5th Ortigas Arts Festival paints broader stroke of Philippine art with film, dance, and visual arts

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Ortigas Art Festival returns for its 5th year with a month-long celebration of Filipino art in forms.

“This year’s festival paints a broader stroke of Philippine art where we encompass more art forms from visual art, film, dance, and even pottery,” said Renato “Mang Ato” R. Habulan, head curator of Ortigas Art Festival. “We want to show the diversity of talents across many disciplines Filipino artists have and we are honored to present all of those–and more–through this year’s exhibit and festivities.”

Launched in 2018, the Ortigas Art Festival was created with the goal of making art accessible to everyone. From featuring over 60 local artists during its first run, the number of artists who participated in the festival reached more than 200 and even included artists from Southeast Asia, America, and Europe in 2020.

Running from July 7, 2022 (Thursday) until August 7, 2022 (Sunday), the festival will showcase a wider variety of Filipino arts and culture across five pillars: Painting & Sculpture, Film and Photography, Dance and Fashion, ArtisTree, and Workshops.

“We believe that art has the power to connect people and uplift their spirits especially at trying times. We’ve proven that when we ran the festival during the two years under a pandemic. Now that we’re slowly recovering and embracing the new normal, we believe that there is no better time to show that Philippine art is alive and well and is for everyone to enjoy,” said Arch. Renee Bacani, Vice President of Ortigas Malls. “Through the Ortigas Art Festival, we reiterate our mission in bringing art to a wider audience and supporting the local art scene and community by including art in all its forms in this year’s celebrations.”

Painting and Sculpture will feature works from local galleries–Agos Studios, Bastedor Art Project, Vmeme Contemporary Art Gallery, Linangan Art Residency, Red Lab Gallery, Thombayan Art Space, and Makiling Art Studio; and celebrated visual artists Rita Bustamante and Rico Lascano.

Film and Photography will be led by The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and Born in Film who will be hosting retrospectives and late-night screenings of restored Philippine films, and from National Artists for film during the festival. FDCP will also be holding its 2nd Vertical Cinema Contest during the festival.

Performing Arts and Fashion will see Ballet Works Manila hold special performances during the Vernissage on July 7 and on July 31 while the Fashion Designers Association of the Philippines will be presenting some of its best designs and creations throughout the month-long event.

ArtisTree will have the Learning Tree Child Growth Center that will showcase some of the masterpieces of its alumni, teachers, and students from Preschool, Grade School, and High School. They will also be holding several workshops such as painting, 3D art, paper cutting, paper sculptures, pottery, and oil pastel drawing for children and adults alike.

FDCP and Born in Film will conduct workshops such as Cinematography, Storytelling, and Film Editing while Born in Film will be conducting Creative Visual Storyline and Mobile Photography workshops, perfect for Film buffs and photography enthusiasts. They will also feature 2,000 inspiring photos from around the world. Meanwhile, those interested in getting their hands into pottery can also join the pottery sessions led by Big Mac for both adults and children as part of its Workshops, which will be exclusive to Ortigas Community Card members.

Ramon Santos, pride of Pasig City for being a National Artist for Music, will be holding a special exhibit on the second floor, showcasing a wide variety of art forms and artistry to foster appreciation for Filipino art and artists.

Mr. Santos is a composer, conductor, musicologist, and is currently the country’s foremost exponent of contemporary Filipino music.

“What we want in this year’s iteration is to introduce Filipinos to the works of some of the country’s best while stoking their interest and appreciation for Philippine art,” said Helen Mirasol, art patron and one of the co-founders of Ortigas Art Festival. “This is a month-long celebration of our art and artists where everyone is invited–no matter if you’re an art connoisseur or a regular person who wants to find the art form that will speak to their soul. Everyone is welcome at Ortigas Art Festival.”

The Ortigas Art Festival runs from July 7 to August 7 at the Estancia East Wing, Capitol Commons, Pasig City. Admission is free. To get the full festival schedule, follow Ortigas Art Festival on Facebook and visit ortigasmalls.com for the latest info on upcoming events and activities. Sign up for the Ortigas Malls Community Card by downloading the Ortigas Malls Mobile App and unlock your access to the amazing perks, privileges, and workshops during the festival.

Ready for Adulting? ShopeePay shares Financial Tips for Fresh Graduate

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Get instant savings when you send money, buy load, pay bills, and more with ShopeePay.

Social media feeds are flooded with graduation photos, videos, and congratulatory greetings. With one chapter closing, comes another one. If you’re a fresh college graduate, it’s time to welcome the “adulting life” and the grown-up responsibilities that come with it. As you build your career and earn your own money, you’ll have greater purchasing power. Hence, it’s important to take control of your finances early on. ShopeePay, Shopee’s integrated mobile wallet, can help you in this aspect.

