Vibrant Hues and Bountiful Harvests: M Lhuillier joins the Pahiyas Festival in Lucban

The Pahiyas Festival, one of the most vibrant and iconic harvest festivals in the Philippines, once again filled the streets of Lucban with its characteristic explosion of color and festivity.This annual celebration, held every May 15th, is in honor of San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of farmers, and has become a tradition deeply embedded in the cultural fabric of the town. More than just a religious festivity, the Pahiyas Festival is a grand expression of gratitude for the town's bountiful harvest and is a sight to behold.

The origins of the Pahiyas Festival date back to the Spanish colonial era when farmers brought their harvests to the church to be blessed by the local parish priest. This practice, which began as a way to give thanks for agricultural abundance, gradually transformed into a full-fledged festival. The word "Pahiyas" is derived from the term "payas," which means to decorate. Over the years, the festival has evolved, with townspeople decorating their homes in elaborate displays made from fresh produce, colorful rice wafers known as kiping, and various indigenous materials. These vibrant and intricate decorations reflect the creativity and resourcefulness of the people of Lucban.

During the modern-day Pahiyas Festival, the town of Lucban transforms into an outdoor art gallery. Homes and businesses compete to create the most spectacular displays, using kiping molded into delicate leaf shapes, as well as fruits, vegetables, and rice. The decorations are not just visual treats but symbolic representations of the town's gratitude for a successful harvest. Streets come alive with lively processions, street performances, and music. At the heart of the celebration is the procession of the image of San Isidro Labrador, which passes through the decorated streets, blessing the harvest and the community. Alongside the stunning displays, visitors indulge in local delicacies like longganisang Lucban and pancit habhab, further enriching the cultural experience.

 

This year, M Lhuillier Financial Services again proudly joined the festivities, further cementing its role as an active participant in the community. Their involvement in the Pahiyas Festival reflects a commitment to celebrating and preserving the Filipino cultural heritage. As one of the country's leading financial service providers, M Lhuillier used this opportunity to engage with the local community, aligning their brand with the values of resilience, creativity, and collaboration. Through their participation, the company strengthens its connection to the communities it serves, bridging the gap between the corporate world and grassroots culture.

M Lhuillier's participation in the Pahiyas Festival is part of their broader Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. The company has long been committed to uplifting Filipino communities through its ML Cares Foundation. Their CSR activities span various sectors, including education, environmental sustainability, and community development. For instance, M Lhuillier actively participates in Brigada Eskwela, an annual program aimed at preparing schools for the academic year. The company has donated sanitation facilities such as handwashing stations, school supplies, and computers to schools across the country. These efforts ensure that students have access to a clean and healthy learning environment, even in underserved areas.

 

In addition to educational initiatives, M Lhuillier likewise focuses on providing livelihood opportunities. The company has spearheaded training programs aimed at equipping communities with practical skills.   Such initiatives not only empower individuals to create their own sources of income but also strengthen the local economy.

Environmental sustainability is another pillar of M Lhuillier’s CSR efforts. They have implemented waste management initiatives, such as the Trash Bin Project at Ayusan Elementary School, which encourages proper waste disposal and cleanliness in schools. The company has also supported tree-planting programs to promote environmental consciousness in local communities. These projects aim to create sustainable and healthy environments for future generations.

 

In all these initiatives, M Lhuillier demonstrates its commitment to serving as a bridge between its financial services and the communities it operates in. Their involvement in events like the Pahiyas Festival, coupled with their far-reaching CSR programs, highlights the company’s dedication to promoting Filipino culture, community development, and sustainability. M Lhuillier is not just a financial service provider—it is an active and engaged partner in the development and empowerment of the Filipino people. Through their continued efforts, they help foster a brighter, more resilient future for communities across the Philippines.

