Director Rahyan Carlos to Hold MQuest Artists Agency Summer Workshop

Laying the groundwork for success in the entertainment industry doesn't come overnight. It takes a village, to say the least, to become good at your craft. Taking workshops is essential, because staying sharp, hungry for personal development and learning techniques and how to employ them comes with the job.

Director Rahyan Carlos has been doing work in the entertainment industry for years. His stellar work in directing, scriptwriting, and coaching actors has made him who he is today. The Filipino director didn't really stay stagnant and wanted to learn from the best, Hollywood's Chubbuck Technique has landed the biggest stars some awards. Ivana Chubbuck had to teach him for several months (and continue til today), and this required him to be in the US for the duration in order to do it. He could lose work in the Philippines, but did it anyway because of his hunger for growth. The expanding array of skills, learning nuances, the training program had to be supervised by Ivana herself, and he did it all. Now he's the only one authorized to teach this Chubbuck Technique in the country, under the MQuest Artist Agency.

Direk Rahyan Carlos says "I'm so proud to be here now in MQAA and excited to train actors. I've started doing this 27 years ago, changing hats, and now an acting teacher. I'm also excited to see them land jobs after undergoing training, they're like little trophies. Thank you Jeffrey Remegio for having me since last year, I got to apply what I learn here, in other networks. I will show you a glimpse of what happens in a master class with some of the actors that have undergone training with the Chubbuck technique. I've done the others, but this is intended to land jobs and win awards. Acting is personal, imagination is also important, but nothing beats pain and our own experience. We teach actors to use it to win objectives. This invokes emotion, use pain as a fuel to resolve, and evolve. Use it for change. It's about creating an environment where it all happens."

Ms. Liza Dino Seguerra who has undergone the workshops adds "It's surreal to be with actors, but every time I participate here I am reminded that I am an actress. I worked my way up and now support other actors and folks in the industry. Whenever I get an opportunity to do things with the Chubbuck Technique, it trains you to understand your tool. I have become a better human being, it made me vulnerable. We live our lives coping, but when you are an actor is open yourself up and allow people see your experience. I learned to channel pains I've had in the past in this technique including the hurtful things that are not talked about. It's not easy to confront. You are able to say it to another character even if it is in the back of your mind. It made me talk to people, committing to it is the best tool, our pain, our experience."

Actors Carmi Martin and Polo Ravales showing us a glimpse of the technique

The registration for this starts today April 12th, and tomorrow April 13th at the 10th Floor of Launchpad in Reliance Street in Mandaluyong City. You may also inquire via @MQAAWorkshops on IG and FB. You can also email them via mqaa.training@gmail.com. We also got to talk to several artists who have undergone the workshop. These include some of TV5's brightest stars, and some veteran actors in the mix. This is an opportunity to learn by some of the greatest coaches in the industry. 

You may scan the QR code to know more about it. There's no such thing as an overnight actor, you need to go to the gym to build muscles. Workshops are gyms for actors!

Advancing Kidney Care: Conifer Capital and NEPHRO Plus Collaborate for Nephro Care in the Philippines

US based investment firm Confier Capital has brought needed funding to leading dialysis care provider Nephro Plus Consultancy Inc. as part of its efforts to address shortage of dialysis centers in the country.  This was led by Rocket Equities who acted as advisor for this expansion.

Donna Gatus Mangulabanan the founded of Nephro Plus Consultancy says "Being a healthcare professional and Filipino, I have always wished for world class renal care in the Philippines and in every clinic that we open, we are able to serve thousands of patients so they could live healthier lives. This creates a healthier future for all of us!'

She adds "This started as a dream to provide care for an underserved sector. It has been tough, not just operations but for patients to understand their condition. I'd like to extend my gratitude to all the medical staff who have dedicated their lives for the needs of those who undergo kidney dialysis treatment. By combining our expertise, we will expand and empower health care professionals and have Filipinos the care they deserve. Patients are in the heart of everything we do. Let's celebrate this milestone!"

Jimmy Quach the Managing Partner of Conifer Capital says "This is solving a very alarming crisis and our partnership will lead renal care, in an underserved market like the Philippines."

He adds "We at Connifer Capital are entrepreneurs, and every so often we see diamonds and Donna is one of them. This is her gift, and we know her for over a year now. She's a hard worker, and know every little detail. That is the vision that drives this business, you can see how they adore her, even patients are grateful, which is truly amazing. We are 8000 dialysis chair short in this country, and we are here to support you. You can rest and just leave three of your centers but you trusted us to let us in your company and this journey."

