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"title": "Fresh Archives - 大象传媒 Online",
"description": "大象传媒: The leading and most trusted source of business news and analysis in the Philippines",
"icon": "/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/cropped-bworld_icon-1.png",
"items": [
{
"id": "/?p=311143",
"url": "/sparkup/2020/08/14/311143/tech-competition-for-women-returns-to-the-philippines/",
"title": "Tech competition for women returns to the Philippines",
"content_html": "
She Loves Tech, a competition for women and technology is returning to the Philippines through its partnership with QBO Innovation Hub.
\n
Scheduled for October, the global competition\u2014and accompanying conference\u2014has expanded its reach over the last five years. Alumni startups have gone on to raise over US$100 million in aggregate funding from some of the world\u2019s top investors, including Sequoia Capital, Vertex Ventures, Wavemaker, Microsoft, and Amazon.
\n
Due to the pandemic, the sixth edition of the competition will be held virtually in over 30 countries across North and South America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and Australia. \u201cOne of the things we\u2019re most excited about is that going fully online gives us a great opportunity to reach a wider audience and help even more entrepreneurs than we ever could have,\u201d says Rhea See, co-founder of She Loves Tech.
\n
Winning the local edition of She Loves Tech in 2019 inspired Vesl, a platform for SMEs that provides per invoice-based insurance, \u201cto keep aiming for scalable impact,\u201d said Maureen Nova Ledesma, Vesl\u2019s co-founder.
\n
The winner of the local round will get to pitch their idea on a global stage. The global winner will receive an equity-free cash prize of $15,000 from She Loves Tech affiliate fund, Teja Ventures; media and mentorship prizes; fast-track access to partner funds and accelerator programs; and in-house advisory services.
\n
\u201cQBO has been growing our efforts to develop the participation of female founders in the tech startup ecosystem\u2026 and She Loves Tech has been a key partner,\u201d said Katrina Rausa Chan, director of QBO Innovation Hub. \u201cI\u2019m looking forward to what this year\u2019s participants will bring to the now-virtual stage.\u201d
\n",
"content_text": "She Loves Tech, a competition for women and technology is returning to the Philippines through its partnership with QBO Innovation Hub.\nScheduled for October, the global competition\u2014and accompanying conference\u2014has expanded its reach over the last five years. Alumni startups have gone on to raise over US$100 million in aggregate funding from some of the world\u2019s top investors, including Sequoia Capital, Vertex Ventures, Wavemaker, Microsoft, and Amazon.\nDue to the pandemic, the sixth edition of the competition will be held virtually in over 30 countries across North and South America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and Australia. \u201cOne of the things we\u2019re most excited about is that going fully online gives us a great opportunity to reach a wider audience and help even more entrepreneurs than we ever could have,\u201d says Rhea See, co-founder of She Loves Tech.\nWinning the local edition of She Loves Tech in 2019 inspired Vesl, a platform for SMEs that provides per invoice-based insurance, \u201cto keep aiming for scalable impact,\u201d said Maureen Nova Ledesma, Vesl\u2019s co-founder.\nThe winner of the local round will get to pitch their idea on a global stage. The global winner will receive an equity-free cash prize of $15,000 from She Loves Tech affiliate fund, Teja Ventures; media and mentorship prizes; fast-track access to partner funds and accelerator programs; and in-house advisory services.\n\u201cQBO has been growing our efforts to develop the participation of female founders in the tech startup ecosystem\u2026 and She Loves Tech has been a key partner,\u201d said Katrina Rausa Chan, director of QBO Innovation Hub. \u201cI\u2019m looking forward to what this year\u2019s participants will bring to the now-virtual stage.\u201d\nApplications will be accepted until Sept. 4 at www.shelovestech.org.\u00a0",
"date_published": "2020-08-14T16:34:03+08:00",
"date_modified": "2021-04-02T23:31:59+08:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/rgentribirthfurd/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/9965230d2fd009579b4e8df9a934f6d1021b1ee67e60bcb4cad3b7249a2900ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/rgentribirthfurd/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/9965230d2fd009579b4e8df9a934f6d1021b1ee67e60bcb4cad3b7249a2900ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
},
"tags": [
"Fresh",
"SparkUp"
]
},
{
"id": "/?p=309638",
"url": "/sparkup/2020/08/06/309638/impact-hackathon-2020-seeks-to-support-innovative-solutions-to-pressing-social-challenges/",
"title": "Impact Hackathon 2020 seeks to support innovative solutions to pressing social challenges",
"content_html": "
By Patricia B. Mirasol
\n
Impact Hub Manila (IHM) brings back its Impact Hackathon this year in the virtual space to find and support digital innovations for current social challenges.
\n
\u201cLast year, I had a dream: to provide the same support we\u2019ve been doing here and bring that outside,\u201d said Ces Rondario, founder and CEO of IHM, a social impact incubator and network of entrepreneurs and changemakers. \u201cWe wanted to find a way to decentralize stuff we were doing here in Manila and contribute to countryside development.\u201d
\n
The second Impact Hackathon aims to find innovations for social challenges amid the pandemic. Set to run from August 17 to 21, the virtual event will concentrate on five themes: climate change, education, food and agriculture, health and wellness, and smart cities.
\n
TIMELINE AND ACTIVITIES
\n
Participating teams are expected to create minimum viable products by the end of the hackathon. Winning ideas will be incubated by IHM and its partners, who will also support the scaling of the projects to ensure impact and sustainability. Winners will take home over US$100,000 worth of prizes, including access to IHM\u2019s incubation program and its global network of experts and entrepreneurs.
\n
Learning sessions will serve as a platform for discussions and network-building among participants, mentors, and partners.
\n
The hackathon will culminate with a festival titled \u201c2050 Fest,\u201d in which experts, industry leaders, and collaborators come together for panel discussions and the announcement of winners.
\n
The timeline is as follows:
\n
July 1 Opening of registration portal
\n
Aug. 17 Opening program
\n
Aug. 18\u201321 Hackathon proper and learning sessions
\n
Aug. 22\u201323 Jury deliberation
\n
Aug. 24 \u201c2050 Fest\u201d culmination program
\n
Aug. 25 Announcement of national winners
\n
Teams are advised to have someone who can pitch and effectively tell the story behind their solution. \nMalcolm Tan of Technicorum Holdings Pte Ltd., one of this year\u2019s hackathon partners, also suggested looking into international and inclusive solutions. \u201cDon\u2019t be just restricted by geographic location. Look beyond your borders.\u201d
\n
Ms. Rondario shared that they are in talks with telco partners and are looking into providing Internet support for the participants. \u201cWe want to make this as accessible as possible.\u201d She also hopes to see more women joining the event.
\n
SOCIAL INNOVATION CATALYST
\n
Impact Hackathon is part of Impact 2050, a multi-year program designed by IHM to create large-scale economic impact through cultivating the Philippine startup and innovation ecosystem.
\n
Partners from Impact Hackathon 2019 like the Quezon City government, Friedrich Naumann Foundation, Asian Development Bank, and KMC will be back to support this year\u2019s hackathon along with new collaborators such as the Office of Senator Francis Pangilinan, iProcure, Unifinity, Salesforce, Technicorum Holdings Pte Ltd., Multisys Technologies Corporation, and TrueDigital among others. Ms. Rondario likewise mentioned the support of the Department of Agriculture, National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Information and Communications Technology, and the Department of Science and Technology.
\n",
"content_text": "By Patricia B. Mirasol\nImpact Hub Manila (IHM) brings back its Impact Hackathon this year in the virtual space to find and support digital innovations for current social challenges.\n\u201cLast year, I had a dream: to provide the same support we\u2019ve been doing here and bring that outside,\u201d said Ces Rondario, founder and CEO of IHM, a social impact incubator and network of entrepreneurs and changemakers. \u201cWe wanted to find a way to decentralize stuff we were doing here in Manila and contribute to countryside development.\u201d\nThe second Impact Hackathon aims to find innovations for social challenges amid the pandemic. Set to run from August 17 to 21, the virtual event will concentrate on five themes: climate change, education, food and agriculture, health and wellness, and smart cities.\nTIMELINE AND ACTIVITIES\nParticipating teams are expected to create minimum viable products by the end of the hackathon. Winning ideas will be incubated by IHM and its partners, who will also support the scaling of the projects to ensure impact and sustainability. Winners will take home over US$100,000 worth of prizes, including access to IHM\u2019s incubation program and its global network of experts and entrepreneurs.\nLearning sessions will serve as a platform for discussions and network-building among participants, mentors, and partners.\nThe hackathon will culminate with a festival titled \u201c2050 Fest,\u201d in which experts, industry leaders, and collaborators come together for panel discussions and the announcement of winners.\nThe timeline is as follows:\nJuly 1 Opening of registration portal\nAug. 17 Opening program\nAug. 18\u201321 Hackathon proper and learning sessions\nAug. 22\u201323 Jury deliberation\nAug. 24 \u201c2050 Fest\u201d culmination program\nAug. 25 Announcement of national winners\nTeams are advised to have someone who can pitch and effectively tell the story behind their solution.\nMalcolm Tan of Technicorum Holdings Pte Ltd., one of this year\u2019s hackathon partners, also suggested looking into international and inclusive solutions. \u201cDon\u2019t be just restricted by geographic location. Look beyond your borders.\u201d\nMs. Rondario shared that they are in talks with telco partners and are looking into providing Internet support for the participants. \u201cWe want to make this as accessible as possible.\u201d She also hopes to see more women joining the event.\nSOCIAL INNOVATION CATALYST\nImpact Hackathon is part of Impact 2050, a multi-year program designed by IHM to create large-scale economic impact through cultivating the Philippine startup and innovation ecosystem.\nPartners from Impact Hackathon 2019 like the Quezon City government, Friedrich Naumann Foundation, Asian Development Bank, and KMC will be back to support this year\u2019s hackathon along with new collaborators such as the Office of Senator Francis Pangilinan, iProcure, Unifinity, Salesforce, Technicorum Holdings Pte Ltd., Multisys Technologies Corporation, and TrueDigital among others. Ms. Rondario likewise mentioned the support of the Department of Agriculture, National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Information and Communications Technology, and the Department of Science and Technology.\nFor more details, go to impact2050.com. Interested participants can register at impact2050.com/impact-hackathon.",
"date_published": "2020-08-06T16:31:26+08:00",
"date_modified": "2020-08-06T16:31:26+08:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/rgentribirthfurd/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/9965230d2fd009579b4e8df9a934f6d1021b1ee67e60bcb4cad3b7249a2900ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/rgentribirthfurd/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/9965230d2fd009579b4e8df9a934f6d1021b1ee67e60bcb4cad3b7249a2900ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
},
"tags": [
"Fresh",
"SparkUp"
]
},
{
"id": "/?p=288725",
"url": "/fresh/2020/04/09/288725/sparkup-fresh-working-out-from-home-four-reasons-to-start-exercising-during-the-quarantine/",
"title": "Working (out) from home? Four reasons to start exercising during the quarantine",
"content_html": "
Among the many changes COVID-19 has forced upon us, a general lack of movement and the realization of just how fragile our health can be are perhaps the most immediate in our daily lives.
\n
With the possibility of the government\u2019s quarantine measures extending and businesses struggling to find ways to continue servicing their customers, workers need to find ways to stay both healthy and productive in this period of isolation and social distancing.
\n
But there\u2019s a lot we can do, even from the confines of our homes, to keep our energy levels high and our immune systems strong as we support our nationwide efforts to beat COVID-19. Chief among them\u2014commit to a simple daily exercise routine.
\n
Here are four reasons why.
\n
1. It boosts your immune system.\n
Our immune systems are our bodies\u2019 defense against viruses like COVID-19. And while medicine and treatment are important, the best way to ensure we\u2019re safe against sickness is to make sure we don\u2019t get sick in the first place.
\n
Time and again, exercise has been proven to naturally boost our immune systems. It lowers our levels of inflammatory cytokines, a by-product of our bodies fighting against infections. This, in turn, aids in preventing cardiovascular disease as well as type 2 diabetes, and osteoporosis, among others. Safe to say, exercise is definitely a proactive way of boosting our body\u2019s natural defenses against unwanted viruses and bacteria.
\n
2. It helps manage your mental wellbeing.\n
Fear and uncertainty are high these days, and that stress can sap a lot of energy out of our days. Many studies have found that exercise is among the best natural tools we have on-hand to improve our mental wellbeing, reducing anxiety, depression, and negative moods by improving not just self-esteem but also cognitive function.
\n
On a scientific level, increased blood circulation during exercise leads to higher oxygen levels in our brains, helping us perform better. Exercise also produces endorphins, improving our moods, reducing stress levels, and leading to better sleep quality.
\n
With our daily routines completely changed by this pandemic, setting aside time to exercise gives us control in a time where we are so limited by circumstance. That, in itself, is a huge boost to mental wellbeing.
\n
3. It can be a great avenue for team-building.\n
For entrepreneurs, not being able to interact with your teams is a real problem. Even for firms that can still functionally operate remotely, having a separated workforce can really kill momentum and lead to employees becoming disconnected from one another.
\n
To that end, exercise programs can do a lot to boost morale and keep co-workers connected. Using video conferencing tools like Skype or Zoom, it\u2019s easy to schedule three days in the week for a 30-minute session where the team comes together for a quick workout. If you\u2019ve ever done burpees before, you know that having people around you can be a huge motivator.
\n
Bonus points if you can bring in a professional instructor to lead the group, as well as provide virtual guidance to each person. My team in Village Fitness has been running different formats of virtual programs for our members with the objective of keeping them engaged while our facilities are closed. We\u2018ve begun offering group sessions for our corporate clients as well, facilitating classes over Zoom.
\n
4. Online programs have never been more accessible.\n
Given that equipment might not be as accessible during the enhanced community quarantine, it’s high time to get creative when designing fitness programs. Regular gym goers may be disappointed in seeing their progress melt away as they\u2019re stuck at home. But there are still many resources available online to ensure your progress doesn\u2019t end during the quarantine.
\n
With the right combination of bodyweight fitness programs and mindful food choices, you can still supercharge your day and keep your health high. Exercise programs such as HIIT can stimulate the metabolism to burn more calories, while tempo-based bodyweight training can help you build muscle, even without heavy weights around.
\n
With so many options available online, we\u2019re almost spoiled for choice. But one important consideration when selecting a program for you is your \u200bpersonal fitness goal. Being clear with what you want to achieve is the first step in actualizing results. If mobility is what you want to achieve, maybe Yoga or Animal flow can help. If you want to be building strength and bulking up, find a trainer online that can help you make do with what you have lying around the house. Now is the best time to reflect and figure out what your fitness goal really is.
\n
\u2014
\n
Ryan Fermin is an entrepreneur and startup founder specializing in implementing tech into lifestyle development and sports. If you\u2019re interested in learning more about building a personal or professional fitness program, you can reach him at ryanfermin.villagefitness@gmail.com.
\n",
"content_text": "Among the many changes COVID-19 has forced upon us, a general lack of movement and the realization of just how fragile our health can be are perhaps the most immediate in our daily lives.\nWith the possibility of the government\u2019s quarantine measures extending and businesses struggling to find ways to continue servicing their customers, workers need to find ways to stay both healthy and productive in this period of isolation and social distancing.\nBut there\u2019s a lot we can do, even from the confines of our homes, to keep our energy levels high and our immune systems strong as we support our nationwide efforts to beat COVID-19. Chief among them\u2014commit to a simple daily exercise routine. \nHere are four reasons why.\n1. It boosts your immune system.\nOur immune systems are our bodies\u2019 defense against viruses like COVID-19. And while medicine and treatment are important, the best way to ensure we\u2019re safe against sickness is to make sure we don\u2019t get sick in the first place.\nTime and again, exercise has been proven to naturally boost our immune systems. It lowers our levels of inflammatory cytokines, a by-product of our bodies fighting against infections. This, in turn, aids in preventing cardiovascular disease as well as type 2 diabetes, and osteoporosis, among others. Safe to say, exercise is definitely a proactive way of boosting our body\u2019s natural defenses against unwanted viruses and bacteria.\n2. It helps manage your mental wellbeing.\nFear and uncertainty are high these days, and that stress can sap a lot of energy out of our days. Many studies have found that exercise is among the best natural tools we have on-hand to improve our mental wellbeing, reducing anxiety, depression, and negative moods by improving not just self-esteem but also cognitive function.\nOn a scientific level, increased blood circulation during exercise leads to higher oxygen levels in our brains, helping us perform better. Exercise also produces endorphins, improving our moods, reducing stress levels, and leading to better sleep quality.\nWith our daily routines completely changed by this pandemic, setting aside time to exercise gives us control in a time where we are so limited by circumstance. That, in itself, is a huge boost to mental wellbeing.\n3. It can be a great avenue for team-building.\nFor entrepreneurs, not being able to interact with your teams is a real problem. Even for firms that can still functionally operate remotely, having a separated workforce can really kill momentum and lead to employees becoming disconnected from one another.\nTo that end, exercise programs can do a lot to boost morale and keep co-workers connected. Using video conferencing tools like Skype or Zoom, it\u2019s easy to schedule three days in the week for a 30-minute session where the team comes together for a quick workout. If you\u2019ve ever done burpees before, you know that having people around you can be a huge motivator. \nBonus points if you can bring in a professional instructor to lead the group, as well as provide virtual guidance to each person. My team in Village Fitness has been running different formats of virtual programs for our members with the objective of keeping them engaged while our facilities are closed. We\u2018ve begun offering group sessions for our corporate clients as well, facilitating classes over Zoom.\n4. Online programs have never been more accessible.\nGiven that equipment might not be as accessible during the enhanced community quarantine, it’s high time to get creative when designing fitness programs. Regular gym goers may be disappointed in seeing their progress melt away as they\u2019re stuck at home. But there are still many resources available online to ensure your progress doesn\u2019t end during the quarantine.\nWith the right combination of bodyweight fitness programs and mindful food choices, you can still supercharge your day and keep your health high. Exercise programs such as HIIT can stimulate the metabolism to burn more calories, while tempo-based bodyweight training can help you build muscle, even without heavy weights around. \nWith so many options available online, we\u2019re almost spoiled for choice. But one important consideration when selecting a program for you is your \u200bpersonal fitness goal. Being clear with what you want to achieve is the first step in actualizing results. If mobility is what you want to achieve, maybe Yoga or Animal flow can help. If you want to be building strength and bulking up, find a trainer online that can help you make do with what you have lying around the house. Now is the best time to reflect and figure out what your fitness goal really is.\n\u2014\nRyan Fermin is an entrepreneur and startup founder specializing in implementing tech into lifestyle development and sports. If you\u2019re interested in learning more about building a personal or professional fitness program, you can reach him at ryanfermin.villagefitness@gmail.com.",
"date_published": "2020-04-09T09:54:29+08:00",
"date_modified": "2020-04-09T09:54:29+08:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
},
"tags": [
"co-working",
"COVID-19",
"fitness programs",
"Fortis Health",
"inflammatory cytokines",
"quarantine",
"Ryan Fermin",
"wellbeing",
"Fresh"
],
"summary": "SparkUp\u2019s fitness and lifestyle development columnist Ryan Fermin explains why the best thing you can do for your health and productivity during this quarantine period is to incorporate exercise into your workday.\n"
},
{
"id": "/?p=279202",
"url": "/fresh/2020/02/18/279202/sparkup-fresh-remember-this-when-you-decide-to-pursue-love-as-a-career/",
"title": "Remember this when you decide to pursue love as a career",
"content_html": "
\n
I did it. Last year, I took the leap of faith and quit my full-time corporate marketing job to do what I considered to be more purposeful creative work. It\u2019s been a hilly journey since making that choice. I mean, there were definitely a couple of things I had to unlearn the hard way and others that I still need to learn more about. But the people I\u2019ve met through working with The Spark Project have inspired me to write and share more of this type of story: of peopleblazing a trail.
\n
It\u2019s nice to know that it isn\u2019t just me who\u2019s challenged by what comes with choosing to forge our own paths. Even with the joy and fulfillment we get when we pursue what we love, the pursuit itself is hard. It entails a lot of sacrifice and work. But, from what I\u2019ve observed in my experiences and of those I speak to, it\u2019s important to constantly ground ourselves in this love we have and open ourselves up to how much we can grow through it, and overcome the different challenges we face.
\n
Now, for this first feature, I wanted to share what I picked up from getting to know Rio Estuar, the founder of RIOtaso.
\n
At a young age, her love for fashion inspired her to start \u201cKalye RIO,\u201d her own streetwear brand deeply rooted in Filipino culture. As she grew and became more mindful of the waste she and the many in the fashion industry produced, she felt the need to change our relationship with fashion. Her love for designing and creating fashion pieces remained, but it was transformed and strengthened in another way.
\n
Love is a big enough word.
\n
Rio could have stuck it out with her streetwear brand. At the time, business was good. But because it wasn\u2019t good for the environment, it wasn\u2019t good enough.
\n
Since Rio\u2019s love for fashion couldn\u2019t blot out her love for the environment, she decided to say \u2018yes\u2019 to both. Despite Kalye RIO still being on the upswing, Rio switched gears and drove towards taking better care and conservation of the environment. And so she arrived at \u201cRIOtaso,\u201d an up-and-coming sustainable fashion brand that upcycles scrap fabric into conscious options.
\n
\n
Rio is mightily proud of this new business of hers. But, like in all things, there are drawbacks to saying \u201cyes\u201d to love in business. The fashion industry today is not designed for environmentally conscious brands, and the prevailing business model reflects that. But where Rio loses in quick wins, she gains in fulfilment. As with all other relationships in life, it\u2019s true–love triumphs even through struggle.
\n
For young and aspiring entrepreneurs, Rio advises that you always be genuine with your intentions and never forget your \u201cwhy\u201d, your purpose.
\n
And I hope you remember to grow with the love you have for what you set out to do.
\n
—————
\n
Regina Victoria is in the business of enkindling love and light. Currently, she is the Community and Communications Manager at The Spark Project. You can follow them on Facebook to learn more about Crowdfunding and the creative and social enterprises (like RIOtaso!) they work with.
\n",
"content_text": "I did it. Last year, I took the leap of faith and quit my full-time corporate marketing job to do what I considered to be more purposeful creative work. It\u2019s been a hilly journey since making that choice. I mean, there were definitely a couple of things I had to unlearn the hard way and others that I still need to learn more about. But the people I\u2019ve met through working with The Spark Project have inspired me to write and share more of this type of story: of people blazing a trail.\nIt\u2019s nice to know that it isn\u2019t just me who\u2019s challenged by what comes with choosing to forge our own paths. Even with the joy and fulfillment we get when we pursue what we love, the pursuit itself is hard. It entails a lot of sacrifice and work. But, from what I\u2019ve observed in my experiences and of those I speak to, it\u2019s important to constantly ground ourselves in this love we have and open ourselves up to how much we can grow through it, and overcome the different challenges we face.\nNow, for this first feature, I wanted to share what I picked up from getting to know Rio Estuar, the founder of RIOtaso. \nAt a young age, her love for fashion inspired her to start \u201cKalye RIO,\u201d her own streetwear brand deeply rooted in Filipino culture. As she grew and became more mindful of the waste she and the many in the fashion industry produced, she felt the need to change our relationship with fashion. Her love for designing and creating fashion pieces remained, but it was transformed and strengthened in another way.\nLove is a big enough word.\nRio could have stuck it out with her streetwear brand. At the time, business was good. But because it wasn\u2019t good for the environment, it wasn\u2019t good enough.\nSince Rio\u2019s love for fashion couldn\u2019t blot out her love for the environment, she decided to say \u2018yes\u2019 to both. Despite Kalye RIO still being on the upswing, Rio switched gears and drove towards taking better care and conservation of the environment. And so she arrived at \u201cRIOtaso,\u201d an up-and-coming sustainable fashion brand that upcycles scrap fabric into conscious options.\n\nRio is mightily proud of this new business of hers. But, like in all things, there are drawbacks to saying \u201cyes\u201d to love in business. The fashion industry today is not designed for environmentally conscious brands, and the prevailing business model reflects that. But where Rio loses in quick wins, she gains in fulfilment. As with all other relationships in life, it\u2019s true–love triumphs even through struggle.\nFor young and aspiring entrepreneurs, Rio advises that you always be genuine with your intentions and never forget your \u201cwhy\u201d, your purpose.\nAnd I hope you remember to grow with the love you have for what you set out to do.\n—————\nRegina Victoria is in the business of enkindling love and light. Currently, she is the Community and Communications Manager at The Spark Project. You can follow them on Facebook to learn more about Crowdfunding and the creative and social enterprises (like RIOtaso!) they work with.",
"date_published": "2020-02-18T10:38:53+08:00",
"date_modified": "2020-02-18T10:38:53+08:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
},
"tags": [
"RIOtaso",
"streetwear brand",
"The Spark Project",
"Fresh"
],
"summary": "\u201cRio could have stuck it out with her streetwear brand. At the time, business was good. But because it wasn\u2019t good for the environment, it wasn\u2019t good enough.\u201d"
},
{
"id": "/?p=250424",
"url": "/fresh/2019/08/28/250424/sparkup-fresh-crowdfunding-podcast-give-a-hoot-dissects-social-change-through-communication/",
"title": "Crowdfunding | Podcast Give a Hoot! dissects social change through communication",
"content_html": "
Give a Hoot! is a podcast by Wiseowl, a strategy firm specializing in communication for social change, on the PumaPodcast platform. Targeting communicators and social change agents, the series aims to discuss relevant and timely topics that focus on and involve communication.
\n
The hosts will do this by exploring \u201celements of communication, the range of audiences, current practices, and stimulating possibilities in the field\u201d. Furthermore, they will be using actual events and campaigns to further illustrate their points.
\n
Wiseowl needs helps in gathering funds to produce their first season, making a total of 5 episodes. They currently have 4 episodes planned out revolving around the following topics:
\n
Wiseowl needs helps in gathering funds to produce their first season, making a total of 5 episodes. They currently have 4 episodes planned out revolving around the following topics:
\n\n
Call-out culture on social media
\n
How the masa, the country\u2019s largest population group, consumes media (namely radio, tabloids, and online videos)
\n
Gen Z as the future of brands and movements
\n
Creative awards and their impact on social causes
\n\n
Should funding exceed their current goal, the money will go towards the production of more episodes and community-building events.
\n
Click through here if you’re interested to help or want to find out more about the project.
\n",
"content_text": "Give a Hoot! is a podcast by Wiseowl, a strategy firm specializing in communication for social change, on the PumaPodcast platform. Targeting communicators and social change agents, the series aims to discuss relevant and timely topics that focus on and involve communication.\nThe hosts will do this by exploring \u201celements of communication, the range of audiences, current practices, and stimulating possibilities in the field\u201d. Furthermore, they will be using actual events and campaigns to further illustrate their points.\nWiseowl needs helps in gathering funds to produce their first season, making a total of 5 episodes. They currently have 4 episodes planned out revolving around the following topics:\nWiseowl needs helps in gathering funds to produce their first season, making a total of 5 episodes. They currently have 4 episodes planned out revolving around the following topics:\n\nCall-out culture on social media\nHow the masa, the country\u2019s largest population group, consumes media (namely radio, tabloids, and online videos)\nGen Z as the future of brands and movements\nCreative awards and their impact on social causes\n\nShould funding exceed their current goal, the money will go towards the production of more episodes and community-building events.\nClick through here if you’re interested to help or want to find out more about the project.",
"date_published": "2019-08-28T11:29:28+08:00",
"date_modified": "2019-08-28T11:29:28+08:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
},
"tags": [
"Fresh"
],
"summary": "Communications podcast"
},
{
"id": "/?p=250156",
"url": "/fresh/2019/08/27/250156/sparkup-fresh-crowdfunding-podcast-go-hard-girls-shines-the-spotlight-on-female-athletes/",
"title": "Crowdfunding | Podcast Go Hard Girls shines the spotlight on female athletes",
"content_html": "
Go Hard Girls is a podcast spearheaded by Ceej Tantengco, sports reporter, on the PumaPodcast platform. It aims to tell the stories of female Filipino athletes who often receive a fraction of the support and recognition that their male counterparts enjoy.
\n
\u201cI heard how UAAP champions almost didn\u2019t play because the basketball camps when they were growing up were only for boys, how record-breaking teams don\u2019t even have sponsorships for sports bras, how the average Filipino doesn\u2019t know their names,\u201d said Tantengco.
\n
Unlike the usual sports talk show, Go Hard Girls combines creative storytelling and in-depth interviews. This may be seen in their first episode, which tells the story of 5-peat champion NU Lady Bulldogs.
\n
While the team was able to bootstrap its production, they need help in funding the rest of the season. This makes a total of 10 episodes for the whole year.
\n
\u201cBy mounting a successful crowdfunding campaign, we are communicating to the world that not only are these stories of Filipina athletes amazing, but that they are important, and that we as a community are willing to take up the cause ourselves so that these stories can be shared and hopefully inspire more women to become great athletes,\u201d said Tantengco.