 

Netflix Philippines’ First Zombie Feature Trailer Unveiled Ahead of October 17 Launch

“You can’t keep out what’s already inside.” This ominous line concludes the newly released trailer for Outside, Netflix Philippines’ first zombie feature. Directed by acclaimed TV commercial and content filmmaker Carlo Ledesma, the film promises to deliver a gripping psychological horror experience when it premieres on October 17.

The story follows a family of four led by its unstable patriarch, Francis (Sid Lucero). Together with his wife Iris (Beauty Gonzales) and sons Josh (Marco Masa) and Lucas (Aiden Tyler Patdu), they flee to Francis’s secluded farmhouse in the province to seek refuge and restore some semblance of normalcy back amidst a devastating zombie outbreak.

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The trailer opens with a shot of a rundown car marked by a bloody handprint on the window, starkly symbolizing the family’s traumatic journey. It then transitions to scenes of the family attempting to adapt to their new haven, alongside glimpses of Francis’s growing paranoia. The tension builds as the trailer hints at the psychological and emotional struggles the family is about to face.

Speaking at Netflix APAC Southeast Asia Showcase in Indonesia in June, director Carlo emphasized that Outside is more than just a zombie film. For him, it’s a “terrifying psychological thriller” about the struggles of a family caught in the midst of a zombie pandemic. “At its core, it’s a film about a family’s survival,” he adds.

Carlo’s breakthrough in the horror genre came in 2011 with his found-footage film debut The Tunnel, followed by Sunod in 2019 and the horror-comedy short The Kapre. Carlo describes Outside as his most personal project to date, drawing inspiration from his experiences growing up in Negros and his own feelings of isolation during the pandemic, a period when the idea for the film began to take form.

Outside promises to shake up this October with its harrowing tale of survival in a desolate world riddled with more than just the undead. The film stars Sid Lucero, Beauty Gonzales, Marco Masa, and Aiden Patdu, with the special participation of Enchong Dee and Joel Torre.

Outside premieres globally on October 17, only on Netflix. 

High Stakes and High Speeds: Unleash the Thrills of Spinners on Lionsgate Play

 With Lionsgate Play, Pinoy viewers can dive into diverse, global stories right from their homes. In the streaming platform's latest drop, Spinners, we are taken to the gritty underbelly of Cape Town, where the local gangs rule the streets.

17-year-old Ethan (Cantona James) is trapped in a life he never wanted. He's a good kid with few choices, forced into working for a gang to keep food on the table for himself and his younger brother. But there's a spark of hope amidst the chaos: spinning, an extreme motorsport that's as exhilarating as it is risky. Ethan discovers he's a natural behind the wheel. Will Ethan’s talent for spinning be enough to change his destiny, or will the streets claim him before he can escape?

Beyond the adrenaline-pumping races, Spinners also offers a poignant commentary on poverty, privilege, and the human spirit's resilience. Spinners is the first African series to be selected in competition at Canneseries. It has gotten awards and rave reviews for its thrilling action, raw emotion, and powerful performances. With the entire 8-episode series now available on Lionsgate Play, you can witness the journey of Ethan and his fellow spinners as they push the limits.

On what it was like filming in the slums of Cape Flats, lead actor Cantona James told GQ South Africa, "The word 'cathartic' was used a lot on set, because we were surrounded by the story we’re telling. I'm talking about kids from 10 years old and younger, not being at school, working, and selling drugs. I'm telling a fictional story, but these kids are living the life. So, for me, it helped with sourcing the story and the character, and also bringing a sense of responsibility to everyone and everything that we're doing, because we can see who we're doing it for."

Buckle up and catch “Spinners” when it premiers on Lionsgate Play on September 27.

NOVA encourages people to be active through their NOVAmazing Moves

 Doing activities that involve physical movement can be fun and rewarding. It’s especially fulfilling when you have people who support your active lifestyle. Jack ‘n Jill Nova, the well-known multigrain snack of Universal Robina Corporation (URC), wants to encourage more people to be active through their NOVAmazing Moves pop-up events.

