A Midsummer Night's Dream

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What Ballet Philippines is up to after huge success ! 

After the critical and box-office success of Rama, Hari, which had its full-house audiences giving rousing standing ovations after each performance, Ballet Philippines once again takes on an old-time favorite and gives it a new twist in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM.

Running for one weekend only from February 15 to 17, 2013 at the CCP Main Theater, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM is a new ballet adaptation choreographed by Hong Kong-based award-winning Filipino choreographer Carlo Pacis. Based on the timeless romantic comedy of William Shakespeare and the music of Felix Mendelssohn, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM is a world premiere, and is Pacis’ first full-length ballet for Ballet Philippines.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream weaves together the lives of mortals and fairies. Oberon, the King of the Fairies, and his Queen, Titania, are fighting over an Indian changeling. To punish her, Oberon instructs the mischievous Puck to place the juice of the Love-in-Idleness flower on her eyes so she falls in love with the first living thing she sees. Oberon also instructs Puck to place the juice on a young mortal man, whom he sees spurning a young woman.

But Puck makes a mistake and his folly creates madness and mayhem in the forest. He puts the juice on Lysander, in love with Hermia, instead of Demetrius, who spurns Helena’s love because he pines for Hermia. Lysander awakens, sees Helena and falls in love with her. To correct his mistake, Puck places the juice on Demetrius’ eyes, who also sees Helena when he awakens. Meantime, Titania, after getting juice on her eyes, awakens and sets her eyes on a man with a donkey’s head. The result is an unforgettable romantic comedy of errors between man and magical beings.

While Rama, Hari is heroic and epic in scale, centered on a prince who is an avatar of a god, A Midsummer Night’s Dream is fun and youthful. It is the interplay of humans and fairies, with mischief-maker Puck at its focal point.

“Fairies have no morals, they want it, they want it now,” says Pacis, whose short work for Ballet Philippines, “Shifting Wait,” won Outstanding Choreography at the Philstage Gawad Buhay Awards.

“The youthful energy of the company will be perfect!” he says. With this, he builds his characters, and uses it to bring out the “fun” and “comedic” nature of the ballet.

While Rama, Hari showcased the dancers’ strength in modern dance, A Midsummer Night’s Dream will let the dancers’ classical ballet technique shine. But Pacis wants to go beyond ballet and infuses more modern, contemporary and non-ballet elements to the dancing. He wants to “push the envelope as far as pas de deux work, musicality and all that.”

Pacis also wants to tell the story with multimedia, sets (by Ricardo Cruz) and costumes (by fashion designer Eric Pineda).

“For me, the underlying theme is love, and I think that being a universal experience to us all, the audience can hopefully understand the story,” Pacis says.

The world premiere of Carlo Pacis’ A Midsummer Night’s Dream runs at the CCP Main Theater on February 15 (3pm and 8pm); February 16 to 17 (2pm and 6pm).

Bulk and group sales are also available for schools, classes, organizations and corporations.

For tickets and inquiries please contact Ballet Philippines at (02) 551-1003 and (02) 551-7919 or Ticketworld at (02) 891-9999.

Avida, A Growing Community with its New Towers

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Avida Land is proud to announce the latest additions to its vastly growing community: Avida Towers Prime Taft Tower 2 and Avida Towers Sucat Tower 8.

The entire development of Avida Towers Sucat is nearing its completion, with the introduction of Tower 8. What sets Tower 8 apart from the previous towers is its exclusive SkyClub, a rooftop haven where residents can take pleasure in breathtaking views of the cityscape. Residents can enjoy the sunrise while sipping coffee or while doing yoga, and the sunset while chilling in the company of friends.

To complete the sense of community that Avida envisions for Avida Towers Sucat, an area has also been developed for expanded amenities. This area consists of more than a thousand square meters of land, dedicated to providing residents a means of bonding with their families. A swimming pool is built right in the middle of the newly constructed area, while a playground with a basketball court can be found near the pool, open for children to play in during their leisure time. In order to address the fitness of its residents, outdoor gym equipment is also provided and a brick jogging path encircles the whole amenity area.  A special game room adds to the fun, where one can play air hockey, fuzz ball and board games.

Meanwhile, Avida Towers Prime Taft’s Tower 2 was launched with a strong demand for more units. Avida Towers Prime Taft is an ideal living space for students and young urban professionals. The tower will have amenities suited to the residents’ profiles, including The Nook, a study hall which students are encouraged to use for their academic needs.

Avida recently tied up with Team Manila to design a colorful board-up that currently surrounds the property. Inspired by the dynamic landscape that surrounds Taft Avenue, the patterns blend with images of the lifestyle one can experience, whether it be studying or relaxing in the Sunset Deck or stepping outside to explore the city.

Avida Towers Prime Taft and Avida Towers Sucat both deliver the advantage of being able to live a suburban lifestyle while still being within easy access to the city life. The projects’ convenient locations make it easier for residents to travel from their homes to their schools, malls and other places of interest. Makati, the heart of Metro Manila, has its business district just a few minutes away from both locations, making work closer to home.

