Ortigas Art Festival returns for its 5th year!

“This year’s festival paints a broader stroke of Philippine art where we encompass more art forms from visual art, film, dance, and even pottery,” said Renato “Mang Ato” R. Habulan, head curator of Ortigas Art Festival. “We want to show the diversity of talents across many disciplines Filipino artists have and we are honored to present all of those–and more–through this year’s exhibit and festivities.”

 

Launched in 2018, the Ortigas Art Festival was created with the goal of making art accessible to everyone. From featuring over 60 local artists during its first run, the number of artists who participated in the festival reached more than 200 and even included artists from Southeast Asia, America, and Europe in 2020.

 

Running from July 7, 2022 (Thursday) until August 7, 2022 (Sunday), the festival will showcase a wider variety of Filipino arts and culture across five pillars: Painting & Sculpture, Film and Photography, Dance and Fashion, ArtisTree, and Workshops.

“We believe that art has the power to connect people and uplift their spirits especially at trying times. We’ve proven that when we ran the festival during the two years under a pandemic. Now that we’re slowly recovering and embracing the new normal, we believe that there is no better time to show that Philippine art is alive and well and is for everyone to enjoy,” said Arch. Renee Bacani, Vice President of Ortigas Malls. 

“Through the Ortigas Art Festival, we reiterate our mission in bringing art to a wider audience and supporting the local art scene and community by including art in all its forms in this year’s celebrations.”

Painting and Sculpture will feature works from local galleries–Agos Studios, Bastedor Art Project, VmemeContemporary Art Gallery, Linangan Art Residency, Red Lab Gallery, Thombayan Art Space, and Makiling Art Studio; and celebrated visual artists Rita Bustamante and Rico Lascano.

Film and Photography will be led by The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and Born in Film who will be hosting retrospectives and late-night screenings of restored Philippine films, and from National Artists for film during the festival.  FDCP will also be holding its 2nd Vertical Cinema Contest during the festival.

 

Performing Arts and Fashion will see Ballet Works Manila hold special performances during the Vernissage on July 7 and on July 31 while the Fashion Designers Association of the Philippines will be presenting some of its best designs and creations throughout the month-long event.

ArtisTree will have the Learning Tree Child Growth Center that will showcase some of the masterpieces of its alumni, teachers, and students from Preschool, Grade School, and High School. They will also be holding several workshops such as painting, 3D art, paper cutting, paper sculptures, pottery, and oil pastel drawing for children and adults alike.

 

FDCP and Born in Film will conduct workshops such as Cinematography, Storytelling, and Film Editing while Born in Film will be conducting Creative Visual Storyline and Mobile Photography workshops, perfect for Film buffs and photography enthusiasts. They will also feature 2,000 inspiring photos from around the world. Meanwhile, those interested in getting their hands into pottery can also join the pottery sessions led by Big Mac for both adults and children as part of its Workshops, which will be exclusive to Ortigas Community Card members.

Ramon Santos, pride of Pasig City for being a National Artist for Music, will be holding a special exhibit on the second floor, showcasing a wide variety of art forms and artistry to foster appreciation for Filipino art and artists.

 

Mr. Santos is a composer, conductor, musicologist, and is currently the country’s foremost exponent of contemporary Filipino music.

 

“What we want in this year’s iteration is to introduce Filipinos to the works of some of the country’s best while stoking their interest and appreciation for Philippine art,” said Helen Mirasol, art patron and one of the co-founders of Ortigas Art Festival. “This is a month-long celebration of our art and artists where everyone is invited–no matter if you’re an art connoisseur or a regular person who wants to find the art form that will speak to their soul. Everyone is welcome at Ortigas Art Festival.”

 

The Ortigas Art Festival runs from July 7 to August 7 at the Estancia East Wing, Capitol Commons, Pasig City. Admission is free. To get the full festival schedule, follow Ortigas Art Festival on Facebook and visit ortigasmalls.com for the latest info on upcoming events and activities. Sign up for the Ortigas Malls Community Card by downloading the Ortigas Malls Mobile App and unlock your access to the amazing perks, privileges, and workshops during the festival.

Here are 5 KPop must-have collection on Carousell

Whether you’ve been on the KPop wave for years or just new to the fandom, KPop fans know the struggle of finding KPop items to add to their collection. And now that some of the biggest KPop acts and artists are set to visit the Philippines this year for live concerts like Red Velvet, Seventeen, and (G)I-DLE, KPop fans are doing a double-time preparing for the much-awaited moment to see their favorite oppas! 

