One of the most hard working actresses I've seen in the Philippine showbiz industry is comedienne Pokwang. Her impeccable timing, punchlines and knack for fun in every scene is just super entertaining and with that, she's gotten roles left and right, but not forgetting how to save up and invest in some jewelry pieces which she loves and hope to keep for a lifetime.
In a recent YouTube guesting she did at the channel of Ms. Charo Cordial (YT: @Maddox_Jewelry) she personally went to their showroom in 1011 JP Rizal in Concepcion Uno in Marikina City, she shared how she lost not just jewelry but also an expensive watch when she was told to remove it from her wrist during a scene, and ended not knowing who got it from her because she was in a hurry to finish takes for the day. That cost her 350k, shrugged it off and just charged to experience. This didn't stop her from still getting and collecting more pieces which she does often via Maddox. She treats them more than just an entrepreneur, but trust them even with her personal pieces and sell them sometimes. She also gets tons of orders of her personal gourmet products as Ms. Charo loves em too!
People love Ms. Charo and had been well known for sourcing well designed, and properly priced jewelry. Her clientele includes several celebrities who've trusted getting their pieces from her, from the store or online via FB live streams which she often does. She also does vlogs and talk to them about their personal lives, raw and authentic too.
This episode with Ms. Pokwang is still getting traction as people are very interested about how she turns her experience to something positive, and how she dealt with the hate she gets online on some instances. If you haven't seen it, you can search Maddox_Jewelry on YouTube and see her uploads. You can also check her FB, IG and TikTok accounts with the same name and follow her interesting chat with your favorite celebrities there. Because yes, she'll teach you the ways to love diamonds too.
Getting another travel itch? look no further as Metrobank Travel Fair will happen on February 20 to 22 at the Glorietta Activity Center. Your Metrobank card will be extra powerful as offers from the country's top travel agencies so they can book you hotels, lovely cruises and just about every destination you can imagine.
There will be Southeast Asian, international and local destinations so if you're a backpacker, light traveler or have that wanderlust, it's all in one place just for 3 days. Metrobank card holders get exclusive early morning access from 10am to 12pm specifically for the Travel Signature Visa and World Mastercard holders.Everyone else can get access til 8pm.
Airline participants include PAL, AirAsia, TravelOnline PH, All Nippon Airways, Cebu Pacific, Gulf Air, Japan Airlines, Jeju Air, Korean Air, Saudia, Starlux, Sunlight Air, Thai Airways, Qantas and United. Hotel bookings for properties include Accor, Ayala Land, Crimson, Boracay,.Discovery Group, El Nido Resorts, Edsa Shang, Makati Shang, Quest, Shang Mactan, Ascotf, and more!
There will also be travel bags and accessories on sale plus tourism boards from regional partners, it's going to be so much fun! Participants will also have the chance to win a trip to Korea for every 10k spend, and cashback of Php 100k for 5 folks who use Metrobank Mastercard. Metrobank Visa cashback would get 2.5k for every 25k spend, or 10k for 100k spend. For those at home, you can do it from Agoda or Booking.com to get 5k off on 30k spend. There's so much more to be offered on site so make sure you're there! You can get a card via apply.metrobank.com.ph or apply at the venue. Visit metrobank.com.ph/promos/2026-the-metrobank-travel-fair to know more about it!
There's really no stopping Fire and Ice Entertainment this 2026 as they launch more talents, concerts, shows and several movies this 2026.
This is the handy work of their people from Fire and Ice Live!, Fire and Ice Music, Fire and Ice Studios, Fire and Ice Media, and their brand Fire and Ice Consultancy. They've been working hard to put up live events, theater productions, films, TV series, and cultural consultancy services for a lot of people. It's a haven for artists that is sustainable, built on making sure authorship and collaboration happens when needed. CEO Liza Diño Seguerra always believes in long term support for projects and with these 5 new brands, they would be able to ensure audiences get their money's worth, and they're excited for you to know what they've got up their sleeves.
This is the handy work of their people from Fire and Ice Live!, Fire and Ice Music, Fire and Ice Studios, Fire and Ice Media, and their brand Fire and Ice Consultancy. They've been working hard to put up live events, theater productions, films, TV series, and cultural consultancy services for a lot of people. It's a haven for artists that is sustainable, built on making sure authorship and collaboration happens when needed. CEO Liza Diño Seguerra always believes in long term support for projects and with these 5 new brands, they would be able to ensure audiences get their money's worth, and they're excited for you to know what they've got up their sleeves.
Their shows:
Being Ice LIVE! at the New Frontier Theater this February 27
Artist: Ice Seguerra, planned tour in Australia and Europe
Love, Sessionistas on April 18 at the Waterfront Cebu Hotel in Cebu City
Sittiscape: The City of Bossa on May 17th at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Pasay City
Artist: Sitti Navarro
Divine Divas : Divine Rules the World on May 31st at the Newport Performing Arts Theater
Artist: Divine Divas
Fire and Ice LIVE! and Fire and Ice Studios will also mount Still Alice on September 27 to October 5
Night, Mother on November 26 to December 5
Fire and Ice Music: Building Artist Centric Careers
They also announced the release of several EP's like Tamang Panahon of Ice Seguerra, Always You of Louise, Divine Rules the World of the Divine Divas, and Still Here of Princess Velasco.