\n
If you would like to support the project, click through here. You may also watch this video for more details:
\n",
"content_text": "Go Hard Girls is a podcast spearheaded by Ceej Tantengco, sports reporter, on the PumaPodcast platform. It aims to tell the stories of female Filipino athletes who often receive a fraction of the support and recognition that their male counterparts enjoy.\n\u201cI heard how UAAP champions almost didn\u2019t play because the basketball camps when they were growing up were only for boys, how record-breaking teams don\u2019t even have sponsorships for sports bras, how the average Filipino doesn\u2019t know their names,\u201d said Tantengco.\nUnlike the usual sports talk show, Go Hard Girls combines creative storytelling and in-depth interviews. This may be seen in their first episode, which tells the story of 5-peat champion NU Lady Bulldogs.\nWhile the team was able to bootstrap its production, they need help in funding the rest of the season. This makes a total of 10 episodes for the whole year.\n\u201cBy mounting a successful crowdfunding campaign, we are communicating to the world that not only are these stories of Filipina athletes amazing, but that they are important, and that we as a community are willing to take up the cause ourselves so that these stories can be shared and hopefully inspire more women to become great athletes,\u201d said Tantengco.\nIf you would like to support the project, click through here. You may also watch this video for more details:\ufeff",
"date_published": "2019-08-27T15:53:42+08:00",
"date_modified": "2019-08-27T15:53:42+08:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
},
"tags": [
"female Filipino athletes",
"Go Hard Girls",
"podcast",
"UAAP",
"Fresh"
],
"summary": "Female athletes sports podcast"
},
{
"id": "/?p=232022",
"url": "/fresh/2019/05/21/232022/sparkup-fresh-switching-gears-celeste-cafe-and-cycles-throws-coffee-into-the-mix/",
"title": "Switching gears: Celeste Cafe and Cycles throws coffee into the mix",
"content_html": "
When one is asked to name an \u201ciconic duo\u201d, cycling and coffee isn\u2019t exactly what comes to mind. Celeste Cafe and Cycles aims to change just that.
\n
\u201cCycling and coffee have had a long history together, from races to pit stops when riding your bike, so we decided to put a specialty coffee shop with our showroom to showcase both worlds the best we could,\u201d said Andrew Maravillas, COO of Celeste Cycles.
\n
The cafe is the latest experience offered by Celeste Cycles, one of the country\u2019s largest retailers of top-of-the-line cycling products. Inspired by Hong Kong-style bike shops, businessman and biking enthusiast Paul Tan put up the first store in 2017.
\n
While the cafe is a fun addition to the Celeste Cycles experience, older patrons can still enjoy the products and services that they\u2019ve come to expect of the shop– along with a few upgrades.
\n
They still carry familiar brands like Bianchi, Factor, and Dimond. But jumping in is Devel Project, a Filipino concept cycling brand that serves as the country\u2019s foot-in-the-door to the international market. Devel Mach 1, the brand\u2019s first concept bike, is already up for sale.
\n
And aside from their mechanic area designated especially for repairs and maintenance, new tech-powered facilities help give cyclists their best biking experience. This includes an indoor training facility powered by Acer Xplova\u2019s New Noza Smart Trainers and the Precision Bike Fitting Studio equipped with 3D Motionlogic Systems.
\n
\u201cWe also created the space to serve as a meeting place for cyclists where we can just simply hang out and talk about our passions, adventures, and future rides,\u201d Maravillas said.
\n",
"content_text": "When one is asked to name an \u201ciconic duo\u201d, cycling and coffee isn\u2019t exactly what comes to mind. Celeste Cafe and Cycles aims to change just that.\n\u201cCycling and coffee have had a long history together, from races to pit stops when riding your bike, so we decided to put a specialty coffee shop with our showroom to showcase both worlds the best we could,\u201d said Andrew Maravillas, COO of Celeste Cycles.\nThe cafe is the latest experience offered by Celeste Cycles, one of the country\u2019s largest retailers of top-of-the-line cycling products. Inspired by Hong Kong-style bike shops, businessman and biking enthusiast Paul Tan put up the first store in 2017.\nWhile the cafe is a fun addition to the Celeste Cycles experience, older patrons can still enjoy the products and services that they\u2019ve come to expect of the shop– along with a few upgrades. \nThey still carry familiar brands like Bianchi, Factor, and Dimond. But jumping in is Devel Project, a Filipino concept cycling brand that serves as the country\u2019s foot-in-the-door to the international market. Devel Mach 1, the brand\u2019s first concept bike, is already up for sale.\nAnd aside from their mechanic area designated especially for repairs and maintenance, new tech-powered facilities help give cyclists their best biking experience. This includes an indoor training facility powered by Acer Xplova\u2019s New Noza Smart Trainers and the Precision Bike Fitting Studio equipped with 3D Motionlogic Systems.\n\u201cWe also created the space to serve as a meeting place for cyclists where we can just simply hang out and talk about our passions, adventures, and future rides,\u201d Maravillas said.",
"date_published": "2019-05-21T19:12:21+08:00",
"date_modified": "2019-05-21T19:12:21+08:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
},
"tags": [
"Celeste Cycles",
"cyclists",
"Devel",
"Fresh"
],
"summary": "Celeste Cafe and Cycles serves as one-stop shop for coffee and cycling products"
},
{
"id": "/?p=221060",
"url": "/fresh/2019/03/21/221060/sparkup-fresh-five-reasons-to-drop-the-weights-and-get-into-ocr-this-year/",
"title": "Five reasons to drop the weights and get into OCR this year",
"content_html": "
No New Year\u2019s resolution is complete without the annual grappling with one\u2019s fitness lifestyle. Gym memberships spike and suddenly everyone is an expert on the nuances of the Keto diet, intermittent fasting, or some form of \u2018quick cleanse\u2019 that they swear works like magic. Fast forward several months and the enthusiasm seems to wane, with most falling out because the routine is monotonous and uninspiring. \nEnter, obstacle course racing (OCR). You\u2019ve seen it on shows like American Ninja Warrior, and shared online through popular events like Tough Mudder and Spartan Race. OCR is the country\u2019s latest fitness activity, taking an innovative approach towards traditional marathons. \nHere are five reasons why you should be getting into OCR this year:
\n
Breaks up your workout routine
\n
OCR has leaped in popularity among fitness enthusiasts looking to swap their resistance and cardio training for something more functional. Instead of repetitive pull-ups on a bar, you\u2019re scaling and descending walls. Instead of mindless running on a treadmill, you\u2019re leaping across gaps and between platforms. \nThere are a number of reasons OCR has leapfrogged other fitness trends like spinning and CrossFit, but none so potent as the effect it has on one\u2019s total well-being. Later in this article I\u2019ll be diving into the psychological impact OCR has on one\u2019s self-esteem that makes it such an effective way to rehaul one\u2019s lifestyle.
\n
Pushes you to overcome obstacles (literally and figuratively)
\n
From swinging through more familiar playground monkey bars to running straight up a vertical wall, there are many obstacles (some easier than others) that you need to literally overcome during a race. Some fan favorites include the: Warped Wall, the iconic \u2018Ninja Warrior\u2019 finisher, and the Spear Throw, making you feel like a Spartan straight out of 300. \nThe obstacles are definitely fun, but more importantly they require technique to accomplish properly. As with any challenge, these obstacles can eventually be conquered with constant practice. This is where that psychological boost comes in. \nFacing a mental challenge requires commitment to conquering it, and some creativity in tackling it. OCR provides a hard task (overcoming an obstacle), a platform for training (OCR classes), a support system during race (OCR teams), and finally the satisfaction of finishing the task (finishing the race). \nChallengers take on a \u201cGrowth Mindset\u201d during the weeks of OCR training, as a person aims to be able to be better than they were last week in training. As with any skill training regiment, it\u2019s a commitment to progress, not perfection. And that\u2019s a mindset one can take into any challenge \u2014 be it building your body, or your budding business.
\n
Builds camaraderie and teamwork
\n
Need a great team building activity? Look no further than OCR races which encourage people to help each other overcome the obstacles on display. The \u2018Tough Mudder\u2019 race is a classic example of one race where you sign-up with a team and help each other throughout the race. It was such a popular race that even the cadets of the Marine Corp of the Philippines competed and helped not just their fellow cadets but other competitors too. \nTake the Rings for example. In this obstacle, racers need to swing from ring to ring, much like they would a set of monkey bars. But well into the race, this can be difficult for less athletic challengers. This is where teamwork can come in. A number of racers took to riding on the shoulders of their teammates in crossing the rings, taking the strain off their shoulders and just having fun with it. The rules are intentionally loose in these races, to allow for great team building moments like this.
\n
Become part of a growing community
\n
There are a growing number of fitness enthusiasts who have already taken their first few steps toward competing in an OCR race. Some celebrities have even joined in such as Nico Bolzico, Erwan Heussaf, and Maggie Wilson-Consunji to name a few. On more than one occasion, they even compete alongside you on the same obstacles at the same time. \nThe OCR community is an ever-growing one and builds that sense of belonging through a shared common experience which is difficult but satisfying once over. The camaraderie that OCR creates a feeling of belonging. Competitors join a tribe of fellow enthusiasts passionate about growing OCR in the country. The POSF (Philippines Obstacle Sports Federation) have done a great job so far and was even able to have OCR become an official SEA games sport \u2014 just another obstacle that the OCR tribe has successfully conquered.
\n
And it’s never been easier to start
\n
More and more races have been sprouting up with brands such as Tough Mudder and Spartan providing more races as compared to previous years. This, along with the upcoming launch of the new world-class OCR facility opening in SM Aura: Pretty Huge Obstacles, has made it incredibly easy to get into OCR. There is even a group who handles the grassroots of OCR: OCR Academy, that caters to everyone from adults, to kids, to even pets. \nObstacle course racing is a holistic path to functional fitness, allowing competitors to join a growing tribe of people bent on challenging themselves, and helping each other grow in the process. It\u2019s never been easier to join in. If you\u2019re truly committed to getting better, why wait for another new year to make that resolution?
\n",
"content_text": "No New Year\u2019s resolution is complete without the annual grappling with one\u2019s fitness lifestyle. Gym memberships spike and suddenly everyone is an expert on the nuances of the Keto diet, intermittent fasting, or some form of \u2018quick cleanse\u2019 that they swear works like magic. Fast forward several months and the enthusiasm seems to wane, with most falling out because the routine is monotonous and uninspiring.\nEnter, obstacle course racing (OCR). You\u2019ve seen it on shows like American Ninja Warrior, and shared online through popular events like Tough Mudder and Spartan Race. OCR is the country\u2019s latest fitness activity, taking an innovative approach towards traditional marathons. \nHere are five reasons why you should be getting into OCR this year:\nBreaks up your workout routine\nOCR has leaped in popularity among fitness enthusiasts looking to swap their resistance and cardio training for something more functional. Instead of repetitive pull-ups on a bar, you\u2019re scaling and descending walls. Instead of mindless running on a treadmill, you\u2019re leaping across gaps and between platforms.\nThere are a number of reasons OCR has leapfrogged other fitness trends like spinning and CrossFit, but none so potent as the effect it has on one\u2019s total well-being. Later in this article I\u2019ll be diving into the psychological impact OCR has on one\u2019s self-esteem that makes it such an effective way to rehaul one\u2019s lifestyle.\nPushes you to overcome obstacles (literally and figuratively)\nFrom swinging through more familiar playground monkey bars to running straight up a vertical wall, there are many obstacles (some easier than others) that you need to literally overcome during a race. Some fan favorites include the: Warped Wall, the iconic \u2018Ninja Warrior\u2019 finisher, and the Spear Throw, making you feel like a Spartan straight out of 300. \nThe obstacles are definitely fun, but more importantly they require technique to accomplish properly. As with any challenge, these obstacles can eventually be conquered with constant practice. This is where that psychological boost comes in. \nFacing a mental challenge requires commitment to conquering it, and some creativity in tackling it. OCR provides a hard task (overcoming an obstacle), a platform for training (OCR classes), a support system during race (OCR teams), and finally the satisfaction of finishing the task (finishing the race). \nChallengers take on a \u201cGrowth Mindset\u201d during the weeks of OCR training, as a person aims to be able to be better than they were last week in training. As with any skill training regiment, it\u2019s a commitment to progress, not perfection. And that\u2019s a mindset one can take into any challenge \u2014 be it building your body, or your budding business.\nBuilds camaraderie and teamwork\nNeed a great team building activity? Look no further than OCR races which encourage people to help each other overcome the obstacles on display. The \u2018Tough Mudder\u2019 race is a classic example of one race where you sign-up with a team and help each other throughout the race. It was such a popular race that even the cadets of the Marine Corp of the Philippines competed and helped not just their fellow cadets but other competitors too.\nTake the Rings for example. In this obstacle, racers need to swing from ring to ring, much like they would a set of monkey bars. But well into the race, this can be difficult for less athletic challengers. This is where teamwork can come in. A number of racers took to riding on the shoulders of their teammates in crossing the rings, taking the strain off their shoulders and just having fun with it. The rules are intentionally loose in these races, to allow for great team building moments like this.\nBecome part of a growing community\nThere are a growing number of fitness enthusiasts who have already taken their first few steps toward competing in an OCR race. Some celebrities have even joined in such as Nico Bolzico, Erwan Heussaf, and Maggie Wilson-Consunji to name a few. On more than one occasion, they even compete alongside you on the same obstacles at the same time.\nThe OCR community is an ever-growing one and builds that sense of belonging through a shared common experience which is difficult but satisfying once over. The camaraderie that OCR creates a feeling of belonging. Competitors join a tribe of fellow enthusiasts passionate about growing OCR in the country. The POSF (Philippines Obstacle Sports Federation) have done a great job so far and was even able to have OCR become an official SEA games sport \u2014 just another obstacle that the OCR tribe has successfully conquered.\nAnd it’s never been easier to start\nMore and more races have been sprouting up with brands such as Tough Mudder and Spartan providing more races as compared to previous years. This, along with the upcoming launch of the new world-class OCR facility opening in SM Aura: Pretty Huge Obstacles, has made it incredibly easy to get into OCR. There is even a group who handles the grassroots of OCR: OCR Academy, that caters to everyone from adults, to kids, to even pets.\nObstacle course racing is a holistic path to functional fitness, allowing competitors to join a growing tribe of people bent on challenging themselves, and helping each other grow in the process. It\u2019s never been easier to join in. If you\u2019re truly committed to getting better, why wait for another new year to make that resolution?",
"date_published": "2019-03-21T15:58:56+08:00",
"date_modified": "2019-03-21T15:58:56+08:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
},
"tags": [
"Fitness",
"obstacle course racing",
"Ryan Fermin",
"workoout",
"Fresh"
],
"summary": "Overcoming challenges (both literal and figurative) with obstacle course racing.\n"
},
{
"id": "/?p=206757",
"url": "/fresh/2018/12/29/206757/sparkup-fresh-traditional-art-social-media-smarts-marius-blacks-hopeful-woodblock-manila/",
"title": "Traditional art, social media smarts: Marius Black\u2019s hopeful, woodblock Manila",
"content_html": "
Only now, over a decade into his career as an artist, Marius A. Funtilar feels he\u2019s finally found a semblance of success. With it, Funtilar \u2014 known professionally as Marius Black \u2014 says he\u2019s come full circle. \n\u201cIf [I] were to tell my younger self that it would take me 15 years [to reach this kind of success], I would have given up then,\u201d he said. \nLast Dec. 14, Funtilar launched his fourth solo show, \u201cUnnoticed Beauty\u201d, \u00a0at Kendo, a cafe-cum-gallery in Cubao, along with an accompanying book exploring pieces from his Manila Ukiyo-e series, where he recreates scenes from the urban jungles of Metro Manila in the style of traditional Japanese woodblock print. \nFuntilar\u2019s early work consisted heavily of self-portraits and comics produced with his wife. Culled from the world around him, his scenes were dominated by stark black and white, with streaks of yellow and red. He describes those early pieces as attempts at releasing a darkness in him, manifesting in surrealist oil paintings. \nToday, Marius Black is best known for the beautiful narratives of hope he tells through his bright depictions of everyday Manila. Same setting, different story. \n \nManila Ukiyo-E is a series of hand-painted art prints depicting the daily goings-on of Manila\u2019s denizens, \u201cnot giving up their right to exist and still enjoy life here in the Philippines.\u201d Funtilar hopes the series might serve to inspire audiences by highlighting the silent courage of struggling through day after day in Metro Manila. \nFuntilar begins each piece with his digital camera, snapping shots of his surroundings. He uses these photos as references for his artworks, outlined in pencil, then inked. \nThe hand-drawn pieces are then scanned and printed on watercolor paper. Funtilar brings the scenes to life with watercolors, gouache, and color markers, making each artwork in Manila Ukiyo-E a print-original hybrid. \n\u201cI found what was buried in me: I love colors, I love working on papers,\u201d he said. \u201cI just came back.\u201d
\n
A wider reach
\n
As Funtilar worked through the darkness of his early art and began producing what would become his signature style, people began to take notice. But it wasn\u2019t in galleries that he found his following. Like so many modern success stories, he found his success on social media. \n \n\u201cI had to unlearn all that I learned as a gallery curator,\u201d he said. \u201cThe landscape is changing so you have to rethink everything, from how you produce to how you show your art.\u201d \nOn platforms like Facebook, Funtilar was able to reach a wider audience. On Reddit, he could interact with fans and get commission jobs \u2014 more now than he can handle, he admits. And it was through social media that he received his biggest gig yet: working with the Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC) to create large-scale Manila Ukiyo-e pieces for the LRT Ikot campaign. \nBack in October, Funtilar\u2019s \u2018Antay\u2019, a bright rendition of the LRT EDSA station, made its rounds online, catching the eye of LRMC president and chief executive officer Juan F. Alfonso. As with the rest of the series, \u2018Antay\u2019 found the beautiful in the ordinary. Gritty in its realism, but hopeful in its depiction\u2014 mirroring Funtilar\u2019s own paradigm shift. \n\u201cI was able to make something, subconsciously, a scenery that is heartbreaking but palatable, I guess, but colorful. I give it a story just to [show] what I see as hopeful,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s how I want to imagine the world to be, from what I see.\u201d \nFuntilar\u2019s work can be found on his website and on Instagram @mariusblackarts. \n
\n",
"content_text": "Only now, over a decade into his career as an artist, Marius A. Funtilar feels he\u2019s finally found a semblance of success. With it, Funtilar \u2014 known professionally as Marius Black \u2014 says he\u2019s come full circle.\n\u201cIf [I] were to tell my younger self that it would take me 15 years [to reach this kind of success], I would have given up then,\u201d he said.\nLast Dec. 14, Funtilar launched his fourth solo show, \u201cUnnoticed Beauty\u201d, \u00a0at Kendo, a cafe-cum-gallery in Cubao, along with an accompanying book exploring pieces from his Manila Ukiyo-e series, where he recreates scenes from the urban jungles of Metro Manila in the style of traditional Japanese woodblock print.\nFuntilar\u2019s early work consisted heavily of self-portraits and comics produced with his wife. Culled from the world around him, his scenes were dominated by stark black and white, with streaks of yellow and red. He describes those early pieces as attempts at releasing a darkness in him, manifesting in surrealist oil paintings.\nToday, Marius Black is best known for the beautiful narratives of hope he tells through his bright depictions of everyday Manila. Same setting, different story.\n\nManila Ukiyo-E is a series of hand-painted art prints depicting the daily goings-on of Manila\u2019s denizens, \u201cnot giving up their right to exist and still enjoy life here in the Philippines.\u201d Funtilar hopes the series might serve to inspire audiences by highlighting the silent courage of struggling through day after day in Metro Manila.\nFuntilar begins each piece with his digital camera, snapping shots of his surroundings. He uses these photos as references for his artworks, outlined in pencil, then inked.\nThe hand-drawn pieces are then scanned and printed on watercolor paper. Funtilar brings the scenes to life with watercolors, gouache, and color markers, making each artwork in Manila Ukiyo-E a print-original hybrid.\n\u201cI found what was buried in me: I love colors, I love working on papers,\u201d he said. \u201cI just came back.\u201d\nA wider reach\nAs Funtilar worked through the darkness of his early art and began producing what would become his signature style, people began to take notice. But it wasn\u2019t in galleries that he found his following. Like so many modern success stories, he found his success on social media.\n\n\u201cI had to unlearn all that I learned as a gallery curator,\u201d he said. \u201cThe landscape is changing so you have to rethink everything, from how you produce to how you show your art.\u201d\nOn platforms like Facebook, Funtilar was able to reach a wider audience. On Reddit, he could interact with fans and get commission jobs \u2014 more now than he can handle, he admits. And it was through social media that he received his biggest gig yet: working with the Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC) to create large-scale Manila Ukiyo-e pieces for the LRT Ikot campaign.\nBack in October, Funtilar\u2019s \u2018Antay\u2019, a bright rendition of the LRT EDSA station, made its rounds online, catching the eye of LRMC president and chief executive officer Juan F. Alfonso. As with the rest of the series, \u2018Antay\u2019 found the beautiful in the ordinary. Gritty in its realism, but hopeful in its depiction\u2014 mirroring Funtilar\u2019s own paradigm shift.\n\u201cI was able to make something, subconsciously, a scenery that is heartbreaking but palatable, I guess, but colorful. I give it a story just to [show] what I see as hopeful,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s how I want to imagine the world to be, from what I see.\u201d\nFuntilar\u2019s work can be found on his website and on Instagram @mariusblackarts.\n ",
"date_published": "2018-12-29T15:17:59+08:00",
"date_modified": "2018-12-29T15:17:59+08:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/blexticauldulack/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1311207d4ac1996cb586666fe3d56418ca9f007d735b74eb19d3fa440df5c8b4?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/blexticauldulack/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1311207d4ac1996cb586666fe3d56418ca9f007d735b74eb19d3fa440df5c8b4?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
},
"tags": [
"art",
"artist",
"Manila Ukiyo-E",
"Marius Black",
"social media",
"Fresh"
],
"summary": "How social media changed the game for this traditional artist.\n"
},
{
"id": "/?p=200874",
"url": "/fresh/2018/11/23/200874/sparkup-fresh-loreal-philippines-relaunches-grant-for-filipino-women-in-science/",
"title": "L\u2019Or\u00e9al Philippines relaunches grant for Filipino women in science",
"content_html": "
This November, L\u2019Or\u00e9al Philippines and UNESCO once again opens nominations for its For Women in Science program to PhD holders among the Filipino women researcher and scientist communities. Nominations will be accepted this month up until the end of March 2019. A grant of P400,000 will be given to the National Fellow to be awarded on June 2019. \nEstablished in 1998, FWIS aims to support and recognize women researchers who have dedicated their work in finding solutions to the some of the world\u2019s most pressing challenges, as well as encourage young women to take the first step in changing the world through their exceptional ability in the field of science and technology. \n\u201cWe want to ensure that research in every field takes full advantage of the intelligence, creativity, and passion of women,\u201d said Carmel Valencia, L\u2019Or\u00e9al Philippines\u2019 corporate communications manager. \u201cOur fundamental belief is that the world needs science and science needs women, because women in science have the power to change the world.\u201d \nOver the last 20 years, the program:
\n
\n
granted fellowships to 3,022 talented young women to pursue research projects
\n
honored 102 laureates, including three eventual Nobel Prize winners
\n
established 53 national and regional fellowships in 117 countries
\n
partnered with over 50 scientific institutions and 400 scientists worldwide
\n
\n
L\u2019Or\u00e9al Philippines celebrated the return of the program in the country last June 5 through the awarding of the newest FWIS National Fellow for the Philippines: chemical oceanographer Dr. Charissa Ferrera. Her work focuses on educating and advocating for water quality improvement and more sustainable practices in the waters of Anda and Bolinao. Five months after winning the program, Ferrera continues to work alongside science communicators, social scientists, and local government units to improve the fisherfolks\u2019 environment and their livelihood. \n\u201cThe program provided me with a truly great opportunity to take my research, apply it in communities where it will be most useful in, and create social impact \u2013 something that I have always strived to do as a scientist,\u201d Ferrera said. \u201cIt was also a chance to raise awareness and inspire more individuals to pursue careers in science.\u201d \nL\u2019Or\u00e9al Philippines and UNESCO both believe that continuing the conversation and shedding light on roadblocks for women in this field are essential to truly move the needle towards closing the gender gap in the sciences. \n\u201cIn 2018, we embarked on this journey with L\u2019Or\u00e9al Philippines to provide Filipino women researchers and scientists a platform to overcome the challenges they face in the field,\u201d said Prof. Shahbaz Khan, director and representative of UNESCO Jakarta. \u201cIn 2019, we want to continue the journey and include more stakeholders in the conversation to be able to inspire development and purposive action towards enabling women to be leaders in science.\u201d
\n",
"content_text": "This November, L\u2019Or\u00e9al Philippines and UNESCO once again opens nominations for its For Women in Science program to PhD holders among the Filipino women researcher and scientist communities. Nominations will be accepted this month up until the end of March 2019. A grant of P400,000 will be given to the National Fellow to be awarded on June 2019.\nEstablished in 1998, FWIS aims to support and recognize women researchers who have dedicated their work in finding solutions to the some of the world\u2019s most pressing challenges, as well as encourage young women to take the first step in changing the world through their exceptional ability in the field of science and technology.\n\u201cWe want to ensure that research in every field takes full advantage of the intelligence, creativity, and passion of women,\u201d said Carmel Valencia, L\u2019Or\u00e9al Philippines\u2019 corporate communications manager. \u201cOur fundamental belief is that the world needs science and science needs women, because women in science have the power to change the world.\u201d\nOver the last 20 years, the program:\n\ngranted fellowships to 3,022 talented young women to pursue research projects\nhonored 102 laureates, including three eventual Nobel Prize winners\nestablished 53 national and regional fellowships in 117 countries\npartnered with over 50 scientific institutions and 400 scientists worldwide\n\nL\u2019Or\u00e9al Philippines celebrated the return of the program in the country last June 5 through the awarding of the newest FWIS National Fellow for the Philippines: chemical oceanographer Dr. Charissa Ferrera. Her work focuses on educating and advocating for water quality improvement and more sustainable practices in the waters of Anda and Bolinao. Five months after winning the program, Ferrera continues to work alongside science communicators, social scientists, and local government units to improve the fisherfolks\u2019 environment and their livelihood.\n\u201cThe program provided me with a truly great opportunity to take my research, apply it in communities where it will be most useful in, and create social impact \u2013 something that I have always strived to do as a scientist,\u201d Ferrera said. \u201cIt was also a chance to raise awareness and inspire more individuals to pursue careers in science.\u201d\nL\u2019Or\u00e9al Philippines and UNESCO both believe that continuing the conversation and shedding light on roadblocks for women in this field are essential to truly move the needle towards closing the gender gap in the sciences.\n\u201cIn 2018, we embarked on this journey with L\u2019Or\u00e9al Philippines to provide Filipino women researchers and scientists a platform to overcome the challenges they face in the field,\u201d said Prof. Shahbaz Khan, director and representative of UNESCO Jakarta. \u201cIn 2019, we want to continue the journey and include more stakeholders in the conversation to be able to inspire development and purposive action towards enabling women to be leaders in science.\u201d",
"date_published": "2018-11-23T12:10:45+08:00",
"date_modified": "2018-11-23T12:10:45+08:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/blexticauldulack/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1311207d4ac1996cb586666fe3d56418ca9f007d735b74eb19d3fa440df5c8b4?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/blexticauldulack/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1311207d4ac1996cb586666fe3d56418ca9f007d735b74eb19d3fa440df5c8b4?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
},
"tags": [
"FWIS National Fellow for the Philippines",
"L\u2019Or\u00e9al Philippines",
"livelihood",
"research",
"UNESCO",
"Fresh"
],
"summary": "L\u2019Or\u00e9al - UNESCO grant to empower female scientist, researchers.\n"
},
{
"id": "/?p=196855",
"url": "/fresh/2018/10/31/196855/sparkup-fresh-hallyu-kpop-fandom/",
"title": "Hello, hallyu: The meteoric rise of K-pop",
"content_html": "
Ghia Lim, 22, is a die-hard K-pop fan. She streams her favorite idols\u2019 music videos to help them win in Korean music shows. She creates original fan content and even hosts local K-pop events. For the college student and PR specialist, K-pop has always been a part of her life. \u201cI\u2019ve been into K-pop for as long as I can remember,\u201d she said, listing off names of Korean supergroups. \u201cMy mom was a fan of BoA, and I naturally got started on getting into the male groups of SM Entertainment, like DBSK and Super Junior.\u201d \nWhile graduate student Mary De los Santos only got into K-pop during a trip to South Korea in February, it has already infiltrated her daily routine. When the 24-year old gets into her car, the first thing she does is crank up the speakers and blast her favorite songs. \u201cEven when I study or work out, my ears are listening to K-pop nonstop\u2026 This is on a daily basis and honestly, I haven\u2019t listened to English or Western songs in months.\u201d
\n
A global success story
\n
Ghia and Mary are among the millions of Filipinos who have been swept by hallyu, or the phenomenal spread of Korean culture around the world. It made its introduction during the latter part of the 2000s, when acts like Wonder Girls, 2NE1, Big Bang, and Girls Generation released a string of hits that made it on international charts. It was in 2012, however, that K-pop made its grand entrance into the mainstream with solo artist PSY redefining vitality with his unprecedented hit, \u201cGangnam Style\u201d. It was the first video on YouTube to hit a billion views. Today, those numbers sit well over three billion. PSY took Korean music out of the peninsula, and onto the global stage, making appearances everywhere from the American Music Awards to Ellen. \nOne can argue that K-pop has never been as big as it is today. Girl group Black Pink\u2019s \u201cDdu-Du Ddu-Du\u201d music video debut became the most-viewed on YouTube, garnering 36.2 million views in only 24 hours. Global sensation BTS released two albums in 2018 which both debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200, a first for any K-pop act. Just recently, Spotify revealed that more than 14.2 billion K-pop tracks have been streamed globally, translating to a total of 46 billion minutes of listening since 2015. \u201c[T]he hallyu wave is truly an Asian success story. For a genre that\u2019s in a different language and from a very different culture, it is inspiring to see how K-pop is making its mark on the global stage.\u201d said Eve Tan, Team Lead of Shows & Editorial under Spotify Southeast Asia. \nThis success story is very much felt here in the Philippines. Anne Curtis-Smith, a lover of Korean culture, performed a medley of K-pop hits in an afternoon variety show for her 21st anniversary in show business. There\u2019s even a newly-launched online reality series, Hello K-Idol, where aspiring male Filipinos are trained for 10 weeks in the hopes of becoming a K-pop idol.