Studio, one- bedroom and two-bedroom units are available. Avida Towers Prime Taft units range from P1.9M to P6.1M, while units at Avida Towers Sucat range from P1.5M to P4M. Both projects are managed and maintained by the Ayala Property Management Corporation, assuring residents that the property remains in top shape.

For more information about Avida’s condominiums in the Philippines, go to www.avidaland.com or call (+632) 848 5200 (within Metro Manila) and 1-800-10 848 5200 (outside Metro Manila).

About Avida Land

For more than 20 years, Avida has focused on enriching the lives of the hardworking Filipino middle-class by offering their families a home to be proud of; homes that thrive in a peaceful and safe community and are accessible to public transportation.

As of the first half of 2012, Avida Land has 55 projects in 31 unique locations. Avida homes are all beautifully and practically designed, and built to provide reliable performance over time. Avida is affordable living at its best.

Pop act Six Part Invention goes Stripped and Covered

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Pop act Six Part Invention opens 2013 with the release of their album Stripped and Covered, under their new label Universal Records. Six Part Invention is composed of Rey, Kaye and Tag Cantong, and Andy Dela Cruz.

Six Part Invention joins the elite roster of Universal Records roster – Gary Valenciano, Ogie Alcasid, Regine Velasquez, Parokya Ni Edgar, Kamikazee, Spongecola, Christian Bautista, Noel Cabangon, Gloc-9, Richard Poon, Sam Concepcion, JayR, Billy Crawford, Callalily, among others.

“To be part of the Universal Records family is really a dream come true for us,” expresses Rey. “This album celebrates many firsts for us – our debut album for Universal and our first time to take on an album concept like this. I hope people can support our album.”

Stripped and Covered includes some of the well-loved light rock tunes from the 90’s including Def Leppard’s Two Steps Behind, Bad English’sWhen I See You Smile, White Lion’s You’re All I Need, Europe’s Carrie, Cheap Trick’s The Flame, among others.

Two Steps Behind is the album’s carrier single, which is now available on www.mymusicstore.com.ph and Itunes.

“The production of the album is really a labor of love from all of us in the band,” adds Kaye. “I hope this album takes everyone on a romantic musical journey.”

Here's the Stripped and Covered Tracklist

The Flame (popularized by Cheap Trick)

Two Steps Behind (popularized by Def Leppard)

You’re All I Need (popularized by White Lion)

Honestly (popularized by Harem Scarem)

More Than Words Can Say (popularized by Alias)

When I See You Smile (popularized by Bad English)

Is This Love? (popularized by Whitesnake)

Carrie (popularized by Europe)

Heaven (popularized by Warrant)

Patience (popularized by Guns N Roses)

Six Part Invention is being managed by Orion Entertainment, alongside Noel Cabangon, Kimpoy Feliciano, Malay, Jordan Bautista, Jason Fernandez, Jensen Gomez, Aspen Way, Runmanila, and She’s Only Sixteen. For inquiries, please email olrac1023@gmail.com.

Follow Six Part Invention:

On Facebook:

www.facebook.com/sixpartinventionofficial

On Twitter:

@spivocalist

Environment and Cleanliness: Manila bay clean up

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Cleanliness and wellness of our environment is a must! Simple, everyday actions can help make the difference, efforts to create a clean, environmentally-friendly city and a positive stance towards the environment are continuous.

First cleanup drive for the year attended by thousands of volunteers, Former Las Pinas Rep. Cynthia Villar  led the clean-up drive at Manila Bay in the Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat & Eco-Tourism Area or LPPCHEA where some 1,500 sacks of garbage were collected by thousands of volunteers.

The Villar Foundation is continuing its partnership with DZRH’s Theme, ‘Makabagong Bayanihan Manila Bay Clean Up." Last year,  Cynthia Villar, also managing director of Villar Foundation,  inked a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC) represented by radio station DZRH in its Manila Bay clean up drive. 

The Villar Foundation together with students and other volunteers also conduct weekly cleanups. “The more partners we work with, the better it will be for the environment,” she said.

In cleaning Manila Bay, Villar was joined by 1,000 volunteers from schools, barangays, NGOs, socio-civic organizations, and other private individuals and groups.

Villar, underscored the need to clean our environment to prevent flooding. 

“Protection of the environment will save us from disasters and calamities. Calamities are added burden to us. It can make one poorer because all efforts would be futile if properties acquired through hard labor will only be destroyed by floods and other calamities,” explained by Ms Villar.

To avert occurrence of this worst scenario, Villar cited the need to clean  rivers, creeks and other bodies of water especially Manila Bay. 

She said the LPPCHEA, also called Freedom Island, which is accessible from the Coastal Road, is a very important area for the nearby cities of Las Pinas and Parañaque and some municipalities of Cavite to prevent flooding. 

