A Call to Win: Magsaysay Youth Essay Competition Launched

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The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF) launches its 2014 Ramon Magsaysay Youth Essay Competition (RMYEC) today with the essay theme “My Favorite Ramon Magsaysay Awardee: Servant Leadership Qualities That Inspire Me.”

Young Filipinos, age 15 to 24, are invited to join this competition, which will run until 30 June 2014. 

Reviving a ten-year-old tradition, RMAF launch this essay-writing competition, a part of the Foundation’s efforts to inspire the youth with living Asian heroes of change, and to encourage them to demonstrate the same kind of servant leadership manifested by President Ramon Magsaysay and the Magsaysay laureates. 

Ramon Magsaysay, who died in a tragic plane crash exactly 57 years ago today, was one of the most beloved presidents of the Philippines. Committed to his pursuit of the common man’s welfare and famously consistent in his practice of honest governance, President Magsaysay’s sudden and tragic death was deeply mourned by his people and by his admirers throughout the world. Fortunately, his legacy of servant leadership has been enshrined in the Ramon Magsaysay Award—now Asia’s premier prize and highest honor—which has been bestowed on remarkable individuals like him, for their greatness of spirit and transformative leadership in service to the peoples of Asia.

This year’s essay-writing theme focuses on the personal reflections of the young writer about a Magsaysay awardee of his/her choice, and the specific leadership qualities reflected in the chosen laureate’s life and work which are most personally inspiring.

The RMYEC has two categories:

Level 1 for youth between 15 and 18 years old;

Level 2 for youth between 19 and 24 years old. 

Contestants are required to register and submit their essays through the RMYEC online registration and submission portal. A contestant may register and submit an essay only once.

All essays submitted for the competition must be original, unpublished, written in English, and between 500-800 words in length. Work already published on any medium (including online magazines, blogs, etc.) may not be entered in the RMYEC. Essays which have won in previous contests may also not be entered. Deadline for the submission of entries is on June 30, 2014. 

Winners for each competition level will be announced at an appropriate awarding ceremony; they will also receive IT prizes (laptops, smartphones, and tablets) and have the special privilege of interacting with this year’s Ramon Magsaysay Awardees.

For further clarification, please contact Ms. Kiel Fernandez, RMAF Advocacy Officer, at 521-3166 to 75 loc. 189, or email inquiries to rmyec@rmaf.or.ph. 

For updates on the competition, regularly visit RMAF’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/rmafoundation, or its Twitter account at @rmafoundation.

Vista Shaw: Home amid the Hubbub

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Vista Shaw is set to reconcile the difference in time by combining the allure of the past and the forward sensibilities of the future.

It’s not always that history and modernity intersect in one real estate project but for Vista Shaw (formerly referred to as 515 Shaw as a nod to its address), they do.

This 38-floor, two-tower project, located in one of the metro’s most historical landmark—the Laurel Mansion, in the corner of Laurel Street and Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong City, features contemporary design and select modern-day amenities, with former President Jose P. Laurel’s historical mansion being a separate, but integral, part of the development.

It is mere minutes away from the Central Business Districts of Ortigas and Makati, as well as lifestyle centers, courtesy of the major arteries and thoroughfares that connect the development to other parts of the metro.

“Originally, we thought of adapting the Laurel Mansion into a grand lobby but we decided to leave it untouched in order to preserve its integrity as a historical place and allow our residents to see it in its former glory,” says Elizabeth Kalaw, Division Head of Vista Residences. 

“Each of the two towers will now have its own well-appointed lobby that will usher the residents and their guests to an atmosphere of subtlety and refinement.”

Its provenance notwithstanding, this premium development by Vista Residences is very much of the now, catering to the needs and offering a welter of conveniences to upwardly mobile individuals, families, OFWs and retirees, among others.

For one, Vista Shaw has devoted spaces for commercial establishments, such as restaurants and cafés, so residents don’t have to venture out of the property just to savor their favorite dish or latte. Existing establishments include Starbucks, Breakfast Club and Project Pie. Even non-residents drop by, attracted to the establishments’ laidback ambience.

Exclusive to residents are amenities that include a kiddie/adult pool, function rooms and game lounges. Afforded with the view of the Wackwack Golf Course, the units range from studio to one-bedroom to two-bedroom affairs. In addition, both towers will feature sky amenities where residents can lounge, dine or simply admire a breathtaking 360-degree view of the city.

