Malasimbo 2016: Where Musical Genius and Innovative Arts Unite

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Musical virtuosos, spectacular collaborations, and world-class Filipino artists come together in two weekends of the Malasimbo Festival this March 2016 on Mount Malasimbo in Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro. Now going on its sixth successful year, the Malasimbo Music and Arts Festival is held from March 4 to 6; and the Malasimbo Lights and Dance Festival, on its second year, falls on March 24 to 26

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Malasimbo Music & Arts Festival, March 4 to 6

Headlining this year’s music instalment is the acclaimed UK musician Jacob Collier. Twenty-year-old Collier is a musical prodigy backed by noted American record producer and composer Quincy Jones (who worked as conductor and arranger with Frank Sinatra and co-produced Michael Jackson’s multi-platinum solo albums). Collier, who is set to launch his debut album this year, is hailed for his stunning ability to create “a digital one-man band using contemporary technology: multitrack recording, looping pedals, and a strange Vocoder-like program that enables him to sing audacious harmonies through a Novation keyboard,” says The Guardian of the UK.

Listen to this musical prodigy in this clip.

Listen to this quick soundbite from Quincy Jones on Jacob Collier.

Highly renowned GongMyoung of South Korea returns after five years to the Malasimbo stage to electrify the audience. The “ambassadors” of Korean traditional music are favorites at numerous international festivals. GongMyoung is known for their harmonious mix of traditional Korean and Western percussion and wind instruments, creating crowd-stirring musical pieces guaranteed to leave you raring for an encore.

Malasimbo takes your world music experience notches higher with groundbreaking collaborations by local and international artists. A beatboxer with a 16-piece orchestra? That’s definitely the musical treat and visual spectacle you’ll experience with “Thum Prints” a collaboration between Australia’s Tom Thum, whose voice captures a vast repertoire of sounds which he refers to as the “orchestra in my mouth,” and members of one of Asia’s oldest musical ensembles, the Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO) under the guidance of Brisbane composer Gordon Hamilton. Click here for a preview of Thum Prints (in miniature).

Watch out for the Brat Pack, the only blues band from Asia to ever reach the finals of the prestigious International Blues Competition in Memphis, Tennessee. First-time performers on the Malasimbo stage are the well-loved Tacloban-based Beatles’ cover band Reo Brothers, and the talented classical-contemporary guitar trio Triple Fret, who won first prize in the 27th Guitar Ensemble Festival in Shinagawa, Tokyo last year. Lachlan Mitchell, one of Australia’s best composers and jazz guitarists will collaborate on musical numbers with local artists of the Malasimbo Collective.

Malasimbo favorites—the funky Golden Sound from Australia, the spirited Filipino percussion band Brigada with their rousing Afro-Brazilian beats, soul band SINOSIKAT?—come onstage along with a vast array of up-and-coming artists that Malasimbo will showcase, in collaboration with Radio Republic, as part of their commitment to unearthing new talent. Some of them include Crwn, Reese Lansangan, Lustbass, RH Xanders, Moophs, Paolo Mallari, Asch, Soul_Brk. Local and international DJs playing cap off each evening with soulful, house music guaranteed to keep your energy up past midnight.

Malasimbo Lights & Dance Festival, March 24 to 26

“It is music and dancing that make me at peace with the world,” said Nobel peace prize winner and freedom fighter Nelson Mandela. It’s this same vibe that’s replicated in Malasimbo’s second weekend, when international and local DJs renowned for their contributions to the funk, house, hip-hop, drum ’n’ bass, and electronic music genres converge on the Malasimbo stage from March 24 to 26.

Malasimbo is fast becoming the solid platform for under-the-radar yet brilliant local performers to make their musical works known to an appreciative audience seeking an aural experience that’s out of the usual commercial box. Keep your ears open (and your minds) to the talents of Wolf Squared, Afro x Chrizo, Aries, Diamond Heights, and more to be announced on www.malasimbo.com in the runup to the Lights and Dance festival.

Among the international DJs making their debut on the Malasimbo stage are English record producer Lapalux with his brilliant, eclectic mix of R&B and house, French hip hop beatmaker Onra, and house and techno DJ San Soda from Belgium. Returning to Malasimbo are British drum ’n’ bass guru Goldie, MBE; and Japanese hip hop DJ and turnatablist Kentaro. Dance aficionados will also enjoy the spectacle of a full moon beaming over the amphitheater fromMarch 24 through 26.