With ShopeePay’s cost-saving features and rewarding perks, you can become a financially-savvy young adult. Here are tips to help you get ready for adulting:

Set aside a budget for savings and expenses

Allocate a portion of your monthly income for expenses and a percentage for savings. To avoid accidentally using your savings, you can transfer your allotted expenses to your ShopeePay wallet and use it for your transactions. Skip admin fees and cash in for free when you link your BPI or UnionBank account. For other banks, simply use your bank’s online app and cash in via InstaPay to get up to P25 cashback on your first two InstaPay transactions per month.

Send money for free when you make your transactions

Online money transfers are very convenient. However, you have to pay additional interbank or e-wallet fees if your recipients have different bank accounts. The fees seem like a small amount at first, but they add up over time. If you’re using ShopeePay, you don’t need to settle any fees because you can send money for free to any bank, e-wallet, or Shopee user.

Aside from the instant savings, you’ll also stand a chance to win coins and money when you join ShopeePay promos like ShopeePay Mission and Happy Hour. If you’re lucky, you can add your winnings to your budget.

Be more cost-effective when giving gifts

When it comes to gift-giving, you don’t necessarily have to purchase actual presents and pay additional delivery fees. Sending money is an economical and practical alternative to convey your good wishes. Now that you’re an adult, you’ll come to realize that a lot of people appreciate monetary gifts. ShopeePay has a feature called Ang Pao that allows you to instantly send money to multiple people in one go, all for free, which is a perfect way to gift your friends during special occasions. You can also use Ang Pao to surprise your parents—a thoughtful way of giving back to them after putting you through school.

Take advantage of discounts when paying bills and personal necessities

As you take on more responsibilities in your household, bills tend to pile up. Every month, you’ll have to pay for utilities like electricity, water, cable, landline, and internet. With ShopeePay, you can conveniently pay your monthly bills online and even get up to 100% cashback for your transactions for new users (minimum spend P180, capped at 180 coins).

Connection is important as you grow your professional network, both online and face-to-face. When reloading your prepaid SIM, buy mobile data and load with ShopeePay to get up to a 10% discount.

Be a smart spender and bargain hunter

Adulting is also about having fun and rewarding yourself as long as it’s within your budget. Before making a purchase, think hard first if it’s something you’ll be using for a long time. The next thing you should consider is where to buy it and how to pay for it so you can get your money’s worth. If it’s on Shopee, pay for it with ShopeePay to access shipping discounts and cashback vouchers. For more bargains, make it a habit to check “ShopeePay Near Me” on the Shopee app to enjoy exclusive deals for as low as P1 from groceries, gas stations, food & beverage outlets, and more.

Navigating the real world and taking on financial responsibilities can be challenging for new graduates. Follow these tips from ShopeePay and start developing good financial habits.

To learn more about ShopeePay, visit https://shopee.ph/m/shopee-pay. Follow ShopeePay’s Instagram and Facebook pages to be updated with the latest promos.

Xiaomi announces product lineup, big discounts for 7.7 sale

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Xiaomi is treating Xiaomi fans with up to P4,000 off on best-selling products this 7.7.

The brand is offering exclusive deals on Redmi smartphones and AIoT products. These will be available on Xiaomi’s official page in Lazada.

Reliable tech for hybrid lifestyle

The Redmi Note 11 Series enables users to rise to the challenge with their high-performance chipsets, pro-grade cameras, and fast-charging batteries. Mi fans can cop the Redmi Note 11 for only P7,999 from P9,490, and the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G for only P20,999 from P21,999.

Make the most of home entertainment with the 43” Mi TV P1 with limitless 4K display. It’s programmed with Google Assistant and smart home control hub for accessible use. Get this device for only P14,990 from P18,990 with a free backpack.

See the complete list of participating Xiaomi products and special 7.7 prices below:

Product	Old Price	New Price
Redmi Note 11 (4GB + 64 GB)	Php 9,490	Php 7,999
Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G (8GB + 256GB)	Php 21,999	Php 20,999
Redmibook 15 (I5) w/ freebie Backpack	Php 37,999	Php 35,999
Mi TV P1 43”	Php 18,990	Php 14,990
Air Purifier	Php 8,999	Php 7,899

Don’t miss out on Xiaomi’s 7.7 Mega Sale this month. Be sure to check the Lazada store to purchase the devices.

For more updates, follow Xiaomi’s Facebook and Instagram pages. Visit the website for details.

