Pioneer and Teatro Pilipino Kicks Off Virgin Lab Fest Campus Tour

Spent a weekend at Miriam College in Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City to watch a worthwhile leg of Virgin Lab Fest in the school's theater. I'm much of a theater performer guy myself but of course that was ages ago. This is Pioneer and Teatro Pilipino's way of giving back to culture and the arts to feed passion in the hearts of Filipinos and this isn't the first time they've done something similar to this. What made me think of affairs like these is no matter how much I wanted NOT to think of my days on stage, it just seems to have crumbled seeing these talented individuals up front doing what they love. Aside from that, this particular piece "Walang Kukurap" from Virgin Lab Fest has been proven effective for years now - and even if you consider its material a bit dated, execution would get the message across and how it battles how current the problem of corruption in the government - it still is totally relevant.

Miriam College's theater group called "Teatro Kolehiyo ng Miriam" didn't just sit and watch, they also performed with their all female ensemble a funny theater story piece which proved quite effective with the guests that afternoon. You could see how eager they were to perform and push, mix small antics which surely made the audience laugh before the more serious plays from CCP's Teatro Pilipino came in. I was a bit nostalgic, more of my high school plays' memories came crashing back to me. They impressed the audience, one of which is important in this venue.

I could see the ordinary students and members of Teatro Kolehiyo ng Miriam's faces light up and learn a thing or two about putting a message across the work they do on theater. I bet right after this, they'll probably think of more material that would be apt for this generation and make socially conscious story lines as they get inspired with the ones in Virgin Lab Fest. For those who would want to catch a show (as it is open to the public) please call Kris Caturay of Pioneer's Digital Marketing at (02) 812-7777 local 455 or you could look up their schedules here. The next one will be on September 23 at Lyceum of the Philippines in Intramuros. You can also catch the one on September 30 at the University of Santo Tomas, October 5 at the University of Makati or October 13 at the De Lasalle College of St. Benilde. It's free so all you got to do is secure tickets through the number mentioned above. It's a learning experience too, so if you're thinking this would be nice to watch, don't hesitate and give it a go! If you're also into writing, join Pioneer's Stories of Hope Playwriting Competition so you could win prizes for your passion!

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Alden Richards Named Boardwalk's YES Ambassador

It was nice to see this busy guy. He came from a whole day of taping, a bit tired and weary. He's hardworking that's why when he came out on stage, it didn't look like that at all. The attention and popularity he's gotten from the kalyeserye of course have made him a household name, even bigger than he expected. Now, Eat Bulaga has erased the competition in ratings, he's got tons of people adoring him and perhaps a love life looming in the horizon. I don't know anyone who doesn't love #AlDub these days and just like every person who has believed Alden Richards will have his time to shine, this one was almost blinding! Yes, this was one of the reasons why he was so thankful when we talked to him during that evening at the Music Museum when he was revealed as the face for YES, popular brand Boardwalk's Young Emerging Sociopreneurs.

To say that the crowd went wild is but an understatement, they went ballistic when Alden went near the edge of the stage. Hugs and kisses, I've heard of stories but I heard them on the mic during that evening. I'm glad Alden didn't get hurt but imagine how it would have been if he was outside on the streets, people probably would go equally crazy as well. Alden Richards wanted to entertain the crowd so he sang one number and we got that on video. Aside from that, he said a few words to the students and young entrepreneurs. He also said thanks to the Boardwalk family for believing in him back then when he was just starting and he also mentioned that the company isn't just a sponsor, but he felt they were like family. Boardwalk also believes in making the Filipino be a part of their dream and they had several awardees, outstanding leaders on stage to say their piece so the attendees would get pointers, get inspired of what hard work can do.

Alden even made that cute little gesture he does called "Pabebe Wave" and the response from people was just ecstatic. Here's the interview we did with Alden on video.

Watch Alden sing and serenade the crowd, how deep is your love?



Check out how Alden Richards feel as a new Twitter Millionaire.

Anthony Pangilinan also had a talk and inspired so many young individuals that evening. Boardwalk has been making these guys and gals be marketing geniuses this early, I'm sure they'll be extremely successful sociopreneurs as they become catalysts in economic stability in the country, add to that the social impact they'll have in their own schools and communities. Alden Richards must be really proud to be part of the Boardwalk family. He's blessed because he's definitely worked hard for it. I hope his story also becomes an inspiration to those who would want to be successful in their chosen fields. AlDub all the way!

For more information about their artists:

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Two Toned Hair Colors by Jerusalem N. Dio Salon by Bing Dio

I had a wonderful time getting my hair colored yellow a few weeks back - and after almost a month, it kinda grew already. I was covering a few events that month so I didn't have time go drop by Jerusalem N. Dio Salon in Mother Ignacia, Quezon City. Tita Bing Dio must have seen that infamous line on my hair and seen the black line already showing growth of my hair so she asked me to go back and have that fixed. I know, you must think I'm silly going out like that but time wasn't really working in my favor. So when my schedules got freed on a Monday, I went to the salon on a whim and sit my self in a chair thinking of what to do with my hair. Good thing my friend and lovely hairstylist Cher was there to take care of me and suggested we take it up a notch. Since I probably have already tried all the colors in their arsenal possible, she said why don't we try using two colors. This bright idea made me realize that it would be awesome to have something different again. I said yes and we proceeded bleaching my hair so we could take off the yellow color I had originally.