\n
Figures and fandom
\n
SM Entertainment, JYP Entertainment, and YG Entertainment, the \u201cBig 3\u201d of the South Korean entertainment industry, were valued at USD 772 million, USD 516 million, and USD 498 million respectively in January 2018. Clever marketing strategies might be one of the biggest factors behind K-Pop\u2019s massive success. Embracing its global audience, songs are often released in different languages (such as the Mandarin, Spanish, and English versions of GOT7\u2019s \u201cLullaby\u201d), and groups like NCT are divided into sub-units to appeal to different age groups and demographics. \n \nBut marketing strategies are meaningless without the participation of consumers, and K-pop fans are a dedicated bunch. Ivanne, a 25-year old restaurant manager, owns 13 BTOB and three Super Junior albums, each costing P750 to P1,000. She has the official light sticks of both groups, which can cost up to P2,050. Ivanne has also attended several concerts, one of which is a BTOB concert in Jakarta. She shared, \u201cA K-pop concert is one of the most magical events I\u2019ve been to\u2026 It\u2019s a phenomenon one should experience to be able to understand and comprehend.\u201d \nGhia Lim, who professed to have \u201cbought almost everything from albums to official tissue packets\u201d, once flew to South Korea just to purchase Wanna One merchandise. Aside from the group\u2019s official lightstick (the release of which she timed with her visit), she also bought their Lens Nine contact lens, Miniso figurines, Lotteria calendars, and even Ghana and Yohi chocolates. \u201cIf I put together everything that I\u2019ve bought in the course of my life… I\u2019d be able to send a few people to a private college,\u201d she said. \n \nFor most, this all might sound a little absurd. But for these K-pop fans, it\u2019s a way to give back to their idols. \u201cI am willing to spend because I find true happiness, not only because of the albums and posters but because of these people [that] we idolize.\u201d shared 14-year old high school student Dani*. \u201cFans go through a lot, and to us, our idols are our safe place, the ones that are there to make us happy even with just one video.\u201d \nAnd with that shared love comes a sense of community among fans. \u201cWhen I first entered K-pop, it was an unfamiliar territory, but the fandom that I am in made that transition easy,\u201d Ivanne said. \u201cIt\u2019s one of the wonders of K-Pop actually, it’s truly a community. Despite the language barriers, at the end of the day we\u2019re all like family.\u201d
\n
Continuous expansion
\n
The swell of K-pop continues to expand, and the West is taking notice. Collaborations like Black Pink and Dua Lipa\u2019s \u201cKiss and Make Up\u201d, and Wendy (of Red Velvet) and John Legend\u2019s \u201cWritten in the Stars\u201d are testaments to the global recognition of K-pop\u2019s unstoppable appeal. And artists are leveraging that appeal beyond YouTube and Spotify, with supergroup BTS recently speaking at the UN General Assembly and landing on the cover of Time Magazine as \u201cNext Generation Leaders\u201d. \nWhile these are exciting times for the K-pop industry, many remain uncertain if hallyu will be a permanent fixture in the cultural zeitgeist. As with any fad, its staying power is only as strong as its fanbase. To that end, K-pop\u2019s superfans are a strong indicator that the world won\u2019t be saying goodbye to hallyu anytime soon.
\n\n
Editor\u2019s note: Some names in this article have been changed at their request.
\n",
"content_text": "Ghia Lim, 22, is a die-hard K-pop fan. She streams her favorite idols\u2019 music videos to help them win in Korean music shows. She creates original fan content and even hosts local K-pop events. For the college student and PR specialist, K-pop has always been a part of her life. \u201cI\u2019ve been into K-pop for as long as I can remember,\u201d she said, listing off names of Korean supergroups. \u201cMy mom was a fan of BoA, and I naturally got started on getting into the male groups of SM Entertainment, like DBSK and Super Junior.\u201d\nWhile graduate student Mary De los Santos only got into K-pop during a trip to South Korea in February, it has already infiltrated her daily routine. When the 24-year old gets into her car, the first thing she does is crank up the speakers and blast her favorite songs. \u201cEven when I study or work out, my ears are listening to K-pop nonstop\u2026 This is on a daily basis and honestly, I haven\u2019t listened to English or Western songs in months.\u201d \nA global success story\nGhia and Mary are among the millions of Filipinos who have been swept by hallyu, or the phenomenal spread of Korean culture around the world. It made its introduction during the latter part of the 2000s, when acts like Wonder Girls, 2NE1, Big Bang, and Girls Generation released a string of hits that made it on international charts. It was in 2012, however, that K-pop made its grand entrance into the mainstream with solo artist PSY redefining vitality with his unprecedented hit, \u201cGangnam Style\u201d. It was the first video on YouTube to hit a billion views. Today, those numbers sit well over three billion. PSY took Korean music out of the peninsula, and onto the global stage, making appearances everywhere from the American Music Awards to Ellen. \nOne can argue that K-pop has never been as big as it is today. Girl group Black Pink\u2019s \u201cDdu-Du Ddu-Du\u201d music video debut became the most-viewed on YouTube, garnering 36.2 million views in only 24 hours. Global sensation BTS released two albums in 2018 which both debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200, a first for any K-pop act. Just recently, Spotify revealed that more than 14.2 billion K-pop tracks have been streamed globally, translating to a total of 46 billion minutes of listening since 2015. \u201c[T]he hallyu wave is truly an Asian success story. For a genre that\u2019s in a different language and from a very different culture, it is inspiring to see how K-pop is making its mark on the global stage.\u201d said Eve Tan, Team Lead of Shows & Editorial under Spotify Southeast Asia.\nThis success story is very much felt here in the Philippines. Anne Curtis-Smith, a lover of Korean culture, performed a medley of K-pop hits in an afternoon variety show for her 21st anniversary in show business. There\u2019s even a newly-launched online reality series, Hello K-Idol, where aspiring male Filipinos are trained for 10 weeks in the hopes of becoming a K-pop idol.\nFigures and fandom\nSM Entertainment, JYP Entertainment, and YG Entertainment, the \u201cBig 3\u201d of the South Korean entertainment industry, were valued at USD 772 million, USD 516 million, and USD 498 million respectively in January 2018. Clever marketing strategies might be one of the biggest factors behind K-Pop\u2019s massive success. Embracing its global audience, songs are often released in different languages (such as the Mandarin, Spanish, and English versions of GOT7\u2019s \u201cLullaby\u201d), and groups like NCT are divided into sub-units to appeal to different age groups and demographics.\n\nBut marketing strategies are meaningless without the participation of consumers, and K-pop fans are a dedicated bunch. Ivanne, a 25-year old restaurant manager, owns 13 BTOB and three Super Junior albums, each costing P750 to P1,000. She has the official light sticks of both groups, which can cost up to P2,050. Ivanne has also attended several concerts, one of which is a BTOB concert in Jakarta. She shared, \u201cA K-pop concert is one of the most magical events I\u2019ve been to\u2026 It\u2019s a phenomenon one should experience to be able to understand and comprehend.\u201d\nGhia Lim, who professed to have \u201cbought almost everything from albums to official tissue packets\u201d, once flew to South Korea just to purchase Wanna One merchandise. Aside from the group\u2019s official lightstick (the release of which she timed with her visit), she also bought their Lens Nine contact lens, Miniso figurines, Lotteria calendars, and even Ghana and Yohi chocolates. \u201cIf I put together everything that I\u2019ve bought in the course of my life… I\u2019d be able to send a few people to a private college,\u201d she said.\n\nFor most, this all might sound a little absurd. But for these K-pop fans, it\u2019s a way to give back to their idols. \u201cI am willing to spend because I find true happiness, not only because of the albums and posters but because of these people [that] we idolize.\u201d shared 14-year old high school student Dani*. \u201cFans go through a lot, and to us, our idols are our safe place, the ones that are there to make us happy even with just one video.\u201d \nAnd with that shared love comes a sense of community among fans. \u201cWhen I first entered K-pop, it was an unfamiliar territory, but the fandom that I am in made that transition easy,\u201d Ivanne said. \u201cIt\u2019s one of the wonders of K-Pop actually, it’s truly a community. Despite the language barriers, at the end of the day we\u2019re all like family.\u201d\nContinuous expansion\nThe swell of K-pop continues to expand, and the West is taking notice. Collaborations like Black Pink and Dua Lipa\u2019s \u201cKiss and Make Up\u201d, and Wendy (of Red Velvet) and John Legend\u2019s \u201cWritten in the Stars\u201d are testaments to the global recognition of K-pop\u2019s unstoppable appeal. And artists are leveraging that appeal beyond YouTube and Spotify, with supergroup BTS recently speaking at the UN General Assembly and landing on the cover of Time Magazine as \u201cNext Generation Leaders\u201d.\nWhile these are exciting times for the K-pop industry, many remain uncertain if hallyu will be a permanent fixture in the cultural zeitgeist. As with any fad, its staying power is only as strong as its fanbase. To that end, K-pop\u2019s superfans are a strong indicator that the world won\u2019t be saying goodbye to hallyu anytime soon.\n\nEditor\u2019s note: Some names in this article have been changed at their request.",
"date_published": "2018-10-31T11:53:39+08:00",
"date_modified": "2018-10-31T11:53:39+08:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/blexticauldulack/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1311207d4ac1996cb586666fe3d56418ca9f007d735b74eb19d3fa440df5c8b4?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/blexticauldulack/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1311207d4ac1996cb586666fe3d56418ca9f007d735b74eb19d3fa440df5c8b4?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
},
"tags": [
"Entertainment",
"fandom",
"hallyu",
"K-Pop",
"Fresh"
],
"summary": "The fame, fortune, and fans fueling the K-pop revolution.\n"
},
{
"id": "/?p=195959",
"url": "/fresh/2018/10/26/195959/sparkup-fresh-komiket-four-artists-comics-business/",
"title": "Four not-so-starving artists on making art and making a living",
"content_html": "
Ask any kid what they want to be when they grow up and you\u2019ll likely get the same parent-approved answers\u2014doctor, lawyer, engineer. But for a lot of kids, their idea of a fulfilling life is one wielding paint brushes and squeezing paint tubes. \nThe stereotype of the \u201cstarving artist\u201d creeps in early. A passion for painting gets downplayed into a hobby. Parents, concerned for their children\u2019s financial security, push them towards those same career paths\u2014doctor, lawyer, engineer. Society-at-large is generally lukewarm towards the idea of arts as a means to make a living. \nBut the myth of the starving artist is truly just that\u2014a myth. \nAs art and pop culture conventions become more prevalent, artists and convention-goers are getting more opportunities to meet each other and break the stereotype that you can\u2019t create art and make a living at the same time. \nAt Komiket, a comics and art convention that took place over Oct. 13 and 14 at The Elements in Centris, Quezon City, we found and profiled four artists who proved that a non-traditional job can be both financially and personally fulfilling.
\n
Marcela Suller (IG: @marcella_suller)
\n
Number of years as a professional artist: Three years \nCurrent work: Full-time artist \nBackground: \nMarcella took up Political Science at Ateneo de Manila University, following her parents plan for her to be a lawyer. After graduation, Marcela interned at an art studio where she received formal training. \nWhat made you pursue art? \n\u201cThat\u2019s always been my dream ever since I was a kid,\u201d Marcelo said, describing a childhood spent reading illustrated books. \u201c[But] I grew up in the province and it wasn\u2019t normal to become an artist as your profession before.\u201d \nSo when she went down to Manila for college from her hometown in La Union, it was to study political science, a path to becoming a lawyer. \nDuring her years at Ateneo, Instagram had started to become the platform of choice for local artists looking to share their works. Marcela said that seeing so many others making a living off of their art inspired her to revisit her childhood dream. \nAfter graduating in 2014, Marcela interned in an art studio to hone her natural talents before jumping headlong into her new career. \n\u201cI tried to do realistic illustrations but I only got frustrated because I couldn\u2019t exactly draw the person so I just did it stylized,\u201d Marcela said. \u201cI made it cute. I was also inspired by children\u2019s book illustrations and things I saw on Instagram.\u201d \nAs the industry and fanbases grew with the help of conventions and events like Komiket, Marcela said that the money she made off of her art commissions had begun surpassing her salary as a graphic designer at the small ad agency she worked at. Seeing this, her parents eventually gave in and supported her career as an artist. \nUnlike most artists featured at conventions, Marcela doesn\u2019t do commission-based art as a side-hustle. Her steady stream of income comes from consignment deals with arts-and-crafts stores in malls to carry her work. \nWhat\u2019s the hardest part of being in the industry? \nJust like her shift from political science to fine arts, the beginning was always the hardest. \n\u201cAt first, there weren\u2019t any stores [that carried art merchandise] yet,\u201d she said. \u201cThere weren\u2019t that many craft and art stores in malls and the bazaars were rare back in 2015. So what I earned wasn\u2019t regular every month.\u201d \n\u201cBut now that there are more cons and there are more stores that cater to artists, what I earn is more regular,\u201d she said. \nMarcela said she\u2019s attended dozens of conventions over the last three years, and it\u2019s done a lot to further her career. There she got to meet other professional artists she only knew about through Instagram and get tips from fellow artists to improve her art. \nWhat would you say to budding artists hoping to enter the industry? \n\u201cAt the start, you might get disappointed because you\u2019re not meeting your target goal. It\u2019s really going to take time,\u201d she said. \u201cIn my first year, it didn\u2019t work, so I needed a day job. In my second year, I still had a day job but I also included my art. Once I got more skills, there, I managed to go full time on my business.\u201d \nAccording to Marcela, attending art events and finding a circle of fellow artist friends are essential to furthering your career. \u00a0 \n\u201cIn college, I didn\u2019t know any artists. It was such an out-of-this-world concept that you can live off pins and stickers,\u201d Marcela said. \u201cIt\u2019s much better if there\u2019s an art community that you\u2019re a member of.\u201d
\n
Moreen Guese (IG: @moyeedoll)
\n
Number of years as a professional artist: Six years \nCurrent work: Full-time advertising art director and freelance artist \nBackground: \nMoreen was born to a family of artists, with both parents being Fine Arts graduates from UST. She was exposed to graphic design at a very young age, growing up with an advertising agency for a family business. \nWhat made you pursue art? \nAside from the family business, Moreen comes from a background in the theater. \u201cMy entire life, I\u2019ve been surrounded by really creative people,\u201d she said. \u201cIndividuals from so many different types of art like performance art, visual arts.\u201d \nWhat\u2019s the hardest part of being in the industry? \nMoreen finds self-doubt to be the greatest hindrance to making art, particularly when it comes to confidence in one\u2019s art style. \u201cIt\u2019s always a challenge to stand out in an industry that has so many talented people.\u201d Moreen said. \nWhat would you say to budding artists hoping to enter the industry? \nMoreen believes in creating art that stays true to oneself. \u201cDon\u2019t adjust your art style because you think that there\u2019s a certain benta (selling point) to it,\u201d she said. \u201cIf you do it for you, eventually, people will love it because it\u2019s you. You put your heart and soul into the artworks that you\u2019ve created. So that\u2019s the most important thing.\u201d
\n
Gabriel Garcia (IG: @gabbytrocious)
\n
Number of years as a professional artist: Five years \nCurrent work: Art Director for an ad agency while freelancing as a comics artist \nBackground: \nGab, or Fluffi, came from a family of artists. He took up fine arts in college, majoring in painting at UST. \nWhat made you pursue art? \nGab points to cartoons and his uncle, a caricature artist, as his inspirations. Today, Gab does a myriad of commission-based work: branding, graphic design, illustration, motion graphics, and even art direction. \nHaving recently started making comics, Gab said that his inspiration his art style — \u201cnot really manga, not really western\u201d\u2014was Bryan O\u2019Malley, the creator of international hit Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. \nWhat\u2019s the hardest part of being in the industry? \nGab said that it was surprisingly easy for him to break into the local comics industry. Initially pushed by his officemates, Gab said that he fell in love with the medium after attending a convention and experiencing the industry first-hand. \n\u201cPeople are very supporting [in the comics industry] and as for the freelancing, it was hard at first because it was very difficult to find clients who can pay my rate. But once the word got out [it got easier],\u201d he said. \nPast the initial growing pains of getting exposure, Gab says the continuing struggles of being a freelance artist are largely the same as those of someone working in advertising: difficult clients. \n\u201cIt\u2019s currently still happening, I have a client who has a long back-and-forth process with their bosses,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s been three months now and I still have the problem.\u201d \nWhat would you say to budding artists hoping to enter the industry? \n\u201cIt also takes patience to listen to a client\u2019s dumb revisions,\u201d he said. \u201cIt takes patience to learn new crafts like Illustrator, Photoshop. It takes patience to learn anatomy. It really needs patience for everything.\u201d \n\u201cJust persevere,\u201d he said. \u201cDon\u2019t give up. Keep on practicing because it gets better as long as you keep doing your craft. Don\u2019t stop doing, it keep getting better.\u201d
\n
Misato Wakatsuki (IG: @misamisatoto)
\n
Number of years as a professional artist: Three years \nCurrent work: Full-time artist \nBackground: \nMisato started out as a freelance artist, leveraging her formal training as an art major from Adventist University of the Philippines. Pressure from friends to find corporate work led her to a communications job at an educational institution. She lasted one year before realizing it just wasn\u2019t for her. She\u2019s been a full-time artist ever since. \nWhat made you pursue art? \nAs a child, Misato had no idea how to draw. In fact, she admitted to constantly bugging her talented classmates for drawings. After some playful mocking from her classmates about her persistence and lack of talent, Misato\u2019s competitive spirit kicked in. \n\u201cUmabot dun sa point na the whole vacation between Grade 5 and Grade 6, nagdo-drawing lang ako, hanggang sa umabot na lang sa point na it became a habit, then nagulat na lang ako, lifestyle ko na siya.\u201d (It came to a point where I was just drawing during the whole vacation between Grade 5 and Grade 6, then it became a habit, then I was surprised that it had become my lifestyle.)\u201d \nWhat challenges do you face in the industry? \nMisato acknowledges that the harsh reality of freelancing entails self-discipline and the right attitude, especially because you have to wear many hats. More than just being a creative, you\u2019re an entrepreneur managing a startup of one. \n\u201cIkaw ang PR, ikaw ang HR, ikaw ang audit\u2026 so hindi lang siya yung simpleng \u2018Kunin niyo \u2018ko as an artist.\u2019 Rather, it\u2019s a lot of tasks combined in one field.\u201d (\u201cYou\u2019re PR, you\u2019re HR, you\u2019re the auditor\u2026 so it\u2019s not as simple as saying, \u2018Hire me as your artist.\u2019 Rather, it\u2019s a lot of tasks combined in one field.)\u201d \nWhat would you say to budding artists hoping to enter the industry? \nMisato insists that your price as an artist should always be right, especially if you want to avoid burning out. \u201cKasi eventually, sige, sugod ka lang, [pero] hindi mo alam na mas mahal pala puwede mong i-presyo sa gawa mo… Dun magsisimula yung mabuburnout ka. Kasi parang ang laki ng effort na ginagawa mo pero napaka-low ng return. Yun yung unang factor na makakawala ng passion.\u201d \n(\u201cBecause okay, you can go full speed ahead, but you may not know that you can charge higher for your work\u2026 That\u2019s where burnout starts. It\u2019s like you put so much effort but get such a low return. That\u2019s the first factor in losing your passion.\u201d) \u00a0\u00a0
\n",
"content_text": "Ask any kid what they want to be when they grow up and you\u2019ll likely get the same parent-approved answers\u2014doctor, lawyer, engineer. But for a lot of kids, their idea of a fulfilling life is one wielding paint brushes and squeezing paint tubes.\nThe stereotype of the \u201cstarving artist\u201d creeps in early. A passion for painting gets downplayed into a hobby. Parents, concerned for their children\u2019s financial security, push them towards those same career paths\u2014doctor, lawyer, engineer. Society-at-large is generally lukewarm towards the idea of arts as a means to make a living.\nBut the myth of the starving artist is truly just that\u2014a myth. \nAs art and pop culture conventions become more prevalent, artists and convention-goers are getting more opportunities to meet each other and break the stereotype that you can\u2019t create art and make a living at the same time.\nAt Komiket, a comics and art convention that took place over Oct. 13 and 14 at The Elements in Centris, Quezon City, we found and profiled four artists who proved that a non-traditional job can be both financially and personally fulfilling.\nMarcela Suller (IG: @marcella_suller)\nNumber of years as a professional artist: Three years\nCurrent work: Full-time artist\nBackground:\nMarcella took up Political Science at Ateneo de Manila University, following her parents plan for her to be a lawyer. After graduation, Marcela interned at an art studio where she received formal training.\nWhat made you pursue art?\n\u201cThat\u2019s always been my dream ever since I was a kid,\u201d Marcelo said, describing a childhood spent reading illustrated books. \u201c[But] I grew up in the province and it wasn\u2019t normal to become an artist as your profession before.\u201d\nSo when she went down to Manila for college from her hometown in La Union, it was to study political science, a path to becoming a lawyer.\nDuring her years at Ateneo, Instagram had started to become the platform of choice for local artists looking to share their works. Marcela said that seeing so many others making a living off of their art inspired her to revisit her childhood dream.\nAfter graduating in 2014, Marcela interned in an art studio to hone her natural talents before jumping headlong into her new career.\n\u201cI tried to do realistic illustrations but I only got frustrated because I couldn\u2019t exactly draw the person so I just did it stylized,\u201d Marcela said. \u201cI made it cute. I was also inspired by children\u2019s book illustrations and things I saw on Instagram.\u201d \nAs the industry and fanbases grew with the help of conventions and events like Komiket, Marcela said that the money she made off of her art commissions had begun surpassing her salary as a graphic designer at the small ad agency she worked at. Seeing this, her parents eventually gave in and supported her career as an artist.\nUnlike most artists featured at conventions, Marcela doesn\u2019t do commission-based art as a side-hustle. Her steady stream of income comes from consignment deals with arts-and-crafts stores in malls to carry her work.\nWhat\u2019s the hardest part of being in the industry?\nJust like her shift from political science to fine arts, the beginning was always the hardest.\n\u201cAt first, there weren\u2019t any stores [that carried art merchandise] yet,\u201d she said. \u201cThere weren\u2019t that many craft and art stores in malls and the bazaars were rare back in 2015. So what I earned wasn\u2019t regular every month.\u201d \n\u201cBut now that there are more cons and there are more stores that cater to artists, what I earn is more regular,\u201d she said. \nMarcela said she\u2019s attended dozens of conventions over the last three years, and it\u2019s done a lot to further her career. There she got to meet other professional artists she only knew about through Instagram and get tips from fellow artists to improve her art. \nWhat would you say to budding artists hoping to enter the industry?\n\u201cAt the start, you might get disappointed because you\u2019re not meeting your target goal. It\u2019s really going to take time,\u201d she said. \u201cIn my first year, it didn\u2019t work, so I needed a day job. In my second year, I still had a day job but I also included my art. Once I got more skills, there, I managed to go full time on my business.\u201d\nAccording to Marcela, attending art events and finding a circle of fellow artist friends are essential to furthering your career. \u00a0\n\u201cIn college, I didn\u2019t know any artists. It was such an out-of-this-world concept that you can live off pins and stickers,\u201d Marcela said. \u201cIt\u2019s much better if there\u2019s an art community that you\u2019re a member of.\u201d \nMoreen Guese (IG: @moyeedoll)\nNumber of years as a professional artist: Six years\nCurrent work: Full-time advertising art director and freelance artist\nBackground:\nMoreen was born to a family of artists, with both parents being Fine Arts graduates from UST. She was exposed to graphic design at a very young age, growing up with an advertising agency for a family business.\nWhat made you pursue art?\nAside from the family business, Moreen comes from a background in the theater. \u201cMy entire life, I\u2019ve been surrounded by really creative people,\u201d she said. \u201cIndividuals from so many different types of art like performance art, visual arts.\u201d\nWhat\u2019s the hardest part of being in the industry?\nMoreen finds self-doubt to be the greatest hindrance to making art, particularly when it comes to confidence in one\u2019s art style. \u201cIt\u2019s always a challenge to stand out in an industry that has so many talented people.\u201d Moreen said.\nWhat would you say to budding artists hoping to enter the industry?\nMoreen believes in creating art that stays true to oneself. \u201cDon\u2019t adjust your art style because you think that there\u2019s a certain benta (selling point) to it,\u201d she said. \u201cIf you do it for you, eventually, people will love it because it\u2019s you. You put your heart and soul into the artworks that you\u2019ve created. So that\u2019s the most important thing.\u201d\nGabriel Garcia (IG: @gabbytrocious)\nNumber of years as a professional artist: Five years\nCurrent work: Art Director for an ad agency while freelancing as a comics artist\nBackground:\nGab, or Fluffi, came from a family of artists. He took up fine arts in college, majoring in painting at UST. \nWhat made you pursue art?\nGab points to cartoons and his uncle, a caricature artist, as his inspirations. Today, Gab does a myriad of commission-based work: branding, graphic design, illustration, motion graphics, and even art direction. \nHaving recently started making comics, Gab said that his inspiration his art style — \u201cnot really manga, not really western\u201d\u2014was Bryan O\u2019Malley, the creator of international hit Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. \nWhat\u2019s the hardest part of being in the industry?\nGab said that it was surprisingly easy for him to break into the local comics industry. Initially pushed by his officemates, Gab said that he fell in love with the medium after attending a convention and experiencing the industry first-hand.\n\u201cPeople are very supporting [in the comics industry] and as for the freelancing, it was hard at first because it was very difficult to find clients who can pay my rate. But once the word got out [it got easier],\u201d he said. \nPast the initial growing pains of getting exposure, Gab says the continuing struggles of being a freelance artist are largely the same as those of someone working in advertising: difficult clients. \n\u201cIt\u2019s currently still happening, I have a client who has a long back-and-forth process with their bosses,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s been three months now and I still have the problem.\u201d\nWhat would you say to budding artists hoping to enter the industry?\n\u201cIt also takes patience to listen to a client\u2019s dumb revisions,\u201d he said. \u201cIt takes patience to learn new crafts like Illustrator, Photoshop. It takes patience to learn anatomy. It really needs patience for everything.\u201d\n\u201cJust persevere,\u201d he said. \u201cDon\u2019t give up. Keep on practicing because it gets better as long as you keep doing your craft. Don\u2019t stop doing, it keep getting better.\u201d\nMisato Wakatsuki (IG: @misamisatoto)\nNumber of years as a professional artist: Three years\nCurrent work: Full-time artist\nBackground:\nMisato started out as a freelance artist, leveraging her formal training as an art major from Adventist University of the Philippines. Pressure from friends to find corporate work led her to a communications job at an educational institution. She lasted one year before realizing it just wasn\u2019t for her. She\u2019s been a full-time artist ever since.\nWhat made you pursue art?\nAs a child, Misato had no idea how to draw. In fact, she admitted to constantly bugging her talented classmates for drawings. After some playful mocking from her classmates about her persistence and lack of talent, Misato\u2019s competitive spirit kicked in.\n\u201cUmabot dun sa point na the whole vacation between Grade 5 and Grade 6, nagdo-drawing lang ako, hanggang sa umabot na lang sa point na it became a habit, then nagulat na lang ako, lifestyle ko na siya.\u201d (It came to a point where I was just drawing during the whole vacation between Grade 5 and Grade 6, then it became a habit, then I was surprised that it had become my lifestyle.)\u201d \nWhat challenges do you face in the industry?\nMisato acknowledges that the harsh reality of freelancing entails self-discipline and the right attitude, especially because you have to wear many hats. More than just being a creative, you\u2019re an entrepreneur managing a startup of one. \n\u201cIkaw ang PR, ikaw ang HR, ikaw ang audit\u2026 so hindi lang siya yung simpleng \u2018Kunin niyo \u2018ko as an artist.\u2019 Rather, it\u2019s a lot of tasks combined in one field.\u201d (\u201cYou\u2019re PR, you\u2019re HR, you\u2019re the auditor\u2026 so it\u2019s not as simple as saying, \u2018Hire me as your artist.\u2019 Rather, it\u2019s a lot of tasks combined in one field.)\u201d \nWhat would you say to budding artists hoping to enter the industry?\nMisato insists that your price as an artist should always be right, especially if you want to avoid burning out. \u201cKasi eventually, sige, sugod ka lang, [pero] hindi mo alam na mas mahal pala puwede mong i-presyo sa gawa mo… Dun magsisimula yung mabuburnout ka. Kasi parang ang laki ng effort na ginagawa mo pero napaka-low ng return. Yun yung unang factor na makakawala ng passion.\u201d \n(\u201cBecause okay, you can go full speed ahead, but you may not know that you can charge higher for your work\u2026 That\u2019s where burnout starts. It\u2019s like you put so much effort but get such a low return. That\u2019s the first factor in losing your passion.\u201d) \u00a0\u00a0",
"date_published": "2018-10-26T19:34:31+08:00",
"date_modified": "2018-10-26T19:34:31+08:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/blexticauldulack/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1311207d4ac1996cb586666fe3d56418ca9f007d735b74eb19d3fa440df5c8b4?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/blexticauldulack/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1311207d4ac1996cb586666fe3d56418ca9f007d735b74eb19d3fa440df5c8b4?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
},
"tags": [
"art",
"comics",
"Gabriel Garcia",
"Komiket 2018",
"Marcela Suller",
"Misato Wakatsuki",
"Moreen Guese",
"Fresh"
],
"summary": "Four artists on making a living doing what they love."
