Hotel 101 celebrates Earth Hour

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Hotel 101, the newest Filipino-owned and managed hotel group of Mr. Edgar “Injap” Sia, joins the worldwide Earth Hour celebrations this March 19, 2016. 

“We are proud to participate in the global call to change climate change, and own up to our actions in lessening our carbon footprint,” Hotel 101 General Manager Lei Policarpio explains.

“All our hotels, Hotel 101 Manila, Jinjiang Inn Ortigas, Jinjiang Inn Makati, and Injap Tower Hotel in Iloilo, will simultaneously switch off non-essential hotel lights for an hour, which will start at 08:30 in the evening,” she says. 

“Similarly, we have a turn down invitation encouraging our guests to switch off room lights and switch on to social media and join us during this year’s Earth Hour celebration,” Policarpio adds.

Hotel 101 manages several hotels in the Philippines, which includes Injap Tower Hotel, a 194-room hotel in the heart of the Iloilo Business District, Jinjiang Inn Makati and Jinjiang Inn Ortigas, with 59 and 95 business rooms and suites respectively, and Hotel 101 – Manila with 518 rooms in the Mall of Asia Complex. 

Hotel 101 is a subsidiary of Hotel of Asia, Inc., which envisions having a total of 5,000-room inventory by 2020. 

For inquiries you may contact Hotel 101 - Manila at +632 553 1111 or manila@hotel101.com.ph, Jinjiang Inn – Makati at +632 5768557 or makati@jinjianginn.com.ph, Jinjiang Inn – Ortigas at +632 638 1111 or ortigas@jinjianginn.com.ph, and Injap Tower Hotel at +63977 815 1374 or Iloilo@injaptowerhotel.com.ph

UNIQLO Collaboration with Liberty London

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UNIQLO announces its highly anticipated collaboration with Liberty London, launching on March 28th 2016. The quintessentially British brand, Liberty London and UNIQLO jointly creates a unique line that marries over a hundred years of history with modernUNIQLO LifeWear philosophy of Simple Made Better.

The Liberty London for UNIQLO collection is based on a selection of prints from the iconic London store’s archives, fusing Liberty’s signature heritage florals with a variety ofUNIQLO items. This unique melding of past and future creates a brave new fashion style perfect for the present.

Liberty London has collected ornaments, fabrics, and artworks from Japan and throughout Asia, offering the world printed designs and products inspired from the 42,000 images in its print archives. Dresses and textiles created from Liberty prints have been collected by The Victoria and Albert Museum, which specializes in art and design, and continue to exert a huge influence on culture, art, and fashion. 

Liberty London, which has assimilated culture from Japan, East Asia, and the entire world over its 140 year history, has teamed up with UNIQLO who are enriching peoples’ lives through clothing, to create a new collection fusing tradition and innovation. Beautiful Liberty prints in a variety of patterns have been combined by UNIQLO to create a collection to delight and present to customers around the world.

This will be available on March 28 in all UNIQLO stores nationwide. The range features T-shirts, dresses, tunic and tank tops, camisoles, full zip hoodie and RELACO shorts for women and kids; premium linen long sleeve shirts and printed short sleeve shirts for men; bodysuits, mini dresses and leggings for babies; and room shoes and accessories with pattern and color variations available. Price ranges from P390 to P1,690.

For more updates, you may visit UNIQLO Philippines’ website at www.uniqlo.com/ph.

Baskin-Robbins’ March flavor of the month rekindles the classic Belgian Waffle

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Do you love waffles? Are you an ice cream fanatic? 

Here’s an exciting treat from Baskin-Robbins that combines these two well-loved treats in one delicious offering for the sunny month of March. 

The world’s favourite ice cream brand is offering the classic ice cream flavor that brings back that warm, happy feeling of indulging in a rich, golden Belgian waffle. Baskin-Robbins’ flavour of the month is truly waffily good as it meldsmaple praline flavored ice cream with Belgian waffle pieces, praline pecans and a creme caramel ribbon. It has the authentic taste and texture of a real belgian waffleand is best paired with the classic Baskin-Robbins ice cream flavor, Pralines ‘n Cream. 

For the whole month of March, ice cream lovers can indulge in this luscious frozen treat from Baskin-Robbins in a cone, cup, or as a milkshake. It can also be relished as a 2-Scoop Sundae by mixing two scoops of Belgian Waffle Ice Cream, topped with Caramel Praline sauce, whipped cream, almonds and a cherry, served in a freshly baked waffle bowl or cup.