The Malasimbo Experience

The Malasimbo Festival, acknowledged by the Department of Tourism Philippines as a prime catalyst for the country’s continued advance in music, arts, and culture, is exceptional for its breathtaking venue. The amphitheater’s natural landscape greatly enhances the acoustics and sound quality.

This year, festival-goers’ listening experience will be heightened thanks to the addition of a brand new Funktion-One sound system, one of the most efficient sound systems in the world.

The festival grounds, dotted with close to 30 installations from the country’s leading visual artists (see news release “Visual Artists Capture Festival Energy”), are situated on majestic Mt. Malasimbo, which overlooks Puerto Galera bay, an exclusive member of “The Most Beautiful Bays in the World” Club . White Beach, one of Puerto Galera’s more popular coves, will play host to the Malasimbo Kiteboarding Exhibition on March 5, Saturday, led by expert Filipino and foreign kiteboarders.

Malasimbo Online

www.malasimbo.com is your source for the latest updates on the official lineup of acts and performance schedules for the Malasimbo Music and Arts Festival and the Malasimbo Lights and Dance Festival. Purchasing festival passes and booking accommodations at partner hotels or the Coleman Camping on the Malasimbo grounds are made easier on this newly revamped website, malasimbo.com.

The festivals are a production of Volume Unit Entertainment, Inc. and the D’Aboville Foundation, supported by Ipanema and Rider; with the participation of Brew Kettle, H&M Loves Music, Nothing But H20, and Toms; and the support of our official our official TV partners Solar Entertainment Corp., ETC, 2nd Avenue, Jack TV, Solar Sports, Basketball TV (BTV), and CT; official radio partner Wave 89.1; official media partners: Aktivshow, ANC, Explore Philippines, Meg, Megstreetwear.ph, Radio Republic, Travel Now, Travelbook.ph, 8list.ph, Amplify.ph, Archipelago.com.ph, Inflight Traveller, Juice.ph, Myx.ph, Our Awesome Planet, PhilippineConcerts.com, Stylebible.ph, theAsianParent.com, Third Culture, Travelife, WhenInManila.com, Yelp! Manila; our official airline partner Air Juan; our official hotel partner Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila; and our official ticketing partner TicketWorld. Special thanks goes to Coleman, the Municipality of Puerto Galera and the Provincial Government of Oriental Mindoro, Z Hos-tel, and A-Space Philippines.

The Malasimbo Lights and Dance Festival is produced in collaboration with Japan’s Basscamp with the support of the World DJ Academy, Okamoto Clinic Sendai, Asia Unite, and GOJA.

For more information about the Malasimbo Festival, please visit our website; or our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or YouTube.

PHOTOGRAPH BY MALASIMBO MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL

ABOUT THE MALASIMBO FESTIVAL

From a turnout of 1,500 adventure-seeking, nature-and-music loving individuals in its first year in 2011, attendance blossomed to some 6,000 festival-goers in 2015, among them travelers from more than 30 countries as far as Denmark to neighboring Hong Kong and Singapore. Headliners of past Malasimbo Music and Arts Festivals have included James Brown’s renowned trombone player, band leader , and musical director Fred Wesley; Rock ’n’ Roll Hall-of-Famer Jimmy Cliff; UK soul jazz artist Omar, MBE; Grammy Award winner Robert Glasper; the godfather of Neo-Soul and one of most sampled artists in the world, Roy Ayers; the king of latin soul, Afro-Filipino, Joe Bataan; Japan’s leading Taiko performers Gocoo; Swedish musician Jose Gonzalez; Bobby McFerrin’s son Taylor McFerrin; and Bob Marley’s son KyMani Marley, among many others who performed alongside a predominantly Filipino lineup of jazz, soul, and world musicians.

Repertory Philippines Launches 79th Season with Comedy, Drama, and Musicals for Young Children

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Repertory Philippines has established itself as the premier producer of thought-provoking and entertaining straight plays and musicals. Since 1967, it has produced more than 400 high-caliber shows, and 2016 is set to be another impressive year for theatergoers.

