Filipino Students Wow at the Asia Pacific Dance Festival in Hawaii

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Renowned industry experts and art students from over 30 schools and organizations worldwide gathered to celebrate the rich heritage of dance at the recent Asia Pacific Dance Festival (APDF) and Conference held at the University of Hawaii in Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii.

Themed Ho‘ala - to waken, the three-day convention highlighted the finest qualities and the aesthetic nuances of the art form through a series of discussions, productions, workshops and shows, to share traditional and practiced-based research.

The APDF is a biennial intimate and collaborative environment that also serves as a platform for diverse and dynamic interactions for cross-cultural understanding among the international fellows.

The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) delegation from the Philippines, comprised of School of Design and Arts (SDA) Arts and Culture Cluster Associate Dean Dr. Sunita S. Mukhi, Dance Program Chairperson Christine Crame, and majors Erika Arandez and Emmerson Evangelio, exhibited the College’s homegrown talent and advocacy of our tropical islands.

Mukhi presented a scholarly paper titled Intimacy and Inclusion, which introduced three of the institution’s theatrical innovations: Quartered explored the travails, torpor, and triumphs of a dancer without the encumbrance of the fourth wall; Canvass exemplified how a performer’s body offered to the Universal Spirit exhibits the longings and desires for a better life; and Ding, Ang Bato! (Ding, [Give] Me the Stone!), a musical with Filipino Sign Language (FSL) into the choreography that allowed the Deaf audience to appreciate the play.

Decked with compelling images, her study emphasized how the art form can share stories of inclusion and intimacy. 

Under the meticulous guidance and choreography of Crame, Evangelio and Arandez executed a four-piece showcase coined Dance Stories of Magnificence and Joy. Comprised of Butterfly and the Pin Man: A Dance Story about Magnificence, Transformation, Waterfall, and White Lion and Brown Fox, the duo’s Asian-inspired contemporary intermission unfolded thought-provoking morality tales with a dramatic narration that seamlessly blended the traditional gestures of the Filipino genre and the exquisite Indian movements.

Benilde Introduces Dean of School of Diplomacy and Governance

Wazzup Pilipinas!

De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) recently announced the appointment of Dr. Gary Ador Dionisio as the Dean of the School of Diplomacy and Governance (SDG) effective this Academic Year 2019 to 2020.

A Benildean educator since 2003, Dionisio has served as the Chairperson for Consular and Diplomatic Affairs (CDA) Program for six years.

An industry expert and academician on public administration and governance and international organizations and economy for the past 16 years, he has significantly contributed to the establishment of the SDG with former Dean George Binay. He has likewise spearheaded the formation of the College’s two newest programs, Bachelor of Arts in Diplomacy and International Affairs (BDIA) and Bachelor of Arts in Governance in Public Affairs (BAGPA), which were submitted to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in 2015.

He has collaborated with various agencies and has taken part in introducing the partnership between SDG and premier institutions such as University of Gadja Mada in Indonesia, Osgood Center for International Studies and Creative Learning, both in America.

Dionisio garnered his Master of Arts in Political Science from the De La Salle University (DLSU) and obtained his Doctorate degree in Public Administration from the University of the Philippines-National College of Public Administration and Governance (UP NCPAG).

Oakwood Introduces Asia’s First Mobile Club Lounge at Oakwood Premier Properties

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Oakwood Premier OUE Singapore will be the first serviced apartment in the region to deliver hotel club lounge experience in the comfort of guests’ apartments

Oakwood, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mapletree Investments (“Mapletree”), today announced the launch of its elevated club lounge experience to be made available at Oakwood Premier properties across Asia Pacific. The first property to pioneer this experiential concept, Oakwood Premier OUE Singapore will redefine the traditional club lounge experience by delivering personalised nightcaps and delectable canapés to guests right at their doorstep.

With an award-winning portfolio of properties, Oakwood Premier offers tailored luxury living to C-Suite executives and society’s elite in the key gateway cities of Bangalore, Guangzhou, Incheon, Jakarta, Seoul, Singapore and Tokyo. “Service innovation is a hallmark of the Oakwood Premier product and we continuously strive to push boundaries, providing guests with a highly differentiated luxury serviced living experience unique to Oakwood,’’ said Dean Schreiber, interim chief executive officer of Oakwood and managing director of Oakwood Asia Pacific. “We are excited to launch our innovative club lounge experience which we anticipate will further elevate the Oakwood Premier offering.”

Guests staying at Oakwood Premier OUE Singapore’s serviced apartments with club privileges will be able to enjoy the club lounge experience within the comforts and privacy of their abode. Making its round every evening between 7pm and 10pm, an extensive drinks menu including unlimited house pours and signature cocktails by the resident bartender as well as a rotating selection of canapés will be available. Guests can enjoy five types of canapés including standouts such as SE7ENTH restaurant’s signature Crispy Chicken Wings with Maple Truffle, Cherry Peppers with Pecorino Cream Cheese and Assorted Macarons to complement their nightcap. 

“We are proud to pioneer this enhanced club lounge experience, being the first serviced apartment to roll out this concept in the region,” shares Roy Liang, general manager of Oakwood Premier OUE Singapore. “We have introduced a number of experience-centric offerings which have been well-received by our guests. With this, we will be able to extend a highly personal and engaging experience to guests.’’