Vision Petron presents 2017 roster of winners

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From among thousands of entries that highlighted the Filipinos’ unique skills, talents, and strengths, Petron Corporation has named the winners of its 2017 student art competition Vision Petron with the theme “Tuklas Kagalingan.” The awarding was held last November 23 at the Old Senate Hall of the National Museum. 

For this year, 62 young artists from all over the country were recognized in the following categories: painting (watercolor), painting (oil/acrylic), photography, t-shirt design, video-making, and music. 

The grand prize winners in the painting category took home P70,000.00 in cash and an Abueva trophy. The runners-up, meanwhile, received P30,000.00 and a Vision Petron trophy, while the semi-finalists received P5,000.00.

In the photography category, the grand prize winners were awarded P50,000.00 in cash and an Abueva plaque, while the runners-up received P25,000.00. 

Finally, in the t-shirt design, video-making, and music categories, the grand prize winners each won P50,000.00 and an Abueva plaque. All winners received a certificate and a gift pack from Petron. 

The top 5 schools with the most number of entries were also recognized during the awards’ ceremonies. These are St. Louis University (Baguio), Technological University of the Philippines (Manila), Technological Institute of the Philippines (Quezon City), Eulogio “Amang” Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology (Manila), and STI College Muñoz EDSA. Each school received a certificate, a printer, and gift bag from Petron, while the schools of the grand prize winners received a brand-new computer.

The winners were also given the opportunity to meet this year’s esteemed panel of judges led by National Artist for Painting Benedicto “Bencab” Cabrera, who served as chairman in the painting category. The other judges for painting were Jose Tence Ruiz, Raul Isidro, Felice Sta. Maria, Justin Nuyda, and Robert Besana, the grand prize winner in the oil/acrylic painting category of the first ever Vision Petron competition, then known as Art Petron. Several years after his memorable victory in 2001, Besana returns to the competition as a judge and as a keynote speaker at this year’s awarding ceremonies.

In the video-making category, acclaimed director Laurice Guillen led the board of judges, which also included Romy Vitug, Raymond Red, and Ricky Lee.

The music category, meanwhile, was chaired by renowned musician Louie Ocampo. The other judges were Barbie Almalbis, Celeste Legaspi, and Noel Cabangon.

For t-shirt design, Islands Group President and CEO Jonathan Jay Aldeguer served as chairman alongside former Vision Petron winner Mark Andy Garcia, Jeremy Barns, and BG Hernandez.

Finally, in the photography category, top photographer Wig Tysmans headed the panel and was joined by former Vision Petron winner Paul Quiambao, Francis Abraham, George Tapan, and Edwin Tuyay.

Throughout its 17-year history, Vision Petron has won more than 150 awards from different award-giving bodies. Recently, it bagged four awards at the 2017 IABC Philippines Quill Awards. The Vision Petron Folio has also been inducted into the Anvil Hall of Fame for consistently winning a Gold Anvil year after year.

The winning works of the 2017 Vision Petron competition will be featured in Petron’s 2018 wall and desk calendars, as well as planners and cards. To see the complete roster of winners and their works, please visit the Vision Petron website at www.visionpetron.com.

The Vision Petron national student art competition is held annually. For those interested in submitting entries, follow the Petron Corporation Facebook page for updates.

"Meant To Beh" explores true love’s possibilities, proves true love stand the test of time

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“Meant To Beh” the latest blockbuster film, as one of the eight official entries of the 2017 Metro Manila Film Festival.

“Meant To Beh” starring Vic Sotto and Dawn Zulueta, Gabbi Garcia, JC Santos, and Baby Baste. Directed by Chris Martinez, Meant to Beh is a story about family, values, love and good vibes. 

It tells the story of Ron and Andrea, a couple married out of and how they try to work out their marriage…or not.

During the holiday season, happy families and loving relationships are highlighted amongst the merrymaking of the holidays. With Meant To Beh, moviegoers are treated to this funny and poignant story about the Balatbat family, where they can pick up timely lessons about life and love along the way. Middle-aged couple Antonio (Vic) and Andrea Balatbat (Dawn) try their best to raise their three children, Christian (JC Santos), Alex (Gabbi Garcia), and Riley (Baby Baste).

The Balatbats have a perfect family setup despite the fact that the couple was only forced by their parents to get married when they were younger. These and other issues arise through the years, creating challenges and hardships that threaten the harmony within the family and eventually lead to a point where the couple, realizing that they never really loved each other, decides to separate in order to find themselves. 

This decision breaks their children’s hearts and they devise way to get their parents back together again despite both finding new respective partners. It has become their mission to get their parents to fall in love. 

The family movie, which Dawn describes as “heartwarming”, is said to be the first “serious” comedy by Bossing Vic Sotto.

He is very proud of the Filipino values that are highlighted, aside from the production’s entertainment value that will be enjoyed by audiences young and old.


“There are no grand special effects this year, unlike the Enteng Kabisote series that we have presented in the past holiday seasons. It is a simple, relatable story that takes a closer look at today’s Filipino families and the values that we cherish.” 

The movie, which also stars Sue Ramirez, Ruru Madrid, Andrea Torres, and Daniel Matsunaga is directed by Chris Martinez for Octoarts Films, M-Zet Productions and APT Entertainment.

Meant To Beh: Ika-Something na Utos will make its premiere in Philippine cinemas on December 25, 2017 as one of the eight official entries of the 2017 Metro Manila Film Festival.

Watch Matilda on the final weekend at the Meralco Theater

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“Even if you’re little, you can do a lot” says a line in Naughty which is probably the most popular song from the well-loved and award – winning musical Matilda. This says much about Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group’s latest offering as it stages for the first time in the Philippines Roald Dahl’s classic story about Matilda – an amazing little girl with extraordinary intelligence and psychokinetic powers. Now on its final weekend from December 8 – 10 at the Meralco Theater, this musical shows how little Matilda and her friends fought against the injustices of childhood with their wit, bravery and by being a little bit naughty. 