},
{
"id": "/?p=192794",
"url": "/fresh/2018/10/12/192794/sparkup-fresh-wellness-journey-village-fitness/",
"title": "Set yourself up for success: Goal-setting for wellness",
"content_html": "
With any grand adventure into the unknown, the smart traveler carries with them a map to guide them to their destination. In business, teams conduct studies and build out strategy plans before launching new projects. When the destination is clear, the path to get there reveals itself. The traveler only needs to take the steps. \nYour personal wellness journey is no different. \nAs a wellness coach, I\u2019ve found that it\u2019s my clients who articulate and commit to certain goals before starting a new workout program that achieve the best results. Most importantly, they appreciate the journey they\u2019ve undertaken. \nBut is it enough to just list down goals? Often, I hear clients say: \u201cI just want to get healthier\u201d or \u201cI\u2019d want to lose some weight\u201d. Don\u2019t get me wrong, simple, general goals are better than having no goals at all. But to make the process more effective, I like having my clients set their goals following the S.M.A.R.T principle:
\n
\n
Specific,
\n
Measurable,
\n
Achievable,
\n
Relevant,
\n
and Time-bound.
\n
\n
These guidelines make the goal-setting process not just aspirational, but strategic. And it\u2019s just as effective for personal wellness, as it is for pursuing any professional goal. \nLet\u2019s go back to one of my examples. \u201cI just want to get healthier.\u201d There as countless ways of measuring health, and even more ways to get healthy. But what path is right for you? Broad goals aren\u2019t helpful. Specific goals call for specific actions, and those are always going to be easier to follow. \nSo maybe we use the second example, \u201cI\u2019d want to lose some weight.\u201d That\u2019s a bit more specific. A week without rice will likely reflect on the weighing scale. A month of non-stop high intensity interval training will definitely reflect on the weighing scale. But so would simply spending a week without rice. If you\u2019re looking to lose, say, 30 lbs, maybe the no-rice diet won\u2019t cut it. \nAlways make sure the goals are measurable, as hard data will not only contextualize your program, but motivate you as you chart your progress. \nOf course, goals need to be achievable or else the client gives up when the goal is near impossible. If you say your goal is to get strong enough to lift a truck, you\u2019re just setting yourself up for failure. There\u2019s nothing wrong with being optimistic, so long as you keep goals realistic. \nBut even realistic programs can be difficult. When you get derailed, it takes a lot of motivation to get back on the path. A personally relevant goal will handle that for you. If you\u2019re trying to lose weight so you can finish that 10km company fun run your team is organizing, then you have some skin in the game to keep you motivated. \nAnd when you build a timeframe into your goals, you ensure two things: that you start now and not later, and that the journey you\u2019re embarking on is a sustainable one. If you have three months until that fun run, you know you need to start your endurance training as soon as possible. But also that you aren\u2019t pushing yourself that way forever.
\n
The gun-start program
\n
In Village Fitness, I\u2019ve conceptualized what\u2019s called a Gun-start program, where clients can articulate their ultimate wellness goal and the coaches help them set mini-goals under the four pillars of wellness: Exercise, Nutrition, Supplementation, and Lifestyle. \nWe also list down three concrete follow-up actions that put the context of time in achieving those goals. Once my client and I are finished with the consultation, I ask them to review the goals they\u2019ve set and sign the document, placing their commitment to fulfilling them. I also sign the document, signaling my commitment to helping them achieve those goals. \nKeep in mind that wellness goals vary per individual and that you should take your time in really searching for that deep \u201cWhy\u201d that should propel you take the actions that you need to. \nHaving a personal trainer with experience working with various clients is vital in ensuring you not only build a solid program, but set the right kind of goals for yourself. For some, building up their physique is the end goal, and that\u2019s fine. But as one of my clients once said to me: \u201cThe gym is not only for aesthetics but it\u2019s also a place for healing\u201d. \nFind your personal wellness goals, define them, make them concrete, and watch how you motivate yourself to do things you never thought you could.
\n\n
Ryan Fermin is an entrepreneur and fitness professional focusing on sports science, strength training, and conditioning. Find him on Instagram at @coach.ryfit.
\n",
"content_text": "With any grand adventure into the unknown, the smart traveler carries with them a map to guide them to their destination. In business, teams conduct studies and build out strategy plans before launching new projects. When the destination is clear, the path to get there reveals itself. The traveler only needs to take the steps.\nYour personal wellness journey is no different. \nAs a wellness coach, I\u2019ve found that it\u2019s my clients who articulate and commit to certain goals before starting a new workout program that achieve the best results. Most importantly, they appreciate the journey they\u2019ve undertaken.\nBut is it enough to just list down goals? Often, I hear clients say: \u201cI just want to get healthier\u201d or \u201cI\u2019d want to lose some weight\u201d. Don\u2019t get me wrong, simple, general goals are better than having no goals at all. But to make the process more effective, I like having my clients set their goals following the S.M.A.R.T principle:\n\nSpecific, \nMeasurable, \nAchievable, \nRelevant, \nand Time-bound. \n\nThese guidelines make the goal-setting process not just aspirational, but strategic. And it\u2019s just as effective for personal wellness, as it is for pursuing any professional goal.\nLet\u2019s go back to one of my examples. \u201cI just want to get healthier.\u201d There as countless ways of measuring health, and even more ways to get healthy. But what path is right for you? Broad goals aren\u2019t helpful. Specific goals call for specific actions, and those are always going to be easier to follow.\nSo maybe we use the second example, \u201cI\u2019d want to lose some weight.\u201d That\u2019s a bit more specific. A week without rice will likely reflect on the weighing scale. A month of non-stop high intensity interval training will definitely reflect on the weighing scale. But so would simply spending a week without rice. If you\u2019re looking to lose, say, 30 lbs, maybe the no-rice diet won\u2019t cut it. \nAlways make sure the goals are measurable, as hard data will not only contextualize your program, but motivate you as you chart your progress.\nOf course, goals need to be achievable or else the client gives up when the goal is near impossible. If you say your goal is to get strong enough to lift a truck, you\u2019re just setting yourself up for failure. There\u2019s nothing wrong with being optimistic, so long as you keep goals realistic. \nBut even realistic programs can be difficult. When you get derailed, it takes a lot of motivation to get back on the path. A personally relevant goal will handle that for you. If you\u2019re trying to lose weight so you can finish that 10km company fun run your team is organizing, then you have some skin in the game to keep you motivated.\nAnd when you build a timeframe into your goals, you ensure two things: that you start now and not later, and that the journey you\u2019re embarking on is a sustainable one. If you have three months until that fun run, you know you need to start your endurance training as soon as possible. But also that you aren\u2019t pushing yourself that way forever.\nThe gun-start program\nIn Village Fitness, I\u2019ve conceptualized what\u2019s called a Gun-start program, where clients can articulate their ultimate wellness goal and the coaches help them set mini-goals under the four pillars of wellness: Exercise, Nutrition, Supplementation, and Lifestyle.\nWe also list down three concrete follow-up actions that put the context of time in achieving those goals. Once my client and I are finished with the consultation, I ask them to review the goals they\u2019ve set and sign the document, placing their commitment to fulfilling them. I also sign the document, signaling my commitment to helping them achieve those goals.\nKeep in mind that wellness goals vary per individual and that you should take your time in really searching for that deep \u201cWhy\u201d that should propel you take the actions that you need to. \nHaving a personal trainer with experience working with various clients is vital in ensuring you not only build a solid program, but set the right kind of goals for yourself. For some, building up their physique is the end goal, and that\u2019s fine. But as one of my clients once said to me: \u201cThe gym is not only for aesthetics but it\u2019s also a place for healing\u201d. \nFind your personal wellness goals, define them, make them concrete, and watch how you motivate yourself to do things you never thought you could.\n\nRyan Fermin is an entrepreneur and fitness professional focusing on sports science, strength training, and conditioning. Find him on Instagram at @coach.ryfit.",
"date_published": "2018-10-12T14:32:44+08:00",
"date_modified": "2018-10-12T14:32:44+08:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/blexticauldulack/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1311207d4ac1996cb586666fe3d56418ca9f007d735b74eb19d3fa440df5c8b4?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/blexticauldulack/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1311207d4ac1996cb586666fe3d56418ca9f007d735b74eb19d3fa440df5c8b4?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
},
"tags": [
"Fitness",
"health",
"healthy",
"Ryan Fermin",
"Village Fitness",
"wellness",
"Fresh"
],
"summary": "How to set the right kind of goals for maximum results."
},
{
"id": "/?p=189447",
"url": "/fresh/2018/09/26/189447/exercises-for-the-professional-on-the-go/",
"title": "Exercises for the professional on-the-go",
"content_html": "
In our fast-paced world, people are constantly finding new ways to make their lives more convenient. Take Honestbee making groceries more accessible, or Grab giving riders on-demand transportation services. \nOne might argue that this obsession with convenience is making people lazier \u2014 and by extension, less active and less healthy. But in reality, fitness doesn\u2019t have to be inconvenient. \nIn my last article, I wrote about how fitness can make you a more productive worker. Here I\u2019ll be sharing ways to stay fit without cutting down on your workplace productivity. \nWhether you\u2019re crunched for time, or have had a strict gym regiment broken up by a sudden business trip, there are always ways to incorporate a good workout into your busy workday. \nHere are three workouts for the professional on-the-go \u2014 minimal space required, no equipment necessary: \nI recommend doing three sets of 30 secs for each exercise. As these are all bodyweight exercises with no additional loads added, it\u2019s important that you approach each set with the mindset of doing as many reps as possible to really get the most out of your workout.
\n
1) Air Squats/Body Weight Squats:
\n
\n
It uses just your body weight to tone and strengthen your quadriceps, glutes, calves, and hamstrings.
\n
Hands can be stretched out in front while the squat movement is being performed.
\n
Advanced version: Putting on a heavy backpack or carrying your suitcase/briefcase overhead is a good way to increase resistance in a pinch.
\n
\n
2) Plank/Side Planks:
\n
\n
A strong core is the foundation for general fitness. Core workouts focus not only on your abdominal muscles, but also your lower back and obliques.
\n
A simple yet effective exercise to workout the core would be the basic plank. Side planks are a variation to focus more on the oblique muscles on your side. Always make sure to keep your neck relaxed, and your core tight throughout.
\n
Advanced version: Raise an arm or a leg, or even both at the same time, for the plank and the side plank.
\n
\n
3) Pushups:
\n
\n
The pushup is a classic exercise for a reason. It\u2019s one of the most effective exercises you can do for your upper body.
\n
While performing a pushup, a person uses his/her own body weight as resistance to target the following muscles: Pectorals, deltoids, triceps, abdominals, and your serratus anterior.
\n
There are many ways to change up this movement depending on the difficulty you want for yourself. If you are still struggling to pull off a full pushup, you can isolate your upper body by resting on your knees and pushing up from there.
\n
Advanced version: I usually aim to do power pushups (clap pushups) where you launch yourself off the ground with each rep. But to be safe, you can increase the reps instead.
\n
\n
These three exercises cover all major muscle groups, and you can do them in your hotel room, your conference room, or even at the airport (especially helpful during layovers between long flights). \nAnd as with any exercise, it\u2019s always best to have your form checked by a licensed trainer. It can be as simple as taking a quick video of yourself doing a few reps and sending it over. That way, we can correct your form and help you avoid injuries wherever you are, whenever you\u2019re working out.
\n\n
Ryan Fermin is an entrepreneur and fitness professional focusing on sports science, strength training, and conditioning. Find him on Instagram at @coach.ryfit.
\n",
"content_text": "In our fast-paced world, people are constantly finding new ways to make their lives more convenient. Take Honestbee making groceries more accessible, or Grab giving riders on-demand transportation services.\nOne might argue that this obsession with convenience is making people lazier \u2014 and by extension, less active and less healthy. But in reality, fitness doesn\u2019t have to be inconvenient. \nIn my last article, I wrote about how fitness can make you a more productive worker. Here I\u2019ll be sharing ways to stay fit without cutting down on your workplace productivity.\nWhether you\u2019re crunched for time, or have had a strict gym regiment broken up by a sudden business trip, there are always ways to incorporate a good workout into your busy workday. \nHere are three workouts for the professional on-the-go \u2014 minimal space required, no equipment necessary:\nI recommend doing three sets of 30 secs for each exercise. As these are all bodyweight exercises with no additional loads added, it\u2019s important that you approach each set with the mindset of doing as many reps as possible to really get the most out of your workout.\n1) Air Squats/Body Weight Squats:\n\nIt uses just your body weight to tone and strengthen your quadriceps, glutes, calves, and hamstrings.\nHands can be stretched out in front while the squat movement is being performed.\nAdvanced version: Putting on a heavy backpack or carrying your suitcase/briefcase overhead is a good way to increase resistance in a pinch. \n\n2) Plank/Side Planks:\n\nA strong core is the foundation for general fitness. Core workouts focus not only on your abdominal muscles, but also your lower back and obliques.\nA simple yet effective exercise to workout the core would be the basic plank. Side planks are a variation to focus more on the oblique muscles on your side. Always make sure to keep your neck relaxed, and your core tight throughout.\nAdvanced version: Raise an arm or a leg, or even both at the same time, for the plank and the side plank.\n\n3) Pushups:\n\nThe pushup is a classic exercise for a reason. It\u2019s one of the most effective exercises you can do for your upper body.\nWhile performing a pushup, a person uses his/her own body weight as resistance to target the following muscles: Pectorals, deltoids, triceps, abdominals, and your serratus anterior. \nThere are many ways to change up this movement depending on the difficulty you want for yourself. If you are still struggling to pull off a full pushup, you can isolate your upper body by resting on your knees and pushing up from there.\nAdvanced version: I usually aim to do power pushups (clap pushups) where you launch yourself off the ground with each rep. But to be safe, you can increase the reps instead.\n\nThese three exercises cover all major muscle groups, and you can do them in your hotel room, your conference room, or even at the airport (especially helpful during layovers between long flights). \nAnd as with any exercise, it\u2019s always best to have your form checked by a licensed trainer. It can be as simple as taking a quick video of yourself doing a few reps and sending it over. That way, we can correct your form and help you avoid injuries wherever you are, whenever you\u2019re working out.\n\nRyan Fermin is an entrepreneur and fitness professional focusing on sports science, strength training, and conditioning. Find him on Instagram at @coach.ryfit.",
"date_published": "2018-09-26T14:27:11+08:00",
"date_modified": "2018-09-26T14:27:11+08:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/blexticauldulack/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1311207d4ac1996cb586666fe3d56418ca9f007d735b74eb19d3fa440df5c8b4?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/blexticauldulack/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1311207d4ac1996cb586666fe3d56418ca9f007d735b74eb19d3fa440df5c8b4?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
},
"tags": [
"Exercises",
"health",
"healthy",
"Ryan Fermin",
"Workout",
"Fresh"
],
"summary": "Convenient workouts for the busy worker.\n"
},
{
"id": "http://www.bworldonline.com/?p=184208",
"url": "/fresh/2018/08/30/184208/sparkup-fresh-physical-fitness-workplace-productivity/",
"title": "Is your workforce fit for work?",
"content_html": "
Struggling to get work done in the office? Having a hard time dealing with unproductive workers? You\u2019re not alone. According to a recent study by US-based research group The Conference Board, the Philippines ranks among the least productive Asian nations, trailing behind ASEAN neighbors like Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. \nWhether you\u2019re an employee pushing through low-energy workdays, or an employer trying to figure out how to deal with a seemingly unmotivated team, an unproductive business is an unhappy \u2014 and ultimately unsuccessful \u2014 one. \nToday, there are countless productivity hacks to get you through the workday. Timing strategies like the Pomodoro technique, or new HR practices like forced vacation days have been proven to motivate workers. But ultimately, these are all ways to work around flagging energy levels. \nIf you really want to fight workplace burnout, the only real strategy is to boost those energy levels. And that\u2019s through exercise. \nA recent study out of Briston University found that employees that work out during the workday outperformed those that didn\u2019t across various metrics. \nTheir respondents scored:
\n
\n
21% higher on concentration,
\n
22% higher on finishing work on time,
\n
were 25% less likely to take unscheduled breaks,
\n
And felt 41% more motivated to work.
\n
\n
Physical activity significantly improves productivity, and workplaces need to take advantage of that. More than just a benefit for employees, fitness programs can vastly improve a business\u2019s baseline. \nSo how can you build a healthier, more productive workplace? Here are three ways:
\n
#1 – Stop making excuses
\n
People can find an endless number of reasons to avoid incorporating exercise into their work day. \u201cI have a deadline to meet,\u201d or \u201cI\u2019ll just have a light lunch instead,\u201d or \u201cThere\u2019s always time after work for exercising.\u201d (Spoiler alert: If you\u2019re already finding excuses not to do it now, you\u2019ll have even more time to find excuses not to do it later.) \nUltimately, it all boils down to how you view exercise. You don\u2019t need to buy a one-year membership in a gym, or join the newest fitness class with your friends. Exercise can be as simple as taking a stroll around the block for five to 10 minutes. (Pro tip: Slowly increasing the intensity as you go also increases the endorphin boost you get afterwards!)
\n
Strength in numbers
\n
Exercising in a group is a great way to make exercise more enjoyable. When overcoming particularly difficult obstacles, you end up developing close relationships with the people you overcome those obstacles with. \nPushing each other to finish that last rep, or to run faster during a race, can really motivate each participant to not only finish the exercise, but improve over time. Not to mention, this is a great way to build camaraderie within the team. If your team learns how to work together properly through a high intensity workout, you can bet they\u2019ll know how to make it through a similarly high-stress situation at the office. \nWhen I ran a circuit-training class for employees from First Source Solutions, it was great seeing them playfully tease each other while they were doing their reps. Having that sense of play while exercising, really gave them a mental release from all the stress they were experiencing during their day. \nAnother nice takeaway for me was noticing how they motivated each other to start getting serious about their health. Pretty quickly, they were asking me questions on proper nutrition, exercises to do at home, and even recovery tips.
\n
Knowing your \u2018why\u2019
\n
Exercise is hard work. It requires dedication, and no small amount of motivation. So even if you have your entire office pushing you along, that focus and determination to get better still needs to come from you. \nHaving a clear goal in mind \u2014 in this case to improve your health and workplace productivity \u2014 is essential. When you get lazy to go to the gym or have the temptation to enjoy an extra cheat meal, taking a moment to recenter and go back to your \u2018why\u2019 can keep you on the right path. \nSo what are you waiting for? Get started on your fitness habit today, even with just a 10-minute stroll around the office block. Soon you\u2019ll see amazing results for both your productivity and your health.
\n\n
Ryan Fermin is an entrepreneur and fitness professional focusing on sports science, strength training, and conditioning. Find him on Instagram at @coach.ryfit.
\n",
"content_text": "Struggling to get work done in the office? Having a hard time dealing with unproductive workers? You\u2019re not alone. According to a recent study by US-based research group The Conference Board, the Philippines ranks among the least productive Asian nations, trailing behind ASEAN neighbors like Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia.\nWhether you\u2019re an employee pushing through low-energy workdays, or an employer trying to figure out how to deal with a seemingly unmotivated team, an unproductive business is an unhappy \u2014 and ultimately unsuccessful \u2014 one.\nToday, there are countless productivity hacks to get you through the workday. Timing strategies like the Pomodoro technique, or new HR practices like forced vacation days have been proven to motivate workers. But ultimately, these are all ways to work around flagging energy levels. \nIf you really want to fight workplace burnout, the only real strategy is to boost those energy levels. And that\u2019s through exercise.\nA recent study out of Briston University found that employees that work out during the workday outperformed those that didn\u2019t across various metrics.\nTheir respondents scored:\n\n21% higher on concentration,\n22% higher on finishing work on time,\nwere 25% less likely to take unscheduled breaks,\nAnd felt 41% more motivated to work.\n\nPhysical activity significantly improves productivity, and workplaces need to take advantage of that. More than just a benefit for employees, fitness programs can vastly improve a business\u2019s baseline.\nSo how can you build a healthier, more productive workplace? Here are three ways:\n#1 – Stop making excuses\nPeople can find an endless number of reasons to avoid incorporating exercise into their work day. \u201cI have a deadline to meet,\u201d or \u201cI\u2019ll just have a light lunch instead,\u201d or \u201cThere\u2019s always time after work for exercising.\u201d (Spoiler alert: If you\u2019re already finding excuses not to do it now, you\u2019ll have even more time to find excuses not to do it later.)\nUltimately, it all boils down to how you view exercise. You don\u2019t need to buy a one-year membership in a gym, or join the newest fitness class with your friends. Exercise can be as simple as taking a stroll around the block for five to 10 minutes. (Pro tip: Slowly increasing the intensity as you go also increases the endorphin boost you get afterwards!) \nStrength in numbers\nExercising in a group is a great way to make exercise more enjoyable. When overcoming particularly difficult obstacles, you end up developing close relationships with the people you overcome those obstacles with. \nPushing each other to finish that last rep, or to run faster during a race, can really motivate each participant to not only finish the exercise, but improve over time. Not to mention, this is a great way to build camaraderie within the team. If your team learns how to work together properly through a high intensity workout, you can bet they\u2019ll know how to make it through a similarly high-stress situation at the office.\nWhen I ran a circuit-training class for employees from First Source Solutions, it was great seeing them playfully tease each other while they were doing their reps. Having that sense of play while exercising, really gave them a mental release from all the stress they were experiencing during their day. \nAnother nice takeaway for me was noticing how they motivated each other to start getting serious about their health. Pretty quickly, they were asking me questions on proper nutrition, exercises to do at home, and even recovery tips.\nKnowing your \u2018why\u2019\nExercise is hard work. It requires dedication, and no small amount of motivation. So even if you have your entire office pushing you along, that focus and determination to get better still needs to come from you. \nHaving a clear goal in mind \u2014 in this case to improve your health and workplace productivity \u2014 is essential. When you get lazy to go to the gym or have the temptation to enjoy an extra cheat meal, taking a moment to recenter and go back to your \u2018why\u2019 can keep you on the right path.\nSo what are you waiting for? Get started on your fitness habit today, even with just a 10-minute stroll around the office block. Soon you\u2019ll see amazing results for both your productivity and your health. \n\nRyan Fermin is an entrepreneur and fitness professional focusing on sports science, strength training, and conditioning. Find him on Instagram at @coach.ryfit.",
"date_published": "2018-08-30T22:41:15+08:00",
"date_modified": "2018-08-30T22:41:15+08:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/blexticauldulack/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1311207d4ac1996cb586666fe3d56418ca9f007d735b74eb19d3fa440df5c8b4?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/blexticauldulack/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1311207d4ac1996cb586666fe3d56418ca9f007d735b74eb19d3fa440df5c8b4?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
},
"tags": [
"Exercise",
"Fitness",
"productivity",
"work",
"workplace",
"Fresh"
],
"summary": "If you really want to fight workplace burnout, the only real strategy is to boost those energy levels. And that\u2019s through exercise."
},
{
"id": "http://www.bworldonline.com/?p=181822",
"url": "/fresh/2018/08/21/181822/sparkup-fresh-the-lost-bread-food-business/",
"title": "How The Lost Bread left the food park and found its footing",
"content_html": "
What started out as a test run in the Quezon city\u2019s busy Maginhawa street is now open for franchising. Three years after The Lost Bread first branch in StrEAT Food Park, founders Emil Ongchuan and Patty Marabut are now managing two new locations for the milkshake/brunch concept: one in SM Megamall and their first franchised store in Glorietta 4. \nReflecting on their success, Emil and Patty couldn\u2019t help but be in awe. Two years after the pair launched the The Lost Bread in 2015, they had managed to generate a rocketing five million pesos in total sales. \nSo how did the team end up with only P14,000 left in their account? \nEmil and Patty would soon find out that, while startup success is definitely no small feat, continued growth is a whole other challenge.
\n
Taking the leap
\n
Soon after Emil and Patty graduated from De La Salle University in 2015 \u2014 with degrees in Engineering Robotics and Biomedical Engineering, respectively \u2014 the two gravitated towards the stability of corporate careers. \nIn less than four months, however, Patty quit her job to set off on her own. Emil resigned from his shortly after that to join her. \nThe two shelled out P150,000 each to build a 15 square meter, milkshake-and-brunch stall operating out of what was then a new trend in Metro Manila: a food park. \n\u201cWe took a gamble,\u201d Patty said. \u201cIt started really slow kasi new \u2018yung concept ng food park sa Philippines and StrEAT was the first outdoor, family-friendly food park.\u201d \nBut the gamble paid off when, six months later, the duo broke even \u2014 selling an average of around 500 milkshakes a day. Two years later, the business made Emil and Patty five million pesos. \nSo what\u2019s a successful food startup to do once they\u2019ve made their millions? \nPatty and Emil\u2019s entire journey thus far started out with a gamble. It seemed high time for the two to take another one.
\n
No guts, no glory
\n
At first, deciding to open a second branch seemed like a no-brainer. But almost immediately, the reality of what that move entailed set in. \nThe Lost Bread HQ, their concept for a full service version of their stall, was only a few meters away from their original spot in StrEAT, and it was huge. The standalone spot proved to be too unwieldy. With costs at an all time high, they had to reconfigure the model. \nEventually, they decided that if they were going to venture out of the park, they\u2019d have to go all-in. Pulling out nearly all the money they had saved since opening in 2015, Emil and Patty began the terrifying work of opening their first mall store. \n\u201cNung nag-dip \u2018yung bank account namin to P14,000 from five million, tinanong ko sa sarili ko if gusto mag-a-apply na ba ako,\u201d Emil said. \u201cWe really had to suck it up.\u201d \nEmil and Patty had to step up their game to compete with more experienced competitors. As a new entrant in the retail jungle, they decided to differentiate themselves by turning The Lost Bread into a more immersive customer experience. \nSwapping out their interior\u2019s darker palette for lighter hues, Patty revisited The Lost Bread\u2019s branding, starting with their menu offerings and making sure everything stemmed cohesively from there. \n\u201cWe want to be \u2018Instagrammable\u2019\u201d, Patty said. \u201cWe want to be experiential, interactive. Lost Bread is all about eating with your eyes, the totality of the experience.\u201d \nThe rehaul was, of course, a huge investment. \nA lot is said about the birthing pains involved with starting a new business. But for the lucky ones who want to build on their initial success, there are still growing pains ahead. \n\u201cWhen we started, I was the cashier and Patty was the barista,\u201d Emil said. \u201cWe worked day and night to make it profitable. Now that we\u2019re here, nakaka-pressure. But hopefully we\u2019ll make it work again.\u201d
\n
From food park to franchise
\n
After investing approximately P5 million in their Megamall branch, the duo behind The Lost Bread were strapped into yet another roller coaster of stress and hardship. \n\u201cYou really have to love what you\u2019re doing,\u201d Patty said. \u201cSa simula, nandoon \u2018yung owners kasi bagong bukas \u2018yung business nila. Pero after some time, wala na kasi na-realize nila na it\u2019s not for them.\u201d \n\u201cIn the end, wala kang choice talaga but to make it work,\u201d she said. \nWith three branches all around Metro Manila, and plans to expand all the way to Cebu, the team is confident they\u2019ve found their stride. \nJust as they did in 2017, the team is ready to take yet another gamble to grow their business. This time: franchising. \n\u201cThere were a lot of people asking about [franchising] before. But we weren\u2019t ready,\u201d the founders said. \u201cNow, we\u2019ve partnered up with different people to help us build the new business model.\u201d \nAccording to Patty and Emil, those interested in operating a franchise of The Lost Bread can pay an all-in fee of P799,000 for a dessert-only stall. \nEmil and Patty are no longer the new kids on the block. And they\u2019ve come a long way since putting it all on the line to open that first stall. \nBut, according to the pair, their continued success is rooted in the fact that while circumstances have constantly changed, their willingness to risk it all hasn\u2019t. \n\u201cNaging successful \u2018yung Lost Bread dahil wala na kaming pupuntahan ni Pat,\u201d Emil said. \u201cWe had no fall back. It was either make it or break it. We\u2019re glad we took the risk.\u201d
\n",
"content_text": "What started out as a test run in the Quezon city\u2019s busy Maginhawa street is now open for franchising. Three years after The Lost Bread first branch in StrEAT Food Park, founders Emil Ongchuan and Patty Marabut are now managing two new locations for the milkshake/brunch concept: one in SM Megamall and their first franchised store in Glorietta 4.\nReflecting on their success, Emil and Patty couldn\u2019t help but be in awe. Two years after the pair launched the The Lost Bread in 2015, they had managed to generate a rocketing five million pesos in total sales. \nSo how did the team end up with only P14,000 left in their account? \nEmil and Patty would soon find out that, while startup success is definitely no small feat, continued growth is a whole other challenge.\nTaking the leap\nSoon after Emil and Patty graduated from De La Salle University in 2015 \u2014 with degrees in Engineering Robotics and Biomedical Engineering, respectively \u2014 the two gravitated towards the stability of corporate careers. \nIn less than four months, however, Patty quit her job to set off on her own. Emil resigned from his shortly after that to join her.\nThe two shelled out P150,000 each to build a 15 square meter, milkshake-and-brunch stall operating out of what was then a new trend in Metro Manila: a food park.\n\u201cWe took a gamble,\u201d Patty said. \u201cIt started really slow kasi new \u2018yung concept ng food park sa Philippines and StrEAT was the first outdoor, family-friendly food park.\u201d\nBut the gamble paid off when, six months later, the duo broke even \u2014 selling an average of around 500 milkshakes a day. Two years later, the business made Emil and Patty five million pesos.\nSo what\u2019s a successful food startup to do once they\u2019ve made their millions? \nPatty and Emil\u2019s entire journey thus far started out with a gamble. It seemed high time for the two to take another one.\nNo guts, no glory\nAt first, deciding to open a second branch seemed like a no-brainer. But almost immediately, the reality of what that move entailed set in.\nThe Lost Bread HQ, their concept for a full service version of their stall, was only a few meters away from their original spot in StrEAT, and it was huge. The standalone spot proved to be too unwieldy. With costs at an all time high, they had to reconfigure the model.\nEventually, they decided that if they were going to venture out of the park, they\u2019d have to go all-in. Pulling out nearly all the money they had saved since opening in 2015, Emil and Patty began the terrifying work of opening their first mall store.\n\u201cNung nag-dip \u2018yung bank account namin to P14,000 from five million, tinanong ko sa sarili ko if gusto mag-a-apply na ba ako,\u201d Emil said. \u201cWe really had to suck it up.\u201d\nEmil and Patty had to step up their game to compete with more experienced competitors. As a new entrant in the retail jungle, they decided to differentiate themselves by turning The Lost Bread into a more immersive customer experience.\nSwapping out their interior\u2019s darker palette for lighter hues, Patty revisited The Lost Bread\u2019s branding, starting with their menu offerings and making sure everything stemmed cohesively from there. \n\u201cWe want to be \u2018Instagrammable\u2019\u201d, Patty said. \u201cWe want to be experiential, interactive. Lost Bread is all about eating with your eyes, the totality of the experience.\u201d\nThe rehaul was, of course, a huge investment. \nA lot is said about the birthing pains involved with starting a new business. But for the lucky ones who want to build on their initial success, there are still growing pains ahead.\n\u201cWhen we started, I was the cashier and Patty was the barista,\u201d Emil said. \u201cWe worked day and night to make it profitable. Now that we\u2019re here, nakaka-pressure. But hopefully we\u2019ll make it work again.\u201d\nFrom food park to franchise\nAfter investing approximately P5 million in their Megamall branch, the duo behind The Lost Bread were strapped into yet another roller coaster of stress and hardship.\n\u201cYou really have to love what you\u2019re doing,\u201d Patty said. \u201cSa simula, nandoon \u2018yung owners kasi bagong bukas \u2018yung business nila. Pero after some time, wala na kasi na-realize nila na it\u2019s not for them.\u201d \n\u201cIn the end, wala kang choice talaga but to make it work,\u201d she said.\nWith three branches all around Metro Manila, and plans to expand all the way to Cebu, the team is confident they\u2019ve found their stride. \nJust as they did in 2017, the team is ready to take yet another gamble to grow their business. This time: franchising.\n\u201cThere were a lot of people asking about [franchising] before. But we weren\u2019t ready,\u201d the founders said. \u201cNow, we\u2019ve partnered up with different people to help us build the new business model.\u201d\nAccording to Patty and Emil, those interested in operating a franchise of The Lost Bread can pay an all-in fee of P799,000 for a dessert-only stall. \nEmil and Patty are no longer the new kids on the block. And they\u2019ve come a long way since putting it all on the line to open that first stall. \nBut, according to the pair, their continued success is rooted in the fact that while circumstances have constantly changed, their willingness to risk it all hasn\u2019t.\n\u201cNaging successful \u2018yung Lost Bread dahil wala na kaming pupuntahan ni Pat,\u201d Emil said. \u201cWe had no fall back. It was either make it or break it. We\u2019re glad we took the risk.\u201d",
"date_published": "2018-08-21T16:10:45+08:00",
"date_modified": "2018-08-21T16:10:45+08:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/blexticauldulack/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1311207d4ac1996cb586666fe3d56418ca9f007d735b74eb19d3fa440df5c8b4?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/blexticauldulack/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1311207d4ac1996cb586666fe3d56418ca9f007d735b74eb19d3fa440df5c8b4?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
},
"tags": [
"business",
"entrepreneur",
"Food",
"franchising",
"Maginhawa",
"The Lost Bread",
"Fresh"
],
"summary": "What started out as a test run in the Quezon city\u2019s busy Maginhawa street is now open for franchising."
