STAR CRUISES and DREAM CRUISES PH launches another leg of the cruise fair

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Make your way down to the CRUISE FAIR and pick out the cruise perfect for your summer cap-off trips, mid-year adventures or even for the year-end holidays happen! #LoveStarCruises #DreamCruises

Exclusive promos and offers await as Star Cruises and Dream Cruises brings another round of the Cruise Fair happening on April 18 to 21, 2017 at the Robinsons Magnolia Atrium

Hong Kong, 8 July, 2016 – Star Cruises, the leading cruise line in the Asia Pacific, alongside the first-ever Asian luxury cruise line, Dream Cruises has once again announced another run of the Cruise Fair, highlighting exclusive promotions for the SuperStar Virgo Manila deployment, as well as the other Asian itineraries of the cruise lines’ fleets.

From April 18 to 21, 2017, Star Cruises and Dream Cruises picks up off on the success of the initial run of the Cruise Fair last March 1 to 5, 2017 in Greenbelt 5 Fashion Walk. This run showcases the perfect cruise offers capping off the SuperStar Virgo in Manila deployment as well as new offers perfect for mid-year trips and year-end holiday vacations all exclusive for this 2nd Cruise Fair.

The Cruise Fair’s main promotion highlights the 6 Day/5 Night roundtrip itinerary of SuperStar Virgo to Laoag, Ilocos Norte to Kaohsiung, Taiwan and Hong Kong, exclusively offering the following:

Let your dreams set sail as the chance to go aboard on a cruise of a lifetime is back once again, as Star Cruises and Dream Cruises bring you the 2^nd ever CRUISE FAIR!

Mother’s Day Special

– Special onboard cruise treats for Moms sailing on May 13!

Inclusive of Eye Society eyewear, Bridge and Galley tours, plus exclusive invite to Captain’s Tea Party

May Birthday Cruise Package

– Free birthday package onboard for cruising May celebrants

Inclusive with HKD 200 onboard credit, room set up decoration, Complimentary birthday cake, and birthday certificate signed by the Captain

30% + 10% promotions + Additional OBCR

– 30% off running promotion plus additional 10% off promo rate

– Per cabin entitlement of HKD 800 for May 3, 4, 8, & 9; HKD 500 for other departures

Senior Citizens at 70%

– 70% off Senior Citizens for departures on April 23 & 28, May 3, 8, & 23

Free Cycling Tour

– Bring your bike and cycle around Kaohsiung for May 18 and 23

Other promotions are also offered for this Cruise Fair:

Genting Dream 5N cruises – ex Hong Kong and ex Singapore for Buy 1, Take 1 at selected departures

SuperStar Virgo 3N Farewell cruise – ex Manila on May 28 to 31 2017 at 50% off

SuperStar Virgo 7N cruises – ex Shanghai/Osaka/Yokohama on July to Nov 2017

SuperStar Gemini 3N or 2N cruises – ex Laem Chabang at 65% off

SuperStar Libra 3N cruises – ex Penang at 50% off for Low and Mid seasons

Star Pisces Overnight cruise – ex Hong Kong at 30% off all pax

As the calendar shifts to travel season, there is no way to explore and discover what awaits you beyond the shores than the top cruise line in the Asia-Pacific, Star Cruises and Dream Cruises.

To know more about Star Cruises, Dream Cruises and its available cruise offers and promos, visit the Star Cruises booth at Robinsons Magnolia Atrium from April 18 to 21 during mall hours, or visit the Star Cruises official website http://www.starcruises.com / www.starcruises.com.

Midea Gas Ranges: Surprisingly withstanding the test of Filipino-style cooking

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Everytime traditional holidays approaching on the calendar, we start planning. Inviting friends, involve the kids, and create your own lasting memories. Whenever Filipinos are preparing for a big celebration, whether it is for birthdays, fiestas or family reunions, the kitchen sure gets so busy with all the cooking that needs to be done. All hands are on deck as all available chopping boards are brought out and batches of ingredients go through knives before getting them in the pots. While some ingredients are boiled or steamed before they are combined with the other ingredients to complete the dish, there are some that gets the heat treatment by frying, grilling, or roasting. This is how Filipinos do their feasts as one big community or one big family, helping each other, and then finally bonding over the dishes that they labored for.

A lot of kitchen appliances get battered every time there is a big feast coming up, especially the gas stoves and ranges, because they catch all the mess from pots dripping with sauces that usually get caked on the surfaces. This could rust the body or some other parts of the stove and eventually affect its performance and eventually cause it to become unusable. 

The world’s leading manufacturer of consumer appliances, Midea understands the nature of how serious Filipinos are when it comes to cooking meals for their feasts. The varied culinary influences the country got from the Chinese, Malay, Spanish and other contemporary cuisines has kept the Filipinos’ passion for cooking burning bright, as some age-old traditions are being passed down, rediscovered, and reinvented by the younger generation.

