Aldub U Parol

When you wish upon a star...anything your heart desires will come to you.

Coke Vice President for Public Affairs and Communications Atty Adel Tamano says they want to make millions of wishes come true this year. 

Coke upcycled hundreds of bottles and formed a neat giant parol in the middle of Araneta Center (yep, near the giant Christmas tree!) Tamano explains that people don't have to splurge much to have fun decor this Christmas. 

Tamano adds there's no limit when it comes to wishing!

"You can wish for whatever you want. We have a promo now called "wish upon a parol." To join, just buy one of our Coke Products, take a look at the cap. There's a promo code there. Text Coke_promocode to 2653. And then it's up to you. You have 5wks."

Coke already granted one of the wishes: the cool tandem Aldub already has a Christmas billboard (check it out while it's traffic along C-5:p)

Who says Coke drinkers still need Santa? The last draw will be on the second week of December.

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Take me back to Neverland, Peter Pan

Ballet Philippines' well-loved Peter Pan is back! 

I had the privilege to sit in one of their rehearsals. Sans makeup, costumes & the flying machine, I still had so much fun! No kidding.

Director and choreographer Edna Vida Froilan has been staging this for decades. Her eyes glow with delight as she recalls how quickly she thought of the choreography when they staged the first Peter Pan in the Philippines based on the Walt Disney cartoon. 

Through the years, they've made changes here and there depending on the skill of the dancers who'll take on the lead roles. But this year, Froilan says she just wants to go back to the original choreography. The dancers religiously train to develop the strength and stamina required.

There are two to three alternating dancers for each of the principal parts. 

Multi-awarded Jean Marc Cordero is one of those who would play Peter Pan. He took on the same role five years ago; but he says this time around it's really refreshing. After having portrayed dark mature roles previously he says it feels great to be a kid again. 

To learn how to fly? Think of lovely thoughts...

Peter Pan will run from Dec 4-13 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. 

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Nanta cooks up fun in Manila

Korea's number 1 non-verbal broadway show is here in Manila. The first Asian musical to debut in New York, Cookin' Nanta is globally acclaimed for its uniqueness.

It's so hilarious; it reminds me of the TV show Takeshi's castle

Armed with knives and chopping boards, Nanta opens with three cooks about to start their day. As they go about their daily tasks, The Manager crams in an unplanned wedding party! 

Spectators can even become the bride and groom in a traditional Korean wedding on the spot! With six months training in handling kitchen props, cast members say it's a safe kind of fun.

Cookin' Nanta plays for a limited season at The Theatre at Solaire til November 15

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Tips from the Heart

Don't forget your selfworth. Don't give yourself away too much just because you want something. You also have to remember to take care of yourself. Reach for the stars! Anything is possible as long as you pray and work hard for it.

Heart Evangelista recently launched her own book on makeup and skincare entitled "This is me, Love Marie."

Heart believes there is power in beauty and perseverance.

In her recent booksigning in Makati, she shared her top beauty tip. 

 

Prolong your youth. When it comes to beauty, it's all about preserving what you already have. As much as possible you wanna look young. When you're young, don't rush looking old. You'll never look young ever again.

She mentioned it's better to invest in more skincare products than makeup. She hardly uses foundation now that she's 30! She belives that when you have good skin, you won't need much makeup. 

Try to stay away from the smoky eyes and maybe do the cat eye!

Heart personalized the book with handwritten notes and doodles plus snippets of her journey in showbiz for almost 2 decades. It's out in local bookstores and magazine stands nationwide.

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Fans get high with Hi-5

Hi-5 is back in the Philippines this holiday season! I love how they can get all the kids high and groovin' on positivity (without having to give them sugar). Happily, I got to chat with them again (same day as last year!:))

Ainsley, Dayen, Mary, Stevie and Tanika sing about a world of dreams with fairy gardens, outer space, and underwater adventures. Stevie who's on his last tour with the group also released a new book:) Anything is possible indeed! 

You may catch Hi-5 House of Dreams from December 18-22 at Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila.

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How to invade 75 Filipino artists' studios in one sitting

Manila Bulletin recently lauched a coffeetable book featuring 75 Filipino artists in their workspaces.

Multimedia artist Rosscapili is one of the many talented icons featured in the book. (I was lucky enough to be photographed by this master back in 2006.:) I must say he hasn't aged a bit!)

He feels honored to be part of it. He says by "invading" his studio, the book explores his growth as an artist as well as his various techniques.

Along with the other generous artists, Rosscapili donated one of his works for a private sale in Manila Hotel for the benefit of the Philippine Red Cross. His painting is nice & bright with butterflies amidst moving trees that seem to come alive when you squint!

I heard the paintings were sold like hotcakes!:)

"Filipino Artists in Their Studios" is available at leading bookstores for 3,990php. 

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Crackin' Holiday Blues with PBT's "Nutcracker"

As the second resident ballet company of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Philippine Ballet Theater (PBT) has 20 resident dancers plus adopted scholars through various foundations. 

Master Anatoli with his children; Edward sits in front (wearing purple) while Emerson stands near his brother

14-yr-old Edward Evangelio and his older brother Emerson are some of PBT's young scholars. Edward says that ballet helps them support their big family (I heard they have 9siblings) while they study at Sta Ana Public School. They also get to express themselves when they dance.

A real artist supports others in any way s/he can

Russian ballet master Anatoli Panasyukov has been training the PBT dancers and scholars for 20 years. Master Anatoli says his students are his children; they call him  "Papa." He regrets that some of his most talented apprentices resort to looking for other jobs after finishing their studies for lack of proper funding. It's admirable how he perseveres in mentoring promising talents in the country for the love of classical ballet.

To kick off the holiday season, the Philippine Ballet Theater restages the Nutcracker. Master Anatoli is excited to have American guest dancer Joseph Phillips.

A story about Clara, a girl who experiences a one of a kind adventure because of a nutcracker from her grandfather, PBT President Sylvia Lichauco-de Leon says: "The story of the nutcracker and the mouse king originated in Germany. It's a folktale about a little girl who dreams. The prince comes all because of a nutcracker her grandfather gave her on Christmas. They're supposed to bring good luck to your house and ward off evil spirits. Many people collect nutcrackers; it's a special gift." Lauchengco adds it's a great spectacle that could help alleviate stress. She herself has watched it several times in various countries. 

 To demonstrate further how it can make you smile, she allowed the feelingera ballerina to try one of PBT's colorful costumes!:p

The Nutcracker by the Philippine Ballet Theater will run from Nov 13 to 15 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).

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