The promising partnership will start a billion dollar opportunity in the country where there is high demand because of 7 million patients in need of it (100k in need of immediate care). Philhealth subsidies from dialysis has surged 4 times since 2022. They currently have 3 dialysis centers, but there will be 10 planned this year in other areas like Mindanao,, and other places in the north. They also plan to do 10 more in the next year, and in streamlining the process they can improve more with the quality of the services. They will help her realize the dream. Tall order, but right now, they look optimistic to address it right away. They will train more healthcare workers, reinforce professionals so they could provide for them without going abroad.

They also want to address transportation, as some patients are not able to go to centers. They plan to do Bulacan, Quezon City, CALABARZON region. The others will follow soon. Here's to great renal care in the future!

LUMOS TABLET: The Perfect Blend of Function and Fun for only ₱6,999

I'm a writer, content creator and jack of all trades. We're pretty known in the "industry" for dishing out stories fast. I often write about events that I go to a la minute. It's not magic, but hard research done before interviews. It's also about taking notes, and wanting to keep the exciting things happen, with the goal of telling folks while it's fresh, and as soon as I get it. Arguably, in this day and age, you can't discount the fact that being "fast" counts too. It's now an established workflow.

We often write with a desktop/laptop computer at our home office. If I'm out, I'd pull out my notes and checklist and constantly write with a smartphone with real struggle. I could have carried the laptop with me but with the travel I do and my diagnosed sciatica, it's not going to be a comfortable solution. This is where the LUMOS Tablet comes in. 

Screen size is good. I can see what I need to see for work or play.

Carried this and used it before an event, finished 3 articles with it.

Case cover fits like a glove!

Light weight, even has a  front and back camera!

This is something I'd be able to use for work and leisure. Good tablet for kids too!

This hails from the same brand of projectors I've had the pleasure of using in the past (for work and entertainment). The LUMOS TABLET has a 10.1 inch screen, capable of playing 4K videos, has 8 GB of RAM and a 6000 mAh battery (for hours of use), but still kept quite affordable. I could watch on streaming apps, watch YouTube videos, or enjoy hours of entertainment with Karaoke or play game apps too. This would be an ideal device for what I'd want to do since it's got WPS Office Apps (that has a word processor and presentation software in it), and is lightweight. It also fits in my bag, and since it's a bundle, comes with a Bluetooth keyboard, a mouse, pen (editing would be a cinch!) and its own case cover. It works like a mini laptop, but works without the worries of it being too big.

It can be cast to a Smart TV, I see what I exactly have on the tablet to the TV I have at home. YouTube, Netflix, Presentations all work!

Surely, this could also work with kids who would need to study or folks who would want to cast on TV's for presentations, everyday leisure watching of your favorite K-Dramas, series, movies, reality shows and more. They've got lots of folks, celebrities, YouTubers and Influencers who have attested, given their trust and confidence to it. It is after all, the perfect blend of function and fun. If you would want to get one, simply visit their official website HERE. 

LUMOS TABLET: A great blend of function and fun!

Wouldn't that be a good idea?! Head on to https://lumosprojector.ph/products/lumos-tablet to know more about the device. It's a good investment for family, and for yourself.

Trusted for a Reason: URATEX's 17th Most Trusted Brand Award and 57 Years of Excellence

URATEX is celebrating their 57th Anniversary and this means, it's the perfect day to have a field trip at their biggest plant located in Plaridel, Bulacan. 

I've seen their other plant in Alabang, Muntinlupa and standards, it was already huge! So having the opportunity to see this other one up north would get to tell us how they manage to keep up production for Filipinos who love their products and sleep because URATEX exists!

We were welcomed warmly not only by their executives, but by their employees too, no wonder they're the MOST TRUSTED brand for Mattress Category (Platinum) in Readers Digest Trusted Brand Awards. These are voted by consumers which says a lot about the well loved foam magnate.

Production Supply Unit Head Hecto Go says "This is the largest out of 39 plants we have in the country, it's a pleasure that you are with us today. We hope this will be a fruitful tour, and we see this as an opportunity to showcase the best quality products Filipinos deserve. We have a strong team and we continue to grow. After a few years, we hopefully could expand even more than 39, perhaps 50. We will make sure to give quality and affordable mattresses to lie on."

Their Executive VP for the RGC Group of Companies Mr. William Lee adds "In 2020 we invested in automation, you will see that all later. I'd like to thank you for sharing your time with us."