Younger families who trace their roots from far-flung provinces are bringing in their family’s tradition to their very own homes, where there might be not enough open space for a fire pit for roasting and grilling, or those big and heavy gas ranges that could fire up a big wok and take in enough volume of food enough for a good portion of the family clan or barangay. Luckily, these young generations of families could still continue to enjoy and pass on further their family’s great recipes with Midea’s newest lineup of gas ranges that are specially designed to surprisingly withstand the test of Filipino cooking. 

They have three models, two of which has an oven volume of 58L, while the other has a bigger one with 65L, each of which could accommodate 4 pans and pots cooking simultaneously. These sizes are more than enough to take in big batches of liempo or fish to grill, or a big slab of pork belly, rolled into a porchetta stuffed with tanglad and other ingredients that makes a lechon flavorful.

The 65L model has its own thermostat, which makes it easier for any home chef to control the temperature in the oven and serve only the best home-cooked Pinoy favorites. It could even function as a rotisserie, so that it could cook any kind of meat evenly and perfectly. And with its tempered glass lid, monitoring your culinary specialty with the gas range door closed is a breeze. While all of the models are using SBT burners to make every cooking experience safe, the 65L model even has a flame failure device to keep gas from building up within the appliance. These features do not only assure the safety of everyone and getting every family member involved and to bond in the kitchen, they also enable Midea’s gas ranges to be handed down to the next generation. 

Cooking in large volumes and very frequently could lead to a burnout, with gas tanks running out of fumes to keep you going. One of the 58L models has a hot plate where it uses electricity to heat up the pans and allows you to cook. This could be helpful in keeping the whole kitchen running, even if it is just one stove cooking and everyone is taking a quick break to wait for an LPG refill or replenishment. After everything is done and everyone in the family, friends, or guests are satisfied with the feast, cleaning up the Midea’s gas ranges is absolutely friendly because its body is made out of tough stainless steel.

Midea is also confident in giving their customers a 2-year warranty on parts and labor along with a 5-year warranty on burners. This could only mean that Midea’s lineup of gas ranges are there to stay in the kitchen for a very long time, dealing with more hard core cooking, Filipino-style for the years to come. With that much time, another younger generation of family members will be ready to take on the family tradition and hopefully pass on the cooking torch as well. 

For more information on Midea’s products check out their website at http://midea.com.ph and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/MideaPhilippines.

Soul Supergroup Apartel, to perform at Buddha-Bar’s Big M Night (“Dine and Drive a Maserati” winner, to be drawn at the event)

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Makati City—April 19, 2017— Offshore Music’s Apartel, treats customers of Buddha-Bar Manila to an evening of soul and funk music, as well as unparalleled entertainment with the bar’s “Big M Night.” The event also sets the stage for the grand draw of this year’s winner of “Dine and Drive a Maserati” promo this Saturday, April 29, 2017.

A different dining and entertainment experience await Buddha-Bar’s customers since it brings the live performance of Apartel composed of members Ely Buendia on vocals & guitars, RJ Pineda on vocals & keyboards, Redge Concepcion and Coco Coo on guitars, Deej Rodriguez on percussion, Jun Lazo on bass, Pat Sarabia on drums, Diane and Donna Sagun on backing vocals and horn section Bras Pas Pas Pas.

Local Acts and DJs - Pasta Groove, Lustbass and Tarsius will also be performing and Evan Spargo will be hosting the event, adding to give customers a spectacular “mafia” themed night. 

“Buddha-Bar has been known for spectacular and unique parties that we arrange specially for our customers. This time, we are leveling it up with our Big M Night. We will treat them with Apartel’s good music, as well as with chances to win big prizes from our sponsors, including the Maserati Ghilbi,” said Bernadette Castillo, Sales & Marketing Head of Buddha Bar Manila.

The grand draw of the “Dine and Drive a Maserati,” which runs from January 30, 2016 to April 29, 2017,(Per DTI-FTEB SPD Permit No. 0424, Series of 2016), is one of the event’s highlight.

For a single receipt purchase of a la carte items worth as low as PhP 5,000 pesos, or PhP 30,000 on banquet events, customers can find themselves behind the steering wheel of a brand new luxurious Maserati Ghibli.

Buddha-Bar will also give away gift certificates, merchandises and other surprise prizes from its sponsors, which include Skyjet Airlines, Maserati and Offshore Music. Customers will also get the chance to be one of the winners of round trip tickets to a perfect get away from Skyjet Airlines.

“We are inviting all the music, traveling, and Maserati enthusiasts out there to come and party with us at our Big M Night. This is one of our biggest party yet, where customers get the chance to both win huge prizes and to be entertained. We also invite all those who already joined the “Dine and Drive a Maserati” promo to personally claim their dream Maserati Ghibli,” Castillo added.

Since it first opened in 2012, Buddha Bar-Manila has been dedicated to offering different themed events for its customers. It also carries the sophistication and the world-class service offered by the Buddha-Bar International franchise, based in Paris, France. It has also brought the luscious taste of Modern Asian and Western cuisine.

Buddha-Bar Manila is located at Picar Place, Kalayaan Ave. Makati City. For inquiries and reservations, please call 8566719, 8566859, or 09989833918.