},
{
"id": "http://www.bworldonline.com/?p=164009",
"url": "/fresh/2018/06/08/164009/sparkup-fresh-tagaytay-art-beat-docdef-orlina/",
"title": "With Art Beat 3, is Tagaytay the next Malasimbo?",
"content_html": "
When people from Metro Manila want to escape the heat, the lowest hanging fruit is Tagaytay, which\u00a0lends itself as a cool, accessible vacation spot over the Taal Volcano. While it\u2019s recently been dotted with al frescos and all-day breakfast diners, the holiday town south of Manila has also been transformed into a haven for music and art enthusiasts. \nThat\u2019s all thanks to Docdef Productions, which mounts Tagaytay\u00a0Art Beat: an annual 12-hour music and arts festival featuring local musicians and visual artists. After two successful concerts in 2015 and 2017, Docdef Productions and Museo Orlina produced yet another heart-stopping show this year with 25 bands bannered by Hale, Mayonnaise, Munimuni, Reese Lansangan, Ben&Ben, Autotelic, Tom\u2019s Story, and Clara Benin alongside 20 muralists and exhibitors. \nComplementing the overwhelming lineup of artists is\u00a0Tagaytay\u00a0Art Beat\u2019s permanent home: an indoor-outdoor museum with an amphitheater parading the glass sculptures of National Artist Ramon Orlina, Museo Orlina. \n\u201cWe\u2019ve been producing shows since 2012. It\u2019s really a dream for us to have a bigger stage for the bands simply because we know they deserve it. Art Beat is a dream come true for all of us in the team,\u201d said JB Balaquit, founder of Docdef Productions. \nEven on its third year, Art Beat still continues to fulfill its promise: bringing fresh ideas and introducing new acts to pull off a one-of-a-kind event.
\n
Support local
\n
When Balaquit envisioned re-creating a Malasimbo-like festival, luck was on his side as Orlina was also interested in producing a show at the museum. \n\u201cFor the first year, we targeted the locals of\u00a0Tagaytay. The ticket was only P250 and we had 20 bands. To our surprise, most of the listeners and fans of the bands from Manila travelled to\u00a0Tagaytay. This gave us a new perspective of what we\u2019re selling,\u201d Balaquit shared. \nFrom P250, the ticket price for Art Beat 2 ballooned to P1,000 apiece while the recently concluded festival had a P2,000 door charge. With the increase, Balaquit\u2019s team was able to invest in inviting more acts and better production equipment. \nThere might have been negative feedback on the price, but Balaquit embraces the value and purpose of producing the show. \n\u201cDito sa Art Beat, \u2018yung mga front acts lang sa ibang concerts, sila \u2018yung bida.\u00a0We want people to see that our local independent bands can also do it too, that they can be headliners at an out-of-town festival,\u201d Balaquit quipped. \nAccording to Balaquit, an added value to Art Beat is the experience outside the festival, \u201cIt\u2019s a location gig. You do this with your barkada to get away from the city; you get to have a road trip. In a way, memories are being created even before they set foot in the Museo.\u201d \nWhile various productions are currently curating events in Manila, Balaquit and his team are now focused on sharing the experience in other places. \n\u201cWe will have\u00a0Tagaytay\u00a0Art Beat 4 again next year and hopefully produce more shows in different cities. Today, that\u2019s the dream,\u201d he said.
\n",
"content_text": "When people from Metro Manila want to escape the heat, the lowest hanging fruit is Tagaytay, which\u00a0lends itself as a cool, accessible vacation spot over the Taal Volcano. While it\u2019s recently been dotted with al frescos and all-day breakfast diners, the holiday town south of Manila has also been transformed into a haven for music and art enthusiasts.\nThat\u2019s all thanks to Docdef Productions, which mounts Tagaytay\u00a0Art Beat: an annual 12-hour music and arts festival featuring local musicians and visual artists. After two successful concerts in 2015 and 2017, Docdef Productions and Museo Orlina produced yet another heart-stopping show this year with 25 bands bannered by Hale, Mayonnaise, Munimuni, Reese Lansangan, Ben&Ben, Autotelic, Tom\u2019s Story, and Clara Benin alongside 20 muralists and exhibitors.\nComplementing the overwhelming lineup of artists is\u00a0Tagaytay\u00a0Art Beat\u2019s permanent home: an indoor-outdoor museum with an amphitheater parading the glass sculptures of National Artist Ramon Orlina, Museo Orlina.\n\u201cWe\u2019ve been producing shows since 2012. It\u2019s really a dream for us to have a bigger stage for the bands simply because we know they deserve it. Art Beat is a dream come true for all of us in the team,\u201d said JB Balaquit, founder of Docdef Productions.\nEven on its third year, Art Beat still continues to fulfill its promise: bringing fresh ideas and introducing new acts to pull off a one-of-a-kind event.\nSupport local\nWhen Balaquit envisioned re-creating a Malasimbo-like festival, luck was on his side as Orlina was also interested in producing a show at the museum.\n\u201cFor the first year, we targeted the locals of\u00a0Tagaytay. The ticket was only P250 and we had 20 bands. To our surprise, most of the listeners and fans of the bands from Manila travelled to\u00a0Tagaytay. This gave us a new perspective of what we\u2019re selling,\u201d Balaquit shared.\nFrom P250, the ticket price for Art Beat 2 ballooned to P1,000 apiece while the recently concluded festival had a P2,000 door charge. With the increase, Balaquit\u2019s team was able to invest in inviting more acts and better production equipment.\nThere might have been negative feedback on the price, but Balaquit embraces the value and purpose of producing the show.\n\u201cDito sa Art Beat, \u2018yung mga front acts lang sa ibang concerts, sila \u2018yung bida.\u00a0We want people to see that our local independent bands can also do it too, that they can be headliners at an out-of-town festival,\u201d Balaquit quipped.\nAccording to Balaquit, an added value to Art Beat is the experience outside the festival, \u201cIt\u2019s a location gig. You do this with your barkada to get away from the city; you get to have a road trip. In a way, memories are being created even before they set foot in the Museo.\u201d\nWhile various productions are currently curating events in Manila, Balaquit and his team are now focused on sharing the experience in other places.\n\u201cWe will have\u00a0Tagaytay\u00a0Art Beat 4 again next year and hopefully produce more shows in different cities. Today, that\u2019s the dream,\u201d he said.",
"date_published": "2018-06-08T14:04:49+08:00",
"date_modified": "2018-06-08T14:04:49+08:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/blexticauldulack/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1311207d4ac1996cb586666fe3d56418ca9f007d735b74eb19d3fa440df5c8b4?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/blexticauldulack/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1311207d4ac1996cb586666fe3d56418ca9f007d735b74eb19d3fa440df5c8b4?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
},
"tags": [
"art",
"bands",
"Lifestyle",
"Music",
"tagaytay",
"Travel",
"Fresh"
],
"summary": "Local bands and artists are flocking to the south."
},
{
"id": "http://www.bworldonline.com/?p=154358",
"url": "/fresh/2018/04/30/154358/sparkup-fresh-art-for-alice-guillermo-up-diliman-fundraiser/",
"title": "This art fundraiser of students for their prof is the nicest tribute",
"content_html": "
Love is expressed in various ways. For these students from the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman, love is expressed through a fundraiser meant to help their professor whose bills are piling up in the hospital. \nHosted by the UP Department of Art Studies (DAS), College of Fine Arts (CFA), colleagues from UP Diliman, and the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), Art for Alice Guillermo is an that’s happening on May 5, 2018, Saturday, from 4 to 8 p.m., at the UP CFA Auditorium. \nProfessor Guillermo is professor emeritus of DAS where she is also the former chair. She is an esteemed art and social critic with a number of published books on social realist and Philippine arts. \nProfessor Guillermo went through a complete heart block in 2017 where she was confined in the hospital for two months. A heart pacemaker was mounted to strengthen her health. This year, she suffered an acute intraparenchymal hemorrhage or hemorrhagic stroke and an acute kidney injury: raising her hospitalization and home care expenses. \nThe Art for Alice fundraiser has three components: an arts raffle with tickets priced at P5,000 each and guarantees an art work prize; an online arts auction; and a lugawan. \nFor art work donations, contact Flaudette May Datuin at DAS, or Leonilo Doloricon at 0920-254-1589. The drop-off points are the Department of Visual Communication office, CFA at E. Jacinto Street, UP Diliman. Look for Ms. Jane M. For DAS, it is at Pav 1122 (Palma Hall Annex) along Quirino Avenue, opposite NSRI. Look for Hans. \nWorks by artists Francis M. Verano, Leonilo Doloricon, Con Cabrera, Iggy Rodriguez, Vincent Coronel, Joe Datuin, Ambie Abano, Raul Lebajo, Irma Lacorte, Aba Dalena, Tednicalao Dimaporo Camahalan, Jun Vinculado, and Kelly Ramos, among others, have been donated and received for the online auction and arts raffle. \nFor arts raffle ticket, contact Janette or SC at the UP Film Institute at 981-8500 loc 2670. For the Lugawan for Alice, spearheaded by ACT, tickets are sold for P500 and P1,000. For tickets, contact Zenie Lao-Santos 0919-868-8154. \nFor the online auction, click here\u00a0to bid. \nFor those who wish to donate cash or purchase tickets through bank transfer payments, here are the banking details: DAS bank account is Landbank of the Philippines 3071-0412-70, with account names as Flaudette May Datuin and Cherryl Navida; ACT-Alliance of Concerned Teachers, Incorporated is at PNB UP Diliman Branch, Savings Account No. 393062600015. Send the scanned copy of your bank deposit slip to roland.tolentino@gmail.com. \nFor more details of the Art for Alice fundraiser, go to the Art for Alice page on Facebook.
\n",
"content_text": "Love is expressed in various ways. For these students from the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman, love is expressed through a fundraiser meant to help their professor whose bills are piling up in the hospital.\nHosted by the UP Department of Art Studies (DAS), College of Fine Arts (CFA), colleagues from UP Diliman, and the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), Art for Alice Guillermo is an that’s happening on May 5, 2018, Saturday, from 4 to 8 p.m., at the UP CFA Auditorium.\nProfessor Guillermo is professor emeritus of DAS where she is also the former chair. She is an esteemed art and social critic with a number of published books on social realist and Philippine arts.\nProfessor Guillermo went through a complete heart block in 2017 where she was confined in the hospital for two months. A heart pacemaker was mounted to strengthen her health. This year, she suffered an acute intraparenchymal hemorrhage or hemorrhagic stroke and an acute kidney injury: raising her hospitalization and home care expenses.\nThe Art for Alice fundraiser has three components: an arts raffle with tickets priced at P5,000 each and guarantees an art work prize; an online arts auction; and a lugawan.\nFor art work donations, contact Flaudette May Datuin at DAS, or Leonilo Doloricon at 0920-254-1589. The drop-off points are the Department of Visual Communication office, CFA at E. Jacinto Street, UP Diliman. Look for Ms. Jane M. For DAS, it is at Pav 1122 (Palma Hall Annex) along Quirino Avenue, opposite NSRI. Look for Hans.\nWorks by artists Francis M. Verano, Leonilo Doloricon, Con Cabrera, Iggy Rodriguez, Vincent Coronel, Joe Datuin, Ambie Abano, Raul Lebajo, Irma Lacorte, Aba Dalena, Tednicalao Dimaporo Camahalan, Jun Vinculado, and Kelly Ramos, among others, have been donated and received for the online auction and arts raffle.\nFor arts raffle ticket, contact Janette or SC at the UP Film Institute at 981-8500 loc 2670. For the Lugawan for Alice, spearheaded by ACT, tickets are sold for P500 and P1,000. For tickets, contact Zenie Lao-Santos 0919-868-8154.\nFor the online auction, click here\u00a0to bid.\nFor those who wish to donate cash or purchase tickets through bank transfer payments, here are the banking details: DAS bank account is Landbank of the Philippines 3071-0412-70, with account names as Flaudette May Datuin and Cherryl Navida; ACT-Alliance of Concerned Teachers, Incorporated is at PNB UP Diliman Branch, Savings Account No. 393062600015. Send the scanned copy of your bank deposit slip to roland.tolentino@gmail.com.\nFor more details of the Art for Alice fundraiser, go to the Art for Alice page on Facebook.",
"date_published": "2018-04-30T12:54:47+08:00",
"date_modified": "2018-04-30T12:54:47+08:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/blexticauldulack/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1311207d4ac1996cb586666fe3d56418ca9f007d735b74eb19d3fa440df5c8b4?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/blexticauldulack/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1311207d4ac1996cb586666fe3d56418ca9f007d735b74eb19d3fa440df5c8b4?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
},
"tags": [
"art",
"Auction",
"Event",
"Lifestyle",
"University",
"Fresh"
],
"summary": "So much love."
},
{
"id": "http://www.bworldonline.com/?p=152316",
"url": "/fresh/2018/04/21/152316/sparkup-fresh-cheese-chocolate-joe-baird-pairing-food-california/",
"title": "Chocolate and cheese: your new favorite pairing",
"content_html": "
\u201cPoets have been mysteriously silent on the subject of cheese,\u201d wrote G.K. Chesterton in Alarms and Discursions, in an entire chapter dedicated to the pressed curd foodstuff. He goes on talking about how poets never write about cheese at length, despite the word having \u201cevery quality which we require in exalted poetry:\u201d it is a \u201cshort, strong word,\u201d that \u201crhymes to \u2018breeze\u2019 and \u2018seas\u2019.\u201d
\n
It\u2019s a pity that G.K. Chesterton, who died in 1936, will never be able to see the day cheese takes a step closer to being romanticized. In particular, its pairing with chocolate: the quintessential food item associated with love.
\n
Joe Baird, cheese expert and consultant for dairy organizations in America, heralded this during his recent trip to Manila last week when the California Milk Advisory Board, which represents California\u2019s more than 1,300 dairy farm families held a tasting event. California, after all, produces 2.4 billion pounds of cheese and over 250 varieties and styles.
\n
Cheese and chocolate, he says, is a pairing that enjoys great attention in California, ever since the trend began about eight to 10 years ago. \u201cCheese has different levels of strength, same with chocolate,\u201d he says. \u201cCheese is made of one ingredient or multiple ingredients. Same with chocolate, which is primarily composed of the cacao bean.\u201d
\n
Bars with high percentages of chocolate, he added, go great with blue cheeses because they balance each other out. The younger chocolates, meanwhile, go with the younger cheese. \u201cIt\u2019s a great marriage for each other,\u201d he notes. \u201cIt\u2019s sweet and salty.\u201d
\nArt Samantha Gonzales\n
And indeed, the pairing is heavenly. The experience begins when you snap a thin bar of chocolate. Depending on the amount and quality of cocoa butter, as well as how finely ground the chocolate particles are, the snap will will be either gentle or firm. Put it in your mouth and it begins to melt: smooth, creamy, and perhaps with a little nutty feel.
\n
Then, the cheese. You might think the two would contrast each other\u2014the former being associated with desserts, and the latter having a more pronounced salty taste. The cheese is relatively softer, chewier, and even gummier, which cuts through chocolate\u2019s sweetness.
\n
But once its highly complex taste\u2014sweet, sharp, grassy, nutty, spicy, acidic, fruity, bitter\u2014travels around the mouth, its creaminess melts with the creaminess of chocolate. Like two lovers who have gone around the world searching for their one true pairing, the formerly polar opposites embrace each other.
\n
\u201cCheese is addictive. There\u2019s nothing else like it,\u201d Baird said. \u201cYou can have a bottle of wine, a winemaker will put a label on it, and then they will sell it with attention to the label,\u201d he added. \u201cBut if you see a big wheel of cheese, even without a label, it\u2019s already impressive.\u201d The same logic, perhaps, can be applied to chocolate.
\n
Perhaps we owe this discovery to millennials. With 90% of California dairy farms being family-owned, millennial descendants are slowly taking over the business.
\n
\u201cThey grew up in a more artistic generation and they also grew up eating these specialty cheeses as food for entertainment,\u201d Baird said. \u201cSocial media is a huge way of finding what\u2019s popular. The millennial generation has started eating better than people in their 40\u2019s. For those taking over the business, sky\u2019s the limit. They\u2019re creating new things and following what\u2019s trending as well.\u201d
\n
But at the end of the day, no matter what the internet says, \u201cit\u2019s the way you taste the cheese, what you think it tastes like,\u201d Baird says. Like love, finding solace in the pairing of cheese and chocolate may be a bit like finding a match in an unlikely place: there\u2019s nothing else like it.
\n\n
California dairy products, with the Real California Milk seal, are available in leading supermarkets such as S&R, Robinsons Supermarket and SM.
\n",
"content_text": "\u201cPoets have been mysteriously silent on the subject of cheese,\u201d wrote G.K. Chesterton in Alarms and Discursions, in an entire chapter dedicated to the pressed curd foodstuff. He goes on talking about how poets never write about cheese at length, despite the word having \u201cevery quality which we require in exalted poetry:\u201d it is a \u201cshort, strong word,\u201d that \u201crhymes to \u2018breeze\u2019 and \u2018seas\u2019.\u201d\nIt\u2019s a pity that G.K. Chesterton, who died in 1936, will never be able to see the day cheese takes a step closer to being romanticized. In particular, its pairing with chocolate: the quintessential food item associated with love. \nJoe Baird, cheese expert and consultant for dairy organizations in America, heralded this during his recent trip to Manila last week when the California Milk Advisory Board, which represents California\u2019s more than 1,300 dairy farm families held a tasting event. California, after all, produces 2.4 billion pounds of cheese and over 250 varieties and styles.\nCheese and chocolate, he says, is a pairing that enjoys great attention in California, ever since the trend began about eight to 10 years ago. \u201cCheese has different levels of strength, same with chocolate,\u201d he says. \u201cCheese is made of one ingredient or multiple ingredients. Same with chocolate, which is primarily composed of the cacao bean.\u201d\nBars with high percentages of chocolate, he added, go great with blue cheeses because they balance each other out. The younger chocolates, meanwhile, go with the younger cheese. \u201cIt\u2019s a great marriage for each other,\u201d he notes. \u201cIt\u2019s sweet and salty.\u201d\nArt Samantha Gonzales\nAnd indeed, the pairing is heavenly. The experience begins when you snap a thin bar of chocolate. Depending on the amount and quality of cocoa butter, as well as how finely ground the chocolate particles are, the snap will will be either gentle or firm. Put it in your mouth and it begins to melt: smooth, creamy, and perhaps with a little nutty feel.\nThen, the cheese. You might think the two would contrast each other\u2014the former being associated with desserts, and the latter having a more pronounced salty taste. The cheese is relatively softer, chewier, and even gummier, which cuts through chocolate\u2019s sweetness.\nBut once its highly complex taste\u2014sweet, sharp, grassy, nutty, spicy, acidic, fruity, bitter\u2014travels around the mouth, its creaminess melts with the creaminess of chocolate. Like two lovers who have gone around the world searching for their one true pairing, the formerly polar opposites embrace each other.\n\u201cCheese is addictive. There\u2019s nothing else like it,\u201d Baird said. \u201cYou can have a bottle of wine, a winemaker will put a label on it, and then they will sell it with attention to the label,\u201d he added. \u201cBut if you see a big wheel of cheese, even without a label, it\u2019s already impressive.\u201d The same logic, perhaps, can be applied to chocolate.\nPerhaps we owe this discovery to millennials. With 90% of California dairy farms being family-owned, millennial descendants are slowly taking over the business.\n\u201cThey grew up in a more artistic generation and they also grew up eating these specialty cheeses as food for entertainment,\u201d Baird said. \u201cSocial media is a huge way of finding what\u2019s popular. The millennial generation has started eating better than people in their 40\u2019s. For those taking over the business, sky\u2019s the limit. They\u2019re creating new things and following what\u2019s trending as well.\u201d\nBut at the end of the day, no matter what the internet says, \u201cit\u2019s the way you taste the cheese, what you think it tastes like,\u201d Baird says. Like love, finding solace in the pairing of cheese and chocolate may be a bit like finding a match in an unlikely place: there\u2019s nothing else like it.\n\nCalifornia dairy products, with the Real California Milk seal, are available in leading supermarkets such as S&R, Robinsons Supermarket and SM.",
"date_published": "2018-04-21T23:53:08+08:00",
"date_modified": "2018-04-21T23:53:08+08:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/blexticauldulack/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1311207d4ac1996cb586666fe3d56418ca9f007d735b74eb19d3fa440df5c8b4?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/blexticauldulack/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1311207d4ac1996cb586666fe3d56418ca9f007d735b74eb19d3fa440df5c8b4?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
},
"tags": [
"cheese",
"chocolate",
"Food",
"foodie",
"Fresh"
],
"summary": "The foodstuff rarely written about by poets is taking a step closer to being romanticized."
},
{
"id": "http://www.bworldonline.com/?p=151599",
"url": "/fresh/2018/04/20/151599/sparkup-podcasts-mental-health-spotify-mindfulness/",
"title": "Podcasts to help you keep a healthy mind",
"content_html": "
The work day is over and you just want to get home. But traffic is a killer and the MRT is jam-packed. You need something to keep you from turning into a seething ball of rage, but you’re afraid of pulling out your phone to play games or read an e-book because someone might snatch it for you. And you’ve grown tired of listening to the same songs play in the Top 50 Charts for the nth time. \nThat, my friend, is what podcasts are for. Here are some podcasts to listen to (all of them available on Spotify) to get through your stressful trip while lowering your stress levels.
This podcast is a great place to start in looking for things to listen to depending on what part of your life you want to improve. It’s a sampler of episodes from different podcasts\u2014tackling both physical and mental health improvement\u2014and links to them if you want to listen to more.
Dr. Ellen Henderiksen answers questions about psychology and mental health in bite-sized 10- to 20-minute episodes. From ways to take care of yourself to ways of dealing with other people, Dr. Henderiksen talks about these issues in an approachable and candid manner. And if that’s not enough, you can get free exercises and resources from her website. The Mountains to Molehills Challenge is definitely worth a try.
Self-affirmations may seem cheesy when you start, but there are many people who attest to the effectivity of being your own cheerleader. Admittedly, saying the same one sentence to yourself over and over again can get tiresome and that’s where this podcast comes in. Let the soothing voice of Josie Ong guide you through five minutes of self-care and self-belief. The great thing about this podcast is that you don’t have to listen to it sequentially. Select the episode that you need for you, listen to it, reflect on it, and maybe download it legally using your podcast app of choice for future use.
As the old adage goes, “comedy comes from a dark place,\u201d and perhaps a testament to that is the tragic loss of renowned actor and comedian Robin Williams. In this podcast, stand-up comedians talk about their own personal struggles with mental illness, how they draw strength from it, and how they prevent it from controlling their lives.
There’s this old Native American tale, and maybe you’ve heard about it before, about how each person has two wolves\u2014a good wolf and a bad wolf\u2014and they’re in a constant battle against each other. And the one who wins is the one that you feed the most. The One You Feed is a podcast about feeding your good wolf, through inspiring interviews with people from different fields on how they keep themselves mentally healthy despite everything life throws at them.
The Bright Sessions is an audio drama about Dr. Bright, a psychologist offering “therapy for the strange and unusual” to individuals with psychic powers\u2014atypicals as the show calls them. Among her roster of patients are Sam, a time traveller whose abilities are triggered by her anxiety attacks, Caleb, a teenage jock who deals with his increased empathy through football, and Chloe, an artist who claims that she can hear the voices of angels. The patients are unique but relatable, and it’s nice to get the side of a psychologist as someone who’s capable of doing her job and showing genuine care for her patients. The show is written by Lauren Shippen (who voices Sam), hand-in-hand with Elizabeth Laird (who voices Dr. Brigh’s secretary) as the show’s psychological consultant.
The internet can be a very toxic place. And sometimes it’s just super tempting to fight with the people who have sent you hateful comments online. In Conversations with People Who Hate Me, internet content creator and social justice advocate Dylan Marron contacts the people who have sent him such comments to see their side of the story without devolving into heated arguments. This podcast is produced by Night Vale Presents, which also produces the popular surrealist audio drama Welcome to Night Vale (where Marron voices Carlos the Scientist). \nDo you have more podcast recs? Hit us up on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We really want to know.
