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!
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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.
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.
She got so dark because of swimming.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!).
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.
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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 19th 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.
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.
The beauty of Russian Romanticism is that it’s hard to pin down. Sensuous in certain parts, exuberant in others, it is both textured and simple, intense, but controlled. To define it into a word or a phrase is a disservice to its identity and heritage; so what better way to showcase the true qualities of this genre than by attempting to breathe life into it?
On June 4, 2016, the Manila Symphony Orchestra, with acclaimed Artistic Director and Principal Conductor, Professor Arturo Molina, highlights the beauty of Russian Romanticism with a performance at the Power Mac Center Spotlight.
As the Manila Symphony Orchestra celebrates their 90th year, the performance ushers in the season for #90YearsYoung—a celebration of a new decade in music that cements the country’s most revered orchestra’s legacy of Filipino musical heritage.
With Maestro Arturo Molina at the helm, they are putting the spotlight on the saxophone—a novel addition to traditional orchestral programs that speaks of the genre’s heritage and Molina’s mastery of the symphonic repertoire of the great Russian composers.
The evening will draw works from two of the five great composers of the Romantic era, namely Borodin and Mussorgsky. The pieces selected have been curated around the Glazunov Saxophone Concerto, a 15-minute piece, keeping with the themes of Russian Romanticism – colorful, passionate, and exotic.
“It’s an honor to be part of such a great milestone for the Manila Symphony Orchestra and to be able to share their genius and talent to music and theater enthusiasts around the city,” says Mel Ignacio, Ayala Land Assistant Vice President. “We look forward to seeing you at Power Mac Center Spotlight to witness this great event live.”
For ticket inquiries and more information, like and follow Power Mac Center Spotlight on:
…do as the Europeans do! But of course, be mindful of yourself and your belongings.
So, for this edition of Touringkittyps, here are five important things you should be doing when in Europe.
Always bring your passports. Especially that you are not within the jurisdiction of your own country, it’s best to have your passports with you wherever you go.
Know your train or bus number and stop. They come in almost the same names, like in Italy, Venezia is not the same as Venezia S. Marco and Venezia Mestre. So read, listen, and be alert! Likewise, trains or undergrounds have a PA system, so make sure you know your stop and listen to the announcement in order not to miss it.
Wien Hauptbahnhof = Vienna Central Train Station.
Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Almost every tourist spot can be visited by foot, so expect a lot of walking. Watch out for cobblestones, so best to wear flats or sandals than heels or stilletos. Keep your clothes light, but always bring a hooded jacket, you’ll never know when it will be cold or raining.
Flats and sandals are the way to go.
Learn a few helpful phrases in each country. There may be instances that the locals will not converse in English, so better know how to greet Good morning/afternoon/evening, Please, Thank you, How much is this (especially when shopping for souvenirs).
Speaking of souvenirs, buy one thing that would remind you of the city/country you visited. In my case, magnets or a shirt or whatever local produce they have, like food. I also make it a point to eat local food as much as I can. So even when I would want to save and opt for McDonald’s (which is also expensive, by the way), I try to look for local food. Gelato in Venezia, Steltze in Vienna, and more.
Gelato. The real deal.
Sent a postcard to your home. This I forgot to do during last year’s trip, but sending postcards back home is a good souvenir as well.
Take lots of photos and videos. I also take notes at the end of the day, so as not to forget what I visited. I use Google Photos to save photos online and free up phone memory space to take even more photos.
I take photos everywhere, even in the toilet. This in Vienna, Austria, called the Opera Toilet complete with Arias playing.
Ready for the Euro trip? Buon Viaggio! Gute Flug! Happy trip.
Up until now, I still marvel at the thought that I get to do two things I love the most, even beyond marriage and motherhood–singing and traveling.
For my first working trip this year, I was off to a beautiful island called Balesin.
Balesin is managed by Alphaland Corporation. It is a members-only resort so it was just so lucky for me and my choir team for those two days to be invited to sing for a wedding.
We sang for a Wedding Anniversary, and what was intended to be a wedding by the beach…
Uh, oh, dark clouds and eventually heavy rain poured over the island.
Was taken inside the chapel.
The wedding still went well, nonetheless. It was lovely, and well, white! It was the theme for the day.
After which, we spent the rest of the evening by the beach, sans rain. Beach reception!
Moi, in a blurry selfie of the beach set up.
We rested early and took the entire morning and afternoon the next day for swimming and going around the different themed villages of the island.
The infinity pool and the Pacific Ocean. No, it doesn't go straight down there, but yes, I was able to touch the waters of both.This villa was where we stayed. Blue and white, Santorini look. Toscana, an Italian inspired villa, where we had most of the beautiful shots taken. This one by my tenor-friend, Ervin Lumauag.While inside a jeep that takes us all around the island, I took this shot of St. Tropez, the French inspired villa.This was the Indonesian inspired villa.We wish we could have Tapas, but we have to head back so as not to be late for the flight. This was in Costa del Sol, the Spanish inspired villa.