The Films:
Aid by Brillante Mendoza
Karaoke News by John Paul Su
Becoming Ice documentary by Tey Claymore
Funeral Flowers by Liza Diño and Ice Seguerra
Island Girl by Fire and Ice Media and Ice Seguerra
The Series (currently in development)
Never The Bride by Liza Diño
Behind the Line by Liza Diño
Talk Sheets by Ice and Liza (their second podcast season)
They also have signed their new talents, which includes super talented acoustic singer and musician Princess Velasco, new belting powerhouse Louise, drag superstars Brigiding winner of Slaysian Royale, first RPDR Ph Winner Precious Paula Nicole, and National Mouth Queen and Shoot record holder Vinas Deluxe. This also of course includes Ice Seguerra as a talent too. Here's what happened at the media conference a few days ago:
Ice says "I never imagined that it would become as big as this. I learned a lot throughout the years and it's not just work, but being ethical, and if you are doing it with Fire and Ice artists, they wouldn't be a headache. This is just the beginning. The struggles will always be there, but I'd like to think we're both insatiable. It's just going to be different each time, we welcome that because it gives us experience to deal with it. When Liza ended her time with FDCP, the papers for Fire and Ice was on our table, all approved and done. If we didn't see that as a sign, we would be crazy. Now we've grown big, and I can say we were given what we could do. We won't be happy if one of us would be hungry, we'd do it with everyone would be happy."
Liza added "Ice is an authority in the room, her ideas, it comes naturally because of her experience. He knows everyone, from utility to crew by first name. He knows what longevity is, shares values, very generous with our artists. He's a pillar in Fire and Ice. Our company was needs based, we were working with 8 people, and woke up one day that we were having a lot of projects, initiatives, and so we had to hire more people. It was organic, not planned, Ice met Louise because she was a judge in a Taiwan show. We didn't plan, it was just the natural thing to do to maximize their visibility, to help their music career, we had to create content, and later on now have about 30 people creating music, production, and we have standards... where we are now is a response to what we needed at this time. We connect people, and it came naturally to partner, and trusting people is difficult. People see our struggles, one time we had 10 thousand in one of our accounts, because we are self funded but we believe the universe gives us the things we CAN handle. Even if it's a struggle, we do it as long as we are creating executions not just for us, but for our audiences, they won't tell us they've been shortchanged about experiences we put out there."
This is just the tip of the iceberg, there's plenty more plans for their artists and we've seen a small portion of it during the event. You should equally be excited about what they will be doing this 2026, and the shows they have beyond that. They will take good care of them, their careers, and their passions.
I was busy writing a few things on my phone preparing for this fun event as Nathan Studios will be signing dance phenom Ice Almeria and the cast of successful MMFF 2025 picture I'm Perfect. I was oblivious about what was happening since it was still early until I got hugged from behind by Javi Sarmiento. He greeted me with such excitement and LOVE while telling me a simple hello, something that I've never experienced before starting an interview.
That's how they are, very pure, no sugarcoating, and it surprises me every instance I get to meet them. Today marks a special day for them because they'll be officially signed with Nathan Studios, who's going to manage their career from hereon.
First is Ice Almeria, winner of Nathan Studios very own Time to Dance show on ABSCBN. He's a very spirited chap, a decorated dancer and choreographer. He's also good looking and surely, he's got a lot of opportunities coming soon. He's appeared in several shows including ASAP on weekends. Soon, he's probably going to be an actor, and I can't wait to see that happen. After officially signing with Nathan Studios Artist Management, he's going to be co managed with Star Magic, one of the biggest artist management agencies in the country.
Then after that, they also got to sign the I'm Perfect cast Bea Mendoza, Richelle Uy, Royce Rivera, Gio Dicen, Jonathan Tilos, Javi Sarmiento, Direk Carl Garcia, Earl Amaba and current MMFF 2025 Best Actress Krystel Go.
Ms. Sylvia Sanchez says they are her angels, here's what she said after the event:
She also thanked the artists for putting their trust in them. She emphasized that this isn't just a contract signing event but more of making their dreams come true. They'll be doing it TOGETHER. She realized that there is no limit in talent when it comes to them, and now they've got the chance to show it to the world as persons with down syndrome. They've got skills, creativity, and authenticity which is hard to find because it's something that comes from the heart. She's seen their potential even before casting them in MMFF 2025 film I'm Perfect. They also made history with Krystel Go winning Best Actress and Best Ensemble for the cast. She reiterates how much she believes in them, and so did their parents/guardians. She also expresses her excitement to watch Ice Almeria grow, guiding his career will also be their priority.
Together, they will reach their dreams soon! Congratulations!
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