For its 79th season, Repertory is launching five plays that will intrigue, inspire, captivate, and bring out the inner child of every viewer.

From January 15 to February 7, Repertory is staging The Game’s Afoot, a comedic play by Ken Ludwig set in the 1930’s. The story follows William Gillette, a Broadway star known for his portrayal of detective Sherlock Holmes, both in the play and in real life. In The Game’s Afoot, he invites his castmates to his castle in Connecticut for a weekend of fun and games, until someone turns up dead. Gillette must channel his inner Holmes to track the killer and stop the next death. In 2012, The Game’s Afoot won Best Play at the Edgar Allan Poe Awards, an award-giving body hosted by the Mystery Writers of America.

To highlight the Valentine’s season, Repertory will present John Cariani’s Almost, Maine from February 19 to March 13. On a cold, wintry night with the northern lights illuminating the dark sky, the residents of Almost fall in and out of love in unusual ways. The New York Times has described it as a “higher-concept and more clever version of Hollywood [love stories]” with a “beautiful structure.”

For the summer, Repertory is staging Stepping Out from April 1 to 24. Stepping Out, a lively comedy by Richard Harris, tells the story of former chorus girl Mavis who teaches a dance class in a dingy church hall in London. While learning the basics of body language and movement, Mavis must deal with the drama cooking up in the studio. Since it premiered in 1984, it has been staged most notably the West End in London and Broadway in New York. Stepping Out was awarded Best Comedy at the London Evening Standard Theatre Awards, organized by notable British critics and editors.

Repertory has a history of producing child-friendly plays like Pinocchio, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and Camp Rock the Musical, and the company is also staging Hansel and Gretel from August 20 to December 15 for the young and young-at-heart. This delightful interpretation of the Brothers Grimm classic follows siblings Hansel and Gretel through their journey in the woods. There, they see a fantastically-designed house made of gingerbread, candy, and ice cream. When they start to eat it, until they are caught and trapped by the witch that lives there. The two must work together to outwit the evil witch and escape the sugary house of horrors.

Running simultaneously with Hansel and Gretel is A Little Princess. Based on the children’s novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett , A Little Princess tells the story of Princess Sarah, who suffers at the hands of Miss Minchin at a boarding school in London. Things turn for the worse when her father dies and she becomes a pauper. The musical will run from November 18 to December 18.

Compared to watching on the big screen or on a television, nothing beats the immediacy, intimacy, and raw talent showcased in stage plays. Repertory is expected to thrill theatergoers this 2016 with its lineup of shows, a diverse mix of comedy and drama for audiences of all ages. See you at the theater!

For more details, inquiries on ticket or show buying, call Repertory Philippines at 843-3570 or visit the website athttp://www.repertoryphilippines.ph/.

SM holds first religious art exhibit in Pampanga

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SM, in partnership with Foundation for Lingap Kapampangan and the Archdiocese Commission on Church Heritage, recently held “Obra Sagrada” at SM City Clark.

Obra Sagrada, which roughly translates to “sacred works,” featured works of art with religious themes from 20 artists hailing from Pampanga, Bulacan, Bukidnon and Metro Manila. Dubbed as the first ecclesiastical art exhibit in the country, Obra Sagrada aims to promote awareness for both the art and artists, giving them the opportunity to showcase their craft not only in the country, but also in Asia-Pacific.

The exhibit also featured work from Wilfredo “Willy” Layug, the creator of the “Our Lady of Palo” statue from the Papal Visit earlier this year. The art forms come in a variety of vestments and sculptures, altars, retablos, church furniture and fixtures, religious home décor, gold leafing, and metal smithing work.

Apart from the art exhibit, guest speakers also gave talks on Christian iconography and heritage appreciation.

SM Supermalls President Annie Garcia said it is a privilege for the company to host and sponsor such an event that would promote local artists and cultural heritage. “We want the public to see how rich our country’s religious art heritage is, and how much talent we have in the country in this artistic category. Hopefully, this serves as an inspiration to budding artists out there,” Garcia added.

Such exhibits are in line with the company’s programs that promote Philippine heritage and culture. This partnership with the Foundation for Lingap Kapampangan and the Archdiocese Commission on Church gave SM mall-goers the rare opportunity to have a glimpse of and rediscover the Philippine’s rich religious art heritage.