 

If you’re on the lookout for KPop collection essentials, here are 5 items you can check out on Carousell, the leading online classifieds marketplace in the Philippines, to help you expand your K-pop collection before you go sing and dance with your K-idols. 

 

Official Red Velvet albums and Blackpink light sticks. 

Ask any K-pop fan out there and they’ll tell you that K-pop albums are probably one of the most important items in your collections. For Red Velvet stans out there, you’ll want to check out seller @dearzimzalabim-75814 on Carousell and get your hands on Red Velvet Day 1 Album, with all inclusions of Official Joy PC, CD, album booklet, and RVF, all intact in the box. If you’re lucky enough to attend your K-Idols concert, a light stick is indeed a must-have. You can head to the Carousell platform and check out light sticks from seller @asterkshopph and get Blackpink’s V2 light stick so you can geek out and dance out to your favorite girl group’s hits!

 

BTS Funko pops. For army’s who just can’t get enough of one of the biggest K-boyband today, seller @cjcali09 is selling BTS Dynamite Funko Pop Set featuring all 7 members of BTS. If you’re the type of army that loves to get rare-find collectibles, then the rare BTS Jungkook Funko pop idol version from seller @koooojeon should also be an addition to your KPop collection!

 

Transparent phone case with card slot for photo cards. For any KPop fans, their collection won’t be complete without a photocard that they can stick at the back of their phones to show their love for their idols. Try checking out some transparent phone cases with cardholders from seller @drey_formy and flaunt your KPop side anywhere you go!

 

Finger heart hoodies. When people hear the phrase “finger heart”, most likely, there’s one thing that comes to mind and that is KPop. With K-idols using the gesture as a go-to pose during photo ops, and even shown in different KDramas, it’s no wonder that “finger heart” has also been adapted by so many KPop fans around the world and became their symbol. If you’re one of the stans jumping into this trend, you’d want to check out some finger heart design hoodies from seller @eymhoredv. The seller is offering unisex hoodies in multiple colors as well so you can show off your aegyo side no matter what fandom you belong to!

 

KPop-inspired tote bag. For any fan who needs loads of space to carry all their other merch, seller @blankprintphoffers custom print tote bags where you get to choose to print your bag with a design inspired by your bias and oppas. The seller also offers discounts when you purchase more than 20 pieces of tote bags, with freebies and mini giveaways too! 

 

Need more items to add to your KPop collection? Check out Carousell’s vibrant KWave community that sells a wide range of Kpop merch, albums, accessories, and so much more! 

 

Now that you have everything you need, it’s time for the most important part – fangirl (or fanboy) your heart out with these amazing and cute KPop items on Carousell and have a K-Wave experience of a lifetime!

 

 

ASUS joins the Shopee Super Brand Day Sale on July 12 to 13!

Students and young professionals looking for an everyday laptop can get the ASUS Vivobook Pro  14 OLED (K3400PA). This 14-inch laptop boasts a 2.8K high resolution OLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate and a 16:10 screen-to-body, a perfect combination to achieve an immersive binge-watching experience and entertainment time. It also features an 11th Gen Intel Core i5 H-series processor and an excellent cooling system that allows this laptop to maintain high performance during moderate to heavy workloads.

The Vivobook Pro 14 OLED (K3400PA) comes at a discounted price of P47,995.00 from its original price of P54,995.00 over at the . It is also bundled with a free 3-month Adobe Cloud subscription.

Meanwhile, light to moderate laptop users can get the ASUS Vivobook 15 OLED  (K513EA). This device will surely upgrade your laptop experience because it boasts a 15-inch full HD OLED screen display. It also features up to 11th Gen Intel Core i5 processor with Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics, the specs you need to achieve any task without a sweat. The Vivobook 15 OLED (K513EA) comes at a discounted price of P41,995.00 from its original price of P44,995.00 over at the ASUS Shopee store.

 

Smart and practical laptop users can get the ASUS Vivobook Pro 14 OLED (M3401QA). This laptop boasts 2.8K OLED display technology with a 90Hz refresh rate. It is equipped with AMD Ryzen 5000 H-Series CPU and an excellent cooling system, allowing the Vivobook Pro 14 OLED (M3401QA) to maintain high performance during light to moderate content creation. The Vivobook Pro 14 OLED (M3401QA) comes at a discounted price of P54,995.00 from its original price of P59,995.00 over at the ASUS Shopee store. It is also bundled with a free 3-month Adobe Cloud subscription.

