KULTURA MANILA To Hold Fashion Show at Jones Bridge

It's been a while since a major fashion event has happened in Manila. That's about to change this coming September 8 as Manila sets the stage for Manila International Dance Festival aka MIDFest 2023. A fashion event called KULTURA MANILA will happen around October, utilizing an unfamiliar runway at the Jones Bridge. Yes, you've read that right. If you're not aware, much of these happen in Paris, Milan and New York, but the plan is to do it at one of the busiest thoroughfares of the city of Manila which I feel is pretty awesome.

This project is spearheaded by Manila Vice Mayor Yul Servo. When the MIDFest 2023 event was announced, he also bared news about Kultura Manila, Mister Manila and a Sports event for Manila policemen and government personnel. The city is a historical and cultural hub and it's important to not forget that while we get back on track after the pandemic. Several of Manila's top Fashion Designers will dish out their best pieces showcasing inspiration from the pre-colonial and also those from the Spanish era. Think of it as a travel through time, which makes this even more exciting!

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 Fashion Designer Norman Penaflorida had us see a couple of pieces he's done worn by some of Mister Manila's contestants. Sure enough, we've seen nicely formed jackets and clothing, all of which look very current and wearable despite it being couture. He actually had a show prior which showcased non conventional textile drawn from flour bags of local bread makers. He's the house stylist for mostly all the shows at the Manila Metropolitan Theatre, a little iffy about the designer title but if you think about it, he's been doing this for years. Aside from that, he's done work with the National Center for Culture and the Arts and done Production Design, Stage Management, Hosting, beside being an accomplished Actor and Singer. He held off on constructing his new atelier in Sampaloc, Manila as Kultura Manila preparations went underway. I mean, look at those fabrics he used as accents to these uni jackets! (He says he'll be using them extensively on the show).

There's going to be more designers to be featured in October, which makes me feel all the more excited about what's about to happen. This is part of the projects of Vice Mayor Yul Servo and heavily supported by Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna together with the council, Verde Creatives and the men and women behind the Manila International Dance Festival. They also plan to do this yearly, so imagine the scale of these events unfold in the city including Rizal Park, several Manila based universities and different locations around the metro. If you want to partner up, they're very open to that. Get in touch with them via midf2023(at)gmail.com.

See you on the runway!

Shopee Taps VICE GANDA as Newest Brand Endorser

She's the one and only unkabogable Vice Ganda and she's the new brand ambassador for Shopee. This comes as they launch the 9.9 Super Shopping Day (starting on the 1st of September) plus new efforts to digitize Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in the country. They partnered with the League of Provinces (hence the lawmakers present in the event) which they hope to help local entrepreneurs get tapped on the platform. Mind you, the org has a membership of over 81 provinces so there's definitely a lot who could benefit from it. They'll be trained and also guided how to get onboard the platform (just like what they've done in the past) but of course, with an entirely new audience.

Was this a shade????? LOL!

Shopee is also making this event a good one as they implemented FREE SHIPPING everyday, up to 70 percent off on products sold on Shopee LIVE, plus more discounts on the Fashion and Beauty category. This is good news for those who are into make up, grooming, and those who plan to change their wardrobe soon.

Here's Vice Ganda's statement when she was announced as the brand ambassador.

Brands that I saw during the event include itel, the good people from Pfizer, Vice Cosmetics, Shigetsu, INSPI, Mikana (who had awesome accessories btw!), Platinum Karaoke, and my favorite these days GameXtreme (heck I bought a lot of games from there!). There are also phone brands like Tecno, OPPO, Vivo, clothing brands like Penshopee, OXGN, Bench, Regatta, shoe brands KEDS and Crocs. So imagine the things you can get on 9.9!

They've got the right endorser today, and I wish Shopee gets back on track. They encourage you to install it, or re-install if that's the case. Those discounts are seriously good.

Dreams Come True at Villar Group’s Bankathon 2023

The Villar Group's Bankathon 2023

It's been a really interesting year for real estate this year. Much of the city dwellers found refuge in suburban homes outside the metro while a lot of those who still braved the city choose to stay in different type of residences like condominium units which are easy to maintain and live in.

It's also secured, pretty near work and most of the time, have all the needed stores and amenities you need to not even leave the building. Much of these also are already urban planned communities so you get to also have access to religious centers, markets, schools and universities. If you're in the look for a place in Makati, Taguig, Manila, Mandaluyong or Quezon City, leading the industry is no other than Vista Residences, the official condo developer arm of Vista Land and Lifescapes Inc. Which reminds me, there was a Bankathon 2023 last August 16 and 17 at the Vista Shaw Mandaluyong - Function Hall. In it, home seekers got fast home loans and deals with properties from the Vista Land group.