Get a taste of this limited edition delicious ice cream flavor by visitingBaskin-Robbins shops at the Central Square and SM Aura in Bonifacio Global City; Greenbelt 5 and Glorietta 5 in Makati; Fairview Terraces and Trinoma Mall in Quezon City; SM Southmall in Las Pinas; and Solenad in Sta Rosa, Laguna. For more information, log on to www.baskinrobbins.ph or check out their accounts: facebook.com/baskinrobbinsph, Twitter, and Instagram @baskinrobbinsph.

Filipina transgender Bemz Benedito Receives NY Award

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Many people have never heard of or don't understand things. Being transgender is something some people feel uncomfortable thinking or talking about. Transgender, the realization that they feel different from others also can be very difficult. They may face rejection, discrimination, and even anger from people who don't understand transgender identity, and it can be a challenge to deal with others' reactions. 

Life is a beautiful chance given to all to make the best of it, to learn and to provide others the best  of us. 

One blessed Filipina transgender Bemz Benedito was honored by a US organization with an award as one of four Global Transgender Heroes in celebration of International Women’s Day this March.

The award was given by the True Colors Fund, an LGBT organization based in New York. True Colors, co-founded by international pop star Cyndi Lauper, “is working to end homelessness among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth by creating systemic change”.

Benedito learned about the award when an article appeared on the True Colors website (https://truecolorsfund.org) announcing conferment of it on her and three other global transgender heroes: Lohana Berkins of Argentina (who passed away last February 5) Cecilia Chung of the US and Hong Kong, and Liesl Theron of South Africa.

The award’s primary criteria was how a certain individual challenged the status quo and as well as the ways and means of stereotypical boxes for the LGBT. Next to that, says Benedito, is how the awardee struggled to uplift the condition of her community to be recognized and respected.

The award made this year’s International Women’s Day more significant for her, says Benedito, “because I was affirmed as a woman and my small contribution for equality in my country was recognized”.

To be hailed a Transgender Hero is a very humbling experience.

“Just like what I always say in my interviews, I am not the best and there are others who are doing better than I do, but please be it remembered that there was a transgender woman who worked hard fearlessly in her little ways to represent the Filipino LGBT community as one sector fighting for equal rights."

The recognition, says Benedito, is a reminder to her that despite being elected into public office in 2010 and 2013, “the ray of light comes shining like it never was before, to continue with fight and to keep up with the challenges that cripples our dignity as human beings and citizens of our country.”

The award does not come with any monetary recognition, but according to the LGBT activist, it is more than enough for her and others working to advance the cause of LGBTs and keep them in the thick of the fight despite sometimes feeling that they are doing a thankless job and in the long run allowing even personal relationships and personal ambitions suffer.

“We owe it to the next generation that being LGBT must be kinder and dignified.”

In her own case, the award is encouragement to keep pursuing equal rights and recognition not just for other transgendered women, but for all members of the LGBT community.

“We (LGBTs) are only tolerated and our dream and our goal is to be accepted,” says Benedito. 

“Because if we are indeed accepted, policies and laws must be present to protect and uplift us. Hindi na sana second-class citizens ang tingin sa amin at sana may kinatawan na rin sa Kongreso ang sektor ng mga Pilipinong LGBT. At higit sa lahat wala na sanang mambabatas at boxing superstar na hahamakin kami at tatawaging mas masahol pa sa hayop. We are not exaggerating our struggles, we are here giving a face and voice to the oppression that dehumanizes us every day of our lives while living the truth in our being.”

Their biggest goal is the basic right to self-determination. 

“Then there is our common fight with our lesbian, gay and bisexual brothers and sisters for the passage of the anti-discrimination bill that has languished in Congress for 18 years. Imagine a human rights bill, the only one for that matter, that will protect LGBT Filipinos ay nabubulok sa Kongreso habang naghihirap ang maraming LGBTs sa diskriminasyon at opresyon. In an egalitarian society that has passed the Magna Carta for Women, Indigenous Peoples Rights Act, Violence Against Women and Children, the LGBT community is ignored and discriminated.”

Benedito recalls what the struggle was like for her as a transgendered woman.

“It was difficult especially for me growing up in my province in Abra, which is laid-back, backward-thinking and conservative. While growing up, I would cry whenever I would see my naked body as a young child in the mirror because my anatomy was incongruent to what I thought and felt about myself. It took me a long time to realize that I am not a simple case of a girl trapped in a man's body. I found out about transgender people when I did my research during my college days. It was then that I found out that I am not an effeminate gay or thepa-girl na bakla but I am a transgendered woman. That is why, as in all journeys, the wrong has to be righted, the flaw corrected. In my mind, in my heart and in my soul, I am a woman, a Transpinay, the other Filipina.”

