Touringkitty

07
Aug
2016

Barista Course at Barista and Coffee Academy of Asia

bcaa1

Judging by the amount of coffee shops and other restaurants that serves good coffee, there really can’t be any adult in this great big world that has never tried coffee.

Now, if we are to look beyond those coffee beans and grounds we see in these coffee shops around town, and wanting to learn and appreciate more about what goes inside those mugs and cups, the Barista & Coffee Academy of Asia is the center that teaches one to look beyond the cup. Short courses are being offered by the BARISTA & COFFEE ACADEMY OF ASIA on Brewing Practice, Barista 101, Brewing Practice, Coffee Business Management, Menu Development, Café Operations. High Tea, and Cocktails this August.

Coffee has become a serious business all over the world and providing a big impact in the economic development of the coffee farming and the business industry.

The next time you are sipping a java and seriously considering putting up your own coffee shop, make sure that a good bean is the first step toward achieving a perfect cup of coffee. Reinforcing the standards of specialty coffee links everyone in the supply chain with an integrity that shows pride in the product.

The Coffee Quality Institute (CQI) have created a system where coffee is graded. Coffee that is free of primary defects or unclean odors and scores 80 or above on the SCAA cupping form is considered Specialty Grade. There are two kinds of Coffee Quality Graders—Arabica and Robusta. These graders are licensed by CQI as they have passed several sensory, coffee origin cupping skills, triangulation skills, Olfcatory skills and calibration exams. While many variables in roasting and brewing affect the taste of coffee, Q Coffees confirm that the beans being used are Specialty and among the highest quality in the world.

The Board of director of the Barista and Coffee Academy, also the General Manager of Equilibrium Intertrade, Rosario “Cherry” Cruz is the Philippine’s First woman who holds the license for both Arabica and Robusta Quality Grader. She took her Arabica Q grading classes with Samuel Gurel last June 2015 when BCAA held the first Q grading classes in the country. One year after, she took the Robusta Grading class under Dr. Manuel Diaz in Chang Mai, Thailand.

The interest for becoming a specialty coffee grader is growing around the world! BCAA will be holding another Q grading class on September 13-17, and 19 under the instruction of Jodie Weiser of the Gather Coffee Company (USA).

Jodie worked with Willem Boot, and the Boot Coffee Team, as a quality consultant and trainer for 7 years. Now, she is a licensed Q Grader Instructor, as well as a Certified Instructional Trainer for the Specialty Coffee Association of America and will be BCAA’s instructor for this year’s Q Grader program. An advance roasting class will also be held under the same instructor on September 20 and 21.

Just like wine, coffee has its own distinct lingo. If you have been thinking of combining your love of coffee with your entrepreneurial spirit, make sure you are headed to the right academy who will provide you trouble shooting strategies in order to achieve your java goals.

For further information about the coffee courses and schedules the BARISTA & COFFEE ACADEMY OF ASIA is offering, please log on to : www.coffeeschool.asia or call them at : (02) 5707649 or email : classes@coffeeschool.asia.

28
Jul
2016

Musicartes Stages Opera Intima

categories: Concerts, Opera, Press Releases

Musicartes Inc. launched its Opera Intima series on July 22 with other shows on July 30, August 28 & 30 at the Mirror Theatre Studio, SJG Centre, Kalayaan Ave., Makati, featuring La Voix Humaine (The Human Voice) with Soprano Kay Balajadia Liggayu and concert pianist Rudolf Golez.

Francis Poulenc-John Cocteau’s La Voix Humaine is the first of this opera series. Poulenc’s tragédie lyrique was first performed at the Theatre National de L’Opera-Comique in Paris on 6 February 1959.
Multi-awarded international director Dr. Anton Juan directs this rarely performed operatic monologue which portrays a woman on her telephone:
“The telephone is still a new invention in this world. But already it has become the instrument for love and lies. On the line for the last time with her ex-lover, a woman turns the phone into a weapon.”

—

The venue for the performance is The Mirror Theatre Studio in Makati City.

11
Jul
2016

Masflex Cookware: Celebrating 25 years For the Love of Cooking

categories: Family, Food, Press Releases

The Masflex brand recently celebrated 25 years in the Philippines.