DEBUNKING THREE COMMON PLANT MYTHS: The Ultimate Guide for Every Plantito and Plantita

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Are you one of those who have been called into the plantito or plantita way of life? If yes, you must’ve heard about a couple of myths surrounding your greens. To name a few, CHERRY lists down the top three things you might have encountered but shouldn’t actually believe:

PUTTING GRAVEL IN POTS WILL HELP IN DRAINAGE 

Did you also grow up in a plant-loving household? If that’s the case, then gravel in the bottom of flower pots should be a common sight. However, it’s time to leave that practice behind now that you are a plantita yourself. Contrary to common belief, gravel don’t actually improve drainage. In fact, the roots would only have to suffer through exposure to waterlogged soil which isn’t exactly healthy for your plants. Instead of adding an extra layer of rocks, you can use paper towel to prevent soil from coming out of your pot’s drainage hole.

YELLOW LEAVES EQUALS OVERWATERING 

You see your plant’s leaves turn yellow? Everyone’s diagnosis—overwatering! While that can be true, it isn’t the only and shouldn’t be the default factor. Leaves turn yellow for a couple of reasons which include not watering your plant enough, overexposure to sunlight, and temperature changes. It is important to not immediately rule out the possible causes so you can properly address the problem and bring back the healthy and vibrant color of your plant. 

WILTING PLANTS NEED TO BE WATERED

Most of the time, plants wilt because they don’t get sufficient amount of water. But, before you drown your poor perched plant, try to assess the condition of the soil first. If the soil is fairly moist, then your plant must be wilting for some other reasons like pests or improper exposure to sunlight. 

Some also say that busy individuals are incapable of taking care of plants. And, with the Cherry Home Smart Hydroponic Plant Box, that may as well be a myth in the making. With this innovation that is especially designed for modern plantitos and plantitas, you now can look over your seedlings even if you’re away. All you have to do is monitor them through the Cherry Home application that is downloadable for free via Google Play and App Store, and basically let the Hydroponic Plant Box do the rest of the work. 

This product from Cherry Home is equipped with LED lights that function as alternative sunlight with three light levels—morning, afternoon, and sundown—whatever suits your plants’ needs. Meanwhile, to keep your plants properly hydrated, it also has built-in water and pump. Both features can be scheduled through the application. If in any case you’ve been too busy to check on your plants, you can assure that they’d still be grown in a fitting environment as this product is outfitted with advance water-level, temperature, and humidity sensors. 

Another good news for plantitos and halamums, you can get the Cherry Home Smart Hydroponic Plant Box for as low as P6,399.20 from its P7,999 original SRP until August 31, 2022. 

Now, there’s no stopping you from doing this whole planting thing like a pro. For more information, visit

Cherry Shop PH: www.cherryshop.com.ph

Shopee Apprentice Program Upskills Young Emergent Leader

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By 2030, the digital economy is projected to generate up to PHP 5 trillion (USD 101.3 billion) in economic value in the Philippines[1]. With e-commerce set to become a key pillar of the economy in the near future, there lies an opportunity to develop emerging tech talents to support this rapid growth. Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, recognizes the need to upskill young Filipino talents and mold them to become tech leaders of tomorrow through its Shopee Apprentice Program.

Open to top university students, the Shopee Apprentice Program aims to develop future leaders in the tech industry by equipping them with critical skills such as problem solving, effective communication, and adapting to a fast-paced working environment. Throughout the duration of the internship, Apprentices are immersed in Shopee’s collaborative work culture. They are given the chance to gain firsthand experience working on impactful large-scale projects in the e-commerce and digital finance industry. Apart from the exposure and valuable work experience, Apprentices can also expect to receive guidance and mentorship from Shopee’s top leaders as their internship journey progresses. Upon completion of the program, successful Apprentices have the option to join an accelerated track for the Global Leaders Program, Shopee’s 2-year flagship graduate program for young professionals.

This year’s batch of Apprentices is a diverse mix of top students from prestigious local and international universities. To mark the beginning of their internship journey, the Apprentices were welcomed with an on-site event held at the Shopee office. The gathering allowed them to get to know one another, and hear the advice and testimonials from Apprentice Program alumni and mentors. Through their sharing, they were able to get an idea of what is in store for them and what to expect, as they embark on their rigorous internship journey

Karen Perez, Head of People at Shopee Philippines, shared “The Shopee Apprentice Program is a testament to our commitment to developing leaders of tomorrow. We look forward to maximizing our platform to provide even more opportunities to hone the skills of young tech talents, even at the career preparation stage.”

The impending growth of the local tech industry emphasizes the need to develop and prepare young tech talent. To support this growth, Shopee is always on the lookout for young Filipinos interested in becoming drivers of growth in the tech industry. Learn more about how you can become an apprentice today and a leader tomorrow, by visiting: https://careers.shopee.ph/apprenticeprogram/.

[1] The Growing Digital Economy in the Philippines: Opportunities, Challenges, and Google's Contributions