common things so they rent out apartments or units near their family houses.

On the other hand, for those who are ready to dive in an independent lifestyle, here are some suggestions that could narrow down the search.

Live, Work, and Play

Walkable communities are very appealing to most house-hunters today especially to new couples who love to spend time together and not waste time. Top cities with good mixed-used locations where everything and anything are within reach are Makati, Taguig, Mandaluyong, and Quezon City. These cities house top multinational corporations, topnotch schools, and hospitals, and residential buildings are likewise strategically located around these places. Leisure components such as shopping malls, supermarkets, and other retail shops are also scattered around these mixed-use townships, making everything you ever need and want just a few minutes away.

Condominiums in these top central areas are also built with top-notch amenities that could make life more handy and suitable. Aside from the normal water and fitness features, developers are coming up with more unique services to offer like relaxing spas, reliable day care centers, valet parking and a myriad others.

Value-For-Money Homes in Suburban Areas

Cities and provinces located at the fringe areas of Metro Manila are also good options for future home. As revealed by Lamudi’s search data, Filipino house-hunters still prefer landed houses over condominium units. This is easily achievable in next wave cities like those found in Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan, and Rizal. In these areas, you can live just at the outskirts of the big city and go home to quaint and suburban home.

In addition, business process outsourcing (BPO) firms and other corporate offices are also choosing to locate in some of these areas, especially when real estate developers are unveiling provincial projects that also cater to them. This makes finding employment outside the traditional business districts possible. In addition, upcoming infrastructure projects like the Cavite–Laguna Expressway, the NLEX–SLEX Connector Road, MRT-7 are also currently in the development pipeline, ensuring that travel to these areas will become fast and easy in the future.

One: Light of a Nation is June’s Special Treat to Martial Arts Fans

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Widely considered as the frontrunner of mixed martial arts in the Asian region, ONE Championship seeks to end the first half of 2017 on an astounding note as the organization makes its way back to the beautiful city of Yangon to stage its fourth live event in Myanmar at the Thuwunna Indoor Stadium on 30 June.

Looking to keep that big ball of momentum going generated its recent highly-acclaimed trips to Manila and Singapore, ONE: LIGHT OF A NATION will feature the absolute best in local and international MMA talent, accentuating a tremendous five-round middleweight championship rematch between reigning division kingpin Vitaly Bigdash and Myanmar’s favorite son Aung La N Sang.

“This year, we’re giving Yangon something new, a much deeper roster of talents. We are bringing guys from different parts of the globe to showcase world-class action,” ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong said.

“The first bout was an absolute showcase of incredible skill and unwavering determination, and the rematch promises nothing short of another classic. We have an absolutely stacked card from top to bottom prepared for Yangon, and it will be a night fans will not want to miss,” he added.

Bigdash and Aung La first crossed paths five months ago at ONE: QUEST FOR POWER, where the Russian champion had to dig deep to take a unanimous decision victory.

The contest was evenly-matched for the first two rounds, but midway through the bout, Bigdash landed a powerful kick to the head of the Burmese hero that had everyone watching convinced it would be all over soon.

However, Aung La N Sang had other ideas as he proved that he would not go down without a fight, putting on an inspiring display of courage that showed the world that he had the true heart of a champion.

Aung La became an embodiment of incredible toughness and resolve, defending against Bigdash’s relentless assault while managing to mount a credible offense of his own.

Moreover, the proud Yangon native took Bigdash’s best shots and responded, lasting to the final bell in a valiant performance.

Although he was not able to claim victory, Aung La will challenge Bigdash once again this 30 June at ONE: LIGHT OF A NATION.

“It’s one of the most highly-anticipated rematches in history. Both of these guys know what to deliver on fight night. They have rich experience in their combat game. Strategically, it’s the perfect combination on June 30th,” Sityodtong stated about the encounter.

Aside from the main event, ONE Championship has prepared a special co-featured attraction to the Bigdash vs. Aung La II as Japan’s Mei “V.V.” Yamguchi squares off with fellow ex-world title contender Jenny Huang of Chinese Taipei.

The winner of scheduled three-round meeting between Yamaguchi and Huang could secure a rematch with Asian MMA superstar Angela “Unstoppable” Lee for the ONE Women’s Atomweight World Championship title.

Also slated on the undercard of ONE: LIGHT OF A NATION is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champion Bruno "Pucci Bull" Pucci, who faces Filipino fighter Jimmy “The Silencer” Yabo.

Meanwhile, ONE Myanmar Featherweight Tournament 2015 Tha Pyay Nyo will return to the ONE Championship cage to battle former Lethwei fighter Htet Aung Oo, who makes his promotional debut.

Furthermore, South Korea’s Kevin “Old Boy” Chung is set to have his first ONE Championship debut against Chinese combatant Zhong Qingya.

ONE: LIGHT OF A NATION will likewise make history on 30 June as for the first time ever, a traditional Lethwei bout will be held inside the ONE Championship cage, showcasing front and center the beauty and authenticity of this ancient Burmese fighting discipline.

Lethwei fighters Shan Ko and Thway Thit Win Hlaing are set to display their amazing striking skills in front of a packed crowd eager for authentic Lethwei action.

In addition, ONE Championship has organized a Myanmar Flyweight Tournament to determine the country’s next flyweight superstar.

Saw Min Min will take on Tun Lwin Moe, while Ye Thway Ne battles Pat Kyaw Lin Naing in the semi-final matches. Shwe Kyaung Thar locks horns with Ye Yint Thway in the alternate bout.

With the box-office receptions of its two previous events, Sityodtong guarantees that ONE Championship’s fourth event in Myanmar will also be a night to remember.

“It will be bigger, better, bolder, crazier than ever before. It’s the month of June’s special gift to the great followers of this wonderful sport and to the genuine admirers of martial arts. June 30th in Yangon is going to be a massive, massive event. You’ve got to come out and show your love. It will be a lot of fun,” he ended.

​For more updates on ONE Championship, please visit www.onefc.com, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ONEChampionship, and like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ONEChampionship.