It was participated by leading banks Banco De Oro, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation, Unionbank, Security Bank, AllBank, Maybank, Chinabank Corporation and Bank of Commerce. This is a dream come true for those who wish to have their own home as they offered pre approved bank financing to come with it. They also streamlined the application process. All they need to do is to submit 2 valid ID's, birth or marriage cert, proof of billing in current residence, and proof of income. They prefer certificate of employment or current payslip to check what avenues you can do in order to obtain your own home. If you are interested in one, visit their website vistaresidences.com.ph or their official FB page facebook.com/VistaResidencesOfficial. Maybe this is the one you are looking for.

Belman Laboratories Launch "Laking V-22" Line

If you're a "sabong" enthusiast or have been in it for the longest time, I bare good news for you and your buddy rooster. Belman Laboratories is celebrating their 50th year and with it is the launch of their newest product line called "Laking V-22" to enhance the performance of their fighters, all 11 of which is available now in specialty stores nationwide!

Included in these are the Laking V-22 VitaTablets (vitamins and minerals), SakitBuster (for chronic pulmonary disease), Purgaling (for worms), Kasado (B Complex), Bone Builder (for muscles and calcium),  Siglakas (vitamin B12), Pulmotect (for respiratory issues), Hydrolite (electrolyte and vitamins), VitaPowder Jr. (for balanced growth), Bone Builder Jr. (Strong Bones), and Pulmotect Jr. (to stop respiratory disease).

Nicolas Crisostomo the President of LGBA says "This is a form sport and entertainment for a lot of people and it has helped a lot of industries including farms, veterinarians, those who create supplements, farm equipments and even sports. It's a thriving industry in the country and Laking V-22 can help you from day 1 til the day of the actual fight."

Belman Laboratories is driven to make sure you get what you need when the day comes especially for those who want the "Subok Sa Lakas Todo!" effect it gives on animals and their health.

VP Renee King Rodriguez of Belman Laboratories says "I'd like to introduce our team, our CEO Ma'am Belle, Cris Alonso our Chief of Commercial Strategy, and our legacy employees who have stayed with us through the years and helped make what Belmant Laboratories is today. These new products we are launching was planned about 4 years ago. We focused on operational efficiency and did industry studies in the animal care segment. Our master brand has seen a big opportunity in the sabong industry. It is growing, and is part of our culture. There are new generation of people in it and we talked to them in person. They have different stories and it was awesome to know how their interest in this sport started. Today we have a range of products which we over deliver in quality. We needed to communicate this to stakeholders so more people would be able to try it. We re-designed our packaging, and make it also be attractive to the new generation of people who use our products, all of which have been tested by three generations of sabungeros. This is our service to them."

Cris Alonso the Chief of Commercial Strategy for Belman Laboratories says "Today is a culmination of hard work, and our commitment is to deliver products that resonates with our consumers. Our team has poured passion, to elevate the lives of breeders, and see what we have done in health, and we are immensely grateful to our partners and customers as we grow our community. Thank for your presence, let's embrace the future of our industry."

Nicolas Crisostomo adds "This is a 50 Billion peso industry and currently we are plateauing. It was higher during pre-pandemic times and are slowly recovering. The trend is slow, but what is good is that we are seeing a future in this industry and how they are creating new livestock medicines because they see something good in it. Everyone may have been in hard times, especially the backyard breeders, but the passion is there and with it is room to grow. Feeds, medicine, labor is affected especially the small ones, there is less demand for it but these activities can go places and investments may increase in the long run. Automation is also being done for production, better for business in some ways and hopefully makes it efficient."

Carlo Dimayuga the National Sales Manager for Belman Laboratories compared things to racing pigeons and said "You need Dedication, to make sure you take care of your fowls. Attention to detail, so in their race day you are assured to be with full wings. You also need Constant Improvement, to breed the best out of the bunch without a common bird in 4 generations. I've been doing this since 1985 when I joined the company, and we will level up starting now. Thank you!"

Mr. Matthew"Boknoy" Torno WPC LATE BORN 22 Champion says "I've been using V-22 products for years now, I give them vita tablets, before a grand fight. I combine then 3 days before and the actual day which is part of the reason why I have champions."

If you are raring to start a business or doing it for passion, you can now use Belmam Laboratories "Laking V-22" line from day 1 to the fight day, so they too become "Subok Na Lakas Todo!"