\n",
"content_text": "The work day is over and you just want to get home. But traffic is a killer and the MRT is jam-packed. You need something to keep you from turning into a seething ball of rage, but you’re afraid of pulling out your phone to play games or read an e-book because someone might snatch it for you. And you’ve grown tired of listening to the same songs play in the Top 50 Charts for the nth time.\nThat, my friend, is what podcasts are for. Here are some podcasts to listen to (all of them available on Spotify) to get through your stressful trip while lowering your stress levels.\nNew Year, New You\nThis podcast is a great place to start in looking for things to listen to depending on what part of your life you want to improve. It’s a sampler of episodes from different podcasts\u2014tackling both physical and mental health improvement\u2014and links to them if you want to listen to more.\nSavvy Psychologist\nDr. Ellen Henderiksen answers questions about psychology and mental health in bite-sized 10- to 20-minute episodes. From ways to take care of yourself to ways of dealing with other people, Dr. Henderiksen talks about these issues in an approachable and candid manner. And if that’s not enough, you can get free exercises and resources from her website. The Mountains to Molehills Challenge is definitely worth a try.\nAffirmation Pod\nSelf-affirmations may seem cheesy when you start, but there are many people who attest to the effectivity of being your own cheerleader. Admittedly, saying the same one sentence to yourself over and over again can get tiresome and that’s where this podcast comes in. Let the soothing voice of Josie Ong guide you through five minutes of self-care and self-belief. The great thing about this podcast is that you don’t have to listen to it sequentially. Select the episode that you need for you, listen to it, reflect on it, and maybe download it legally using your podcast app of choice for future use.\nThe Hilarious World of Depression\nAs the old adage goes, “comedy comes from a dark place,\u201d and perhaps a testament to that is the tragic loss of renowned actor and comedian Robin Williams. In this podcast, stand-up comedians talk about their own personal struggles with mental illness, how they draw strength from it, and how they prevent it from controlling their lives.\nThe One You Feed\nThere’s this old Native American tale, and maybe you’ve heard about it before, about how each person has two wolves\u2014a good wolf and a bad wolf\u2014and they’re in a constant battle against each other. And the one who wins is the one that you feed the most. The One You Feed is a podcast about feeding your good wolf, through inspiring interviews with people from different fields on how they keep themselves mentally healthy despite everything life throws at them.\nThe Bright Sessions\nThe Bright Sessions is an audio drama about Dr. Bright, a psychologist offering “therapy for the strange and unusual” to individuals with psychic powers\u2014atypicals as the show calls them. Among her roster of patients are Sam, a time traveller whose abilities are triggered by her anxiety attacks, Caleb, a teenage jock who deals with his increased empathy through football, and Chloe, an artist who claims that she can hear the voices of angels. The patients are unique but relatable, and it’s nice to get the side of a psychologist as someone who’s capable of doing her job and showing genuine care for her patients. The show is written by Lauren Shippen (who voices Sam), hand-in-hand with Elizabeth Laird (who voices Dr. Brigh’s secretary) as the show’s psychological consultant.\nConversations with People Who Hate Me\nThe internet can be a very toxic place. And sometimes it’s just super tempting to fight with the people who have sent you hateful comments online. In Conversations with People Who Hate Me, internet content creator and social justice advocate Dylan Marron contacts the people who have sent him such comments to see their side of the story without devolving into heated arguments. This podcast is produced by Night Vale Presents, which also produces the popular surrealist audio drama Welcome to Night Vale (where Marron voices Carlos the Scientist).\nDo you have more podcast recs? Hit us up on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We really want to know.",
"date_published": "2018-04-20T12:00:58+08:00",
"date_modified": "2018-04-20T12:00:58+08:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/blexticauldulack/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1311207d4ac1996cb586666fe3d56418ca9f007d735b74eb19d3fa440df5c8b4?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/blexticauldulack/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1311207d4ac1996cb586666fe3d56418ca9f007d735b74eb19d3fa440df5c8b4?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
},
"tags": [
"Mental health",
"mindfulness",
"podcasts",
"spotify",
"Fresh"
],
"summary": "Lower your stress levels with Spotify."
},
{
"id": "http://www.bworldonline.com/?p=150966",
"url": "/fresh/2018/04/16/150966/sparkup-bandwagon-clarence-chan-ceo-business-music/",
"title": "Bandwagon's Clarence Chan on music, business and the future",
"content_html": "
Bandwagon is the place to go when you\u2019re looking for the latest news, reviews and gig schedules in the Singapore, the Philippines and Indonesia. Having been in operations in the Philippines for three years already, the website\u2019s Facebook page has almost 20,000 avid followers who rely on the platform for the latest in indie and mainstream music in the region. \nBandwagon\u2019s founder, Clarence Chan, started his company due to a lifelong love for music, his business background, and need to prove that you can make a living from doing what you love. The 32 year old doesn\u2019t come across as your typical CEO, wearing the same Bandwagon shirt as his other employees, cropped jeans, colorful socks and casual sneakers and introducing himself by his first name to journalists and concert goers alike during the daylong celebration of Bandwagon\u2019s third year of operations in the Philippines last March 17. You wouldn\u2019t guess he was the reason you\u2019ve all been gathered to a secret location at four in the afternoon. \nSparkUp was able to interview Chan at the back of a pick-up truck parked outside Treskul Records, a vinyl shop and bar, where artists Six the North Star and The Diegos spinned funk and Manila Sound for the music fans who attended the Bandwagon Hush event that afternoon. Chan spoke freely about his business, its expansion in Southeast Asia, and his predictions for the future of the Philippine music scene. \nCan you introduce yourself to our SparkUp readers? \nHi, I\u2019m Clarence. I\u2019m the founder of Bandwagon. We\u2019re in our 7th year of business. We started Bandwagon to connect people to music. Right now our goal is really to be the voice for music in Asia. \nI studied in Singapore from a regular schooling track and I love music. I started to play the organ when I was three, then I went to the piano then the violin. I went to the Berkeley College of Music for a summer just to realize if I should pursue music as a degree. I\u2019ve always wanted to be in a music space but at the same time I\u2019ve always had a knack for business, in solving problems, in taking risks, bringing new value. I like the challenge of bringing together people working toward a common vision. That\u2019s essentially how Bandwagon started. \nI asked myself at the end of uni–I finished with first class honors so I could have gone to a bank or a financial institution–but I asked myself if I could get any job in the world what would it be? And my answer was to start Bandwagon. I really wanted to make a difference in a space that I love and not too many people were doing it. Especially in Singapore where music at that time still had a stigma. People still found that \u201coh no, you can\u2019t have a viable career from it\u201d and that made me want to try and change things and show the next generation that it\u2019s possible to do what you love and make a living from it. \nWhen I knew that I wanted to be in a music business I was working for a company that distributed musical instruments. I went to MTV as well as an intern. That kind of gave me a basic background and I just went from there. \nHow did Bandwagon start and why did it expand from Singapore to the Philippines and Indonesia? \nI grew up in Singapore and I used to go to a lot of gigs. For me it was tough to track what was going on so in 2011 I decided that with the internet gaining traction I decided to move all these information on the internet so people will be able to find out what different indie collectives are doing in the music scene. It just began as a personal project of mine trying to scratch my own itch and then it just evolved. \nCamille [Castillo] who is our current country manager [in the Philippines], we met because I used to see this girl who\u2019s always retweeting our content. She\u2019s one of our most enthusiastic readers so I figured that I wanted to get to know her and find out more about her interests. We got to know each other quite well and we said hey why don\u2019t we do a similar thing in the Philippines. We started to feature a lot of local artist who are creating original music, we started to recommend gigs to people, to give them a dependable site that\u2019s extensive, that covers different genres, and will allow them to find good gigs. \nIndonesia was kind of nearby Singapore and I saw a lot of potential in the market. There are a lot of people and music there. More and more concerts are happening, they have a lot of good festivals\u2026 this is some of the reasons we started to go in. \nHow has Bandwagon grown in these past seven years? \nWe started very humbly. When I started Bandwagon it was just a gig listing/directory. It wasn\u2019t getting a lot of views. I guess I thought there was many people like myself, but maybe there wasn\u2019t so much. So what we did was we started a blog to allow us to talk more about the music we were listing on our directory. And that actually opened up a lot of opportunities. When we came up there weren\u2019t a lot of sites that would write about music videos, new single releases by artists, and review and feature some of the more indie and underground shows. We were the ones to cover and give publicity to these gigs. That helped us to gain traction among the artists. I\u2019d like to say that we grew very organically. We never really spent a lot of money on marketing or anything. Our figures are all organic. We just tried to do our best to give more authentic content. We made friends in the community. That\u2019s how we\u2019ve grown over the years. \nAnd as we started to get more and more serious we started looking into how we can strategize the kind of content that we put out in terms of how many percent international and how many percent regional, how many percent are local. We started to look at the kind of articles that we put out as news, features, gigs, reviews. So how do we apportion that. \nWe started coming out with a proper strategy and that has seen us double our page views the past year. Last year we doubled the previous year. So we\u2019ve been growing 100-130% every year. \nAside from having a separate landing page for the bandwagon.asia website depending on your country location, how do you specialize content in the countries you operate in? \nWe have dedicated writers in each region. That\u2019s definitely a lot harder to do because you\u2019ve got to find different writers in different countries. You\u2019ve got to vet. You have to work with them across borders. So it\u2019s definitely more challenging but it\u2019s also something that we believe in. We feel that in the market when they know you\u2019re the best then you actually meet the bands, the artists, the labels, the artist\u2019s managers. You\u2019re able to talk about it in a very relatable and very accurate and authentic fashion. That\u2019s something from the early stage that we identified. It hasn\u2019t been easy to find good writers for us. We want to be the site that\u2019s known for high quality music journalism. We do have some high standards. So it hasn\u2019t been easy looking. But once we found these writers we work with them at a regional level. We have an editor from Singapore who really looks at them and we have a country manager in each country to ensure that there\u2019s good content and that we\u2019re prioritizing the right kind of artist and music to write about. \nIs there a significant difference in musical taste between countries? Any upcoming musical trends? \nThere\u2019s definitely a difference but it\u2019s hard to speak in general terms because music can be so personal. At the same time I noticed a regional trend and that is the growth of indie music, that\u2019s one. I think that with Bandcamp, SoundCloud and even Bandwagon, indie artists who may not have a major label\u2019s backing will be able to come forward with their music often with interesting genres. Like in Singapore the first band to play in Glastonbury was a grindcore band. Niche genres like that. \nIn the Philippines we\u2019ve been able to feature a lot of independent producers. We\u2019ve been able to push bands out like She\u2019s Only Sixteen and Taken by Cars. We see a trend towards these and an increase of trend in festivals like Laneway Festival, We the Fans, Wanderlast Festival here in Manila. All these are very telltale signs of interest in \u201cniche\u201d genres that ten years ago were considered niche. Now we are seeing more young people take to genres like these and exploring more niche music which we think is great. There is more diversity today. I think it\u2019s very positive. \nThe second trend that I think we definitely see is EDM–electronic dance music. We see a lot of new festivals pop up, for example Ultra Music Festival. We start to see really a huge draw to festivals like these. These are general trends that we\u2019ve been seeing. \nWhat is the role of social media in being able to find new artists? \nWe think social media is huge. In some sense artists have their own platforms to push out their own music. Even if they haven\u2018t been able to get in touch with a media platform, just through their own social network and their friends, just by making good music, they are able to get the word out there. In Singapore we\u2019ve seen artists who\u2019ve ended up getting a 360 deal just by posting YouTube videos from their own bedroom like Gentle Bones which recently packed out a concert two nights in a row. That\u2019s about 3,000 people paying for a concert in the premier arts venue in Singapore. He started with just YouTube videos. Then through social media people comment on it and share it. Even from the US, people were covering his songs. \nWe\u2019re starting to see the power of the internet, the power of social media. That\u2019s why in Bandwagon we\u2019re really trying to stay current and relevant by listening to what our readers want. For example in our Birthday Brunch Party [on March 17] you\u2019ve seen that an artist, Coeli, requested over twitter that she hopes we\u2019ll have more brunch gigs. And we\u2019ll look into having more events like that. \nWe listen on social media as a way to get information. And we utilize our event capabilities, our relationship with artists and our media platform to market it to organize shows. That\u2019s one example of listening to the market and offering to people new experiences. They may come for the experience but they stay and discover music.That\u2019s the goal for us.
\n\n
BandWagon started its anniversary celebration at Frank & Dean with music from acoustic indie acts Coeli, Nikki Colet, and Leanne And Naara\u2019s, journeyed to Treskul with kalimba music from Bea Lorenzo, and capped it off with a concert at 12 Monkeys, Ortigas featuring December Avenue, Twin Lobster, Pedicab, Kjwan and The Morning Episodes. \nBandwagon, as well as other performers and artists, will be back for Tagaytay Art Beat 3 this May.
\n",
"content_text": "Bandwagon is the place to go when you\u2019re looking for the latest news, reviews and gig schedules in the Singapore, the Philippines and Indonesia. Having been in operations in the Philippines for three years already, the website\u2019s Facebook page has almost 20,000 avid followers who rely on the platform for the latest in indie and mainstream music in the region.\nBandwagon\u2019s founder, Clarence Chan, started his company due to a lifelong love for music, his business background, and need to prove that you can make a living from doing what you love. The 32 year old doesn\u2019t come across as your typical CEO, wearing the same Bandwagon shirt as his other employees, cropped jeans, colorful socks and casual sneakers and introducing himself by his first name to journalists and concert goers alike during the daylong celebration of Bandwagon\u2019s third year of operations in the Philippines last March 17. You wouldn\u2019t guess he was the reason you\u2019ve all been gathered to a secret location at four in the afternoon.\nSparkUp was able to interview Chan at the back of a pick-up truck parked outside Treskul Records, a vinyl shop and bar, where artists Six the North Star and The Diegos spinned funk and Manila Sound for the music fans who attended the Bandwagon Hush event that afternoon. Chan spoke freely about his business, its expansion in Southeast Asia, and his predictions for the future of the Philippine music scene.\nCan you introduce yourself to our SparkUp readers?\nHi, I\u2019m Clarence. I\u2019m the founder of Bandwagon. We\u2019re in our 7th year of business. We started Bandwagon to connect people to music. Right now our goal is really to be the voice for music in Asia.\nI studied in Singapore from a regular schooling track and I love music. I started to play the organ when I was three, then I went to the piano then the violin. I went to the Berkeley College of Music for a summer just to realize if I should pursue music as a degree. I\u2019ve always wanted to be in a music space but at the same time I\u2019ve always had a knack for business, in solving problems, in taking risks, bringing new value. I like the challenge of bringing together people working toward a common vision. That\u2019s essentially how Bandwagon started.\nI asked myself at the end of uni–I finished with first class honors so I could have gone to a bank or a financial institution–but I asked myself if I could get any job in the world what would it be? And my answer was to start Bandwagon. I really wanted to make a difference in a space that I love and not too many people were doing it. Especially in Singapore where music at that time still had a stigma. People still found that \u201coh no, you can\u2019t have a viable career from it\u201d and that made me want to try and change things and show the next generation that it\u2019s possible to do what you love and make a living from it.\nWhen I knew that I wanted to be in a music business I was working for a company that distributed musical instruments. I went to MTV as well as an intern. That kind of gave me a basic background and I just went from there.\nHow did Bandwagon start and why did it expand from Singapore to the Philippines and Indonesia?\nI grew up in Singapore and I used to go to a lot of gigs. For me it was tough to track what was going on so in 2011 I decided that with the internet gaining traction I decided to move all these information on the internet so people will be able to find out what different indie collectives are doing in the music scene. It just began as a personal project of mine trying to scratch my own itch and then it just evolved.\nCamille [Castillo] who is our current country manager [in the Philippines], we met because I used to see this girl who\u2019s always retweeting our content. She\u2019s one of our most enthusiastic readers so I figured that I wanted to get to know her and find out more about her interests. We got to know each other quite well and we said hey why don\u2019t we do a similar thing in the Philippines. We started to feature a lot of local artist who are creating original music, we started to recommend gigs to people, to give them a dependable site that\u2019s extensive, that covers different genres, and will allow them to find good gigs.\nIndonesia was kind of nearby Singapore and I saw a lot of potential in the market. There are a lot of people and music there. More and more concerts are happening, they have a lot of good festivals\u2026 this is some of the reasons we started to go in.\nHow has Bandwagon grown in these past seven years?\nWe started very humbly. When I started Bandwagon it was just a gig listing/directory. It wasn\u2019t getting a lot of views. I guess I thought there was many people like myself, but maybe there wasn\u2019t so much. So what we did was we started a blog to allow us to talk more about the music we were listing on our directory. And that actually opened up a lot of opportunities. When we came up there weren\u2019t a lot of sites that would write about music videos, new single releases by artists, and review and feature some of the more indie and underground shows. We were the ones to cover and give publicity to these gigs. That helped us to gain traction among the artists. I\u2019d like to say that we grew very organically. We never really spent a lot of money on marketing or anything. Our figures are all organic. We just tried to do our best to give more authentic content. We made friends in the community. That\u2019s how we\u2019ve grown over the years.\nAnd as we started to get more and more serious we started looking into how we can strategize the kind of content that we put out in terms of how many percent international and how many percent regional, how many percent are local. We started to look at the kind of articles that we put out as news, features, gigs, reviews. So how do we apportion that.\nWe started coming out with a proper strategy and that has seen us double our page views the past year. Last year we doubled the previous year. So we\u2019ve been growing 100-130% every year.\nAside from having a separate landing page for the bandwagon.asia website depending on your country location, how do you specialize content in the countries you operate in?\nWe have dedicated writers in each region. That\u2019s definitely a lot harder to do because you\u2019ve got to find different writers in different countries. You\u2019ve got to vet. You have to work with them across borders. So it\u2019s definitely more challenging but it\u2019s also something that we believe in. We feel that in the market when they know you\u2019re the best then you actually meet the bands, the artists, the labels, the artist\u2019s managers. You\u2019re able to talk about it in a very relatable and very accurate and authentic fashion. That\u2019s something from the early stage that we identified. It hasn\u2019t been easy to find good writers for us. We want to be the site that\u2019s known for high quality music journalism. We do have some high standards. So it hasn\u2019t been easy looking. But once we found these writers we work with them at a regional level. We have an editor from Singapore who really looks at them and we have a country manager in each country to ensure that there\u2019s good content and that we\u2019re prioritizing the right kind of artist and music to write about.\nIs there a significant difference in musical taste between countries? Any upcoming musical trends?\nThere\u2019s definitely a difference but it\u2019s hard to speak in general terms because music can be so personal. At the same time I noticed a regional trend and that is the growth of indie music, that\u2019s one. I think that with Bandcamp, SoundCloud and even Bandwagon, indie artists who may not have a major label\u2019s backing will be able to come forward with their music often with interesting genres. Like in Singapore the first band to play in Glastonbury was a grindcore band. Niche genres like that.\nIn the Philippines we\u2019ve been able to feature a lot of independent producers. We\u2019ve been able to push bands out like She\u2019s Only Sixteen and Taken by Cars. We see a trend towards these and an increase of trend in festivals like Laneway Festival, We the Fans, Wanderlast Festival here in Manila. All these are very telltale signs of interest in \u201cniche\u201d genres that ten years ago were considered niche. Now we are seeing more young people take to genres like these and exploring more niche music which we think is great. There is more diversity today. I think it\u2019s very positive.\nThe second trend that I think we definitely see is EDM–electronic dance music. We see a lot of new festivals pop up, for example Ultra Music Festival. We start to see really a huge draw to festivals like these. These are general trends that we\u2019ve been seeing.\nWhat is the role of social media in being able to find new artists?\nWe think social media is huge. In some sense artists have their own platforms to push out their own music. Even if they haven\u2018t been able to get in touch with a media platform, just through their own social network and their friends, just by making good music, they are able to get the word out there. In Singapore we\u2019ve seen artists who\u2019ve ended up getting a 360 deal just by posting YouTube videos from their own bedroom like Gentle Bones which recently packed out a concert two nights in a row. That\u2019s about 3,000 people paying for a concert in the premier arts venue in Singapore. He started with just YouTube videos. Then through social media people comment on it and share it. Even from the US, people were covering his songs.\nWe\u2019re starting to see the power of the internet, the power of social media. That\u2019s why in Bandwagon we\u2019re really trying to stay current and relevant by listening to what our readers want. For example in our Birthday Brunch Party [on March 17] you\u2019ve seen that an artist, Coeli, requested over twitter that she hopes we\u2019ll have more brunch gigs. And we\u2019ll look into having more events like that.\nWe listen on social media as a way to get information. And we utilize our event capabilities, our relationship with artists and our media platform to market it to organize shows. That\u2019s one example of listening to the market and offering to people new experiences. They may come for the experience but they stay and discover music.That\u2019s the goal for us.\n\nBandWagon started its anniversary celebration at Frank & Dean with music from acoustic indie acts Coeli, Nikki Colet, and Leanne And Naara\u2019s, journeyed to Treskul with kalimba music from Bea Lorenzo, and capped it off with a concert at 12 Monkeys, Ortigas featuring December Avenue, Twin Lobster, Pedicab, Kjwan and The Morning Episodes.\nBandwagon, as well as other performers and artists, will be back for Tagaytay Art Beat 3 this May.",
"date_published": "2018-04-16T20:22:16+08:00",
"date_modified": "2018-04-16T20:22:16+08:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/blexticauldulack/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1311207d4ac1996cb586666fe3d56418ca9f007d735b74eb19d3fa440df5c8b4?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/blexticauldulack/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1311207d4ac1996cb586666fe3d56418ca9f007d735b74eb19d3fa440df5c8b4?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
},
"tags": [
"bandwagon",
"business",
"culture",
"Fresh",
"Lifestyle",
"Music",
"Philippines"
],
"summary": "The 32-year-old doesn\u2019t come across as your typical CEO."
},
{
"id": "http://www.bworldonline.com/?p=148656",
"url": "/fresh/2018/04/06/148656/sparkup-fresh-workout-guide-startup-founders-habits-routine-fitaccessph-ia-hernandez/",
"title": "Workout habits of startup founders",
"content_html": "
Most of us founders are so driven that we never want to stop working,\u201d Ia Hernandez, founder of health startup FitAcess, said in a forum in Makati City last January. \u201cWe just want to work on our business all day. But what good is success if you\u2019re not healthy enough to enjoy it?\u201d \nWorking out, Hernandez said, is beneficial for startup founders as it boosts a person\u2019s productivity by 12%. \n\u201cImagine the extra work that you can do with that extra boost,\u201d she added. \u201cWorking out is scientifically proven to make you happier. It combats anxiety, it combats depression, and it gives you a general sense of well being.\u201d \nHer advice for startup founders: \u201cList down all the things you do in a day, then see how many hours you spend to do them. After that, reassess what gives value to your personal development and adds value to your startup development, then take away all the unnecessary things. Use those extra hours for physical activities.\u201d \nHere are three ways to maintain a good workout habit, according to Hernandez:
\n
Move more.
\n
Start each day by telling your body that you have to move more. When you do so, your body will most likely get into it. \nEasy ways to follow this include walking around the office, taking the stairs, and walking over to colleagues instead of sending emails.
\n
Treat your workout as a regular schedule or meeting
\n
Allot even as little as 15 to 30 minutes to work out and commit to it. Startup founders should be as committed to their workout plans as they are committed to their clients or investors.
\n
Work out with a group
\n
Working with other people from the company can help startup founders to cultivate a healthy culture in the team. It\u2019s more motivating to workout with colleagues, interns and employees. It\u2019s also a chance to bond with the whole group.
\n",
"content_text": "Most of us founders are so driven that we never want to stop working,\u201d Ia Hernandez, founder of health startup FitAcess, said in a forum in Makati City last January. \u201cWe just want to work on our business all day. But what good is success if you\u2019re not healthy enough to enjoy it?\u201d\nWorking out, Hernandez said, is beneficial for startup founders as it boosts a person\u2019s productivity by 12%.\n\u201cImagine the extra work that you can do with that extra boost,\u201d she added. \u201cWorking out is scientifically proven to make you happier. It combats anxiety, it combats depression, and it gives you a general sense of well being.\u201d\nHer advice for startup founders: \u201cList down all the things you do in a day, then see how many hours you spend to do them. After that, reassess what gives value to your personal development and adds value to your startup development, then take away all the unnecessary things. Use those extra hours for physical activities.\u201d\nHere are three ways to maintain a good workout habit, according to Hernandez:\nMove more.\nStart each day by telling your body that you have to move more. When you do so, your body will most likely get into it.\nEasy ways to follow this include walking around the office, taking the stairs, and walking over to colleagues instead of sending emails.\nTreat your workout as a regular schedule or meeting\nAllot even as little as 15 to 30 minutes to work out and commit to it. Startup founders should be as committed to their workout plans as they are committed to their clients or investors.\nWork out with a group\nWorking with other people from the company can help startup founders to cultivate a healthy culture in the team. It\u2019s more motivating to workout with colleagues, interns and employees. It\u2019s also a chance to bond with the whole group.",
"date_published": "2018-04-06T18:23:44+08:00",
"date_modified": "2018-04-06T18:23:44+08:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/blexticauldulack/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1311207d4ac1996cb586666fe3d56418ca9f007d735b74eb19d3fa440df5c8b4?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/blexticauldulack/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1311207d4ac1996cb586666fe3d56418ca9f007d735b74eb19d3fa440df5c8b4?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
},
"tags": [
"business",
"FitAccess PH",
"Fitness",
"startup",
"tech startup",
"technology",
"Fresh"
],
"summary": "Because what good is success if you\u2019re not healthy enough to enjoy it?"
},
{
"id": "http://www.bworldonline.com/?p=148228",
"url": "/fresh/2018/04/05/148228/sparkup-fresh-silicon-valley-michael-mosley-intermittent-fasting-diet-craze/",
"title": "A guide to the Silicon Valley diet craze called 5:2",
"content_html": "
Among the diet plans gaining a momentum in the tech startup scene is intermittent fasting (IF).
\n
According to an article by The Guardian, in Silicon Valley, a growing number of tech startup executives are following the IF pattern called \u201c5:2\u201d claiming that it helps them lose weight, manage mood swings, and improve productivity.
\n
Its proponent, British doctor Michael Mosley recently sat down with SparkUp to talk about the method he popularized. The first thing he clarified is that the plan does not only help people to lose weight\u2014it also has benefits for the human brain.
\n
\u201cThere is a science behind it that\u2019s why it is very beneficial to the brain,\u201d Mosley said during the media launch of the new installation of his TV show \u201cTrust Me I\u2019m a Doctor\u201d on March 23 in Makati City.
\n
According to him, it \u201csomehow works the same way as exercise. It\u2019s stressful initially, then the stress leads to the release in the brain of a particular type of hormone called Brain-derived neurotrophic factor, which strengthens existing brain cells and encourages them to grow new brain cells.
\n
In the 5:2 plan, you get five days of normal eating (with \u201clittle thought to calorie control and a slice of pie for pudding if that\u2019s what you want\u201d). On the other two days, you reduce your calorie intake to\u00a0500 calories if you\u2019re a woman, and 600 calories if you\u2019re a man.
\n
The computation is based on the idea that women need 2000 calories and men need 2400 calories per day. Thus, on a fast day, one should eat a quarter of a normal day\u2019s recommended calories.
\n
However, Mosley said people should not depend on 5:2 plan alone but should also complement their routines with regular exercise.
\n
Three simple drills should be in one\u2019s daily exercise, he says: aerobic bike run, muscle-building, and balancing.
\n
\u201cI also encourage people to do short burst of tough exercises as short as 20-second burst because it seems to haver similar benefits, but working by a different mechanism,\u201d he said.
\n\n
In \u201cTrust Me I\u2019m a Doctor,\u201d Mosley investigates the latest evidence behind health claims and headlines \u2013 for instance, whether sugar is really the new tobacco, how much is too much alcohol and whether we should worry about air pollution. He has also set up big experiments looking at the benefits of eating oily fish, whether cooking with turmeric can help prevent cancer and how to increase our levels of vitamin D. It premieres in Asia this April 2018\u00a0on BBC Earth. BBC Earth is available \u00a0exclusively on Cignal TV.\u00a0
\n",
"content_text": "Among the diet plans gaining a momentum in the tech startup scene is intermittent fasting (IF).\nAccording to an article by The Guardian, in Silicon Valley, a growing number of tech startup executives are following the IF pattern called \u201c5:2\u201d claiming that it helps them lose weight, manage mood swings, and improve productivity.\nIts proponent, British doctor Michael Mosley recently sat down with SparkUp to talk about the method he popularized. The first thing he clarified is that the plan does not only help people to lose weight\u2014it also has benefits for the human brain.\n\u201cThere is a science behind it that\u2019s why it is very beneficial to the brain,\u201d Mosley said during the media launch of the new installation of his TV show \u201cTrust Me I\u2019m a Doctor\u201d on March 23 in Makati City.\nAccording to him, it \u201csomehow works the same way as exercise. It\u2019s stressful initially, then the stress leads to the release in the brain of a particular type of hormone called Brain-derived neurotrophic factor, which strengthens existing brain cells and encourages them to grow new brain cells.\nIn the 5:2 plan, you get five days of normal eating (with \u201clittle thought to calorie control and a slice of pie for pudding if that\u2019s what you want\u201d). On the other two days, you reduce your calorie intake to\u00a0500 calories if you\u2019re a woman, and 600 calories if you\u2019re a man.\nThe computation is based on the idea that women need 2000 calories and men need 2400 calories per day. Thus, on a fast day, one should eat a quarter of a normal day\u2019s recommended calories. \nHowever, Mosley said people should not depend on 5:2 plan alone but should also complement their routines with regular exercise.\nThree simple drills should be in one\u2019s daily exercise, he says: aerobic bike run, muscle-building, and balancing.\n\u201cI also encourage people to do short burst of tough exercises as short as 20-second burst because it seems to haver similar benefits, but working by a different mechanism,\u201d he said.\n\nIn \u201cTrust Me I\u2019m a Doctor,\u201d Mosley investigates the latest evidence behind health claims and headlines \u2013 for instance, whether sugar is really the new tobacco, how much is too much alcohol and whether we should worry about air pollution. He has also set up big experiments looking at the benefits of eating oily fish, whether cooking with turmeric can help prevent cancer and how to increase our levels of vitamin D. It premieres in Asia this April 2018\u00a0on BBC Earth. BBC Earth is available \u00a0exclusively on Cignal TV.\u00a0",
"date_published": "2018-04-05T15:02:39+08:00",
"date_modified": "2018-04-05T15:02:39+08:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/blexticauldulack/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1311207d4ac1996cb586666fe3d56418ca9f007d735b74eb19d3fa440df5c8b4?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/blexticauldulack/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1311207d4ac1996cb586666fe3d56418ca9f007d735b74eb19d3fa440df5c8b4?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
},
"tags": [
"5:2",
"craze",
"diet",
"health",
"intermittent fasting",
"Michael Mosley",
"trend",
"Fresh"
],
"summary": "Five days of normal eating followed by two days of eating only 500 calories."