Jack ‘n Jill Nova continues to promote an active lifestyle with the launch of its NOVAmazing Moves pop-up event that offered visitors free fun movement-based activities such as dance and jump rope classes. Participants not only enjoyed the classes and games, but also took home some freebies from the multigrain snack brand.

NOVAmazing Moves is a series of pop-up events that aims to make movement fun and accessible for everyonethrough various activities. As a multigrain snack, Nova supports people’s active lifestyles, encouraging them to move with no pressure and to live a fulfilling life.

To encourage an active lifestyle the fun way, Jack ‘n Jill Nova hosted a jump rope class that was enjoyed by the crowd!

There are four pop-up events happening in Makati and Pasig where participants are free to join classes and games, and even get a chance to take home freebies from the brand. 

 

The first leg, at Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati City last September 1, featured Dance Cardio and Jump Rope classes. Participants got the chance to limber up while having fun. They also met fellow active people that pushed them to do their best. The pop-up event also had a Cool Down Area to stretch and rest, booths for games and free samples of Nova, and a photobooth area to take wonderful pictures with their workout buddies.

NOVAmazing Moves attendees enjoyed the multigrain goodness of Nova in a variety of flavors courtesy of the Crunch Station.

 

NOVAmazing Moves will have three more pop-ups happening on September 21 and October 5 along F. Ortigas Avenue in Pasig, and October 13 along Ayala Avenue in Makati. 

 

The upcoming Pasig pop-up events will feature Zumba and Jump Rope classes and free bike rentals for those who want to explore the city in the morning. There will also be freebies, sampling booths, and games to encourage people to move.

 

What are you waiting for? Grab your workout buddies and get moving at the NOVAmazing Moves pop-up events. Don’t forget to like and follow Nova’s Facebook page for more information and updates. 

 

Jack ‘n Jill Nova is a product of Universal Robina Corporation (URC), maker of well-loved Pinoy snack and beverage products such as C2 Cool and Clean, Great Taste Coffee, Jack ‘n Jill Piattos, Nova, Maxx, Cloud 9, Magic Crackers, and many others. To learn more about URC, visit its website (www.urc.com.ph), Facebook page (@URCPhilippines) and TikTok account (@URCPhilippines).  

 

HUGO unveiled a unique denim livery in collaboration with Visa and Cash App

 HUGO, with Visa Cash App RB Formula One Team, has designed F1’s first fashion-inspired livery in over 30 years, which is set to debut on track this weekend at the Singapore Grand Prix.

The sartorial-themed livery features a dynamic denim design that pays homage to HUGO’s iconic style. Since Italian fashion label and F1 team, Benetton, donned a historic “united colors” livery back in the 90’s, no fashion collaboration has graced a car’s outfit, despite fashion being at the forefront of Formula One partnerships in recent years. 

VCARB and HUGO are set to push those boundaries, bringing fashion even closer to the track once again, blending its signature style with the cutting-edge world of motorsport. 

 

Taking the collaboration beyond the track, the Team will be dressing their garage in an overarching denim theme, whilst drivers, Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda, will be wearing bespoke racing suits and HUGO outfits over the course of the weekend. 

Daniel Ricciardo, Visa Cash App RB driver said: “Over the years we’ve seen fashion brands join forces with F1 teams and drivers, especially when it comes to outfits, but never have we seen any of them take this step in full immersing themselves on track too. We’re really raising the stakes here and paving the way, showcasing that there’s so much more that can be done for brands to explore. I think we’re definitely going to open the eyes of these fashion houses and see more fashion-inspired liveries come to life.” 

 

Yuki Tsunoda, Visa Cash App RB driver said: “Fashion is one of my passion points, so to see our team collaborating in such a unique way, beyond our team kit and our daily HUGO outfits is super cool, especially since no one else has ever done it before. Doing something like this is a real reflection of our identity and creativity; at VCARB, we’re looking to speak to fans from all industries: art, music, fashion, so this is a real step towards everything we’re striving to do as a team.” 

