Three dancers of Ballet Philippines will represent the Ph in the International Ballet Competition to be held in USA and Bulgoria

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Ballet Philippines, the country’s premier classical and contemporary dance company proudly announces the participation of three company members to compete in two prestigious international ballet competitions in USA and Bulgaria.

Victor Maguad and Jemima Sanielle Reyes will represent the Philippines in theUSA International Ballet Competition to be held in Jackson, Mississippi from June 14 – 29, 2014. 

Monica Amanda Gana will represent the Philippines in the 26th International Ballet Competition - Varna 2014 to be held at the Open theater Varna in Bulgaria from July 15 - 30, 2014.

Victor Gamosa Ursabia, director of the Ballet Philippines Dance School is coaching the three dancers and will be accompanying them to both competitions abroad.

Jemima Sanielle Reyes

Jemima Sanielle Reyes started dancing at the age of 3 at the Lilibeth C. Trinidad Dance and Exercise Center in Cabanatuan City. She graduated from the Philippine High School for the Arts, Majoring in Ballet, in 2011. She joined the company as an apprentice at the age of 16 and was promoted to junior company member a year after. She performed the principal role of Princess Aurora in Sleeping Beauty for the CCPDance School. For the company she has essayed significant roles such as Princess Florine in Sleeping Beauty, Prinsesa in Crisostomo Ibarra, and Gintong Usa in Alice Reyes' Rama Hari. Jemima was a finalist at the National Music Competition for Young Artists (NAMCYA) in 2009, she placed 8th at the first Asian Grand Prix International Ballet Competition in 2011 in Hong Kong, and she was a semi-finalist at the 2012 Rudolf Nureyev International Ballet Competition in Budapest, Hungary.

Victor Maguad

Victor Maguad started dancing at the age of 7, training under the supervision of Luther Perez, Tony Fabella and Eddie Elejar at the Manila Dance Center where he was given a chance to join Ballet Philippines' production of Shoes++ in 2000. He played Michael in Edna Vida's Peter Pan in 2001 and essayed John when the production was restaged in 2010.

He joined the CCP Dance School in 2004 as a full scholar at the young age of 11 under the tutelage of Noordin Jumalon. His passion for dance and his exceptional technique brought him to dance various male variations such as Basilio in Don Quixote, Prince Florimund in the Sleeping Beauty and the male variation in Paquita. In 2007, he competed at the National Music Competition for Young Artists (NAMCYA) and won 3rd place in the Juniors Ballet category. Later that year he performed in the Philippine Festival in Japan.

Monica Gana

Monica Amanda Gana started her formal dance instruction at the age of 8 under the guidance of Toni Lopez Gonzalez. In Steps Dance Studio she continued to train in Contemporary Modern, Jazz and the classical ballet syllabus of the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD). She was trained and took classes with Sofia Elizalde, Raul Sauz, Eurica Balagtas, Jeffrey Espejo, Anna Villadolid, Jun Saagundo, James Laforteza and Max Luna III. Monica placed first in the Junior Category of the 2011 National Music Competition for Young Artists (NAMCYA) Ballet Competition and eighth in the 2012 Asian Grand Prix International Ballet competition in Hong Kong. Monica attended Alvin Ailey’s 2011 Summer Intensive Workshop and the 2012 American Ballet Theater Summer Intensive Workshop in New York City. She is now studying in the College ofSaint Benilde taking a degree in Dance. 

Ballet Philippines’ Candice Adea and her partner Jean Marc Cordero competed at the 2010 USA IBC. Candice Adea won the silver medal in the senior women's division and won first place at the 2012 Helsinki International Ballet Competition.

THE USA INTERNATIONAL BALLET COMPETITION which has been held every four years since 1979, provides an opportunity for dancers to test themselves against recognized international standards of dance excellence; to showcase their technical skill and artistic talent; to provide a forum for communication and intercultural exchange; and to educate, enlighten and develop future artists and audience support for the art of dance. The two-week competition is where tomorrow’s ballet stars vie for gold, silver and bronze medals, cash awards, scholarships and jobs. It can be an invaluable stepping stone to a dancer’s career. 

For this year, there will be a total of 99 dancers representing 20 countries composed of 57 senior competitors (ages 19-26) and 42 juniors (ages 15-18).

Established in 1964, the INTERNATIONAL BALLET COMPETITION - VARNA is one of the world’s first professional ballet competitions. In spite of the many ballet competitions created in the world, none other can rival the Varna Competition in terms of quality and prestige, well illustrated by its discovery and consecration of stars such as Vladimir Vassiliev, Natalia Makarova, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Patrick Dupont and Sylvie Guillem. The quality of the performances throughout the event, the high degree of technical skill from the competitors and the demands of the jury are so great that the competition has been nicknamed “The Dance Olympics”.

Good luck to Jemima Sanielle Reyes, Victor Maguad and Monica Amanda Gana!