SM is exploring its partnership with these organizations further to make Obra Sagrada an annual activity in SM Clark and to bring the exhibit to other SM malls.

A Hilltop Haven at Tagaytay Highlands

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This 27-hectare modern ranch-inspired log cabin community in Tagaytay Highlands offers astonishing mountain views of Batangas and Laguna, the Canlubang Valley, and Laguna de Bay. It is surrounded by hundreds of pine trees with lot areas ranging from 300-800 square meters.

Whenever one thinks of his or her fondest childhood memory, images of summers spent with family are evoked—unforgettable vacations in a beautiful destination or long and lazy afternoons in the old hometown. It’s what nostalgia does. Those precious bygone years are dredged from our memories, making us relive the innocence and happiness of the child we once were.

Today, there’s a perfect place to make new memories with the people you love—Aspenhills in Tagaytay Highlands. A home away from home, the place can very well be the family’s favorite getaway with its promise of serene and peaceful living, just two hours’ drive from Metro Manila.

Soothe the stresses of city life in this exclusive hilltop community, which offers astonishing views of Batangas, Laguna, Canlubang Valley, and Laguna de Bay. With a backdrop as spectacular as this, make spending weekends in a modern-ranch style and mountain lodge-themed community relaxing for the whole family.

Inspired by the picturesque and elegant Aspen in Colorado, USA, each log home in Aspenhills exudes the warmth and intimacy one seeks on chilly days. With the rustic charm of wood and touches of contemporary glass and stone, it’s the perfect setting for savoring Tagaytay’s year-round cool weather.

Aspenhills provides you convenience and comfort with its modern amenities. The privacy and safety of homeowners are also given foremost importance with its 24-hour gated security.

Within this 27-hectare development are amenities that promote a holistic lifestyle. Strengthen family bonds and spend afternoons at the Sunshine Picnic Grove. Watch the kids play and be out and about at the Little Ranch Playground. Hold intimate gatherings at the Village Hall where you can celebrate life’s feats with friends and family or a simple tete-a-tete with your neighbors on an idle afternoon.

On top of all these, Aspenhills residents can also enjoy Tagaytay Highlands’ topnotch leisure facilities situated within 1,290 hectares of lush greenery.

Enjoy the company of family and friends at the Village Hall. The perfect place to spend quality moments with the people who matters most.

Tagaytay Highlands boasts first-class amusement for the family, highlighted by the first and only Swiss cable car system in the country and two championship golf courses, while the superb Sports Center and The Spa and Lodge wellness center offer the best facilities for residents and guests who want to relax and de-stress. 

There are more than twenty dining outlets in the neighborhood—pick one to cap a day of activities and fun or choose a place for the next family reunion or birthday party.

With a place to call home in a premier destination like Aspenhills, you and your family have the best chance yet to make memories that could last a lifetime.

Over the years, properties in this mountain resort have appreciated. And with suburbanization, Tagaytay Highlands is one of the best investment options there is in real estate as it is strategically located in the midst of emerging tourist destinations. Tagaytay Highlands continues to provide the market viable property selections with its continuous development.

Tagaytay Highlands is a leisure development of the SM Group of Companies. Situated in the highest elevations of Tagaytay, the premier leisure destination speaks of exclusivity and luxury. It is where stunning naturescapes and breezy, cool weather come together to redefine relaxation. And where golf and country clubs, fine restaurants, world-class amenities, and premium residential communities reshape your idea of a weekend getaway.

For more information on how to own a Highlands home, please visit www.tagaytayhighlands.com or call (632) 5052422 and (63917) 5150158.

All Day Mart aggressively expands reach

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All Day is aggressively expanding its reach as its services will be made available in many provinces and municipalities to make sure its presence is felt wherever there's a Filipino family.

Following the success of the All Day Convenience Store chain, particularly in their ability to discern and provide the needs and delights of its buyers, All Day is mobilizing this expertise on a larger scale, creating places where families don’t just drop by, get what they need then leave, but rather venues where friends can meet and parents can bring the kids – making grocery shopping a much-anticipated family affair.