Sister Act The Musical in Manila

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The blissfully silly heavenly hit show and much acclaimed Broadway musical comedy Sister Act premieres on June 27 at The Theatre at Solaire in Paranaque City. Touted as America’s new musical comedy classic, Sister Act brings to the musical theater scene a stage re-creation of the music and general story of the hit 1992 film comedy of the same title, but with an all-original score and script and spectacular production design.

The show is part of the Asian leg of the American production’s Asian tour for 2017. The musical will run for only two weeks with no extension.

Touted as America’s new musical comedy classic, “Sister Act” brings to the musical theater scene a stage re-creation of the music and general story of the hit 1992 film comedy of the same title, but with an all-original score and script and spectacular production design.

The play will leave the audience breathless as it they follow for two-and-a-half delightful hours the funny adventures of Deloris Van Cartier, a wannabe diva whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a crime and the cops hide her in the last place anyone would think to look – a convent.

Under the suspicious watch of Mother Superior, Deloris helps her fellow sisters find their voices as she unexpectedly re-discovers her own.

The musical features original music and score with a big Broadway sound written by the most acclaimed composer of our time, 8-time Oscar winner Alan Menken (“Beauty and the Beast,” “”The Little Mermaid,” “Little Shop of Horrors”), with lyrics by Glenn Slater. The story was written by Bill and Cheri Steinkellner with additional book material by Douglas. Carter Beane. 

It had its world premiere at the Pasadena Playhouse in the Fall of 2006, followed by a production at Alliance Theatre in Atlanta on the Winter of 2007. The West End production began previews at the Palladium Theatre in London on May 7, 2009, while the Broadway production began preview performances on March 24, 2011 and officially opened on April 20, 2011 at the Broadway Theatre.2

Seen by over 6 million theater-goers across the globe, “Sister Act” has been performed worldwide in Milan, Vienna, Paris, Germany, The Netherlands, Japan and on tour throughout the United States and the United Kingdom. It has also been played in Canada, Ireland, South Africa and Spain.

The musical received five Tony Awards nominations in 2011: Best Musical, Best Original Score (Alan Menken-music/Glenn Slater-lyrics), Best Book of a Musical (Cheri and Bill Steinkellner and Douglas Carter Beane), Best Actress in a Musical (Patricia Miller) and Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Victoria Clark) 

It was also nominated for four Olivier Awards in 2010, including Best Musical.

The musical has drawn widespread critical acclaim for being a “fun, funny and feel good” act, with The New York Post describing it as “ridiculously fun” and The Huffington Post lauding it for providing fans “an unbridled joy.”

Sister Act is Ovation Productions’ second Broadway musical presentation; with Disney’s Beauty and the Beast 2 years ago at the Cultural Center of the Philippines as it’s first. 

Media partners are Fox, MYX, Philippine Star, Manila Bulletin, and Philippine Daily Inquirer. Produced by Ovation Productions in cooperation with Broadway Entertainment Group, and Troika. 

Tickets at P6500, 5500, 4500, 3500, 1500 available online at www.ticketworld.com.ph or call (02) 981-9999. 

Book on Filipino Elderly Population Highlight Role of Senior Citizens in Nation Building

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SM Cares, the CSR arm of SM Prime Holdings, Inc., along with StratSearch Foundation, Inc. recently launched the book “Population Ageing: Issues and Challenges” authored by distinguished political science professor Dr. Clarita R. Carlos . The book is intended to help planners in incorporating the contributions of the ageing population in national development efforts.

Dr. Carlos cited businesses for integrating facilities and programs that are favorable to senior citizens. She also believes that senior citizens should be given the chance to contribute to society beyond the currently mandated age of retirement. Citing SM Cares’ employment for the elderly as an example, she said that employment could actually prolong the lives of older people.

“It helps them feel needed and productive. Minsan kasi pag alam nilang meron silang pagbibihisan, they regain self-esteem. When we give them work, they are mentally and physically stimulated. It makes them happy; and when they’re happy, they get less sickly and eventually live longer” said Dr. Carlos.

The SM Cares Program on Senior Citizens include the award-winning casual employment for senior citizens, as well as other training activities such as Oldies But Techies where the elderly are taught the basics of computer operation.

Dr. Carlos is the executive director of StratSearch Foundation (formerly Center for Scientific Research and Strategic Development, Inc.). An acknowledged expert on foreign and defense policy, her vast experience of 50 years includes working with foreign and local institutions, government, and media in various capacities. Prior to the book on population ageing, she has also written books on geopolitics, national security, political psychology, and bureaucratic reform.

Research for the book was funded by SM Cares in support of Filipino senior citizens, with the objective of understanding the elderly more and eventually help the organization think of better ways to serve them better. The book is co-authored by Maria Iraliz E. Nool, Jan Albert G. Suing, and Jenny Marie Molina.

To know more about SM Cares and its Program on Senior Citizens, visit www.smcares.com.ph, or www.facebook.com/OfficialSMCares.