John Herrera and Epson team up for Eagle-inspired haute couture collection at London Fashion Week

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John Herrera, winner of Britain’s Top Designer 2017, 

uses Epson digital printing technology to open up new creative possibilities 

At the John Herrera x Epson Preview Showcase in Manila

Fashion designer John Herrera (www.johnherreracouture.com) has partnered with Epson to produce a 30-piece collection digitally printed with Epson’s digital textile dye-sublimation printers. The collection for men and women is inspired by the Aguila, the protected Great Philippine Eagle, and was showcased at the recent London Fashion Week 2017.

The collection won John the position of Britain’s Top Designer 2017, a competition organised by Fashion’s Finest and held during London Fashion Week. John, based in Manila, Philippines,was also previously a winner at the London Emerging Designers (LED) Awards in 2015.

John works closely with Epson in the Philippines and is at the forefront of taking fashion to the next level through digital textile printing using Epson’s SureColor F-series dye-sublimation digital textile printers. 

“This partnership with Epson is very exciting. There are so many things you can do with printing compared to just buying fabric. Before, all collections by designers were created painstakingly by hand. Many of the outfits, such as 3D items that are worn by the models can only be attached by hand, so what was presented on the runway cannot be worn again and again. With digital printing, the clothes in the collection can be worn in real life,” said John Herrera. “The collection I will be presenting will be impossible to create without the Epson digital textile printer. Without them I would have had to paint the designs myself and, with only a month to prepare, it could not have been done,” he added.

On his win at Britain’s Top Designer 2017 competition, he said, “The feedback from the judges was fantastic – particularly about the incredible quality of the fabric. One said that the eagle designs that I had drawn and printed were so clear and crisp they appeared almost 3D. Digital printing with Epson technology has enabled me to experiment with fabrics and choose the very best for my designs. It’s been a dream of mine – and most designers in fact - to be in control of the whole design process: from producing the fabric design, to choosing the fabric and printing it and creating the finished outfit. Epson has enabled me to realize this dream and I’m not going back now.”

John adopts a “no-waste, no plastic” approach and puts a lot of importance on reducing waste in his work. “With digital textile printing, we only use the exact volume of fabric. Instead of wasting five yards of fabric to do a lay out for a dress, we use only one and a half yards of digitally printed fabric. Digital textile printing significantly cuts fabric wastage. Faster, more intelligent, almost zero wastage - that’s what Epson brings to the table,” he said.

Epson’s digital textile printing technology is driven by the company’s Precision Core printhead technology, one of the fastest inkjet delivery technologies in the world. Its print nozzles deliver ultra-precise control of ink droplets for superior image sharpness across a wide range of ink and media producing outstandingly vivid and unique prints.

Digital printing shortens turnaround time and enables printing in small volumes for customized prints, compared to traditional printing techniques, which require high volumes and long lead times. As a result, digital printing helps designers such as John Herrera to achieve their artistic vision by translating their ideas to a range of fabrics quickly, easily and in the highest quality. 

“Epson digital textile printing is inspiring more and more fashion designers to explore the creative and production potential that this technology enables. There is much potential in the region for digital textile technology to revolutionize the way designers work and create. With this, the designers are only limited by their imagination,” said Shuji Hamaguchi, Regional General Manager (SE Asia), Professional Printing Division, Epson Singapore.

“We would also like to congratulate John on his recent at Britain’s Top Designer competition. We are delighted to have the opportunity to support his achievement, and we hope that this inspires more fashion designers to make their vision into a reality,” he added.

Watch the John Herrera Collection preview in Manila.

5 common household items you can turn into cash at any of the 60 SM malls nationwide especially on Earth Day

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The challenges of climate change can only be addressed through the collective will and collaboration of every individual. Earth Day (not to be mistaken with Earth Hour) is upon us on Saturday, April 22, and SM Supermalls joins this worldwide celebration by inviting everyone to bring recylables or trash in exchange for cash at any of the 60 SM malls across the country. 

While the Trash-to-Cash (TTC) campaign is observed every first Friday and Saturday of the month since 2007, being part of Earth Day will help raise much more awareness for this green program initiated by SM Cares on responsible solid waste management, especially in local communities.

Here is a list of recyclables that mall-goers can bring to their favorite SM mall’s Trash-to-Cash Recycling Market on April 22, 2017, Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on every first Friday and Saturday of the month. 

5 PET or plastic bottles

PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles are those made of plastic resin. These are commonly used for both food and non-food items because of their light weight, resilience, and recyclability. Examples are empty softdrinks and water bottles, shampoo or fabric conditioner containers, motor oil gallons, medicine/pills canisters, peanut butter PET jars, and any other recyclable plastic container. 