For inquiries, visit www.ballet.ph, send an email to info@ballet.ph, or call BalletPhilippines at 551-1003. 

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

Facebook: www.facebook.com/balletphilippines

Twitter: @balletph

Instagram: @balletphilippines

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/balletph

Photo credits: The headshots were taken by Jojo Mamangun and the performance photos are by Victor Gamosa Ursabia.

SM Supermalls wins ultimate seal of consumer approval, Platinum in the Reader’s Digest Trusted Brand Award 2014

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Shoppers from all walks of life enjoys SM Supermalls,  the Filipinos’ most trusted mall brand through the years.

SM Supermalls received the Platinum in the Reader’s Digest Trusted Brand Award 2014 for the Shopping Mall category last June 4, 2014 at Crowne Plaza Manila. (L-R) Sue Carney, Editor-in-Chief, Readers Digest Asia Pacific with the SM Supermalls team, Steven Tan, Senior Vice-President for Operations, Annie Garcia, President, Grace Magno, Vice-President for Advertising and Sheron White, Group Advertising Director, Readers Digest Asia Pacific.

SM Supermalls clinched, for the second year, the Platinum in the Reader’s Digest Trusted Brand Award for the Shopping Mall category in the Philippines for 2014.

As the ultimate seal of consumer approval, the Trusted Brand Award reflects SM Supermalls’ commitment to trustworthiness and credibility, quality, value, understanding of customer needs, innovation and social responsibility. 

SM Supermalls adheres to basic tenets of shopping center management rooted in providing the highest level of service and delight to its shoppers which include well-curated local and global fashion brands through partnering with the world’s best retailers; a delectable mix of food tenants giving the market a taste of the best in the local and global scene; a wide array of entertainment options; awe-inspiring architectural eco-friendly designs and a warm ambience that allows shoppers from all walks of life to feel safe, comfortable and happy. 

Winning this award reaffirms SM Supermalls’ commitment to constant innovation and responsible mall development. The company’s duty goes beyond serving its customers inside the malls as it is also implements sustainability programs benefitting the communities where an SM mall is located. This award motivates SM Supermalls to even work harder in order to maintain the trust its customers have given the brand.

And one important reason why SM Supermalls is the Filipinos’ most trusted mall brand is perhaps because it’s never veered away from what it’s been known for through the years - fun and affordable luxury shopping experience. 

This is what SM Supermalls is all about.

In just over five decades, SM Supermalls became the Philippines’ most patronized chain of malls, rapidly growing from just one store into 49 malls in the country, three of which are among the biggest malls in the world. SM Supermalls also owns and operates 5 malls in China.

The Mind Museum Keeps the Wonderment of Science in Summer

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The Mind Museum known as the Philippines’ first world-class science museum, may be known for having galleries with interactive science exhibits, but not many know that it is also a place that offers unique and fun summer learning activities that tickle the scientist in each child.

CSI 101 shoe impressions as evidence

From simulated crime solving activities, to a behind-the-scenes look on being the museum’s ‘Mind Movers’, to learning about the science behind soccer, The Mind Museum can keep your eyes and minds widening in wonder.

The Mind Museum’s Summer Programs

The Mind Museum continues to provide extraordinary learning and exploration to kids and kids-at-heart. 

This summer, The Mind Museum, with the help of JPMorgan Chase & Co., brought an array of activities that will make you appreciate and love learning even more:

Jr MindMover experiments

In the Crime Scene Investigation 101 (CSI 101) program, young inquisitive minds were tasked by the museum’s Mind Movers to examine a crime scene and figure out what could have possibly happened by doing evidence gathering, fingerprinting, odontology and blood splatter analysis.

Kids even presented their cases to a panel of investigators, and winning participants were given badges as their award. It was truly an exciting experience for them to try their hands at solving cases and on being crime scene investigators.

The Mind Museum also partnered with the scientists of the California Academy of Sciences and offered a Marine Science Camp to young wonderers. Held in Aiyanar Beach and Dive Resort, Anilao Batangas, adventurers gained a deeper appreciation for marine biodiversity through interactive activities including a “wet” show & tell of critters & corals, outdoor survival training with tents, sleeping bags and coolers facilitated by Coleman, and stargazing at night with the museum’s resident astronomer. Highlight was the snorkeling activity in the resort’s well-preserved house reef, and identifying the different forms of marine life that they learned about from the scientists of the Academy.

Soccer Science drills

Meanwhile, other budding science prodigies were given the chance to be like the museum’s resident scientists or ‘Mind Movers’. Through the Junior Mind Mover (JMM) program, participants learned about the story of the museum and its galleries, and even performed experiments in front of museum guests. Through the program, they got to explore different fields of sciences in interactive and creative ways.

For kids who both love sports and science, the Soccer Science Program was the perfect activity to enjoy. Held at The Mind Museum and BGC Turf, participants learned the physics behind this sport including the science of curve balls, soccer statistics and soccer anatomy to prevent injuries. 