I received an invitation to join Masflex’s celebrations, and it was an afternoon filled with food, cooking, and some surprises.

Products were displayed all over the venue. I was seated near the cookware displays, so I took this video:

A video posted by Em Alcantara (@touringkitty) on Jun 15, 2016 at 11:58pm PDT

What best way to showcase Masflex’s products than to try them yourself! We were given a chance to do some Pancake Art (which, I think, I didn’t fare well, haha, so much for the non-visual artist musician!).

Pancake Art

This was actually a contest of the best pancake art, and the winners did really pretty designs!

And, live cooking demo, of course! Masflex also introduced its newest Brand Ambassador, Nancy Reyes Lumen. Who else but the Adobo Queen can show off Masflex Cookware’s versatility through her cooking!

Ms. Nancy Reyes – Lumen (Brand Ambassador together with the Host, Mr. Hiren Mirchandani – VP for Marketing

Ms. Nancy showed us three recipes – Adobo sa Beer, Kinulob, and Bibingka Crepe. She even showed a bonus recipe, called Rodrigo’s Roast, which became timely then because of the name of the new Philippine President.

She invited guests to be “chef of the day” who assisted her in her cooking of each dish.

Chef Jaja, who is also an art teacher, assisted us in the Pancake Art area.

At the end of the program, the big box onstage filled with Masflex items were won by one lucky guest!

Awarding of Grand Raffle

Before marriage, I wasn’t that keen on my cookware. What we have at home, we use. But now that I have my own family to cook for and feed, I was checking on the brands of my cookware, ensuring they are of high quality and will last for a long time. I think I’ve found where to invest my money on for cookware and kitchenware.

We are on the process of shifting into induction cooking, which some of my friends say, is more cost efficient and safe considering we live in a condo unit. Gotta change cookware as well, and I know which ones to get from the Masflex line.

Congratulations, Masflex Cookware!

Before I end, a final photo:

Touringkitty with Mr. Mirchandani and Ms. Reyes Lumen for a final photo op. I was so shy to come up onstage at first but I did, and even introduced myself to Ms. Nancy whom I first met during the Teresa production of their Alma Mater, St. Theresas College last year.

All photos supplied by Masflex.

Website: www.masflex.com.ph
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/MasflexCookware
YouTube channel: MasflexCookware

~ Touringkitty

08
Jul
2016

#galingNAMCYA: Humble Beginnings and Musical Excellence

categories: Art and Culture

I really like how the play of words came about in this upcoming concert of the National Music Competitions for Young Artists. It’s current yet shows NAMCYA’s authority when it comes to local classical music competitions.

The concert will feature previous prizewinners who have made their mark in the local classical music scene. All of them I’m pretty sure aspired to become excellent musicians, that’s why they join competitions not to win, but to somehow level off themselves among other musicians their age.

Maybe you or someone you know has joined the NAMCYA especially in their young ages. Maybe you are curious to find out more about the NAMCYA. Or maybe you are interested to support and sustain the annual event.

Watch the #galingNAMCYA on July 16, and get reintroduced with the premiere classical music competitions in the country.

—

Accomplished musicians who have proven their brilliance nationally and internationally are set to perform in a concert on July 16, 2016, to showcase works by Filipino and foreign composers and raise funds for the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA).

To be held at the Little Theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), the concert, titled #galingNAMCYA, features past winners of NAMCYA, the country’s most prestigious music competition for the youth for more than 40 years.

The performers include Carlo Antonio Juan (Guitar), Sara Maria Gonzales (Violin), Christian Tan (Violin), Kim Carl Mirandilla Ng (Viola), Arnold Josue (Cello), Gabriel Allan Paguirigan (Piano), Luci Magalit (Piano), Myramae Tapia Meneses (Soprano), Antonio Maigue (Flute), Reynato Resurreccion, Jr., (Oboe), Ariel Sta. Ana (Clarinet), Frenvee Andra (Bassoon), Naomi Sison (Piano), and Jay-ar Mesa (French Horn, guest horn player).

“We are very excited to have these NAMCYA winners perform and show that many of our world-class musicians were shaped by their experiences in NAMCYA,” said Renato Lucas, Secretary-General of NAMCYA, and who is also a past winner of the competition.

