P9.48-M released to begin undergoing major rehabilitation work and restore Manila Metropolitan Theater

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P9.48M has been released by the DBM in order to jumpstart rehabilitation work on the Manila Metropolitan Theater. The National Commission for Culture and the Arts purchased the heritage building from the Government Service Insurance System last May.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released P9.48 million to cover the initial conservation work on the Manila Metropolitan Theater (MET), after the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) purchased the historic theater from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) with a P270-million fund release made available by the budget agency.

“The Aquino Administration had made the first step in purchasing this iconic landmark from GSIS, and now the NCCA can begin the worthy task of restoring the MET to its former glory. Ultimately, funding the MET’s rehabilitation will not only preserve a piece of history from our country’s storied past. It is also a cultural investment for future generations of Filipinos,” Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad said.

The amount of P9.48 million is a special budget release that will be charged against the National Endowment Fund for Culture and the Arts (NEFCA). The latter represents the NCCA’s 10-percent share from the travel tax collected by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA, formerly the Philippine Tourism Authority), and is treated as an Automatic Appropriation. 

The release will fund the conservation efforts to rehabilitate the theater, which includes the mobilization expenses for the physical cleaning as well as the establishment of security.

“Rehabilitating the MET will restore dignity to the Crown Jewel of Manila Theaters after years of neglect and disrepair. Bringing the MET into the modern age will also boost our country’s tourism industry, as the proper management of our cultural heritage will support the gains of our economic growth,” Abad said.

Designed by architect Juan Arellano and opened in 1931, the MET was constructed in the Art Deco style. It had undergone restoration and rehabilitation several times through the years, especially in the wake of the damage it incurred after World War II. Despite being a National Cultural Treasure, it had been closed due to the theater’s state of decay and issues with regard to its ownership since 2012.

dbm.gov.ph

Megaworld to open 21 malls, commercial spaces by 2020

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Property leasing giant Megaworld Corporation is opening 21 more malls and commercial spaces in the next five years to more than triple its gross floor area to 1.4 million square meters by 2020 from the current 304,000 sqm.

“Finally, we are introducing our flagship mall with new, innovative concepts and offerings. From the retail mix to the mall facilities and amenities, Uptown Place is envisioned to be a major shopping, dining and leisure destination in Fort Bonifacio,” said Kevin L. Tan, Megaworld first vice president and commercial head.

"The new malls will include the firm’s expansion to the provinces such as Southwoods in Laguna and its Iloilo business park," Tan added. 

Tan also said Megaworld is also set to open two new malls, its full-scale flagship mall and a world-class dining mall, at its posh Uptown Bonifacio township in north Fort Bonifacio by last quarter of this year.

The two new malls, which will cost a total of P4 billion, will have a gross floor area of around 110,000 square meters and will bring their year-end total to 414,000 sqm.

Uptown Place is a five-level upscale mall covering 85,000 sqm of retail and commercial spaces located at the heart of Uptown Bonifacio along 9th and 11thAvenues, 36th and 11th Drive.

The mall’s store retail mix will range from the most recognized names in fashion to the most sought-after international luxury brands, including popular foreign labels that are coming to the country for the first time.

It will also feature an eclectic selection of dining destinations, and world-class leisure and entertainment amenities.

Uptown Place will have its own food hall featuring 11 distinctly new food concepts and offering international cuisine, state-of-the-art cinemas including Megaworld’s Signature Ultra Cinemas, a rooftop sky plaza overlooking Uptown Bonifacio skyline, a lifestyle tower, chapel, Las Vegas-style water feature at the mall’s ground level and al fresco dining areas.

Anchor tenants include Rustan’s Supermarket, Robinsons Appliances, Toys R Us, True Value, National Bookstore and Hamley’s, among others.

Just beside Uptown Place will rise a unique “dining mall” called Uptown Parade, a 25,000 square meter strip that is set to become Manila’s newest dining hub.

“We will bring together some of the world’s most interesting restaurant and dining brands as well as the country’s best party makers in one destination,” said Tan.

Uptown Parade will feature al fresco dining and tree-lined walkways. Its anchor tenant is the world-renowend The Palace Superclub, the biggest night club in Asia and the largest nightlife destination in the country today.

As part of Uptown Parade, The Palace Superclub is changing Manila’s nightlife scene with over 8,000 square meters of party space that can accommodate around 10,000 people. It now houses the Valkyrie Nightclub and The Palace Pool Club, the country’s first day club and pool club complete with cabanas, daybeds, pools, and music from both local and international DJs.