As I always say in my previous posts, bleaching is not an easy process. You must trust the one taking care of your hair and I'm glad that people in Jerusalem N. Dio Salon are like family. Cher Nogara and Tita Bing Dio always took good care of me and they know color. They've done the hair and makeup of countless local and international celebrities so who am I not to be in their char LOL! Then, I had to wait for the bleach to take effect, then after a few minutes of retouching, we rinsed it off on the salon's sink which they've also done quite safely. Remember, after a bleaching procedure you should never ever scratch your hair when rinsing. Then we proceeded with color!

I have a color in mind because I wanted to pay homage to UE and choose Red but Cher suggested we do a two toned mix and have Ash Blonde on top which I haven't really done so we headed on and did that!

After color, she then got me a short hair cut so the edges of my hair would look clean, of course I loved it!

Cher Nogara has been awarded several accolades when she joined different local and international contests, I trust her and Tita Bing Dio for my hair, my color and always go to 58 Pentagrand Building in Mother Ignacia Street (right in front of St. Mary's College of Quezon City) in QC for it. They're on the second floor so just take the elevator or stairs to get your hair color right.

I only trust the best in the industry, and with this color, I'll be hanging out with friends, taking it to UAAP games in it's awesome Two Toned Glory! Thank you so much Cher Nogara and Tita Bing Dio of  Jerusalem N. Dio Salon for loving me, taking care of me and my hair - just like family! Hurry and call or text 0906 267 3099 for appointments today!

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Tingting Cojuangco Announces "Tingtings List: The Elegant Filipina"

Had the chance to meet Ms. Tingting Cojuangco a month ago, it was a good thing. How awesome do you think is it to meet a woman with timeless beauty? How do you quantify elegance? Who do you think is an Elegant Filipina? These questions lingered my mind when she informed us of an upcoming event on the 22nd of September at the Diamond Hotel Ballroom. The place will bare witness as Ms. Tingting Cojuangco announces Tingtings List: The Elegant Filipina.

During the interview Ms. Tingting says "Initially they wanted to have someone recognize just the best dressed, and as we were evolving during meetings, we wanted a professional group to do it. With Pete Cura of Core Plan and we got through to a concept. I wanted the idea of not just being best dressed, but wanted more of how refined, how consistent, with good manners, you say the right things at the right time, it's something that parents taught us when we were small, being dressed nice is a bonus. That's the elegant Filipina. We made the list with Anton San Diego, Chit Lijauco, Mark Higgins, Tina Ocampo and Lisette Espiritu and asked them if we're on the right track about our thoughts and it was a good thing to listen to some advice. There was never a girl that was not okay when we had them listed, but there were more of someone better than the other one. That's how we came up with the list. We wanted to find 8 and it was actually very difficult to find elegant Filipinas. We asked to extend it to 13 but three of the women on the list is out of the country, so we'll invite them hopefully in the next one. There's always next year.

An elegant Filipina is refined, has manners, she fixes herself whether in or out of the house. You don't have to buy a new dress all the time, it's an instilled thing since we're kids and it's carried on, even if in my age now we don't talk when your parents are talking to someone, you do proper norms, something decent in the standards of society. It's basic, in fact I finished the manual for PNP for etiquette and it's meant more for everybody. It's simple reminders, etiquette, one that should remember all the time. It's to teach, it's refinement and how she acts, that's an elegant Filipina. It's a matter of knowing yourself, adapting to the things you do, it's what's proper. It's as simple as saying Excuse me, Please and Thank You. A fashion show will complement the list, we will honor the women, to say these are the elegant women. They already know who they are since we had to shoot. We'll release the names perhaps a week before the event."

And they did!

She adds "There are young girls now that can vie for it soon, but they're not home grown because they have their own stylists. Women should be exposed to people, limelight, they learn from the world out there so you kinda en-vibe the culture, these are the women I am looking for. It will happen in Diamond Hotel. I personally chose Albert Andrada, Rajo Laurel, Ronaldo Arnaldo, JC Buendia and they will have a new collection just for the show. They're all going to make a new collection just for the event and it will complement our elegant Filipinas. We had 17 people in mind and it was hard to put them in a short list. We burnt the wires and took us about two weeks. I also want to protect the women I chose, I think so, this is my list. Our beneficiaries are going to be some weavers in La Trinidad in Benguet so they get money to buy thread and looms. We are also going to train 100 individuals in TESDA for a month, we're planning to put up a fashion center in the Visayas. We'll do it again next year hopefully. But I'm sure we're not going to do worst dressed, that's mean. Next year will be a different set, it has a lot to do with etiquette, an overall package. Hopefully, Filipinos get inspired." 

I can't wait to see the Elegant Filipinas and the awesome fashion show happening this September 22 at the Diamond Hotel Ballroom from 6-9PM. I'll make sure I get to take shots of the runway. Congratulations on this endeavor Ms. Tingting!

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