4 Aluminum or tin cans

These are usually the containers of sardines, milk, softdrinks, fruit juices, pork and beans, and other canned food and drinks that we regularly buy from the grocery and supermarkets.

3 Old paper materials

These include worn-out books that are rendered unreadable, old newspapers, used carton boxes, magazines, brown paper bags, and other paper materials that you no longer need.

2 Glassware 

These are drinking glasses, liquor and beer bottles, dinnerware, mason jars, food containers, as well as clear and colored bottles.

1 Metalware 

These are pre-loved metal cookware and kitchen items, such as pots, pans, utensils, pie plates and trays, food containers, and metal beverage containers.

Prior to bringing used and unwanted recyclables to SM, interested environmental warriors and participants must make sure that all items are washed or clean. 

ABOUT TRASH-TO-CASH

The Trash-to-Cash (TTC) is one of SM Cares’ environmental programs that aims to increase awareness on the importance of practicing proper waste disposal by minimizing or managing solid wastes with the engagement of the community/households. 

ABOUT SM CARES

SM Cares, a division of SM Foundation Inc., is the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of SM Prime Holdings, Inc. Its advocacies include Programs on Persons with Disabilities, Senior Citizens, Women and Breastfeeding, Children and Youth, OFW (or SM Global Pinoy), Social Entrepreneurship and Environment and Sustainability.

As a responsible integrated property developer, SM Cares ensures that its CSR programs serve as catalyst for positive change for the community it serves. To know more about SM Cares, you may visit HYPERLINK "http://www.smcares.com.ph" www.smcares.com.ph or HYPERLINK "http://www.facebook.com/OfficialSMCares" www.facebook.com/OfficialSMCares.

A Tale of Modern Nature: St Therese Chapel at Hamilo Coast

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The architecture of the different structures in Pico de Loro Cove were carefully planned to fuse with the cove's natural topography and features.

Hamilo Coast is a place of many stories — brimming from its vast, pristine coastline that opens up to rich marine life and abundant flora and fauna. The stories also traverse from all of the beach resort town’s 13 coves that reach out to the West Philippine Sea: each one as breathtaking as the other. 

As much as it is a showcase of nature’s beauty, Hamilo Coast also presents structures carefully masterplanned to seamlessly fuse with its natural topography and features. Perched atop Hamilo Coast’s maiden community, Pico de Loro Cove, the St. Therese of the Child Jesus Chapel is a sight to behold. The glass enclosure frames panoramic views of the cove and the infinity of sea into an artwork of paradise waiting to be appreciated from afar. The chapel is also a product of sustainable features where solar power-assisted air conditioning units are utilized, and the architectural design is made sure to maximize natural light, adding ambience to an already charming backdrop.

The St. Therese Chapel shows how a subtle space blends with its impressive surrounding to provide a visual structure that is one with nature

With the St. Therese Chapel tucked perfectly in between the lush environs of Pico de Loro Cove, the entire property may serve as an ideal venue for weddings and special occasions aside from prayer and meditation. The lush open spaces, tree canopies, and the calm Pico Beach all contribute to Pico de Loro Cove’s seamless fusion of nature and design providing certain areas for tranquil pursuits and festivities. 

The St. Therese Chapel is a favored wedding venue of members due to its awe-inspiring vistas of the entire property wrapped in the comforts of nature’s charm.

Envision saying ‘I dos’ amidst the sun, the sea, and the lush landscapes. Aside from Sunday and special mass celebrations, the St. Therese Chapel is a favored wedding venue of members who choose this scenic paradise as a witness to their personal vows. Add a touch of magic to your own tale of love with awe-inspiring vistas of the entire property from the chapel. Here, verses of romance are told in the few seconds the sun meets with the sea. Such cherished moments are captured once in a couple’s lifetime. At St Therese Chapel, worthwhile family occasions are wrapped somewhere in the comforts of nature’s charm – in an ambience that provides countless vivid recollections.

While it is a venue for undisturbed peace and solemn celebrations, the St. Therese Chapel stands to be a firm testament of Hamilo Coast’s commitment to sustainability. Hamilo Coast strives to make sure that development and preservation can co-exist, thus providing a visual structure that is one with nature.

Hamilo Coast is the SM Group’s premier beach resort town in Nasugbu, Batangas. Hamilo Coast is now approximately 90 minutes from Manila via Cavitex and the new Ternate-Nasugbu Road. For inquiries, call (632) 945-8000, or visit www.hamilocoast.com

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.