We had fun going around the world in a day!
And here’s a photo compilation of the trip. Click this link.
Looking forward to more singing trips in the near future.
Since having a child, my main concern is cleanliness at home. Especially with dishes, because this is the most used item at home on an everyday basis.
So I only choose natural products, as much as I can, for washing my dishes. And I am very meticulous with the smell, its effectivity in cleaning, and how much it can wash.
Friends from Cusina Home dropped by the Brotzeit workshop to give samples of the product. At first look, the products were like concentrated juices?
And they come in interesting scents:
I have been using the Ginger Yuzu Peel and so far, I am liking it. I like it because:
1. Just one drop in the sponge and it generates enough bubbles.
2. Just have to water the sponge some more and more bubbles appear.
3. It smells oh so good!
4. It rinses easily and squeaky clean.
5. I am assured that my dishes are safe because it’s made of natural ingredients, from fruit and plant extracts.
I am one who is very particular of my dishes, especially for my little one, who is eating by herself and preparing her food by herself at times. So clean dishes equal clean food for the family.
You may purchase Cusina Dishwashing Liquid in leading supermarkets. Visit www.cusinahome.com.
This summer alone, my little learner is taking ballet, just finished swimming, and taking day workshops, like this recent one we attended in Brotzeit Shangrila Plaza.
We were welcomed with this banner.Kinder Koche für den Tag! Kid Chef for the day. I miss speaking auf Deutsch!
And I missed Germany because of the overall feel of the restaurant.
Typical German Bier Bar. They serve Bavarian Cuisine. Oh yes, Munich.
Since it’s all about brot, or bread, I assume the kids were making bread. And they did. For starters, they made Brezn, or Pretzel. I let my little one work her way by herself, they had great instructors led by Chef Ivan.
My daughter did the entire process herself–from putting ingredients together, mixing the dough, rolling, shaping the Brezn.
From the oven to her mouth, these Cheese Brezn or Pretzels looked and tasted good. Lekker!The “Graduates” with Chef Ivan. Great job, MBP kids!
The kids had loot bags from one of the sponsors, Toy Kingdom.
Mommies had our own loot, too, from Cusina Home. Watch out my review of this product, my new household dishwashing buddy!
The workshop was great exercise for the kids to acquire kitchen skills. It also taught them how to focus, following instructions, reading ingredients, waiting, keeping the workstation and their hands clean when preparing food. I must say, my kid learned a lot in this short time, and applied these skills at home (we both love baking!).
You can still have your kids experience this in Brotzeit, all Saturdays of May!
Singing in harmony is second nature to Filipinos. Admittedly, when a melody is heard, we (secretly) hum a second voice into it.
And with the advent of a cappella singing in movies and TV (think Glee and Pitch Perfect), and competitions like Akapela Open, more Filipinos are getting hooked in a cappella music. Which positively translates to more a cappella singers and choristers (happy dance there!).
A product of Akapela Open is our featured koristas for this month. Acapellago (see the play name between a cappella and archipelago? Cool, right?) is an award-winning ensemble of five singers who does covers of popular songs in a cappella fashion. They have competed and won locally (beginning with a local town competition and then in Akapela Open) and internationally, getting the top prize in the A Cappella Championships in Singapore just last year. Because of this accolade, they were awarded an Ani ng Dangal, given by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
They started their vocal group in school, with members of the Bulacan State University Saring Himig Chorale in 2012. Currently, the group is made up of singers from different schools who are also koristas. The group continues to create, arrange and perform new music, to inspire many young artist in contemporary a cappella singing and contribute to Philippines music and performing arts heritage.
Visit their Facebook Page! Click the photo.
Let’s get to know each of them.
Ron Laderas is a choir conductor, arranger and singer. He had sung for the following choirs: Hagonoy United Methodist Church (UMC) , Bulacan State University Saring Himig, and Obando UMC. He sings Bass in the group, and takes inspiration from a cappella groups like TAKE 6, Swingles Singers, Kings Singers, The Filharmonic (a Fil-Am group who guested in the Pitch Perfect movie), Rajaton, Pentatonix, Home Free, The Real Group, and our very own The Company. Likewise from the following musicians (composers, conductors, and arrangers) Lucio San Pedro, Mark Carpio, Eudy Palaruan, Chris Borela (who currently conducts Bulacan State University Saring Himig), Ily Maniano, Eric Whitacre, Deke Sharon and Ben Bram. He thinks that a cappella music is popular in this generation, and that the community is getting bigger.