They greeted us with their tagline, "Magandang Gising" which means Good Sleep, a thing they seriously want you to have each time you lie on their mattresses. They have acquired the most advanced foam machines from Germany and currently, only 3 are in the Philippines of which 2 are in their Plaridel plant and the other one in their Alabang plant. We were also there to meet their passionate employees that man everything, from raw material to final product.

The URATEX Plant Tour 

The first room is a cold one so the raw materials are conditioned to make them consistent right from the very beginning. Tanks carry over 300 meters of foam, capable of producing over 700+ mattresses. They leave it here for 2 days.

The other containers are for additives and colorants so your foam looks good.

Mixing happens here, they pour the liquid and it expands to size in a conveyor belt.

From liquid state, it expands like this and go through a series of cutters and shelves to dry.

They have a laboratory for research and development who tests the formula in small batches so when they are making it in the huge machine, they won't have issues anymore.

They also do physical tests to make sure foams are of standard, to test firmness because people like different kinds of mattresses either soft, hard or in between.

They cut them every 13 minutes and put them in racks to dry.

They have other warehouses to store what was produced for the day, and then have another place to cut things according to customer needs.

They use conveyors to transfer it to other buildings which is part of their automated processes. 

The dry and cured foams are stacked in their warehouse until you need them.

They cut them to size with very hot wires or sharp industry grade cutters. It felt like hot knife on butter.

They use huge overhead cranes to stack them.

They put it in covers as per their packaging requirements. It is still part of an automated process to lower the costs.

On the mega bedding line, they have 2 things. One is the All Foam, and the other is the Spring Mattress. They also combine foams to achieve that sweet spot where you don't have back aches when you wake up in the morning. They are called Sleep Specialists for a reason.

They also use special techniques so you don't feel the person beside you move in the wee hours of the morning. It was so nice to see that part!

Their Ortho and Tri Fold mattresses are a combination of foams. These (2nd photo) are pocket springs inside your foam,.they did this so it doesn't move on other parts of the bed. The weight stays there as it is layered and individually packed. They also use fabric and foams to make sure you get the premium feel.

They have huge sewing machines, all industrial grade so all of them would have covers before packing.

This becomes those viral "Mattress in a Box" that is a best seller from URATEX. They vacuum pack it then de-roll to become your new mattress. 

First machine flattens and vacuum seals it, the other rolls it. Then workers put them in a box and send them to stores.

They transport it with a fully electric vehicle that they can use the whole week without worries of number coding. This is something they want to do extensively with all their fleet.

They are also using renewable energy for the whole plant. They are also planning to put up solar panels by early next year. Right now they are 58 percent compliant and want to aggressively become all renewable in 2026 or earlier. So if you want to partner with them, just ask!

57 Years of URATEX: Tried, Tested and Trusted

17 consecutive years of getting the Readers Digest Most Trusted Brand deserves a celebration. At the Ronac Lifestyle Center in Shaw Boulevard, the folks from URATEX and stakeholders from different industries raised their glasses for them... and their passion. 

Ms. Naty Cheng says "Foams were easy to destroy and of low quality in the past but we improved it to last over 5 years. In the early 1970's, we had issues with car manufacturers and we had to be supplied by foreign corps. Standards are high. This is why we are successful. We only started in a garage in Pasay. It was a decision our founders did, this is why we are where we are today! We do not cheat our customers, we give even with small margins, and give our best all these years. This is why we are trusted."

William Lee their EVP for Furniture and Bedding adds "URATEX started small, and now we are the biggest factories in Asia. 39 locations all over the Philippines and Mr. Cheng tapped me for the expansion program. The different manufacturing industries I saw in Germany, Japan, the US, even Africa, we learned about their best machines and got them here. We persevered, worked with our customers for their needs, some have been our partners, now family with professional and personal relationships. It is a team effort, mabuhay to URATEX! We believe in continuous improvements, our foaming machine is one of the most advanced in the world. Our customers trust us, and we show them why."

URATEX is currently using only 15 hectares of their current 45 hectare land in Plaridel Bulacan. They plan to nurture what is existing, then develop and innovate the rest. Expansion is just beginning, and things are looking good with the very passionate people of URATEX. When people recognize your efforts and see value in the products that comes out of your plants, it means you are successful, and they truly TRUST you 

Thank you to the nice people of URATEX who made this day extra fun for us, and congratulations on getting your 17th award from Readers Digest!

They are TRUSTED for a reason.