 

ASUS fans can also enjoy a 2-year International Global Warranty and Platinum Protection Warranty for every purchase of an ASUS laptop. ASUS Shopee Store will offer free shipping and an additional P1,000 voucher discount during the Shopee Super Brand Day Sale on July 12 to 13. Add to cart now at ASUS Shopee to enjoy these great rewards from the no. 1 OLED laptop brand in the Philippines.  Don’t forget to follow ASUS, ROG, and ASUS for Business on Facebook or visit the official website of ASUS Philippines and ROG Philippines.

 

Cebu Pacific launches special seat sale starting July 7!

Cebu Pacific,  the Philippines’ leading airline, has restored 88% of its pre-pandemic systemwide capacity following the continuous ramp-up of its domestic and international routes.

The airline now flies an average of 340 flights a day, covering 34 domestic and 18 international destinations. This is equivalent to roughly 64,000 seats offered in a day.

CEB has restored 100% of its pre-pandemic domestic capacity in April this year. The airline has already surpassed its December 2019 level for domestic capacity as it marks 109% restoration in July 2022.

“We are pleased to see more people confidently flying again, not just within the Philippines but even abroad. This positive development has not only allowed us to carry more passengers, but also boosted our cargo service,” said Xander Lao, Chief Commercial Officer at Cebu Pacific. 

To continue spurring travel CEB announces a special 7.7 sale from July 7 to 11, 2022, offering flights for as low as PHP 188 one-way base fare for domestic routes on sale. Travel period is from September 1, 2022, until January 31, 2023.

Apart from this, CEB also offers a simultaneous special international seat sale, on the same travel period above, to key destinations for as low as PHP 499 one-way base fare. This includes flights to South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taipei, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Bangkok, among others.

“We remain committed to offering the lowest fares across our network and we are encouraged by past seat sale success rates so we will continue to stimulate travel through our promo fares,” added Lao.

CEB has achieved a 7-star safety rating from airlineratings.com for its COVID-19 compliance. It continues to implement a multi-layered approach to safety, while it operates with a 100% fully vaccinated crew, 95% of whom have been boosted – all to ensure every Juan flies safely and conveniently on Cebu Pacific. For more information, visit www.cebupacificair.com.

Get ready to party with Max Original comedy series Rap Sh!t

 

(Photo credits: HBO GO)

 Get ready to party with Max Original comedy series Rap Sh!t, from Emmy® and Golden Globe® nominee Issa Rae (HBO’s Insecure). The eight-episode season will debut with two episodes same time as the U.S. on Friday, July 22 on HBO GO, and continues with one episode each week.

 

Rap Sh!t follows two estranged high school friends from Miami, Shawna (Aida Osman) and Mia (KaMillion), who reunite to form a rap group. The series also stars Jonica Booth, Devon Terrell and RJ Cyler.

 

Rap Sh!t is executive produced by Issa Rae and showrunner Syreeta Singleton, as well as Montrel McKay for HOORAE, Jonathan Berry and Dave Becky for 3 Arts Entertainment, and Deniese Davis. Rae also wrote the premiere episode and co-wrote the finale episode with Singleton.

Hip hop duo Yung Miami and JT of City Girls serve as co-executive producers, along with Kevin “Coach K” Lee and Pierre “P” Thomas for Quality Control Films and Sara Rastogi for HOORAE. Rae’s audio content company Raedio handles music supervision for the series.

 

Stream or download Rap Sh!t from July 22 on HBO GO. All five seasons of Issa Rae’s acclaimed series Insecure are also available on HBO GO. Subscribe to HBO GO online at https://www.hbogoasia.ph/ or the mobile app via the App Store or Play Store for as low as ₱99.70/month. Or access HBO GO via Cignal, Globe and Skycable. HBO GO is also available on Android TV, Apple TV, LG TV and Samsung Smart TV – and comes with AirPlay and Google Cast functionality.

The Importance of Staying Hydrated

Did you just finish a run, workout session, or yoga class? Make sure to drink plenty of fluids! After a hard workout, fluid losses need to be replaced, which is why it’s important to rehydrate. This is especially true during summer months since heat and humidity can accelerate fluid losses and make it harder to stay well-hydrated.