Marine Camp outdoor survival challenge by Coleman

This program, made possible with the help of the Fort Bonifacio Development Foundation, Uratex and Mitre, had participants from a select group of sponsored Taguig public school kids, and soccer enthusiasts from all over Metro Manila.

Marine Camp wet show & tell of corals, critters from Aiyanar Resort's House Reef

Soccer Science in BGC Turf

Unending Wonderment from The Mind Museum

Even if summer is over, they can still expect a lot more mind-blowing educational programs. Watch out for exciting science parties or ‘MindBurst’ events such as the Experiment Circus - travel into the past towards the future of Physics; or take part in the Halloween Special: Myth-busting and Ghost-busting and discover what is this spookiness behind “ghost-busting” activities. 

For more details about the museum and continuous flow of events, visit The Mind Museum website at www.themindmuseum.org.

#TheBestFriendEver ! Globe leads National Best Friend’s Day in the Philippines

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Celebrate National Best Friends Day! Create and enjoy your wonderful world with your family and best friends! 

Globe Telecom is bringing National Best Friend’s Day to the Philippines this Sunday, June 8, alongside the launch of its new offer GoUNLI20 for prepaid subscribers.

Globe as the digital brand for the youth, leads National Best Friend’s Day only in the Philippineies with fun activities.

“We are excited to offer to our prepaid customers our newest calling and surfing combo GoUNLI20 which allows them to keep in touch with their best friends at a price that’s within their easy reach. We understand that calling makes conversations more meaningful and personal, so we give them a promo that enriches their relationships anytime, anywhere. A real friend calls and with GoUNLI20, we give everyone the opportunity to be a real friend by calling all you want to make your presence felt all the time,” shared Issa Cabreira, VP for Globe Prepaid Business. 

GoUNLI20 is an all-in-one prepaid promo perfect for best friends and pals to stay connected with each other at an affordable price.

For only P20 a day, Globe customers can enjoy unlimited calls to Globe/TM, 15MB of surfing, and 20 texts to all networks, allowing them to keep their bonds and connections intact may it be via call, a text message, or a social media post. 

This June 8, Globe celebrates a day of friendship with the National Best Friend’s Day, where best friends visiting SM North EDSA, SM Mall of Asia, SM Baguio, SM Megamall, Ayala Fairview Terraces and Ayala Cebu to spend the weekend can enjoy exciting activities, freebies and prizes. 

Special “Best Friends” cards with Globe Prepaid SIM will be distributed to those who will be at the Globe Best Friend’s Day event on Sunday. Globe Prepaid customers can also enjoy the new GoUNLI20 for free this National Best Friend’s Day. 

To be in the loop this National Best Friend’s Day, Globe invites netizens to share their wonderful moments and experiences with their BFFs on social media using the official hash tag #TheBestFriendEver.

To register to GoUNLI20, dial *143# for free or text GoUNLI20 to 8888. To know more about GoUNLI20, visit www.globe.com.ph/prepaid/gounli20.

One Team One Nation, “Team U” set to shape athletic aspirations of the Filipino youth

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“Team U,” the all-new sports documentary and advocacy program, seeks to address—hitting television screens on ABS-CBN Sports+Action and Balls channels with the aim to help these young Filipino athletes realize their dreams through inspirational stories.

One Team One Nation, “Team U” is set to shape athletic aspirations of Filipino Youth starting on June 15 (every Monday) in ABS CBN Sports and action channel 11:30 am hosted by two of the country’s biggest names and biggest sources of inspiration in both the entertainment industry and the field of sports, Piolo Pascual and Gerald Anderson.

With an obvious boom in the Philippines’ sports scene, aspiring young athletes from all over have started to dream even bigger, reaching for higher heights in their respective fields.

It will be a 30-minute show that features stories of young men and women in the field of sports who are on a quest to bring pride and glory to the country through their athletic talents. “Team U” presents the reality that a lot of young Filipino athletes do have that inborn knack for being athletic—but that this is something that oftentimes remains undiscovered and unfulfilled due to a lack of support, access to financial aid, scholarships, proper training gear, and the like.

It is with this that “Team U” also aims to encourage viewers and organizations from both public and private sectors to be part of building a Sports School—an institution that aims to develop athletes through proper training and development under the wing of acclaimed sports practitioners.

This Sports School intends to provide an opportunity for every Filipino child to dream and live out their passion for sports through education.

For its first season, the show will travel to three schools that are being looked at as pilot regional campuses under the Sports School, namely Rizal High School in Pasig City, Abellana National High School in Cebu, and General Santos City High School in General Santos City.

The show is also hosted by other popular names in the world of sports : Gretchen Ho, Armand Del Rosario, Marco Benitez & Coach Eski Ripoll.

Don’t miss out on the premiere episode of “Team U,” hitting screens on June 15 at 11:30am on ABS-CBN Sports + Action and on June 16 at 1:30pm on Balls channel.