Be a hero to a family who needs one

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A hero exists in each and every one of us. You can be a hero in your own special way to those who are in need. You don’t have to do the impossible to get things done. You can simply do one thing consistently that creates a life-changing impact for others. 

The simple act of donating to Habitat for Humanity Philippines enable thousands of lives to change every day by providing them with a decent place to live, building hope and countless opportunities to help themselves. 

Be someone else’s hero and help us improve their lives through affordable and decent housing.

Monthly giving is a great way to help those in need. You make a big impact over time through small gifts, and Habitat has dependable funding while saving time and resources on future renewals and appeals.

Please visit Habitat Website.

7 ‘Foodventures' to take outside Metro Manila

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People are always going out for adventures and food tripping! Check this out and enjoy your 'foodventures'. MyProperty.ph lists seven locales beyond Metro Manila that have made major contributions to the country’s rich culinary culture.

As varied and trendy as restaurants are that pop up almost every day in Metro Manila, there’s nothing quite like going back to homegrown meals you’ll find at their place of origin. Every Philippine province and region has a signature dish they’re proud to call their own, making the task of sampling the best they have to offer an adventure in itself.

Here’s MyProperty.ph’s list of seven places outside Metro Manila that are known not just for their history and practices, but also for their trademark gastronomic delights.

Pampanga

Recognized as the culinary capital of the Philippines, Pampanga is a melting pot of local and international culture when it comes to food. During the Spanish times, colonizers taught the locals the basics of Spanish cooking, which influenced many of the province’s dishes. Some of their more mainstream offerings include the world-famous sisig, lechon kawali, and the cured sweet meats tocino and longganisa. If you’re up for a little adventure, some exotic dishes you might want to sample are adobung kamaru (mole crickets cooked in garlic and vinegar), betute tugak (stuffed frogs), and calderetang barag (a spicy stew of monitor lizard).

Ilocos Region

Have you ever heard of poqui-poqui, kabatiti, and utong? These terms might bring to mind less-than-kid- friendly images, but seemingly funny names are just one of the things that set Ilocano dishes apart from the rest. These are actually dishes made of various vegetables, much like the more PG-13 pinakbet, dinengdeng, and dinoydoy also from Ilocos. But while veggie concoctions seem to be the province’s specialty, one can’t take three steps within the area without stumbling upon other equally famous meat- based foods like Vigan longganisa, Ilocos empanada, and bagnet.

Rizal

When it comes to rice cakes, you can’t beat Rizal. Their recipes and methods of cooking these sweet delicacies were influenced by various cultures, and remain the same to this day. Cainta put their city on the map by baking the biggest rice cake ever, subsequently earning the moniker “Bibingka Capital of the Philippines.” After paying homage to the Virgin of Antipolo, patrons indulge in the city’s version of suman, a glutinous rice treat cooked in pre-made tubes of young palm leaves.

Bicol Region

If you’re a glutton for punishment, heaven for you would be Bicol Region, where some of the country’s spiciest dishes originated. Coconut milk and chilies go hand-in-hand in many of the region’s best grub, such as Bicol express, a pork dish named after a train that travels from Manila to the Bicol region; kinunot, an appetizer made of malunggay and stingray meat; and laing, a vegetable and meat dish composed mainly of gabi leaves.

Roxas City, Capiz

The “Seafood Capital of the Philippines” has an economy that thrives on aquaculture due to the plethora of marine life in the area, which is why their local dishes celebrate the diversity and flavors of their most abundant yield. Angel wing clams (locally known as diwal), crabs, scallops, oysters, and shrimp are often simply steamed so one can enjoy them in their fresh form; however, many locals have learned to kick their preparation up a notch with fusion cooking.

Cebu

Who can forget when world-renowned chef and food critic Anthony Bourdain went to Cebu and declared the province’s version of lechon (roast pig) “best pig ever”? Whether in belly form or in its whole skewered glory, what distinguishes Cebu lechon is the combination of herbs like lemongrass and leeks that give it its unique flavor as it roasts. Cebu’s suckling pig is so acclaimed, in fact, that you can buy them at airports in boxes to bring back home. Apart from Cebu lechon, a few common local favorites when it’s time for dessert are otap, caramel tarts, and dried mangoes.