As for the residential units, Kalaw states that they “offer a number of design configurations to address the different living arrangements of our clients.”

Deliverables include high-grade vinyl flooring planks, plastered painted wall finishes, exposed slab and rubbed concrete painted ceiling, solid wood-framed entrance doors, aluminum powder-coated glass for windows, window-type air condition provisioning as well as split-type air condition provisioning for other units.

“Kitchens,” adds Kalaw, “are equipped with modular bases, hanging cabinets, granite countertops and splashboards, stainless steel sinks with faucets and painted gypsum ceiling boards.”

Just like in its other projects, Emma Amores, Corporate Communications Head of Vista Residences, says that the high-rise developer has gone the lengths to create comfortable homes for its Vista Shaw residents as a reflection of the commitment of its mother company, Vista Land, to provide a home for every Filipino.

“In our vertical developments, we make it a point that every unit exudes a warm, homey feeling through the design and the functionality of the units as well as in the amenity areas,” says Amores. “We don’t want our clients to feel that they are living in a box, compromising their sense of comfort. In addition, we make sure that our brand of customer service also extends that warm and friendly Filipino treatment.”

In addition to the well-designed units and their homey ambience, another distinct advantage of Vista Shaw is its centralized location.

It is in close proximity to shopping destinations (Greenhills Shopping Center, Robinsons Galleria, Shangri-La Plaza, Megamall), hospitals (Cardinal Santos Medical Center, Pasig Medical Center, Medical City), and educational institutions (La Salle Greenhills, Don Bosco College, Xavier School, Poveda College, University of Asia and the Pacific).

Being located in the heart of Mandaluyong City, Vista Shaw boasts of mere minutes travel time to three central business districts: Ortigas, Makati and Bonifacio Global City.

“Its quick access to Shaw Boulevard and EDSA, not to mention to the MRT line at Shaw, makes Vista Shaw an ideal address for professionals who are mindful of their time and would rather spend it with their family or on their personal pursuits than driving or being on the road,” says Kalaw.

Moreover, Vista Shaw residents, eager to establish their homes, have the peace of mind when it comes to the quality of their units. Operating like a boutique developer, it has the ability to give more focus to the needs of the customers and customize services according to their requirements. 

This flexibility is embodied by Vista Shaw which, with its select amenities, homey unit features and ideal location, offers residents the opportunity to savor the good life right at the center of things.

Miguel Faustmann's ‘Noises Off’ Takes Off ! opens on March 28

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Repertory Philippines proudly presents the hilarious ‘Noises Off’, the third offering for its 77th season.

Written in 1982 by English playwright Michael Frayn, Noises Off—a stage term indicating sounds coming from offstage—is a play within a play, the story of a temperamental director and a troupe of hapless performers putting up a silly sex farce called Nothing On. 

Miguel V. Faustmann

The present production of Noises Off, which is directed by Miguel V. Faustmann, runs from March 28 to April 13 and from April 25 to April 27, 2014 at Onstage, 2/F, Greenbelt 1, Paseo de Roxas corner Legazpi St., Makati City.

The idea for Noises Off came to Frayn while he was watching one of his other plays, The Two of Us, from the wings. 

Noting that it was “funnier from behind than in front,” he was inspired to create a one-act play called Exits, which he later expanded into what would become Noises Off. 

Repertory Philippines has assembled a stellar cast for the current production, most of whom play actors playing roles in the fictitious play Nothing On.

CHINGGOY ALONSO

Veteran performer CHINGGOY ALONSO plays Lloyd Dallas, the director of the play-within-a-play.

FRANCES MAKIL IGNACIO

The role of forgetful actress Dotty Otley, who plays housekeeper Mrs. Clackett, is assayed by FRANCES MAKIL IGNACIO.

PAUL HOLME 

Returning to Rep after many years away, PAUL HOLME takes on the role of alcoholic stage veteran Selsdon Mowbray, who in turn plays a burglar. 

SHIELA VALDERRAMA-MARTINEZ

Another erstwhile Rep regular, SHIELA VALDERRAMA-MARTINEZ, plays cheerful actress Belinda Blair, who plays Flavia Brent. 

LORENZ MARTINEZ

Shiela’s real-life husband LORENZ MARTINEZ, another Rep stalwart, takes on the role of Garry Lejeune, who takes on the role of Roger Tramplemain. 

CARLA GUEVARA-LAFORTEZA

CARLA GUEVARA-LAFORTEZA, yet another returning Repper, plays Brooke Ashton, who plays a sexpot named Vicki.