“We titled the concert #galingNAMCYA because we want people to know that these performers came from NAMCYA and that they represent the wealth of talent that NAMCYA attracts every year,” added Lucas.

“Before all these talent contests that we see today on TV, there was NAMCYA. It was where excellent musicians were discovered and nurtured to become world-class performers. NAMCYA continues to do that, and we want everyone to know that NAMCYA’s advocacy is to help our youth develop musical excellence and promote Philippine music.”

#galingNAMCYA aims to raise funds to help NAMCYA in its advocacy. Activities include the competitions and special performances in November, as well as outreach performances, workshops on Philippine music, and commissioning of new Filipino works.

#galingNAMCYA’s virtuosi will perform masterpieces of Filipino composers such as Nicanor Abelardo, Bayani M. De Leon, Manuel Velez, and Felipe P. De Leon, Sr., as well as works of foreign composers such as Ludwig van Beethoven, Paul Dukas, and Francis Poulenc.

For more information, please call 836-4928 or email namcya@gmail.com.

http://namcya.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/galingnamcyaeditedfinal.jpghttp://namcya.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/galingnamcyaeditedfinal.jpg

08
Jul
2016

Using the Theory of Probability to Find Happiness

categories: Uncategorized

They say there are only two certain things in the world: death and taxes. However, by spinning the main point of this statement, you can add a different kind of facet to the equation.

It’s arguably safe to say that everyone wants to be happy; they are certain they want to be happy. Whether in little victories such as getting up early to beat the morning traffic in time for work, or grand accomplishments like living the classic rags-to-riches stories covered by the Independent.

In today’s world, almost everything is quantifiable. By seeing everything from a mathematical perspective, you can develop a logical point of view – even with the most inexplicable and unjustifiable of things like finding happiness.

There are basic scientific explanations when it comes to the aspect of momentary happiness. As a matter of fact, there are specific hormones and endorphins that trigger it. When thinking about the general idea of joy, you can’t really pinpoint the exact equation on how to be happy. You can, however, turn to a little area in mathematics that tackles various scenarios and its likelihood.

On the surface, the theory of probability seems like more suited to the confines of a casino, as you usually see poker players calculate the odds of hitting a winning card on the river based on Charles Bloom’s write up. In a nutshell, the subject focuses on making quick decisions when faced with limited information with a plethora of possible outcomes.

To put its rationale to good use, Pocketfruity presents simple teasers that should get you up to speed with probability theory. Now, to apply this concept in the subject of finding happiness, look no further than understanding the fear of not knowing.

This anxiety is somewhat worse than any negative outcome. One example of measuring happiness – or contentment – is through a psychological test, wherein a subject is given an option to get a mild electric shock now or later. This study, conceived from an earlier one written by Alan Bellows, saw that almost half of the participants opted to get the pain over with, rather than a 50% chance in the future.

Regardless of how bad or negative it is, it’s common for people to want certainty in their lives. Happiness comes in different forms, and a basic understanding of this lies in the aspect of love. For singles, they can do the math and determine the chances of finding an eligible partner. First, take a rough estimate of would-be lovers, then multiply it by the chances of compatibility, then divide it by the ratio of demand, before multiplying it by the unwanted chance of separation. Without going into the exact numbers, the chance of finding the right person is at a staggering 100 billion to one. But all these principles and concepts don’t mean a thing when confronted by destiny.

You have in your hands the limitless power to grab life by the horn and attain happiness in the process. The possibility of achieving this is equivalent to the determination and the belief you put in every time. Indeed, it’ll be difficult to constantly look for something without knowing what you’re actually looking for, but the truth is, happiness can arrive anywhere. You just have to be ready. You just have to be realistic.

15
Jun
2016

Women guitar power in a classical guitar concert

categories: Art and Culture

RAFFLE: Read up to the end of this post to WIN tickets for this concert!

Women guitar power in this upcoming concert dominates. Japanese Sachiko will be joined by rising female guitar trio, Triple Fret. See more below.