 

There’s no doubt that high fashion and high performance come hand in hand, and this season exhilarating speed, fearless style, and unapologetic HUGO self-expression blazes a trail across the world of Formula 1, by redefining the boundaries of motorsports, championing individuality and self-exploration on and off the track.  

HABI: The Philippine Textile Council Prepares for the 2024 Likhang Habi Market Fair at Glorietta

HABI: The Philippine Textile Council is gearing up for this year’s Likhang Habi Market Fair, happening at the Glorietta Activity Center from October 18 to 20, 2024.

This is the 14th time HABI is organizing the event, as part of its mission to preserve, promote, and enhance Philippine textiles through education, communication, and research, using public and private resources.

HABI was established in 2009. “We started it because we realized that there was no textile society in the Philippines,” said HABI founder and chairman emeritus Maria Isabel “Maribel” Ongpin.

While the country’s ASEAN neighbors had groups dedicated to promoting and preserving their traditional textile practices and cultural heritage, the Philippines didn’t. And so the ladies of HABI stepped up to the plate, dedicating their time and energy to their cause—“the preservation, development and modernization of our Philippine textiles, which are quite varied, quite unique and very colorful, from all over the archipelago,” Ongpin said.

Likhang Habi Market Fair was their first project and it has grown so much over the years—from featuring 12 vendors to over a hundred in its recent editions. This year’s fair gathers weavers, artisans, designers and brands from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao—Cordillera, Zamboanga, Ilocos, Socksargen, Negros, Bangsamoro and more.

HABI travels to different corners of the country, visiting weavers and artisans, getting to know them and their art, finding that magical combination of talent and tradition in the grassroots, and opening doors for them. HABI secretary Rambie Katrina Lim said, “We realized that many of the weavers and crafters are actually quite isolated, so they need a platform to grow and show their product and tell their story. The market fair is a chance for them to interact with a bigger market.”

Likhang Habi Market Fair gives the weavers and artisans the opportunity to showcase and sell their creations—textiles, garments, bags, home decor, jewelry and more. Rambie said, “The variety of products is always amazing. They also know that at Likhang Habi, they can sell the nicer items because the customers who come are quite discerning and also know what great textiles are.”

There are many Likhang Habi Market Fair success stories—artisans who grow from the grassroots to greatness. The passionate women of HABI find joy in witnessing that growth.

“We have a lot of examples of that, like Carlo Eliserio and Raquel Eliserio. Now he's being invited to and attending international conventions and fairs as well. And he also has a place in a department store now, in Rustan's. There's a progression. We really invest and watch our vendors grow,” said HABI president Mia Villanueva, who started her relationship with HABI as a vendor—her bags and accessories brand MCV Designs participates in Likhang Habi Market Fair.

Adelaida Lim, HABI president emeritus said, “We have seen many weavers develop into competent entrepreneurs while improving their craft skills.”

Not all the weavers can afford the costs that come with participating in the market fair so the group has also introduced a sponsorship program that allows people to help them make it there.

Likhang Habi Market Fair is HABI’s main project. “It's what gets the textiles out there, and how people get interested about it, and how we can help our weavers through selling and entrepreneurial spirit,” said Villanueva.

But it’s just one part of what they do.

They’ve published four books on Philippine fabrics and produced three documentaries. They hold the annual Lourdes Montinola Piña Weaving; and the Eloisa Hizon-Gomez Abaca Weaving competitions. They teach and give lectures, connect and collaborate with other organizations here and abroad, and educate about and advocate for Philippine textiles and the people behind them.

The people of HABI “envision a strong Philippine Textile Culture that is vibrant, diverse and very much a part of our modern present” and their work has helped turn that vision into reality.