},
{
"id": "http://www.bworldonline.com/?p=147683",
"url": "/fresh/2018/03/27/147683/sparkup-fresh-intramuros-architecture-lego/",
"title": "Learn about Philippine architecture with iMake History Fortress",
"content_html": "
Brick on top of brick. It could describe the fortresses in Intramuros, or playing with LEGOs.
\n
At the iMake History Fortress at Baluarte de Santa Barbara at Fort Santiago, you can enjoy both at the same time. Intramuros Administration, in collaboration with the Embassy of Denmark and Felta Multimedia, Inc., the exclusive partner of LEGO Education in the Philippines, turned what was once a dungeon for Filipino dissidents into a learning hub for architecture.
\n
Using LEGOs, artists and students made scale models of exemplary Filipino\u2011Spanish buildings, some which were not able to stand the ravages of time. There are also examples of LEGO robotics, like a spinning windmill and a life\u2011sized Philippine eagle that can extend its seven\u2011foot wingspan. There\u2019s also a hub where you can create LEGO buildings of your own, with sample patterns like the National Museum and the Manila Central Post Office.
\n
Architecture students from the University of Santo Tomas won first place and most innovative at the iMake History Fortress Architecture Scale Model Competition, with their scale model of the Lourdes Church. Also known as the National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, the original church structure that once housed two sculptures of the Virgin Mary was not able to withstand the bombings of Intramuros during World War II. Using the blueprints provided to them by Felta, UST students were able to make a 1:100 scale model of the old church structure. Their model, along the other top ten entries, will be on permanent display at lower floor of the iMake History Fortress.
\n
\u201cLEGO is a good tool for learning history and architecture,\u201d said Emman Estevan, part of the UST team that created the Lourdes Church model, during an interview with\u00a0SparkUp\u00a0at the iMake History Fortress preview last March 19. \u201cIn other countries they\u2019re already use LEGOs to visualize structures. Here in the Philippines it\u2019s not being fully integrated in the architecture curriculum probably because LEGOs are expensive here.\u201d
\n
It took Estevan and his team a week of planning and a combined 48 hours of work to build the scale model. Then they had to make a two minute video to go with their work to submit to the contest. He looks forward to using LEGO again in future projects. \u201cAt first it was hard, but as we progressed we understood the pattern and it made it easier for us to work.\u201d
\n
LEGOs can be an important tool in learning architecture and architecture, said LEGO Education regional manager for Southeast Asia Brian Dam. \u201cLEGO is a very good way of letting your creativity go and building things that you\u2019ve seen in real life,\u201d Dam told\u00a0SparkUp. \u201cI think combining that with the teaching of history is a strong combination.\u201d
\n
For the LEGO executive, creativity can save the world. \u201cI believe that creativity is key and not to sound apocalyptic, but if we are to survive as a species we need to think creatively,\u201d said Dam. \u201cWe have limited oil, we have limited resources in general so we need to be creative and find solutions to maintain and develop, otherwise it will go in another way that we don\u2019t like.\u201d
\n",
"content_text": "Brick on top of brick. It could describe the fortresses in Intramuros, or playing with LEGOs.\nAt the iMake History Fortress at Baluarte de Santa Barbara at Fort Santiago, you can enjoy both at the same time. Intramuros Administration, in collaboration with the Embassy of Denmark and Felta Multimedia, Inc., the exclusive partner of LEGO Education in the Philippines, turned what was once a dungeon for Filipino dissidents into a learning hub for architecture.\nUsing LEGOs, artists and students made scale models of exemplary Filipino\u2011Spanish buildings, some which were not able to stand the ravages of time. There are also examples of LEGO robotics, like a spinning windmill and a life\u2011sized Philippine eagle that can extend its seven\u2011foot wingspan. There\u2019s also a hub where you can create LEGO buildings of your own, with sample patterns like the National Museum and the Manila Central Post Office.\nArchitecture students from the University of Santo Tomas won first place and most innovative at the iMake History Fortress Architecture Scale Model Competition, with their scale model of the Lourdes Church. Also known as the National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, the original church structure that once housed two sculptures of the Virgin Mary was not able to withstand the bombings of Intramuros during World War II. Using the blueprints provided to them by Felta, UST students were able to make a 1:100 scale model of the old church structure. Their model, along the other top ten entries, will be on permanent display at lower floor of the iMake History Fortress.\n\u201cLEGO is a good tool for learning history and architecture,\u201d said Emman Estevan, part of the UST team that created the Lourdes Church model, during an interview with\u00a0SparkUp\u00a0at the iMake History Fortress preview last March 19. \u201cIn other countries they\u2019re already use LEGOs to visualize structures. Here in the Philippines it\u2019s not being fully integrated in the architecture curriculum probably because LEGOs are expensive here.\u201d\nIt took Estevan and his team a week of planning and a combined 48 hours of work to build the scale model. Then they had to make a two minute video to go with their work to submit to the contest. He looks forward to using LEGO again in future projects. \u201cAt first it was hard, but as we progressed we understood the pattern and it made it easier for us to work.\u201d\nLEGOs can be an important tool in learning architecture and architecture, said LEGO Education regional manager for Southeast Asia Brian Dam. \u201cLEGO is a very good way of letting your creativity go and building things that you\u2019ve seen in real life,\u201d Dam told\u00a0SparkUp. \u201cI think combining that with the teaching of history is a strong combination.\u201d\nFor the LEGO executive, creativity can save the world. \u201cI believe that creativity is key and not to sound apocalyptic, but if we are to survive as a species we need to think creatively,\u201d said Dam. \u201cWe have limited oil, we have limited resources in general so we need to be creative and find solutions to maintain and develop, otherwise it will go in another way that we don\u2019t like.\u201d",
"date_published": "2018-03-27T12:00:42+08:00",
"date_modified": "2018-03-27T12:00:42+08:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/blexticauldulack/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1311207d4ac1996cb586666fe3d56418ca9f007d735b74eb19d3fa440df5c8b4?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/blexticauldulack/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1311207d4ac1996cb586666fe3d56418ca9f007d735b74eb19d3fa440df5c8b4?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
},
"tags": [
"architecture",
"contest",
"history",
"Intramuros",
"Lego",
"Fresh"
],
"summary": "Students recreate old Intramuros with LEGOs."
},
{
"id": "http://www.bworldonline.com/?p=147645",
"url": "/fresh/2018/03/26/147645/sparkup-fresh-lent-intramuros-tourism/",
"title": "Your itinerary for Visita Iglesia in Intramuros",
"content_html": "
Lent is an important time for our primarily Catholic nation, and Manila residents need not go far to take part in the tradition of\u00a0Visita Iglesia.
\n
Part of the Department of Tourism\u2019s thrust towards faith tourism is a partnership with the Intramuros Administration where the old center of Manila will take center stage: this year\u2019s Lenten activities will take place amid baroque churches and fortified bulwarks.
\n
Seven churches in Intramuros will serve as stops for Maundy Thursday (March 29)\u2019s\u00a0Visita Iglesia, and will be open to the public from 8 in the morning to midnight. This is the first time that these churches will all be open to the public since World War II, allowing us to follow the footsteps of our Spanish era ancestors.
\n
The seven churches are:
\n
The Manila Cathedral
\n
Built in 1571 at the center of Intramuros, the episcopascal seat of the Manila Achbishop has hosted three papal visits: Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul II and Pope Francis.\n
San Agustin Church
\n
This Baroque church was designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1993, and is one of the oldest churches in the Philippines.\n
San Ignacio Church
\n
\n
Photo Wikipedia
\n
This Jesuit church was completed in 1899, and houses the Museo de Intramuros.
\n
Guadalupe Shrine
\n
This small shrine is located inside Fort Santiago, where national hero Jose Rizal spent his last days.\n
Knights of Columbus Fr. Willmann Church
\n
Located inside the Knights of Columbus building, the church is named after the first district deputy of the organization in the Philippines of this Catholic fraternal service organization.
\n
Lyceum of the Philippines University Chapel
\n
This chapel is seated within the Lyceum of the Philippines University Manila campus, a school founded by Dr. Jose P. Laurel, who eventually became the Philippines\u2019 third president.
\n
Mapua University Chapel
\n
\n
Photo Wikipedia
\n
This chapel is seated within the Mapua University campus, and manages to keep its old school charm in a school known for its information technology courses.
\n
Other activities
\n
General Luna Street will also be the site for the\u00a0Via Crucis, more commonly known as the Stations of the Cross, from Maundy Thursday to Black Saturday (March 31). Follow the last days and sacrifice of Jesus Christ with images that were supplied by the San Agustin Museum through the Vatican II\u2011sanctioned\u00a0New Way of the Cross.
\n
Martir sa Golgota, a modern take on the classic Cenaculo plays, will also be staged along General Luna street, in front of Palacio del Gobernador, by the\u00a0Tanghalang Sta. Ana, and directed by seasoned performer and Tanghalan president Lou Veloso. Catch the play at 7:30 p.m. on Maundy Thursday.
\n
The Department of Tourism estimates that there will be at least 500,000 local and foreign tourists on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. To facilitate traffic within Intramuros, General Luna will be closed to traffic, while there will be ten parking areas provided to the public. There will also be guards, water stations and vending sites stationed along the way. The Red Cross van is stationed in front of the Manila Cathedral, at Plaza Roma. There are portalets stationed at the Manila Cathedral and San Agustin Church.
\n
Opening up Intramuros for Lenten activities is only a part of the DoT\u2019s endorsement of faith tourism. With our rich history steeped in folk Catholicism, pre-colonial beliefs, Islam, and various practices taken from trade with nearby nations, our country has a lot to offer when it comes to the fascinating topic of religion and belief.-LDG
\n",
"content_text": "Lent is an important time for our primarily Catholic nation, and Manila residents need not go far to take part in the tradition of\u00a0Visita Iglesia.\nPart of the Department of Tourism\u2019s thrust towards faith tourism is a partnership with the Intramuros Administration where the old center of Manila will take center stage: this year\u2019s Lenten activities will take place amid baroque churches and fortified bulwarks.\nSeven churches in Intramuros will serve as stops for Maundy Thursday (March 29)\u2019s\u00a0Visita Iglesia, and will be open to the public from 8 in the morning to midnight. This is the first time that these churches will all be open to the public since World War II, allowing us to follow the footsteps of our Spanish era ancestors.\nThe seven churches are:\nThe Manila Cathedral\nBuilt in 1571 at the center of Intramuros, the episcopascal seat of the Manila Achbishop has hosted three papal visits: Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul II and Pope Francis.\nSan Agustin Church\nThis Baroque church was designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1993, and is one of the oldest churches in the Philippines.\nSan Ignacio Church\n\nPhoto Wikipedia\nThis Jesuit church was completed in 1899, and houses the Museo de Intramuros.\nGuadalupe Shrine\nThis small shrine is located inside Fort Santiago, where national hero Jose Rizal spent his last days.\nKnights of Columbus Fr. Willmann Church\nLocated inside the Knights of Columbus building, the church is named after the first district deputy of the organization in the Philippines of this Catholic fraternal service organization.\nLyceum of the Philippines University Chapel\nThis chapel is seated within the Lyceum of the Philippines University Manila campus, a school founded by Dr. Jose P. Laurel, who eventually became the Philippines\u2019 third president.\nMapua University Chapel\n\nPhoto Wikipedia\nThis chapel is seated within the Mapua University campus, and manages to keep its old school charm in a school known for its information technology courses.\nOther activities\nGeneral Luna Street will also be the site for the\u00a0Via Crucis, more commonly known as the Stations of the Cross, from Maundy Thursday to Black Saturday (March 31). Follow the last days and sacrifice of Jesus Christ with images that were supplied by the San Agustin Museum through the Vatican II\u2011sanctioned\u00a0New Way of the Cross.\nMartir sa Golgota, a modern take on the classic Cenaculo plays, will also be staged along General Luna street, in front of Palacio del Gobernador, by the\u00a0Tanghalang Sta. Ana, and directed by seasoned performer and Tanghalan president Lou Veloso. Catch the play at 7:30 p.m. on Maundy Thursday.\nThe Department of Tourism estimates that there will be at least 500,000 local and foreign tourists on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. To facilitate traffic within Intramuros, General Luna will be closed to traffic, while there will be ten parking areas provided to the public. There will also be guards, water stations and vending sites stationed along the way. The Red Cross van is stationed in front of the Manila Cathedral, at Plaza Roma. There are portalets stationed at the Manila Cathedral and San Agustin Church.\nOpening up Intramuros for Lenten activities is only a part of the DoT\u2019s endorsement of faith tourism. With our rich history steeped in folk Catholicism, pre-colonial beliefs, Islam, and various practices taken from trade with nearby nations, our country has a lot to offer when it comes to the fascinating topic of religion and belief.-LDG",
"date_published": "2018-03-26T12:00:50+08:00",
"date_modified": "2018-03-26T12:00:50+08:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/blexticauldulack/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1311207d4ac1996cb586666fe3d56418ca9f007d735b74eb19d3fa440df5c8b4?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/blexticauldulack/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1311207d4ac1996cb586666fe3d56418ca9f007d735b74eb19d3fa440df5c8b4?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
},
"tags": [
"Catholicism",
"churches",
"lent",
"Philippines",
"Tourism",
"Fresh"
],
"summary": "Follow the Catholic practice of Lent at historic Intramuros."
},
{
"id": "http://www.bworldonline.com/?p=138756",
"url": "/sparkup/2018/02/23/138756/the-business-of-microcinemas/",
"title": "The business of microcinemas",
"content_html": "
\n
\n
\n
There was a time when sound in cinema was unheard of and colored moving pictures were the stuff of dreams. But now, the cinema is accessible in the nearest mall, with tickets being sold at an affordable price, plus extra features like popcorn, 3\u2011D glasses, a slew of movie previews, and memorable end\u2011credits that will keep you glued to your seats.
\n
But while cinemas have become accessible, some award\u2011winning movies haven\u2019t. And it isn\u2019t because the so\u2011called art snobs feel like their work is too good for the masses. It\u2019s because cinemas operate more as a business and less like an art display. The number of days given to a film\u2019s showing depends on how many people come to see it during its first few days.
\n
It\u2019s the reason why crowd favorites like blockbuster films or mainstream Tagalog movies luxuriate for two or more weeks in the cinema, while the more obscure indie films, no matter how many local and international awards they win, might enjoy a little more than three days in a mall theater. Even\u00a0Respeto, which won Best Film in the 2017 Cinemalaya Awards and uses the very popular art of hip\u2011hop as a tableau for tackling the effects of living in a dictatorship (such a timely topic), had to take to social media guerilla marketing to get mall cinemas not take the film out of theaters.
\n
In the same vein, 28\u2011year\u2011old filmmaker Hector Barreto Calma, who himself has graced international festivals for films like\u00a0Ang mga Alingawngaw sa Panahon ng Pagpapasaya, used social media to gauge whether or not he would have a niche for the kind of cinema he wanted to put up. Soon enough, he founded Cinema Centenario: a microcinema along busy Maginhawa Street in Quezon City, flanked by food establishments that draw university students.
\n\n
In here, a narrow staircase leads to a room filled with glass walls, providing a full view of movie schedules, memorabilia (last January, it featured costumes from 2017 Metro Manila Film Festival Best Picture\u00a0Ang Larawan), an old\u2011fashioned red ticket booth, and a flatscreen television were trailers\u2014ranging from classic to contemporary\u2014loop endlessly.
\n
ALTERNATE SPACE
\n
Cinema Centenario regularly shows local and indie films from noon to midnight, has a seating capacity of 65 people, and an affordable ticket price of \u20b1200. They also sell snacks and film merchandise.Cinema Centenario was launched in December 2017, the year that marked the 100th year of Philippine cinema.
\n
\u201cWhen I read a thread about an indie movie on social media, I always find people asking where they can watch the film,\u201d said Calma in an interview with\u00a0SparkUp\u00a0when asked about whether or not there\u2019s a need for microcinemas. \u201cThat\u2019s why there was a need to make an alternate space to show films. We schedule a film for showing, and regardless of whether or not we get a full audience, we don\u2019t pull\u2011out the film from it\u2019s scheduled viewing.\u201d
\n
\nFilms were made to be shown on cinemas, not on your mobile phone.
\n\n
\n
Social media is also where Cinema Centenario does most of its marketing. Every new showing is a new Facebook event, sometimes promising the chance for the audience to talk with movie directors and actors after the film.
\n
\u201cThe audience tends to put filmmakers and actors on a pedestal. We want to make them reachable,\u201d said Calma. \u201cWe schedule with directors and actors and announce our events when we\u2019re sure that they can come. We\u2019re bridging the gap between the audience and the filmmaker. They can ask their questions, facets about the movie are revealed, and this is something that you can\u2019t experience in other cinemas.\u201d
\n
\u201cWith the age of technology, you can watch your favorite movie on a laptop, but\u00a0iba pa rin ang sinehan\u00a0(it\u2019s still different in the cinema),\u201d Calma added, looking up wistfully at the soundless black\u2011and\u2011white movie trailer playing on the television at the cinema lobby, his hands clasped as if in prayer. \u201cYou get a collective reaction with the strangers you\u2019re watching with that you can\u2019t replicate anywhere else. Films were made to be shown on cinemas, not on your mobile phone.\u201d
\n
But with their location in Maginhawa comes a captive audience of young and old alike. Some of them, Calma joked, were a literal captive audience trapped by rush\u2011hour traffic who decided to park their cars nearby and spend two hours or so watching a movie instead of spending those hours stressed out. Some others come up to the cinema expecting another trendy theme restaurant. \u201cHow cute,\u201d he recalled one of them say. \u201cLook, their menu is themed after movies!\u201d Cinema Centenario get students from nearby universities like the University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University and Miriam College, who come after class. Calma also recalled with great fondness an elderly couple who lived nearby. They decided to climb the steep staircase up to the cinema after weeks of passing by it curiously during their daily walks to watch a movie that was first shown when they were still teenagers. They insisted on meeting Calma afterwards to shake his hand and thank him.
\n
Cinema Centenario sources its movies from Calma\u2019s connections with other indie filmmakers and from the restored classics collection of ABS\u2011CBN\u2019s film restoration project.
\n
Cinema Centenario is located at 95 Maginhawa St., Quezon City. It is open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 12 midnight. Check out their\u00a0facebook\u00a0for screening schedules.
\n
\u2018NOT A FAD\u2019
\n
Similarly, Black Maria Cinema in Mandaluyong City is an offshoot of a company that works on post\u2011film production, SQ Film Laboratory, and is located in the residential district of Mandaluyong City.
\n\n
The microcinema is also connected to Santiago\u2019s, a caf\u00e9 that\u2019s decorated with pink flamingos and smells of buttery pastries and strong coffee.
\n
This is where\u00a0SparkUp\u00a0sat down with Shandii Bacolod: film director, producer and talent manager, and currently the programming head of Black Maria.
\n
\u201cIs it just a fad?\u201d Bacolod asked rhetorically over a cup of black coffee. \u201cNo, it\u2019s not. Microcinemas stem from the unconscious need to preserve our own art.\u201d
\n
\u201cThey said that the film industry is dying, but it\u2019s not,\u201d he continued empathically. \u201cIt\u2019s deprived. It\u2019s deprived of venues, resources, and government funds. As a part of this industry, we\u2019re the ones who have to come up with a solution.\u201d
\n
The idea to have a microcinema came from one of the producers that they were working with in SQ, he recalled, who pointed out that they already have all the equipment they need to show films anyway. In November 2017, Black Maria Cinema was borne out of the 30\u2011seater cinema that used to only have filmmakers screening their work for final touches as its audience. Because they already had all the equipment, like a digital projector and Dolby Digital sound, and the connections within the film industry, all they needed was an audience.
\n\n
\u201cOur major audience are film enthusiasts and film buffs,\u201d said Bacolod. \u201cDinadayo nila kami\u00a0(They make the trip here).\u201d Their location in Mandaluyong, a stone\u2019s throw away from busy Shaw Boulevard, also makes them accessible to people who want someone else to relax after office hours, walk\u2011ins from the local community, and of course millennials and students who have heard about them on social media. Social media, it seems, is also an integral part of any microcinema\u2019s marketing plan. Black Maria Cinema closed temporarily in January to update its sound system and seats, and went back in operations on the first week of February.
\n
Unlike Cinema Centenario, Black Maria Cinema also shows foreign films like\u00a0I, Tonya\u2014a 2017 film about \u201890s figure skater Tonya Harding who was made notorious by her alleged attack of her rival Nancy Kerrigan\u2014and\u00a0Loving Vincent\u2014a 2017 animated film rendered in the art style of Vincent van Gogh whose life is the subject of the film. They charge \u20b1200 for local films and \u20b1230 for foreign films, following the pricing of mall cinemas. \u201cBut if the movie is a part of a film festival then we follow the price given by the festival,\u201d Bacolod added.
\n
Former Black Maria Cinema\u2011goers might be shocked by this \u20b150 increase in ticket prices from when it first started, but it seems like a necessary price increase. While microcinemas operate with obviously less resources and space compared to mall cinemas, they are subject to the same regulations.
\n
\u201cKahit maliit kami\u00a0(even if we\u2019re small) we have to follow all the requirements and criteria as big mall cinemas, and we pay the same amount in fees,\u201d Bacolod disclosed. These include zoning permits, fire compliance permits, business permits and registering with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Bureau of Internal Revenue. She estimates that Black Maria Cinema has a \u20b135,000\u2011\u20b145,000 monthly operating cost.
\n
With more and more microcinemas being established in the last few months, there might soon be enough to come up with an association of microcinema owners so that they may discuss how to make their businesses sustainable. \u201cThis year business owners are coming up to improve operations, how to strengthen our business, how to promote our movies,\u201d said Bacolod.
\n
\u201cSo that microcinemas won\u2019t be considered an alternate venue to watch films anymore,\u201d he reflected. \u201cWe\u2019ll be known as\u00a0the\u00a0venue.\u201d
\n
Black Maria Cinema is located at 779 San Rafael St., SQ Film Laboratories Building, Plainview, Mandaluyong. Check out their\u00a0facebook\u00a0for screening schedules.\u00a0
\n
\n
\n
[td_block_dfp_ad dfp_ad_id=”1786″]
\n",
"content_text": "There was a time when sound in cinema was unheard of and colored moving pictures were the stuff of dreams. But now, the cinema is accessible in the nearest mall, with tickets being sold at an affordable price, plus extra features like popcorn, 3\u2011D glasses, a slew of movie previews, and memorable end\u2011credits that will keep you glued to your seats.\nBut while cinemas have become accessible, some award\u2011winning movies haven\u2019t. And it isn\u2019t because the so\u2011called art snobs feel like their work is too good for the masses. It\u2019s because cinemas operate more as a business and less like an art display. The number of days given to a film\u2019s showing depends on how many people come to see it during its first few days.\nIt\u2019s the reason why crowd favorites like blockbuster films or mainstream Tagalog movies luxuriate for two or more weeks in the cinema, while the more obscure indie films, no matter how many local and international awards they win, might enjoy a little more than three days in a mall theater. Even\u00a0Respeto, which won Best Film in the 2017 Cinemalaya Awards and uses the very popular art of hip\u2011hop as a tableau for tackling the effects of living in a dictatorship (such a timely topic), had to take to social media guerilla marketing to get mall cinemas not take the film out of theaters.\nIn the same vein, 28\u2011year\u2011old filmmaker Hector Barreto Calma, who himself has graced international festivals for films like\u00a0Ang mga Alingawngaw sa Panahon ng Pagpapasaya, used social media to gauge whether or not he would have a niche for the kind of cinema he wanted to put up. Soon enough, he founded Cinema Centenario: a microcinema along busy Maginhawa Street in Quezon City, flanked by food establishments that draw university students.\n\nIn here, a narrow staircase leads to a room filled with glass walls, providing a full view of movie schedules, memorabilia (last January, it featured costumes from 2017 Metro Manila Film Festival Best Picture\u00a0Ang Larawan), an old\u2011fashioned red ticket booth, and a flatscreen television were trailers\u2014ranging from classic to contemporary\u2014loop endlessly.\nALTERNATE SPACE\nCinema Centenario regularly shows local and indie films from noon to midnight, has a seating capacity of 65 people, and an affordable ticket price of \u20b1200. They also sell snacks and film merchandise.Cinema Centenario was launched in December 2017, the year that marked the 100th year of Philippine cinema.\n\u201cWhen I read a thread about an indie movie on social media, I always find people asking where they can watch the film,\u201d said Calma in an interview with\u00a0SparkUp\u00a0when asked about whether or not there\u2019s a need for microcinemas. \u201cThat\u2019s why there was a need to make an alternate space to show films. We schedule a film for showing, and regardless of whether or not we get a full audience, we don\u2019t pull\u2011out the film from it\u2019s scheduled viewing.\u201d\n\nFilms were made to be shown on cinemas, not on your mobile phone.\n\u2014Hector Barreto Calma, filmmaker\n\nSocial media is also where Cinema Centenario does most of its marketing. Every new showing is a new Facebook event, sometimes promising the chance for the audience to talk with movie directors and actors after the film.\n\u201cThe audience tends to put filmmakers and actors on a pedestal. We want to make them reachable,\u201d said Calma. \u201cWe schedule with directors and actors and announce our events when we\u2019re sure that they can come. We\u2019re bridging the gap between the audience and the filmmaker. They can ask their questions, facets about the movie are revealed, and this is something that you can\u2019t experience in other cinemas.\u201d\n\u201cWith the age of technology, you can watch your favorite movie on a laptop, but\u00a0iba pa rin ang sinehan\u00a0(it\u2019s still different in the cinema),\u201d Calma added, looking up wistfully at the soundless black\u2011and\u2011white movie trailer playing on the television at the cinema lobby, his hands clasped as if in prayer. \u201cYou get a collective reaction with the strangers you\u2019re watching with that you can\u2019t replicate anywhere else. Films were made to be shown on cinemas, not on your mobile phone.\u201d\nBut with their location in Maginhawa comes a captive audience of young and old alike. Some of them, Calma joked, were a literal captive audience trapped by rush\u2011hour traffic who decided to park their cars nearby and spend two hours or so watching a movie instead of spending those hours stressed out. Some others come up to the cinema expecting another trendy theme restaurant. \u201cHow cute,\u201d he recalled one of them say. \u201cLook, their menu is themed after movies!\u201d Cinema Centenario get students from nearby universities like the University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University and Miriam College, who come after class. Calma also recalled with great fondness an elderly couple who lived nearby. They decided to climb the steep staircase up to the cinema after weeks of passing by it curiously during their daily walks to watch a movie that was first shown when they were still teenagers. They insisted on meeting Calma afterwards to shake his hand and thank him.\nCinema Centenario sources its movies from Calma\u2019s connections with other indie filmmakers and from the restored classics collection of ABS\u2011CBN\u2019s film restoration project.\nCinema Centenario is located at 95 Maginhawa St., Quezon City. It is open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 12 midnight. Check out their\u00a0facebook\u00a0for screening schedules.\n\u2018NOT A FAD\u2019\nSimilarly, Black Maria Cinema in Mandaluyong City is an offshoot of a company that works on post\u2011film production, SQ Film Laboratory, and is located in the residential district of Mandaluyong City.\n\nThe microcinema is also connected to Santiago\u2019s, a caf\u00e9 that\u2019s decorated with pink flamingos and smells of buttery pastries and strong coffee.\nThis is where\u00a0SparkUp\u00a0sat down with Shandii Bacolod: film director, producer and talent manager, and currently the programming head of Black Maria.\n\u201cIs it just a fad?\u201d Bacolod asked rhetorically over a cup of black coffee. \u201cNo, it\u2019s not. Microcinemas stem from the unconscious need to preserve our own art.\u201d\n\u201cThey said that the film industry is dying, but it\u2019s not,\u201d he continued empathically. \u201cIt\u2019s deprived. It\u2019s deprived of venues, resources, and government funds. As a part of this industry, we\u2019re the ones who have to come up with a solution.\u201d\nThe idea to have a microcinema came from one of the producers that they were working with in SQ, he recalled, who pointed out that they already have all the equipment they need to show films anyway. In November 2017, Black Maria Cinema was borne out of the 30\u2011seater cinema that used to only have filmmakers screening their work for final touches as its audience. Because they already had all the equipment, like a digital projector and Dolby Digital sound, and the connections within the film industry, all they needed was an audience.\n\ufeff\n\u201cOur major audience are film enthusiasts and film buffs,\u201d said Bacolod. \u201cDinadayo nila kami\u00a0(They make the trip here).\u201d Their location in Mandaluyong, a stone\u2019s throw away from busy Shaw Boulevard, also makes them accessible to people who want someone else to relax after office hours, walk\u2011ins from the local community, and of course millennials and students who have heard about them on social media. Social media, it seems, is also an integral part of any microcinema\u2019s marketing plan. Black Maria Cinema closed temporarily in January to update its sound system and seats, and went back in operations on the first week of February.\nUnlike Cinema Centenario, Black Maria Cinema also shows foreign films like\u00a0I, Tonya\u2014a 2017 film about \u201890s figure skater Tonya Harding who was made notorious by her alleged attack of her rival Nancy Kerrigan\u2014and\u00a0Loving Vincent\u2014a 2017 animated film rendered in the art style of Vincent van Gogh whose life is the subject of the film. They charge \u20b1200 for local films and \u20b1230 for foreign films, following the pricing of mall cinemas. \u201cBut if the movie is a part of a film festival then we follow the price given by the festival,\u201d Bacolod added.\nFormer Black Maria Cinema\u2011goers might be shocked by this \u20b150 increase in ticket prices from when it first started, but it seems like a necessary price increase. While microcinemas operate with obviously less resources and space compared to mall cinemas, they are subject to the same regulations.\n\u201cKahit maliit kami\u00a0(even if we\u2019re small) we have to follow all the requirements and criteria as big mall cinemas, and we pay the same amount in fees,\u201d Bacolod disclosed. These include zoning permits, fire compliance permits, business permits and registering with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Bureau of Internal Revenue. She estimates that Black Maria Cinema has a \u20b135,000\u2011\u20b145,000 monthly operating cost.\nWith more and more microcinemas being established in the last few months, there might soon be enough to come up with an association of microcinema owners so that they may discuss how to make their businesses sustainable. \u201cThis year business owners are coming up to improve operations, how to strengthen our business, how to promote our movies,\u201d said Bacolod.\n\u201cSo that microcinemas won\u2019t be considered an alternate venue to watch films anymore,\u201d he reflected. \u201cWe\u2019ll be known as\u00a0the\u00a0venue.\u201d\nBlack Maria Cinema is located at 779 San Rafael St., SQ Film Laboratories Building, Plainview, Mandaluyong. Check out their\u00a0facebook\u00a0for screening schedules.\u00a0\n\n\n[td_block_dfp_ad dfp_ad_id=”1786″]",
"date_published": "2018-02-23T03:30:06+08:00",
"date_modified": "2018-02-23T03:30:06+08:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/blexticauldulack/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1311207d4ac1996cb586666fe3d56418ca9f007d735b74eb19d3fa440df5c8b4?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/blexticauldulack/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1311207d4ac1996cb586666fe3d56418ca9f007d735b74eb19d3fa440df5c8b4?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
},
"tags": [
"Fresh",
"SparkUp"
],
"summary": "Behind the curtains of Cinema Centenario and Black Maria Cinema."