—

In celebration of the 60th year of Philippines-Japan Friendship
The Independent Philippine Art Ventures, Inc. together with Japan Foundation Manila
proudly present REVERIE: A Classical Guitar Concert Featuring Sachiko Miyashita

June 23, 2016
7:30PM
Ayala Museum, Makati City

With Special Participation of TRIPLE FRET

Ticket Prices:
P2000, P1000 & P500

*50% student discount for non-patron tickets
Tickets are available online at www.ticketworld.com.ph
For ticket reservations and inquiries, please contact us at +63927-770-7833, or email us atipavinc@gmail

SACHIKO MIYASHITA

Born in Sapporo, Japan. Miyashita began playing guitar at the age of seven.

Miyashita graduated from Hokkaido University. In 2003, she received a Diploma de Merito from Academia Musicale Chigiana in Siena, Italy. She studied guitar performance under the tutelage of great guitarists – S.Fukuda, O.Ghiglia, E.Fernandez, P.Steidl, D.Russell and F. Cuenca.

In 1991, she bagged the 1st prize in the Classical Guitar Competition (Tokyo), and won 2^nd prize in the 2002 Andres Segovia International Competition (Spain). In addition to her domestic concert schedule, she gave concerts throughout Spain, France, Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic, U.S.A., Korea, Thailand, Philippine – 26 cities in eleven countries. She has attended many guitar festivals as soloist and juror, in Europe and Asia.

Miyashita is a recipient of the Sapporo City Outstanding Artist Award, and also a recipient of the 20^th Hokkaido Bank Art Culture Award. Her latest CD Le Depart was selected as “choice CD” in Record Geijutsu Magazine and topped the Yahoo! Japan sales rankings.

She is an instructor at Sapporo Otani University – Department of Arts, and is a member of the Japan Federation of Guitarists.

—

And here’s the raffle, for a chance to win two tickets each for her concert:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

15
Jun
2016

Shopkins Shopville Manila

categories: Press Releases

My little bunny likes toys. Just like me, I like collections. Though not large scale, I allow her to buy a few of stuff she likes.

Then these came. Pencil toppers, she says. Justifiable, since she does use them as such sometimes. But most often, she just plays with them. I join in, too.

So happy was she to learn about this event. And even happier that we got an invitation from Toy Kingdom and Richville Prime Global. And happiest that it was just at the Mall of Asia!

Pocket activities happened in the two-day event.

Plus, Shopkin toys everywhere!

She even met the Shopees!

Thank you, Toy Kingdom and Shopkins for this really fun event! Until the next.

15
Jun
2016

GH Mums: Good Housekeeping Philippines’ Mothers Day event at MOA

categories: Press Releases

How did you spend the special day for your moms? Mine was almost a whole month celebration, attending events for moms like this one.

Just as the month for mothers was about to end, Good Housekeeping Philippines, a magazine of Summit Media, had this one afternoon event for urban moms like me, in my side of town– Mall of Asia!

Called GHMums (or Modern Urban Moms of Manila), the event featured booths, workshops, and prizes for its attendees, mostly mothers, who took this time to relax as they shop, learn, and enjoy.

I did. Here are some of the things I did that afternoon:

SHOP from 30 concessionaires offering the latest products covering beauty and wellness, food, kids, and home, among others.

LEARN from a series of talks from Good Housekeeping editors and experts.

ENJOY games, raffles, prizes, entertainment, and booth activities. I had this makeover by Maquillage Profesionnel.

Here’s more about the event, which I really hope would happen again next year. Hapoy Anniversary, Good Housekeeping Philippines!
—

Good Housekeeping Philippines, the leading family and home magazine in the country, in partnership with SmartParenting.com.ph and Yummy magazine, recently held the newest gathering of Modern Urban Moms (MUMS) on May 28, Saturday, from 1:00 to 6:00 PM, at the SM Mall of Asia Main Mall, Atrium.

For hardworking moms who don’t want to compromise style and beauty, Elaine Natividad, Beauty and Features Editor of Good Housekeeping, shared “10 Ways to Style Your Scarf,” while Ara Fernando, Lancome PH Ambassador for Make-up, conducted a “Basic Brow Masterclass.” For moms who face the perpetual problem of clutter, Editor-in-Chief Tisha talked about organizing homes with “Say Goodbye to Kalat.” Simple physical exercises at home were presented by Managing Editor Angela Constantino Aquino in “Health Hacks,” while Anika Ventura, professional travel and lifestyle writer and editor, talked about “Everyday Fitness.” Roselle Miranda, Good Housekeeping’s Food Editor, demonstrated some no- cook dishes for moms pressed for time. And lastly, a calligraphy class was conducted by Staff Writer Nicole Sindiong, together with professional teacher and calligraphy artist Paola Esteron.