Thanks to HABI’s efforts, traditional textiles are no longer viewed as just material for native costumes, they’ve become part of daily life, “as contemporary attire with a relevant place in current lifestyles,”  Adelaida said.

Another indicator of their success is the growing interest in weaving and Philippine textiles among young people. For a long time, there was concern that weaving was a dying art, that the next generation wasn’t interested in continuing what those before them had started.

Adelaida recalled, “In the early days, when we started going around, visiting the weavers, one of the things that I observed is a lot of the artisans were quite elderly... I felt it was going to die if we just let it go, if we didn't give it any attention. But lately, I’ve noticed that more and more young people have gone into it.”

One young weaver, LoveLove Monon, granddaughter of Manlilikha ng Bayan Salinta Monon, is featured in HABI’s “Threaded Traditions” documentary “Memoirs of a Textile: Inabal of the Bagobo-Tagabawa.”

Adelaida said, “She decided to take upon herself to continue the traditions that her grandmother had left, and that's a signal. It shows you that it's going to continue to exist, it's going to evolve, and maybe innovations will come.”

Wanting to push for innovation, HABI also decided to create a category in their Piña Weaving Competition for weavers under 30 years old. “We were quite surprised by the number of young people who joined. That indicates that it's now in the hands of the next generation, and that it's not going to disappear with the death of older practitioners,” said Adelaida.

It’s not just young weavers who are taking interest. HABI also has many young volunteers who are eager to help the cause, including Filipino kids who grew up abroad and are wanting to reconnect with their roots. Among the volunteers are also new interns who have a lot of ideas for products that appeal to people their age. Villanueva said, “One intern is creating her own paper dolls. At HABI, we really focus on education because we want to transfer it to the next generation.”

Even within HABI leadership, there’s been a passing of the torch. Ongpin said, “They call me the founder but Laida Lim was right next to me, and so were other people. We have seen the interest expand, and now the players are very active. There's Mia and Rambie taking over. We're in the council of advisors. We've done our work, but

we're still interested, and we still participate, but we pass the baton to the younger people and that's good because it has to go down to the next generations.”

Villanueva said, "There's so much more we can do. We're going to bring it further. I have visions of what our next step is and what we want the council to be. It's exciting."

The year’s Likhang Habi Market Fair theme, “Earth To Loom: Celebrating Natural Dyes in Philippine Textiles,” is something that also speaks to the younger generation, a generation known for their concern about climate change and passion for sustainability.

Villanueva said, “Everywhere in the world, people are talking about natural dyes. We want to put it in people's minds. This is where we should start moving towards."

The Philippines is rich in plant dyes, said Kat Palasi, a textile artist and creative entrepreneur from La Trinidad, Benguet, who has been joining the Likhang Habi Market Fair since 2013. But what we have are raw materials—not dyes in powder form that can easily be bought and used by weavers. Palasi said, "When you go abroad and you go to craft stores and natural dye stores, it's all in powder form, and we don't have that, except for indigo, which is sold by a few small shops here in the Philippines."

Maybe it's the new generation who will make a difference. And HABI is here to help them make it happen.

Visit www.habiphilippinetextilecouncil.com and find HABI: The Philippine Textile Council on Facebook and Instagram (@HABICouncil).

Soleia by Vista Manors: A Trailblazer in Condominium Development in the Caraga Region

Sitting in the region of spirits folk, the vast lands of Butuan City in Agusan del Norte are some of the oldest settlements in the Philippines, with history, culture, and arts tracing back to the fourth century.

 

A first-class, highly urbanized city in Region Xll that evolved from an ancient trading site, Butuan stretches across the Agusan River, the widest, deepest, and longest navigable river in Mindanao. The city is rife with archeological finds on display at the Butuan Regional Museum, including stoneware, metal crafts, wood crafts, pottery, gold smithing, burial coffins, and other archeological treasures pointing to Butuan's prehistoric existence and rich cultural heritage. 