All Day Convenience Store -- What Started It All

All Day convenience store focuses on fulfilling the needs of grab and go shoppers. The store goes beyond offering a broad selection of grocery products with their affordable fast food meals, such as siopao, hotdogs, pizza, soft-serve sundaes and sandwiches, salads, desserts prepared fresh daily. Aside from these,  there are added convenienc as All Day stores are equipped with service centers for your quick cellphone reloading and bills payment.

All Day takes the concept of the convenience store a step further by becoming your everyday neighborhood store and hangout.

A Whole Selection of All Day Marts

Believing that all communities are not the same, All Day has created a line of neighborhood stores: grocery stores smaller than the Supermarket and designed to service the specific needs of a community. Each store is configured and stocked to address the particular day-to-day essentials of each unique neighborhood.

Like in the Supermarket, walking into the All Day Marts transports one into a well-designed mini market place with its numerous fruit and vegetable racks and open chillers.

As neighborhood stores, All Day Marts offer a wide variety of products that is part and parcel of daily living.

One doesn’t need to go far to get one’s groceries fresh and at affordable prices. The All Day Marts carry fresh produce, meat, poultry, bread, and other grocery staples – and each All Day savings tag guarantees that customers are getting a good deal. All Day Mart’s longer operating hours work perfectly for those who prepare breakfast very early in the morning, or come home from work late in the evening. 

All Day is setting its sights beyond residential communities and is all set to move into other local neighborhoods, schools, commercial centers, business offices, and key locations around the country.

All Day stores mostly located within Vista Land communities - making it your everyday "neighborhood store" and possibly, hang out. Its location within the community's perimeter makes it a safe place for residents to meet and stock up on needed supplies, including the occasional treats for the kids.

All Day Mart at StarMall Prima, Daang Hari Road, Vista City grand opening and blessings  with Sen. Manny Villar and Camille Villar , May 8, 2015.

Being the only "True Filipino convenience store" in the market and because of its strong affiliation with Vista Land and Camella, the Philippines' largest homebuilders, Manny Villar says that "this home-grown 24/7 one-stop-shop deeply understand the needs and wants of every Filipino." 

"This truly Filipino convenience store deeply understands the needs and wants of every Filipino."

- Manny Villar


*Photos : Arts Travel Magazine

Magaul Bird Park’s Wings of the World

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Enjoying the wonderful world of the birds! This one of a kind immersive experience can only be seen in the Philippines.

Wings of the World bring-in the half-a-thousand birds on stage coming from all the directions of the Alula Amphitheater, Magaul Bird Park at JEST Camp,  Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

This is a breathtaking adventure wth different kind of beautiful birds.

The bird show present an ensemble of our bird buddies in order to promote the protection of our environment. This 25-30 minute spectacular took the audiences in an immersive experience before unlike anything we’ve ever encountered.

Wings of the World, produced by an all-Filipino team, unveil its majestic charm last March 28 at the same outdoor theatre as Winged Wonders (The 100 Birds Show).

Exciting moments as we were waiting for the birds show, I went around the Jest Camp, and saw beautiful birds on their activities.

Magaul Bird Park at JEST Camp is the leading bird park in the Philippines. The park is privately owned by the Lacap family. The 2 hectare theme park is home to an exciting array of attractions - being named as Subic’s Ultimate Sky adventure.

Enjoy and watch a hundred pigeons encircle your seats. Feel a hundred Guinea Fowls graze upon your heads as they descend towards the stage. Marvel as our Rufous Hornbills, and our majestic Macaws fly over you. Look up in awe as the giant wings of our White Bellied Sea Eagle cast a shadow over you. Gaze upon the colourful spectacles of our Sun Conures and so much more!

Magaul Bird Park located at JEST Camp Subic, and will be shown during Weekends and Public Holidays at 11am, 1:30pm and 4pm starting March 28.

During weekdays, The Winged Wonders 100 Birds Show will be shown at 11am and 1:30Pm. 

For more information, please visit www.magaulbirdpark.com or call their Subic Office at 0472521489 or text 09177964668 or the Manila booking office at 02 2189023 or text 0922 3844227 / 09175310992  or email at MAGAULBIRDPARK@JESTCAMP.COM

Photos: Arts Travel Magazine