Good Housekeeping MUMS of Manila was presented by: SM Supermalls and Scotch Brite, with Major Sponsors: Pioneer Epoxyclay and Baby Company; and Minor Sponsors: Downy Baby Gentle and Goldilocks.

For more details, follow Good Housekeeping on Facebook: facebook.com/goodhousekeeping.ph, and on Twitter and Instagram: @goodhousekeepingph. Good Housekeeping is available on newsstands, and in bookstores, convenience stores, and supermarkets nationwide. A digital edition of Good Housekeeping is also available for download through Apple Newsstand, Buqo, and Zinio.

10
Jun
2016

Ariadne the Ballerina

categories: Art and Culture, Family, Parenting

I am a frustrated ballerina. Up to this point, I still wonder what if I took formal ballet as a child. I will never forget my ballet presentation in school, where we had a show in Folk Arts Theater, no less.

My daughter, meanwhile, loved ballet, that it took us three years to ensure she likes it.

Aria finally finished her first ballet classes under Ballet Manila.

Since we only live in the next street, we decided to enrol in this school run by Prima Ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde and Osias Barroso.

Three years ago when she first learned about ballet, through a cartoon called Angelina Ballerina, and eventually through a book about ballet which I bought online.

She had watched a lot of ballet performances, from three ballet companies in the area (I love Pasay City because it’s an arts hub, despite the crowded and traffic streets!). The very first full length we watched was in 2014 which is Ballet Philippines’ Cinderella. Then we watched Mga Kwento ni Lola Basyang, which was her fifth birthday outreach activity, sponsoring kids from Food for Hungry Minds to watch this ballet. Before Christmas last year, she watched Philippine Ballet Theater’s The Nutcracker with her dad, and Ballet Philippines’ Peter Pan.

Aria treated all these kids (plus some of their teachers and parents) to a night of ballet and Philippne literature. A memorable fifth birthday for her.

And so, this summer, we asked her again if she is really decided to take ballet. Since this will take up most of her time, we really had to ask her not once but a lot of times.

Good thing, Ballet Manila had an Open House activity in March where Aria got to try a full hour of lesson.

The lonesome student with the teacher. Teacher Maika was also her actual teacher in her class.

What we liked about Ballet Manila was, aside from its proximity, the waiting area for parents and guardians has CCTV so you could see your child while in class. I just hope they would be more strict in terms of security, especially when their gates are wide open and outside the parking area is the busy one way street already.

Finally, she started lessons in April. We didn’t have ballet clothes yet, but we got sponsors.

Aria got this leotard from one of my voice students.

My mom and sister (thank God for them!) bought almost all of her clothes–from leotards to tights to shoes.

First day high. And lookmat her purple shoes! Nope, the recommended attire is pink, but she eventually got pink ones soon after. Purple rocks!

Aria had ballet lessons three times a week, but since Mommy and Daddy had to work, too, it was mostly my mom–her Nonna–who takes her to class. Good thing we’re literally a skip and a hop away! One pedicab, actually, since it was scorching hot during her timeslot of 11 in the morning.

She eventually had rehearsals, which filled up her afternoons. She skipped a couple of sessions due to other pre-scheduled events (which were actually because of this blog). She even squeezed in two weeks of swimming lessons in a nearby hotel (that’a story for another day).

Thereafter, they had a photoshoot session for the souvenir program.

This was her class, Twinkle Toes level. 5-6 year olds.

She was so excited for the recital, that ever since learning her steps, she kept on practicing at home with her doll as partner (talk about artist discipline!). She also kept on reminding me and her dad about recital day, and made sure she invited the people dear to her to watch.

Recital day came, and we were in full force to support our little ballerina! They danced two musical numbers, and sharing with you one of them here. Click this link.

We are so proud of our little ballerina!

So, do we continue? Yes, we will, but probably delay it for a couple months since we are starting Grade 1 already and we will homeschool (yes, another post!).