Soleia by Vista Manors: Setting the bar for vertical living in Butuan City

Caraga, where Butuan City is located, comes from Kalagan, the original language of the peoples of Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, and the Dinagat Islands.

 

Soleia by Vista Manors: Setting the bar for vertical living in Butuan City 

Demonstrating a keen sense of where the next business uptick will be, Vista Land, the leading integrated property developer in the country, is making bold moves and investing in the emergent areas of Mindanao with Vista Manors. With several cities in the queue for major developments, the company is ready to ride the waves south of the archipelago. 

Soleia offers smart home-ready residences suitable for young professionals, expanding families, and business investors looking for a comfortable and accessible place to live in the city

Soleia opened doors for a vibrant living experience to potential residents and investors

Launched in 2019, Soleia by Vista Manors has been setting the bar for condominium living in Butuan City and has opened doors for a vibrant living experience to potential residents and investors. The steadily rising demand for condominium developments contributes to Soleia being a highly sought-after vertical village and investment opportunity.

 

Soleia is the first pine condominium community rising in the Caraga Region. Meaning "sunshine," Soleia echoes the delightful weather of northeastern Mindanao and the passionate and bright spirits its people are known for. It serves as a mark for Butuan's ever-growing cityscape, with its planned multi-tower development and exclusive resort-inspired amenities all in one hectare of prime land. Soleia's strategic location takes its residents closer to modern conveniences like commercial hubs, major malls, leisure centers, and essential establishments such as medical centers, places of worship, educational institutions, government offices, and business hubs offering employment opportunities.

Clubhouse Pool~ Soleia is a multi-tower development with exclusive resort-inspired amenities, all in one hectare of prime land.

The vertical village is a promising development that offers smart home-ready residences suitable for young professionals, expanding families, and business investors looking for a comfortable and accessible place to live in the city. It embodies a vision for regional expansion, drawing attention from investors exploring promising business prospects. Additionally, Soleia is an appealing option for individuals seeking vibrant living, staying true to Vista Land as a provider of quality living spaces nationwide.

Building vertical villages nationwide for Global Filipinos 

Currently present in cities such as Butuan, Cavite, Pangasinan, Davao, , Ozamiz, and provinces including Bohol, Capiz, Laguna, Leyte, and Palawan—ten locations and counting—buyers and investors only need to choose among the vertical villages of Vista Manors that best suits their lifestyle. 

The mid-rise developments come with a reduced population density per floor, allowing more privacy and breathing room. They also offer unimpeded movement and access across several levels, as a sprawling community would. This grants their residents a markedly elevated lifestyle with a spread of living options––all nestled in a modern, sky-bound tower within, or very close to, bustling business and commercial hubs.

The vertical villages of Vista Manors integrate the convenience of a condominium with the facilities familiar to every neighborhood, a delightful and ideal combination that appeals to individuals looking for enhanced living experiences in their locations.  These condominiums are purposely resort-themed, offering landscaped open spaces, swimming pools, function halls, play courts, gyms, and roof decks with stunning views. This roster of amenities creates the perfect little vacation, making each home a personal escape at the end of every day. 

 

The vertical housing brand is also committed to excellence through its attention to detail and innovative design solutions. Moreover, Vista Manors ensures that all the needs and concerns of their clients are met through payment term options, personalized assistance throughout the buyer journey, and comprehensive after-sales services. Buyers and investors can have peace of mind knowing they are dealing with a reputable and reliable developer who puts their satisfaction first.

Through the creation of vertical villages, Vista Manors seeks to offer robust investment opportunities characterized by stability, predictability, and resilience to shifting economic tendencies. These developments have consistently shown a capacity to appreciate faster than house-and-lot developments, presenting promising prospects for long-term investments.

To learn more about Vista Manors' vertical villages nationwide, visit www.vistamanors.com.ph. Like and follow @VistaManorsOfficial for updates and new offerings.