Sulu and Tawi-Tawi

As a location unaffected by Hispanicization, foods in these areas are not influenced by Spanish cooking, but their techniques are more closely related to nearby Malaysia. One standout trait of foods in the region is the use of spices not common in the country, such as turmeric, coriander, and cumin. The satti—a local version of Malaysian satay—is skewered and grilled meat usually served in a bowl of sauce. Rendang, which traces its roots to Indonesia, is a dish composed of beef, lamb, or goat and various spices and is typically served during ceremonies such as weddings and Eid al-Fitr.

Casino Filipino Angeles revs up entertainment offerings; CFA #WeNeverStop recently presents Anne Curtis' “The Forbidden Concert Round 2: Annekapal”

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Anne Curtis' “The Forbidden Concert Round 2: Annekapal” at CF Angeles, Pampanga was the first among the big celebrity shows ever staged by the state-owned gaming firm for Casino Filipino’s loyal patrons. 

Anne Curtis embodies what top-rate entertainment is all about – fun and exciting surprises.

Star-studded shows await the guests of Casino Filipino (CF) Angeles as the branch unveils a roster of exciting celebrity shows in line with the grand launch of the branch’s new tagline, “@CFA, We Never Stop”.

Redentor Rivera, Branch Manager Casino Filipino Angeles leads the ceremonial toast during the grand launch of CF Angeles new tagline We Never Stop

CF Angeles Branch Manager Redentor Rivera said that beginning on the second half of 2015, the branch will up the ante of its entertainment offerings. 

“The recent developments at CF Angeles are proof that we will do everything to go the extra mile in providing better customer service and satisfaction to our patrons,” he said.

Rivera added that the branch’s new tagline, “@CFA, We Never Stop”, encapsulates their goal to always exceed client expectations. 

“Apart from providing them with a better gaming experience, we also want to give our guests top-notch celebrity performances,” he explained. 

To ensure that CF Angeles give the patrons only the best, they lined-up big names in the entertainment offerings of CF Angeles in the remaining months of 2015. Among the big names in show business who were invited as featured performers in CF Angeles are actress-TV host Anne Curtis (August 20) and Martin Nievera (December 29).

Meanwhile, three of the Philippines’ favorite crooners Richard Poon, Erik Santos and Jose Mari Chan will perform their signature hits during the branch’s VIP nights on August 29, September 26 and November 21, respectively.

Two of the country’s sexiest female celebrities, Ellen Adarna and Sam Pinto, will spice up the gaming areas during the Celebrity Dealing at CF Angeles on September 25 and November 27, together with FHM models and the D&G dancers.

Other invited guest performers who will hold shows in CF Angeles this August are:

- Former Freestyle members Jinky Vidal and Top Suzara (August 26); 

- OPM legend Freddie Aguilar (August 22); 

- Acoustic musician Jimmy Bondoc (August 28).

Meantime, the “Ber Months” will surely be filled with music and laughter as the country’s most sought after TV personalities and stand-up comedians perform at CF Angeles. Fun-filled nights are guaranteed with:

- Pooh (October 20); 

- K Brosas (October 17); 

- Alden Richards (December 2) 

- Wally Bayola and Jose Manalo (December 11).

Also included in the line-up of performances are well-loved OPM artists:

- MYMP (October 14); 

- Luke Mejares (October 23); 

- KZ Tandingan (October 28); 

- The CompanY (November 4); 

- Liezel Garcia (November 13); 

- Vina Morales (November 18);

- Frenchie Dy (November 25).

Apart from the popular celebrity performances, CF Angeles also revved up its gaming offerings by hosting various gaming events such as the bingo sessions which are now being held daily to better accommodate the branch’s different market segments.

The branch likewise spruced up its amenities and facilities to better serve its clients. Some of the recent developments in the gaming venue include the installation of new air-cooling system, opening of a new restaurant at the second floor, setting up of a giant back-to-back LED wall in front of the casino building, construction of a multi-level parking area and updating computer systems and equipment. “We did all of these to better serve our patrons,” Rivera said.

Another value-added service of the branch is the provision of free shuttle services for its guests from different parts of Northern Luzon including, Pangasinan, Baguio and Nueva Ecija. 

“We now have a 24/7 shuttle service for our Korean guests in Pampanga. Soon, we will provide more accessible modes of transportation for our local guests as well. With all these improved services, casino guests from Northern Luzon need not go to Metro Manila to relax and be entertained. We will never stop ensuring that they will find what they are looking for here in CF Angeles,” Rivera added.

For more details on CF Angeles’ various offerings, please call the Branch Marketing and Concierge Office of CF Angeles at (045) 892-5073 local 219 or 119 and (+63) 916-2965714.

Some Photos c/o Arts & Travel Magazine