 

The Importance of Staying Hydrated

 

Water is vital for the proper function of every cell, tissue, and organ in the body. Here are reasons why hydration is so essential:

●      Water is needed for proper digestion and delivery of nutrients to your cells.

●      It helps regulate body temperature.

●      Water also acts as a “shock absorber” for the brain and spinal cord, and it lubricates joints, organs, and tissues.

●      Water helps maintain healthy mucous membranes and is a key component of lymphatic fluid, thus supporting the health of your immune system.

●      Adequate water intake may even help manage your weight.

Dehydration Signs and Symptoms

 

When you’re not properly hydrated, your body sounds an alarm that shows itself first as thirst and dry mouth. Signs that you may not be taking in enough fluids might include:

●      Dark urine

●      Constipation

●      Bad breath

●      Muscle fatigue

●      Headaches

 

By the time thirst mechanisms kick in, you’re already fairly dehydrated, so it’s important to stay on top of your fluid intake. It’s also critical to make sure infants and children get enough fluids as well – a recent meta-analysis indicated that children globally are not consuming enough water to be well-hydrated.

 

Dehydration can result from not drinking enough fluids during the day, but other factors can contribute. If you’ve had diarrhea, nausea, or a fever, you need extra fluids.

 

When you’re exercising, it’s important to keep your fluid intake up not only during activity but also to make sure that you adequately replace fluid losses once you’ve finished. Some athletes make a habit of weighing themselves before and after activity to see how much fluid needs replacing. For every pound of weight that’s lost, you need to drink about 2-3 cups of liquid to replace fluid losses.

 

When You May Need More Than Water

 

If you are working out intensely, or for longer than 30 minutes or so, or working out in a hot or humid environment, you may need to supply your body with more than just plain water – both during and after exercise.

 

When you sweat, you not only lose water but important minerals – like sodium, chloride, and potassium – that need to be replaced. These body salts or electrolytes participate in many body processes but are especially important for the proper function of your nerves, muscles, heart, and brain.

 

Electrolytes can be replaced with specially designed sports drinks that provide not only fluid but the right balance of electrolytes that have been lost through perspiration. Some even provide some carbohydrates, which can be a source of energy during exercise. Another plus to sports drinks is that they usually have a mild and slightly sweet taste that can encourage you to drink more.

 

Creative Ways to Up Your Fluid Intake

 

We all know we should drink water, but we don’t always set ourselves up for success. Here are some ideas to encourage daily hydration:

 

●      Start your day with a big glass of water before your coffee or tea – you’ll create a good habit that can last a lifetime.

●      Review the situation at work. If you tend to spend a lot of time at your desk, set a pitcher of water on your desk each morning. It will serve as a reminder to drink more, and you’ll be motivated to sip on it as the day goes by – and meet your goal of finishing it.

●      If you’re on your feet or in the field, make sure you have convenient access to water (or bring a water bottle with you).

●      Set a timer or use an app for your smartphone or smartwatch that can help remind you to drink more water as you go about your day.

●      Make it interesting: add in citrus, herbs, fruit, or a splash of juice to amp up the taste; go for a bubbly, unsweetened option; have some tea with lemon; keep a pitcher in the fridge for a nice icy blast on a warm day.

●      Include more watery fruits in your diet – all fruits and veggies are good, but especially melons, leafy greens, and cucumbers.

●      Consider having soups before meals; they can help hydrate you and make your meal more filling.

 

How Much Water Should You Drink Per Day?

 

●      Your age, size, gender, and physical activity level will help determine your water needs, as does the climate. As a general rule, according to the Institutes of Medicine, the recommended daily fluid intake is about 11 cups for adult women and 15 cups for men. That sounds like a lot, but not all of it needs to come from beverages alone.

●      About 70-80 percent should be provided by beverages – and at least half of that from water, with lesser contributions from tea, coffee, milk, and other beverages. The remaining 20-30 percent should come from watery foods such as fruits and vegetables.

●      Many people wonder if drinking caffeinated beverages such as coffee and tea counts toward hydration goals or against them. The good news: moderate amounts of caffeine will not deplete the water in your body.

●      But do watch the calories in those fancy coffee drinks – large amounts of cream and sugar add-ins can rack up calories quickly.