Regularly clearing Manila Bay of tons of garbage and other debris is in consonance with the foundation’s partnership with radio DZRH. This year, MBC and DZRH  lead the Manila Bay Cleanup project along the coastline of Manila Bay from Navotas to Bacoor, Cavite. The clean up activities will start at 7 AM to 11 AM and the garbage collected will be turned over to appropriate government solid waste collector in the area.

“The Villar Foundation and DZRH agree that this is a joint cooperative undertaking, but more importantly, it is a major public service activity that shall help contribute to the promotion of a livable, healthier and ecological sustainable Manila Bay,” cited the MoA.

She has been vocal about her strong support for the protection of Manila Bay. 

“We will continue to support campaigns or drives to protect Manila Bay and neighboring areas including LPPCHEA. Moreover, we will continue to oppose projects that will cause damage and destruction to the bay and nearby cities,” cited Villar. If carried out, the Manila Bay reclamation project that Villar is opposing is seen to cause severe flooding in numerous barangays -- 11 in Parañaque, 37 in Bacoor and 17 in Las Piñas.

For more details about the projects and programs of the Villar Foundation, please visit www.villarfoundation.org or follow www.twitter.com/VFoundationInc.

Virlanie Foundation is launching the Rice Up Campaign for the second year.

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Virlanie Foundation is a child-caring institution reaching out to street children and street families in the Philippines. Virlanie cares for children in need of special protection: those who are abandoned, abused, exploited, neglected, orphaned and poorest of the poor.

Last January 5, I visited Virlanie Foundation thru an invitation of my friend, to be in the New Year's party specially for the children. I feel blessed to be with the kids, and happy joining the fun celebration with the Chicken Charlie and Sweet Mamita cupcakes. 

We had the chance to talk with the children. The party started as the Virlanie Foundation choir gave a great song performance. And in the meal time, we also help in servicing them food, the Charlie Chicken, drinks and sweet desert from Sweet Mamita.

We also had a chance to meet the Founder/President of Virlanie Mr. Dominique Lemay.

I"m glad to meet wonderful people of Virlanie Foundation, Chicken Charlie and Sweet Mamita that gave us opportunity to be with the children, help and make them smile again, as what the Virlanie group do for them.

For more information of their activities, visit Virlanie Foundation , Chicken Charlie, Sweet Mamita and on Facebook. 

Virlanie reaches out to children and families living in the streets. The Foundation gives them love, takes care of them and supports them with many programs.These programs provide basic services, health and educational services. 

Virlanie Foundation is launching its “Rice Up! For Street Children” campaign.

Virlanie provides children with opportunities to go to school. Learning is more fun on a full stomach. Going through the school day hungry makes it hard for children to concentrate, much less to learn. So, to make sure that the children are full and happy when going to school, Virlanie Foundation is launching the Rice Up Campaign for the second year.

One sack of rice can already feed 3 balanced meals a day to 100 children which means it takes 50 sacks of rice per month to provide meals to children. The goal of the Rice Up Campaign is to gather 600 sacks of rice to feed 400 children in Virlanie’s 12 homes and outreach programs (Mobile Unit & Open Day Center) three meals every day for one year. “Everyone knows that rice is an important part of any Filipino child’s diet. Unfortunately, not every child is given his share of it,’ noted Dominique Lemay, Virlanie’s Founder and President. “Not only is rice the only carbohydrate that contains the essential amino acids needed for a developing child, it’s a cultural staple for any Filipino family.”

The first Rice Up Campaign for Children in 2011 was a success! Virlanie are grateful to everyone who supported this campaign. Through the support of Virlanie friends and donors, the target of 600 sacks of rice for the year was exceeded and the donations reached a whopping 635 sacks donated in cash, in kind, and through pledges.

Virlanie Foundation is once again inviting you to support the Rice Up Campaign. You can send your donations through the following methods:

1   Bank Transfer to Virlanie's account

Name: Virlanie Foundation, Inc.
Bank Name: Banco de Oro Vito Cruz Branch
US Dollar Account No.: 104580108577
Peso Account No.: 004580002426
Euro Account No.: 304580112833

·       Please inform me (+632 895-3460 or +639175985485) as soon as you make the bank transfer or send me a scanned deposit slip so we can record your donation accordingly.

2Through online donation

https://www.virlanie.org/how-to-give/donate-online/

  For in-kind donations:

You can drop them off at the Virlanie Head Office at 4055 Yague St., Brgy Singkamas, Makati City (near Pasong Tamo, PRC) or facilitate the pick-up of donations with Virlanie staff.

If you need more information, you may contact Janelle Rabe through email (campaigns@virlanie.org) or landline +632 895 3460.

Hope you can give back the smile to the children thru Virlanie Foundation ,  located at 4055 Yague Street, Barangay Singkamas, Makati City 1204, Philippines. 

Phone: + 63 (2) 895 5260 / 896 2289 / 895 3460 •

Fax: + 63 (2) 895 5232

 Email: info@virlanie.org

• www.virlanie.org

Related Post: Giving back the smile to street children thru Virlanie Foundation

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