},
{
"id": "http://www.bworldonline.com/?p=145304",
"url": "/sparkup/2018/02/13/145304/a-gastronomic-journey-through-binondo-curated-by-a-startup/",
"title": "A gastronomic journey through Binondo, curated by a startup",
"content_html": "
\n
There\u2019s something romantic and utterly peculiar about roaming the streets of Binondo, the oldest Chinatown in Asia. Rows of dimly lit stores are crammed with its own little secrets: the confluence of old and new in the form of bottled herbal remedies, charms, beaded jewelry, golden Buddhas, and, the best part of all: traditional Chinese food.
\n
After all, who could resist the charm of, say, dumplings: thin dough crescents filled with minced meat and chopped vegetables, then boiled until soft and chewy? Or spring rolls: fresh vegetables and meat rolled into cylinders and dipped in sweet nutty sauce?
\n
That\u2019s why when digital booking platform Tralulu began offering pre\u2011curated trips\u2014a shift from its original business model that connected users to local guides\u2014it was only logical that a \u201cfood crawl\u201d in Binondo was the first on the list. The 400\u2011year\u2011old town, sandwiched between the historic districts of Sta. Cruz and Intramuros in Manila, after all is close to the heart of the tech startup\u2019s Filipino\u2011Chinese Founder and CEO Andrew Cua who grew up and still lives in the area.
\n
\u201cThis is very personal,\u201d 23\u2011year\u2011old Cua told\u00a0SparkUp\u00a0in an interview. \u201cI\u2019ve been bringing people around Binondo for food trips for around five to six years now. Since college, I\u2019ve been doing that.\u201d
\n
Binondo is the Mecca for Filipinos looking for authentic oriental cuisines, with different Chinese restaurants located in every corner. Despite the mushrooming of new and quaint food establishments around the area, these restaurants have withstood the test of time and remain serving savory Chinese dishes to different generations of Filipinos.
\n
\u201c The great taste of the food is uncontested and the landscape of restaurant business here is very competitive,\u201d he said. \u201cBefore there were fast\u2011food chains set up here, but most of them didn\u2019t survive, they lost to traditional businesses.\u201d
\n
Binondo\u2019s food establishments, he added, are part of long tradition and cultural fusion, which Tralulu seeks to highlight on the trip.
\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a gastronomic journey where people can try the hidden gems and the best food stops in Binondo, especially during the month of February,\u201d he said, adding that the trip, called \u201cBinondo Food Crawl,\u201d is perfect for people visiting the town during the Chinese new year season. In February last year, Cua said, around 80 local and foreign travellers booked the trip on the platform.
\n
The four\u2011to\u2011five trip can be availed for \u20b11,200, which already includes fees for the food and a guide.
\n
\u201cWe partner closely with restaurant owners to provide sometimes even hidden recipes that people don\u2019t have access to, and also the stories behind a recipe, a shop, and the town\u2014what makes it what it is.\u201d
\n
Here\u2019s a glimpse of what you can experience:
\n
The food crawl includes five \u201cstations\u201d where users can get a complete Chinese meal\u2014from appetizers to desserts.
\n
It begins with a visit to New Po\u2011Heng Lumpia House, a shop located in a latent residential building at Quintin Paredes Street, where travellers will get to eat Chinese\u2011style fresh lumpia, a popular snack made of mixed of vegetable and spices rolled in a thin crepe pastry skin.
\n
\u201cThis one is usually the favorite of everyone which cuts across kids to the elders because of the traditional Hokkien recipe,\u201d he said. \u201cPoheng Lumpia House is a hidden gem run by a Hokkien migrant who came to the Philippines few decades ago to start a Hokkien shop in a secret residencial place.\u201d
\n
Travellers are given the option to make their own fresh lumpia.
\n
What\u2019s a Binondo trip without devouring what is probably the most popular Chinese food\u2014dimsum?
\n
At the next station of the trip, Tralulu takes travellers to Ying Ying Tea House at Dasmarinas Street where \u201cthe tastiest dimsum in town\u201d are served.
\n
\u201cThere\u2019s always a debate about which shop has the best dimsum in Binondo, and some locals would conclude the debate and say that Ying Ying has the best dimsum with its years of experience,\u201d he said.
\n
No one can go wrong with Ying Ying\u2019s dimsum, he said. After all the family that runs the business are also the one behind some of the most popular food establishments in Binondo like The President Grand Palace and Wai Ying Fast Food.
\n
For the main course, travellers are taken to New Toho Food Center, the oldest restaurant in the country. The restaurant is now run by the fourth generation of the family that built it in 1888. Among its first customers is Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal.
\n
\u201cIt\u2019s home of some of the oldest recipes in the country that are still being served commercially today and here you will see a perfect fusion of all cuisines\u2014Spanish, Filipino, and Chinese,\u201d he said.
\n
Cua added that the restaurant is perfect for people looking for savory and authentic Chinese cuisines sold at reasonable prices.
\n
This station brings travellers to Shanghai Fried Siopao, one of the most popular snack shops Binondo\u2019s cultural street Ongpin.
\n
Here, popular fried sipoao (steamed bun) \u201cprepared in the classic way\u201d will be served.
\n
\u201cThis Shanghai fried siopao is good on its own. It\u2019s not overrated because of its name. It\u2019s not expensive and it\u2019s what locals here eat on a normal afternoon,\u201d he said.
\n
After finishing plates of salty oriental food, it\u2019s time for some Chinese desserts.
\n
At the last station, travellers will be served with famous Chinese sweets such as butchi (a rice cake made from sweet rice flour molded into a circle with a sweet bean paste filling and sesame seed coating) and siao lung pao from Cafe Mezzanine, better known as The Fireman\u2019s Cafe.
\n
\u201cThe pinnacle of culinary creations in Binondo when it comes to pastries and desserts can be found in Eng Bee Tin brand and one of their finest creations is Fireman\u2019s cafe a social enterprise all proceeds go to firefighters,\u201d he said.
\n
To conclude the trip, Tralulu takes travellers to a \u201csecret place\u201d where they will see the city of Manila and its neighbouring business districts from above. Want to find out what it is? Click\u00a0here\u00a0to get a chance to win a Binondo Food crawl from Tralulu.
\n
\n\n",
"content_text": "There\u2019s something romantic and utterly peculiar about roaming the streets of Binondo, the oldest Chinatown in Asia. Rows of dimly lit stores are crammed with its own little secrets: the confluence of old and new in the form of bottled herbal remedies, charms, beaded jewelry, golden Buddhas, and, the best part of all: traditional Chinese food.\nAfter all, who could resist the charm of, say, dumplings: thin dough crescents filled with minced meat and chopped vegetables, then boiled until soft and chewy? Or spring rolls: fresh vegetables and meat rolled into cylinders and dipped in sweet nutty sauce?\nThat\u2019s why when digital booking platform Tralulu began offering pre\u2011curated trips\u2014a shift from its original business model that connected users to local guides\u2014it was only logical that a \u201cfood crawl\u201d in Binondo was the first on the list. The 400\u2011year\u2011old town, sandwiched between the historic districts of Sta. Cruz and Intramuros in Manila, after all is close to the heart of the tech startup\u2019s Filipino\u2011Chinese Founder and CEO Andrew Cua who grew up and still lives in the area.\n\u201cThis is very personal,\u201d 23\u2011year\u2011old Cua told\u00a0SparkUp\u00a0in an interview. \u201cI\u2019ve been bringing people around Binondo for food trips for around five to six years now. Since college, I\u2019ve been doing that.\u201d\nBinondo is the Mecca for Filipinos looking for authentic oriental cuisines, with different Chinese restaurants located in every corner. Despite the mushrooming of new and quaint food establishments around the area, these restaurants have withstood the test of time and remain serving savory Chinese dishes to different generations of Filipinos.\n\u201c The great taste of the food is uncontested and the landscape of restaurant business here is very competitive,\u201d he said. \u201cBefore there were fast\u2011food chains set up here, but most of them didn\u2019t survive, they lost to traditional businesses.\u201d\nBinondo\u2019s food establishments, he added, are part of long tradition and cultural fusion, which Tralulu seeks to highlight on the trip.\n\u201cIt\u2019s a gastronomic journey where people can try the hidden gems and the best food stops in Binondo, especially during the month of February,\u201d he said, adding that the trip, called \u201cBinondo Food Crawl,\u201d is perfect for people visiting the town during the Chinese new year season. In February last year, Cua said, around 80 local and foreign travellers booked the trip on the platform.\nThe four\u2011to\u2011five trip can be availed for \u20b11,200, which already includes fees for the food and a guide.\n\u201cWe partner closely with restaurant owners to provide sometimes even hidden recipes that people don\u2019t have access to, and also the stories behind a recipe, a shop, and the town\u2014what makes it what it is.\u201d\nHere\u2019s a glimpse of what you can experience:\nThe food crawl includes five \u201cstations\u201d where users can get a complete Chinese meal\u2014from appetizers to desserts.\nIt begins with a visit to New Po\u2011Heng Lumpia House, a shop located in a latent residential building at Quintin Paredes Street, where travellers will get to eat Chinese\u2011style fresh lumpia, a popular snack made of mixed of vegetable and spices rolled in a thin crepe pastry skin.\n\u201cThis one is usually the favorite of everyone which cuts across kids to the elders because of the traditional Hokkien recipe,\u201d he said. \u201cPoheng Lumpia House is a hidden gem run by a Hokkien migrant who came to the Philippines few decades ago to start a Hokkien shop in a secret residencial place.\u201d\nTravellers are given the option to make their own fresh lumpia.\nWhat\u2019s a Binondo trip without devouring what is probably the most popular Chinese food\u2014dimsum?\nAt the next station of the trip, Tralulu takes travellers to Ying Ying Tea House at Dasmarinas Street where \u201cthe tastiest dimsum in town\u201d are served.\n\u201cThere\u2019s always a debate about which shop has the best dimsum in Binondo, and some locals would conclude the debate and say that Ying Ying has the best dimsum with its years of experience,\u201d he said.\nNo one can go wrong with Ying Ying\u2019s dimsum, he said. After all the family that runs the business are also the one behind some of the most popular food establishments in Binondo like The President Grand Palace and Wai Ying Fast Food.\nFor the main course, travellers are taken to New Toho Food Center, the oldest restaurant in the country. The restaurant is now run by the fourth generation of the family that built it in 1888. Among its first customers is Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal.\n\u201cIt\u2019s home of some of the oldest recipes in the country that are still being served commercially today and here you will see a perfect fusion of all cuisines\u2014Spanish, Filipino, and Chinese,\u201d he said.\nCua added that the restaurant is perfect for people looking for savory and authentic Chinese cuisines sold at reasonable prices.\nThis station brings travellers to Shanghai Fried Siopao, one of the most popular snack shops Binondo\u2019s cultural street Ongpin.\nHere, popular fried sipoao (steamed bun) \u201cprepared in the classic way\u201d will be served.\n\u201cThis Shanghai fried siopao is good on its own. It\u2019s not overrated because of its name. It\u2019s not expensive and it\u2019s what locals here eat on a normal afternoon,\u201d he said.\nAfter finishing plates of salty oriental food, it\u2019s time for some Chinese desserts.\nAt the last station, travellers will be served with famous Chinese sweets such as butchi (a rice cake made from sweet rice flour molded into a circle with a sweet bean paste filling and sesame seed coating) and siao lung pao from Cafe Mezzanine, better known as The Fireman\u2019s Cafe.\n\u201cThe pinnacle of culinary creations in Binondo when it comes to pastries and desserts can be found in Eng Bee Tin brand and one of their finest creations is Fireman\u2019s cafe a social enterprise all proceeds go to firefighters,\u201d he said.\nTo conclude the trip, Tralulu takes travellers to a \u201csecret place\u201d where they will see the city of Manila and its neighbouring business districts from above. Want to find out what it is? Click\u00a0here\u00a0to get a chance to win a Binondo Food crawl from Tralulu.",
"date_published": "2018-02-13T15:38:48+08:00",
"date_modified": "2018-02-13T15:38:48+08:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/blexticauldulack/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1311207d4ac1996cb586666fe3d56418ca9f007d735b74eb19d3fa440df5c8b4?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/blexticauldulack/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1311207d4ac1996cb586666fe3d56418ca9f007d735b74eb19d3fa440df5c8b4?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
},
"tags": [
"Fresh",
"SparkUp"
],
"summary": "Consider Tralulu\u2019s five\u2011hour food crawl in Asia\u2019s oldest Chinatown for \u20b11,200."
},
{
"id": "http://www.bworldonline.com/?p=145269",
"url": "/sparkup/2018/01/29/145269/the-big-bad-wolf-book-sale-is-coming/",
"title": "The Big Bad Wolf Book Sale is coming",
"content_html": "
Fairy tales have taught us to never let big bad wolves in. They are the devourer of children, baby goats, and two out of three enterprising pigs.
\n
Now the Big Bad Wolf is coming and it\u2019s out to get us bookworms and the special fund that we have set aside for literature.
\n
We\u2019re talking about the Big Bad Wolf Book Sale, a Malaysian book sale that started in 2009, and has been touring other Southeast Asian countries like Indonesia and Thailand, which will be having a Manila leg next month. Starting on February 16 at 9 a.m., it will run nonstop for a whopping 231 hours until February 25 at 11:59 p.m. at the World Trade Center Metro Manila in Pasay City. Admission is free.
\n
The Big Bad Wolf Book Sale has been dubbed as the \u201cworld\u2019s biggest\u201d of its kind, offering two million books at discounts ranging from 60% to 80%. There\u2019ll be children\u2019s lit, fiction, non\u2011fiction, and novels.
\n
You can check out their\u00a0Facebook page\u00a0for more information.
\n
Little pig, little pig, let me come in?-LDG
\n",
"content_text": "Fairy tales have taught us to never let big bad wolves in. They are the devourer of children, baby goats, and two out of three enterprising pigs.\nNow the Big Bad Wolf is coming and it\u2019s out to get us bookworms and the special fund that we have set aside for literature.\nWe\u2019re talking about the Big Bad Wolf Book Sale, a Malaysian book sale that started in 2009, and has been touring other Southeast Asian countries like Indonesia and Thailand, which will be having a Manila leg next month. Starting on February 16 at 9 a.m., it will run nonstop for a whopping 231 hours until February 25 at 11:59 p.m. at the World Trade Center Metro Manila in Pasay City. Admission is free.\nThe Big Bad Wolf Book Sale has been dubbed as the \u201cworld\u2019s biggest\u201d of its kind, offering two million books at discounts ranging from 60% to 80%. There\u2019ll be children\u2019s lit, fiction, non\u2011fiction, and novels.\nYou can check out their\u00a0Facebook page\u00a0for more information.\nLittle pig, little pig, let me come in?-LDG",
"date_published": "2018-01-29T14:59:24+08:00",
"date_modified": "2018-01-29T14:59:24+08:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/blexticauldulack/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1311207d4ac1996cb586666fe3d56418ca9f007d735b74eb19d3fa440df5c8b4?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/blexticauldulack/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1311207d4ac1996cb586666fe3d56418ca9f007d735b74eb19d3fa440df5c8b4?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
},
"tags": [
"Fresh",
"SparkUp"
],
"summary": "Two million books will be offered nonstop from 9 a.m. of Feb. 16 to 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 25."
},
{
"id": "http://www.bworldonline.com/?p=145214",
"url": "/sparkup/2018/01/11/145214/the-first-m-a-d-talks-on-volunteerism-will-be-held-this-weekend/",
"title": "The first M.A.D. talks on volunteerism will be held this weekend",
"content_html": "
\n
If volunteering for a cause was a part of your New Year\u2019s resolutions then this might be the event for you.
The event will bring together 150 youth volunteers from all over the country, including young professionals, student leaders, and members of the academe to listen and learn from each other and the invited resource speakers.
\n
The forum will focus on the bayanihan culture and will promote volunteerism among the Filipino youth.
\n
The first M.A.D. Talks is done in partnership with the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) and One Meralco Foundation, Inc.
\n
I am M.A.D., a millennial-led collective of Filipino volunteers, is also preparing a solid list of events for the year. The group was a national finalist in the on-going 15th Search for the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) Awards.
\n
The group will also launch its re-vamped website and a multimedia promotional \u2018Call for Volunteers\u2019 to further spread its advocacy and mobilize the Filipino youth.
\n
Christian Marx Rivero, co\u2011founder and chairman of I am Making A Difference, Inc., said that student leaders can further hone their potential by joining M.A.D. Camps. These 15 volunteer activities will be headed by I am M.A.D. across the country, to be announced during this forum.
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
For more information, you can visit I am M.A.D. on\u00a0facebook\u00a0or email them on\u00a0iammadph@gmail.com.
\n",
"content_text": "If volunteering for a cause was a part of your New Year\u2019s resolutions then this might be the event for you.\nOn January 13\u2014that\u2019s this Saturday\u2014I am M.A.D. (Making a Difference)\u00a0kicks off the year with\u00a0M.A.D. Talks 2018: Nagmahal, Nasaktan, Nag-volunteer. REPEAT!\u00a0at the Meralco Theat\nThe event will bring together 150 youth volunteers from all over the country, including young professionals, student leaders, and members of the academe to listen and learn from each other and the invited resource speakers.\nThe forum will focus on the bayanihan culture and will promote volunteerism among the Filipino youth.\nThe first M.A.D. Talks is done in partnership with the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) and One Meralco Foundation, Inc.\nI am M.A.D., a millennial-led collective of Filipino volunteers, is also preparing a solid list of events for the year. The group was a national finalist in the on-going 15th Search for the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) Awards.\nThe group will also launch its re-vamped website and a multimedia promotional \u2018Call for Volunteers\u2019 to further spread its advocacy and mobilize the Filipino youth.\nChristian Marx Rivero, co\u2011founder and chairman of I am Making A Difference, Inc., said that student leaders can further hone their potential by joining M.A.D. Camps. These 15 volunteer activities will be headed by I am M.A.D. across the country, to be announced during this forum.\n\n\n\n\nFor more information, you can visit I am M.A.D. on\u00a0facebook\u00a0or email them on\u00a0iammadph@gmail.com.",
"date_published": "2018-01-11T13:02:31+08:00",
"date_modified": "2018-01-11T13:02:31+08:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/blexticauldulack/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1311207d4ac1996cb586666fe3d56418ca9f007d735b74eb19d3fa440df5c8b4?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/blexticauldulack/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1311207d4ac1996cb586666fe3d56418ca9f007d735b74eb19d3fa440df5c8b4?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
},
"tags": [
"Fresh",
"SparkUp"
],
"summary": "Get M.A.D. on volunteerism this weekend."
},
{
"id": "http://www.bworldonline.com/?p=145211",
"url": "/sparkup/2018/01/09/145211/composing-fates/",
"title": "Composing fates",
"content_html": "
On a bus ride through the Arizona desert, Merlinda Bobis sees a black bird flying across the grey sky, close to an eerie white sun\u2014a sun unlike the yellow orb often depicted in artworks and children\u2019s drawings, unlike the smiling (or screaming) icon in cartoons. The scene, which could have belonged to any time, ordinary but also bordering on the divine, revealed itself as a poem. \u201cI began seeing images as if for the first time… Seeing was a beautiful accident,\u201d Bobis writes in her afterword. It was the scene or the image\u2019s becoming\u2014bird, sun, sky\u2014that prompts meditation on the progression and arrangement of life. How every decision, or deferral, composes our fates.
\n
\n
but which composes which
\n
and which is accidental?
\n
(\u201cAfter the Grand Canyon\u201d)
\n
\n
Apart from poetry in English, Bobis has also written works in Filipino and her native Bikol. In\u00a0Accidents of Composition, Bobis explores often visceral experiences in her poetry; how global events and natural calamities have changed the course of human lives to the seemingly invisible events in a kitchen foretelling a historical event. Among the poems, knowing and knowledge are presented as afterthoughts, only coming to light after an event is finished or a deed done. Memory teaches us to anticipate and prepare, because remembering is only the first step to a journey.
\n
\n
An incantation
\n
found in the hole
\n
that used to be a house.
\n
…
\n
to the howl
\n
of rain and wind
\n
as he listened to
\n
his daughter say, Ay, Papa\u2014
\n
before the line was cut.
\n
(\u201cThe Lost Notebook\u201d)
\n
\n
\n
\n
On the other side of the world,
\n
Fer\u00f1ao, you too will be gutted
\n
by the namesake of a fish.
\n
(\u201cAuguries of a Fish\u201d)
\n
\n
Traveling allows for a person to expand their horizons and, for some, a way to learn about oneself. Journeying, both in the physical and spiritual sense, are replete in Bobis\u2019 verses, as reflected by her life. From the lush jungles at the foot of Mount Mayon to a placid river in China, life unfolds and, through recollection and documentation, reveal themselves as poems. It can be considered that\u00a0Accidents of Composition, Bobis\u2019 return to the poetry book after four novels, as a statement about her creative process or poetics.
\n
Within the lyric lines and vivid imagery, Bobis takes the reader into an experience otherwise unfamiliar or alien. Drawing connections between images and texts, events across time and space, Bobis also expands the meaning of ecology from its physical definition. Every thing and image is an index or reference of another, image and texts are combinations of the known and unknown, our relations are mediated and determined by reasoning with elements beyond our control. One can navigate their fate through a ripple caused by the smallest fish; one can find their love in a different time or in virtual space.
\n
\n
So sweetheart
\n
from the other side…
\n
faceless yet to each other
\n
there is hope for us.
\n
(\u201cLove is Planetary\u201d)
\n
\n
There is a balance of cold and warmth, toughness and affection in Bobis\u2019 language. In \u201cAfter Reming\u201d, for instance, she takes the color purple to mean a bruise, but also a flower, that from the void of loss is the possbility (or inevitability) of return and growth. Even when concrete replaces the earth and technology serves as surrogates of our affection, life will take its natural course.
\n
In\u00a0Accidents of Composition, travel moves from the mundane to the meaningful, through a tour bus across the desert in 2014 to a galleon crossing the Pacific Ocean in the 18th century, Bobis drew arcs of light\u2014the very poems every reader and seer holds, or will hold, in their hands.
\n",
"content_text": "On a bus ride through the Arizona desert, Merlinda Bobis sees a black bird flying across the grey sky, close to an eerie white sun\u2014a sun unlike the yellow orb often depicted in artworks and children\u2019s drawings, unlike the smiling (or screaming) icon in cartoons. The scene, which could have belonged to any time, ordinary but also bordering on the divine, revealed itself as a poem. \u201cI began seeing images as if for the first time… Seeing was a beautiful accident,\u201d Bobis writes in her afterword. It was the scene or the image\u2019s becoming\u2014bird, sun, sky\u2014that prompts meditation on the progression and arrangement of life. How every decision, or deferral, composes our fates.\n\nbut which composes which\nand which is accidental?\n(\u201cAfter the Grand Canyon\u201d)\n\nApart from poetry in English, Bobis has also written works in Filipino and her native Bikol. In\u00a0Accidents of Composition, Bobis explores often visceral experiences in her poetry; how global events and natural calamities have changed the course of human lives to the seemingly invisible events in a kitchen foretelling a historical event. Among the poems, knowing and knowledge are presented as afterthoughts, only coming to light after an event is finished or a deed done. Memory teaches us to anticipate and prepare, because remembering is only the first step to a journey.\n\nAn incantation\nfound in the hole\nthat used to be a house.\n…\nto the howl\nof rain and wind\nas he listened to\nhis daughter say, Ay, Papa\u2014\nbefore the line was cut.\n(\u201cThe Lost Notebook\u201d)\n\n \n\nOn the other side of the world,\nFer\u00f1ao, you too will be gutted\nby the namesake of a fish.\n(\u201cAuguries of a Fish\u201d)\n\nTraveling allows for a person to expand their horizons and, for some, a way to learn about oneself. Journeying, both in the physical and spiritual sense, are replete in Bobis\u2019 verses, as reflected by her life. From the lush jungles at the foot of Mount Mayon to a placid river in China, life unfolds and, through recollection and documentation, reveal themselves as poems. It can be considered that\u00a0Accidents of Composition, Bobis\u2019 return to the poetry book after four novels, as a statement about her creative process or poetics.\nWithin the lyric lines and vivid imagery, Bobis takes the reader into an experience otherwise unfamiliar or alien. Drawing connections between images and texts, events across time and space, Bobis also expands the meaning of ecology from its physical definition. Every thing and image is an index or reference of another, image and texts are combinations of the known and unknown, our relations are mediated and determined by reasoning with elements beyond our control. One can navigate their fate through a ripple caused by the smallest fish; one can find their love in a different time or in virtual space.\n\nSo sweetheart\nfrom the other side…\nfaceless yet to each other\nthere is hope for us.\n(\u201cLove is Planetary\u201d)\n\nThere is a balance of cold and warmth, toughness and affection in Bobis\u2019 language. In \u201cAfter Reming\u201d, for instance, she takes the color purple to mean a bruise, but also a flower, that from the void of loss is the possbility (or inevitability) of return and growth. Even when concrete replaces the earth and technology serves as surrogates of our affection, life will take its natural course.\nIn\u00a0Accidents of Composition, travel moves from the mundane to the meaningful, through a tour bus across the desert in 2014 to a galleon crossing the Pacific Ocean in the 18th century, Bobis drew arcs of light\u2014the very poems every reader and seer holds, or will hold, in their hands.",
"date_published": "2018-01-09T12:58:57+08:00",
"date_modified": "2018-01-09T12:58:57+08:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/blexticauldulack/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1311207d4ac1996cb586666fe3d56418ca9f007d735b74eb19d3fa440df5c8b4?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "大象传媒",
"url": "/author/blexticauldulack/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1311207d4ac1996cb586666fe3d56418ca9f007d735b74eb19d3fa440df5c8b4?s=512&d=mm&r=g"
},
"tags": [
"Fresh",
"SparkUp"
],
"summary": "In Accidents of Composition, Bobis explores often visceral experiences in her poetry; how global events and natural calamities have changed the course of human lives to the seemingly invisible events in a kitchen foretelling a historical event."
}
]
}
![\"\"](\"/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/unnamed-2.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/unnamed-1.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/IMG_1894.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/IMG_1899.jpg\")
![\"sparkup-inside-cheese-and-chocolate-joe-baird-california-cheese\"](\"http://www.bworldonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/sparkup-inside-cheese-and-chocolate-joe-baird-california-cheese.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"http://www.bworldonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/inside-san-ignacio-church-ruins.jpg\")
\n![\"\"](\"http://www.bworldonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/cover-mapua-chapel.jpg\")
\n![\"\"](\"http://www.bworldonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/1111.jpg\")
The food crawl includes five \u201cstations\u201d where users can get a complete Chinese meal\u2014from appetizers to desserts.![\"\"](\"http://www.bworldonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/2222.jpg\")
What\u2019s a Binondo trip without devouring what is probably the most popular Chinese food\u2014dimsum?![\"\"](\"http://www.bworldonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/3333.jpg\")
For the main course, travellers are taken to New Toho Food Center, the oldest restaurant in the country. The restaurant is now run by the fourth generation of the family that built it in 1888. Among its first customers is Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal.![\"\"](\"http://www.bworldonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/4444.jpg\")
This station brings travellers to Shanghai Fried Siopao, one of the most popular snack shops Binondo\u2019s cultural street Ongpin.![\"\"](\"http://www.bworldonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/5555.jpg\")
After finishing plates of salty oriental food, it\u2019s time for some Chinese desserts.