It was one fulfilling summer for her. And for us parents, too.

Daddy wrote this dedication for the souvenir program.

Prima Ballerina and my little ballerina. #fangoals (for me, that is!).

How did you spend your summer?

~ Touringkitty

30
May
2016

Liederabend: a night of singing and classical guitar music

categories: Concerts, Music, Press Releases

Lieder. It’s one of my favourite musical genres. Mozart, Bach, Schubert, and Schumann music were, for me, very intersting to study and sing. And I look forward to listening these music, as delivered by this duo of the male voice and warm guitar strings.

—

Ayala Museum and IPAV, Inc. in partnership with Lufthansa, Official Airline, present

Liederabend:
A Night of German Songs

An Ayala Museum GuitarNights Feature

featuring LIED DUO
Knut Schoch & Carsten Linck
June 2, 2016 | 6:30 PM | Ayala Museum Ground Floor Lobby

In the 19^th century, the “golden age” of the guitar, songs with a guitar accompaniment was the most popular form of vocal music-making. Innumerable compositions for this combination – not only in German – appeared at this time, true masterpieces in a virtually inexhaustible repertoire of songs. It was only from the 1830s that this position on the “popularity scale” was increasingly assumed by the piano, and the guitar song was gradually pushed into the background.

To this day, the wistfulness of the guitar, its sensitivity and delicacy, still reveal a very personal and rather intimate view of the songs of love, passion and death. The listener often finds these settings of poems dealing with romantic feelings or the descriptions of nature popular at the time to be more authentic, and especially in the quieter ranges, more subtle.

The concerts given by the LIED duo (Knut Schoch and Carsten Linck), are always received with enthusiasm by their audience on account of their freshness and intensity, demonstrate the value of reviving the treasures of the guitar song genre from this period. Their usual repertoires include both original compositions from the 1800s and original arrangements of works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Franz Schubert, Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, and Johannes Brahms.

The duo’s captivating concert appearances, enhanced by short introductions to the works and their respective composers composers, give an unforgettable insight into rarely heard but exciting repertoires. In addition, transcriptions such as of the song cycle Die schöne Müllerin by Franz Schubert provide an opportunity to discover new perspectives to old familiar works.

For these song recitals, Carsten Linck plays a 19th century guitar replica by Johann Georg Staufer which has a very similar sound to a fortepiano of the period. As the guitar is played standing, the player can perform in an informal narrative style, creating a very lively performance for the audience.

ABOUT THE CONCERT SERIES

GuitarNights is a new addition to the list of musical experiences offered by Ayala Museum and Independent Philippine Art Ventures, Inc. (IPAV), gathering some of the country’s foremost and international classical guitarists, bringing the familiar and beloved instrument to a whole new light.

TICKET PRICES AND HOW TO PURCHASE

P 700 Regular
P 560 Discounted Rate*
P 500 Senior Citizens
P 300 Students

Tickets available for sale at the Ayala Museum ticket counter, open during museum hours: Tuesdays to Sundays, 9 AM to 6 PM.

* Discount applies to Ayala Museum Members, Ayala Rewards Circle, and AGC Employees.

Terms and Conditions for purchasing tickets:

Pre-event

Tickets are now available for sale at the Ayala Museum, Makati Avenue corner De La Rosa Street, Greenbelt Park, Makati, open from Tuesday-Sunday, 9 AM to 6 PM.Kindly present a valid ID to avail of applicable discounts.Cash payment is preferred.Limited seats available. In the event the maximum seating capacity is already reached, succeeding buyers will be duly informed of standing room only status and can purchase tickets at the minimum price (P 300).It is best to call 759 82 88 local 31 or 35 to get the latest update on the availability of tickets.

During concert date

Counter for unclaimed and/or unsold tickets (if any) will open on June 2, 2016. Gates will open at 5:30 PM.Ticket holders who were guaranteed seats (purchased before reaching maximum capacity status) during the sale period may sit anywhere. Please note that there are no seat assignments and that seating is first-come, first served.All tickets sold for the June 2, 2016 concert is valid only during said date.

For inquiries and reservations:
CALL: 759 82 88 local 31
EMAIL: concerts@ayalamuseum.org

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