Since its opening performance last November 10 at the Meralco Theater, Matilda the Musical has been highly-acclaimed by theater-goers both young and old making it one of the best theater events this season. Headlining this wonderful musical treat dubbed by Jovic Yee in an article as “the future of Philippine theater”, are three equally talented and brilliant Matildas – Esang de Torres, Felicity Kyle Napuli and Uma Naomi Martin. 

From the outstanding performances of theater veterans and the amazing young actors who played Crunchem Hall’s revolting children to its masterfully crafted set design this musical is certainly a delightful production. 

“There was not a moment that there was no anticipation, not a second that there was no excitement, not a blip where there was no engagement between audience and production”, says theater critic Sujata S. Mukhi. Another theater critic and online editor Vladimir Bunoan, described the musical as one that should easily appeal to the Harry Potter crowd with its dark and magical themes, empowered characters and imaginative visuals. Atlantis’ staging of this Dahl classic is one that captured the hearts of its audience – a powerful representation of an innocent story with a poignant charm that knows no age. 

There will be no re-runs so catch Matilda The Musical on its final weekend from December 8 – 10 at the Meralco Theater. Tickets are available at Ticketworld (call 891-9999 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph). 

For more information and complete show details, visit http://atlantistheatrical.com/faq.

Why McJim leather goods make the perfect Christmas gifts for the men in your life

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The signs are here: nippy mornings, Yuletide carols being aired, that tingly feeling of joyous anticipation . . . and yes, traffic snarls and gridlocks due to mall sales and bazaars. The latter is a stark reminder that the “season to be jolly” comes with the perennial search for the perfect gifts to give the men in your lives.

Stumped for choice? This year, forget fancy—think classic, enduring, and timeless. 

Think McJim Classic Leather and choose from its vast array of high-quality accessories that are meant to last as long as your love and affection will. 

You can never go wrong with leather! Especially not with McJim’s finely crafted leather accessories designed to suit your laidback lolo, your no-nonsense corporate dad, your sporty and stylish husband or boyfriend, your multi-tasking guy friends and officemates, and your picky, fashionable brother.

Check out the following options from McJim Classic Leather and get your toughest holiday shopping chore done—quick and easy:

Leather wallets. A McJim leather wallet is made to last for years. Style-conscious but practical husbands or boyfriends will appreciate those designed with slots for photos, credit cards, driver’s license, and assorted stuff. Your dad and lolo will say goodbye to their tattered old wallets when you gift them with sleek McJim billfolds that they can easily slip into their pockets. 

Belts. Gifting your special male friend with a leather belt affirms your special bond and intimate relationship. McJim offers a variety of authentic leather belts that feature unique-looking metal buckles and come in neutral colors—basic modernist black, basic dark brown, and reversible minimalist—that will suit his wardrobe.

To make gift-buying easier, McJim also offers all-leather belt and wallet gift sets that are wrapped and ready-to-give.

Leather bags. A stylish and functional bag, roomy enough to stash stuff for work, school, and special events is a must-have for any upwardly mobile young man. To help you choose the right bag, McJim offers sturdy leather bags that come in a range of styles, sizes, and functionality—shoulder bags, cross body bags, and gadget bags.

For almost 50 years now, McJim Classic Leather has been the leading and trusted brand for making classic leather goods and accessories of superior quality and design. 

McJim products are available in leading online shopping sites and all major department stores nationwide. For more information, visit and like the official McJim Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/OfficialMcJIM/.

OPPO supports Miss Possibilities in stopping the use of the “R” Word

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Supporting children with special needs for fair treatment and recognition by the society

Miss Possibilities, the first pageant in Asia for children with special needs, just recently crowned Miss Possibilities 2017 Jennica Garcia. Despite having cerebral palsy, this did not stop Jennica in achieving her dreams by finishing a degree in Finance Accounting and passing the teacher’s licensure exam. 

OPPO fully supports the Miss Possibilities Foundation in its aim to raise awareness for equal treatment. One of their strong advocacies is to end the use of the “R” word due to its defamatory and unethical meaning. 

The pageant is in its 3rd installment since 2015, and it has become a tradition for the special needs community to gather together for one special night to celebrate their achievements, talents, and importance to the society. 

With its core theme “Beauty Knows No Boundaries”, it also featured the overwhelming support of influential celebrities who joined the special fashion show with children from the special needs community in their French themed outfits. 

OPPO Philippines supported all pageant contestants by giving them their own smartphones to enable them to capture moments and share their experiences online as they too, have the equal opportunity to explore and experience the social media world. 

“We fully support the advocacy of Miss Possibilities Foundation in giving people with special needs equal treatment in society today. The aim of ending the use of the “R” word is very admirable and should be encouraged as this is a start to having a better future for our society,” said OPPO Philippines’ PR Manager Eason de Guzman.

“Miss Possibilities Foundation gives those with special needs a platform to be celebrated without being judged or excluded because of their differences. We cherish those differences and would like to thank OPPO Philippines for doing the same. Thank you to OPPO Philippines for making this opportunity and experience possible for people with special needs and their families,” said Suzanna Yuzon, Founder and President of Miss Possibilities Foundation.

Miss Possibilities will continue their advocacy in 2018 with more medical missions, workshops, and other programs for families with special needs. To show your support, you may go to their official Facebook page facebook.com/misspossibilitiesph and personally message for donations, volunteerism, or any gesture of help. 

For more exciting updates, you may also visit the OPPO Philippines’ Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/OPPOPH/