Finally, says Benedito, if there is a message that she, as a transgendered woman, would like to put out there, it would be this: 

“Stereotypes are like cardboard cut-outs; they do not form the complete picture. Not even a fragment of who we are. Our genitalia should not be the basis of one's right to self-determination and gender identity. We should not be defined by our bodies nor our sexual orientation and gender identity defined our capabilities, skills and strengths.”

The Newest Romantic Pop Balladeer Edward Benosa to stage birthday concert, with Morisette Amon, DJ Chacha and surprise guests

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Edward Benosa during the media conference held at the Cerchio Restaurant and Lounge,  Quezon City March 17, 2016

Edward Benosa, The Romantic Pop Balladeer  marks an important milestone when he stages a birthday concert at the Teatrino in Greenhills on April 16, 2016.

The concert will be directed by Frank Lloyd Mamaril, with Marvin Querido as Musical Director. Edward’s special guests will be Morisette Amon and DJ Chacha of MOR 101.9.

This will be another major step forward in his career and his bid to be known as a legitimate, full-fledged pop artist.

Edward will perform a repertoire of mostly love songs, but will also showcase the other side of him when he takes on rock songs and musical genres he doesn’t usually perform. 

Director Frank promises “a very intimate show” that will be a culmination and celebration of all the good things that have happened to Edward’s career in the past year.

On his first concert,  Edward is nervous, but he’s ready to step into the spotlight. He knows it’s a big challenge, but he’s taking it on because he knows that if he succeeds in pulling it off.

“Grabe ang pressure. Siyempre may pressure at kabado kasi first. First year ko in showbiz, tapos first concert. Pero pag natawid ko ito, ibang self-confidence ang makukuha ko dito.”

Stage and TV and indie film actor Arnold Cruz Reyes, as Edward’s manager,  says they had been planning the show for some time, and that it was really part of their wish list for the Star Awards for Music 2015 Best New Artist. They spent several months planning and conceptualizing the show and fine-tuning the repertoire so they would have a show that they were sure the audience will enjoy.

 Arnold Cruz Reyes

Director Franc, who also directed the recent concerts of Matteo Guidicelli and Lani Misalucha, talks about their concept for the show.

Teatrino is the perfect venue for concert shows, as "where some of the best artists started and built their careers. So we want to place him in a venue kung saan siya symbolically pwede mag-start in the concert scene. We know he can pull it off.”

“When we talked about the show, we wanted a follow through on Edward’s career. A lot of things have been happening to him for the last year and in that year, it has to have a culmination, which is this show. It’s all about what he can bring to the table in the industry. "

Director Franc believes that Edward is the complete package and thus, the time is ripe for him to have a solo concert.

Director Frank Lloyd Mamaril

“He is the artist na complete package. He has looks, can sing, can act. That’s rare. ‘Yun ang nakikita ko, that’s why we need this concert to happen. The success of Edward is the success of everyone.”

While preparing for the concert, they met people—both old and new supporters of Edward who were very excited about the show and couldn’t wait for it to happen.

Everyone behind the concert is confident all their hard work and preparation will come together on the show date—and they know Edward has what it takes to make it work.

And there are a lot of people who’ve been asking for Edward to have a show. Now is the right time, which explains why the concert is titled “Most Requested”.

“When we thought of the title, o sige, si Edward honestly di pa kilalang-kilala, but when you check social media, and listen to radio stations, ‘Ay siya pala ‘yon’. May gano’ng reaction. Every time I introduce Edward, “Ah siya pala yung nasa parang pelikula na video’ or ‘Siya pala ‘yung kumanta ng ‘Di Man Lang Nagpaalam’. Kaya nasabi namin, ‘Sige na, gawin na natin ito.’”

Edward is also getting a lot of support from his recording company, Star Music, his sponsors (like Dannon Clothing), his supporters and his management.

The concert is brought to you by Dannon Clothing. In participation with Projects Unlimited Phil Inc., Spring Oil, Villa Victoria Inc.,JBC Food Corporation, and Multymedia Printers Inc. Special thanks to Fragrancia De Italia, Novu Hair, Cerchio Grill And Lounge, and Lancer's Hardware. Media partners are Mor 101.9 and Starstudio Magazine.

For inquiries, please call Ranjo Isip at 0917-882-2773. 

You call also reach Edward thru:

Facebook :   facebook.com/realedwardbenosa

Twitter: @realbenosa

Instagram: realbenosa