GERARD SISON

GERARD SISON assays the role of actor Frederick Fellowes, who plays Flavia’s husband Philip Brent, the owner of the house in which the play-within-a-play is set. 

PEACHY ATILANO

The backstage staff of the fictitious show is composed of PEACHY ATILANO’s Poppy Norton-Taylor (the show’s assistant stage manager) and NIKO DANS’s Tim Allgood (the company stage manager). Both Poppy and Tim understudy various roles in Nothing On.

NIKO DANS

The unique humor of Noises Off comes from the intricacies of plot and character interwoven with the personalities of the actors and the show they’re trying to perform. Respected New York Times critic Frank Rich called it “the funniest play written in my lifetime,” and now is your chance to see why.

For details of the show, you may contact us in the following ways:

By phone: 843-3570 or 555-0082 (UPDATED OFFICE NUMBERS)

By e-mail: shows@repertoryphilippines.com

By Internet: http://www.repertoryphilippines.com

NOTE: The Repertory Philippines office has changed locations from Ortigas to Makati. Our new address is Unit 13 and 14 Ecoville, Executive Townhouses, Metropolitan Avenue, Makati.

Tickets are available through Ticketworld at 891-9999, or via http://www.ticketworld.com.ph/

Connect to Repertory Philippines online through the following social media networks:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/repertoryphilippines

Twitter: www.twitter.com/repphils

Instagram: www.instagram.com/repphils

YouTube: www.youtube.com/repphils

Repertory Philippines would like to thank the following media partners and establishments for their support: Broadwayworld.com, ClickTheCity.com, Radio Republic, WhenInManila.com, BusinessWorld, Lane Moving and Storage, Herword.com, Ticketworld.com, Solar News, Raintree Restaurants (Mr. Jones, Kabila, MOMO Café, and Museum Café), Greenbelt, Ayala Malls, and Lightshapers. 

“NOISES OFF” was first presented, by special arrangement with Michael Cordon, at the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith, on February 23rd, 1982, and on March 31st by Michael Cordron at the Savoy Theatre, London. 

“NOISES OFF” is presented by special arrangement with United Agents LLP.

Binibining Pilipinas: The Road to the Crown

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#KnowYourBinibini Candidates #BinibiniWatch for the Binibini Primer, #TheRoadtotheCrown on March 23 at 9:30 PM on Abs-Cbn. 

Watch out for the Binibini Primer, The Road to the Crown on March 23 at 9:30 PM on ABS CBN

Bb Pilipinas 2014 Candidates in bikini showdown

40 Binibining Pilipinas 2014 candidates were in their out of town shoot for ABS-CBN Special program -  Binibining Pilipinas: The Road to the Crown to be aired on March 23, 2014. 

“Manny” The Movie

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“Manny”

“By the end of the film, I want people to feel like they know him as just Manny. Not Congressman Pacquiao, not the People’s Champion, not the boxer with 10 world titles, but the guy who you could be on a first name basis with because you feel him. Be it a boxing legend, icon, politician, religious leader, or father, I ultimately want Pacquiao to be known as Manny, the man.” - - - Ryan Moore

After making waves at the South by Southwest Festival in Austin Texas, where it made its world premiere, Filipino fans finally had the chance to watch MANNY, a documentary about the Filipino boxing champion.

Manny is the untold story of Manny Pacquiao, one of the most celebrated boxers to ever enter the ring since Muhammad Ali. It chronicles the inspirational tale of how one penniless kid rose from poverty to become one of boxing’s most revered icons.

Relive some of his greatest matches, and rivalries as he moves up the ranks and takes his place in history as the only boxer to become an eight division champion. 

Sourced from over 1200 hours of video footage Pacquiao generously shared with Producer/Director Ryan Moore, the movie likewise provides an in-depth look into Pacquiao’s personal life not only as a boxer, superstar, Congressman, and man of faith, but above all, a man. 

Narrated by Liam Neeson and filled with insightful and sometimes humorous interviews with Hollywood celebrities such as Mark Wahlberg, Jimmy Kimmel, Jeremy Piven, etc. you don’t need to be a fan of boxing or even Pacquiao himself to enjoy this well-made narrative of triumph against unbelievable odds.

Catch Manny in its limited theatrical run until Tuesday in cinemas nationwide. 

Manny is distributed by Solar Entertainment Corporation.