Bogart Laderas is the beatboxer of the group. He is Ron’s brother, who along with him are pioneers of the group. He started with the school choir in Bulacan and is also a Dubbing Talent. He joined the choir because music is his passion, and his ticket to studying as a scholar (some schools do offer scholarships, whether partial or full, to choir members, another korista perk!). His most unforgettable moment was to sing Heal the World with The Philippine Madrigal Singers. He likes a cappella music because of the fact that “you have no choice but to squeeze your imagination on how will it sound full because voice and imagination are your only instruments.”
Almond Pondevida Bolante started his choral journey in high school with the Ramon Magsaysay Glee Club, then in college with the Our Lady Of Fatima University Chorale. He used to train with the Philippine Madrigal Singers, and he says he’s a big fan of the group. The reason he joined a choir is “for me to know how to blend with other people because for me, as a singer, you have to know how to harmonize for you to practice not just your voice but your ears.” He enjoys touring and singing with a choir because he gets to know different people and different cultures, at the same time, share your own culture to them.
Joshua Cadeliña studies music and is a recording artist and dubbing talent. He has joined the Ars Noveau Chorale and Novo Concertante Manila (another award-winning church-based choral group) prior joining Acapellago. He sings tenor and is a trained classical singer. He recalls his most unforgettable choir moment with the Novo Concertante Manila, “It is my first time to travel abroad and to compete internationally (Novo had its European Tour in 2014). Gladly, Novo won the Grand Prix in Poland.” For him, a cappella music “requires sensitivity to each other. It is one of the hardest things to do in a cappella singing but I find it really interesting.”
The only belle of the group is Michelle Corpuz Pascual. She started singing with the choir as member of NAMCYA prizewinning choirs from the north, Samiweng Singers, Ilocos Norte National High School Youth Choir, and Laoag City Children’s Choir. She also trains with the Philippine Madrigal Singers. She believes that joining a choir would improve her singing and widen her knowledge on music. She also thinks Contemporary A Cappella has its own uniqueness.
These choristers also take part in the Sing Philippines Youth Choir, a project of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the Philippine Madrigal Singers. Michelle and Almond joined its maiden batch in 2014, while Joshua and Ron will be part of the second batch who will also be the laboratory choir of the Conductors’ Workshop component of the Hands-On Choral Workshop this June at the CCP (by the way, I will be one of the trainors again, looking forward to teaching again!).
Of course, I made them answer why they are certified koristas:
#KoristaAko dahil naniniwala ako na dun ako nilagay ni Lord. Destiny kumbaga. – Michelle
#KoristaAko dahil ako ay alagad ng musika at mahal ko hindi lang ang choral music, at a cappella music kundi pati narin ang lahat ng bumubuo ng musikang Pilipino. #KoristaAko dahil proud ako na isa ako sa mga bumubuhay sa musikang pilipino. – Almond
#koristaAko dahil minahal ko na ng sobra ang pag-awit at ang choral world. Mahirap man ang pagiging full time musician sa bansa, pinili ko pa rin ito dahil dito ako masaya, tulad ng nararansan ng iba. – Ron Laderas
Do watch out for their upcoming events, concerts, more cover songs, and a Digital EP coming out soon. Follow them on Facebook and Youtube for the newest events of the group.
Gratitude to Acapellago and their manager, Riva Ferrer of the Philippine Madrigal Singers for this feature. To close, here’s their newest cover, Dulo, by Thyro and Yumi, the duo behind the current hits popularised through the Philpop Music Festival, as sung by Sarah Geronimo, in a cappella.
Brotzeit Junior Chef @ Work – A Fun Baking Workshop For Kids This May
Mommies and kids find cooking and baking sessions fun especially this vacation. The kids like to play and imitate their moms in the kitchen, mold some dough and bake easy to prepare cookies and breads. Moms enjoy seeing the kids able to work on their own, even with their little hands, and be able to make simple treats all by themselves.
This month of May, every Saturday, Brotzeit will be having their Brotzeit Junior Chef @ Work where little ones can have a fun afternoon of making their own favorite Brotzeit food. They can learn how to make their own Fladen, Cookies, and Pretzels. It will be an exciting experience for little kids complete with aprons, cooking tools, and certificates and they will get to taste and bring home the products that they made.
Sign up at least one week before each class. You may also contact Malou Gonzalez at malou@brotzeitphil.com for schedules and registration.
Come with your kids and experience the fun of being Junior Chefs!
The beauty of Russian Romanticism is that it’s hard to pin down. Sensuous in certain parts, exuberant in others, it is both textured and simple, intense, but controlled. To define it into a word or a phrase is a disservice to its identity and heritage; so what better way to showcase the true qualities of this genre than by attempting to breathe life into it?
