Enhance Your Best Features with the Sculpt and Strobe Stick

Ever Bilena’s Sculpt and Strobe Stick (P225) is the newest make-up go-to for a bright and glowing, well-defined look. The 2-in-1 cream-based stick helps sculpt your face to enhance your facial structure and illuminate it for a glowing look. The Sculpt and Strobe Stick comes in Medium for fairer skin and Deep that is best suited for darker skin tones. Also, this product is Paraben-and-cruelty-free. It is available through Lazada and major retail stores nationwide.

Philippines Hosts Exhibition of Contemporary Art in Southeast Asia

L-R, clockwise- Ties of History: Art in Southeast Asia featured artists— Amanda Heng (Singapore), Roberto Feleo (Philippines), Anusapati (Indonesia), Do Hoang Tuong (Vietnam), Chris Chong Chan Fui (Malaysia), Yasmin Jaidin (Brunei), Min Thein Sung (Myanmar), Vuth Lyno (Cambodia), Jedsada Tangtrakulwong (Thailand), Savanhdary Vongpoothorn (Laos)

Exhibition: Ties of History: Art in Southeast Asia

Venue: Metropolitan Museum of Manila 
　　　　                 University of the Philippines Vargas 
                        Museum 
　　　　                 Yuchengco Museum
　　　　
Dates: August 8 to October 6, 2018

Social Media: @tiesofhistory 

Opening Reception: 5pm – 9pm 

　　　　August 8 at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila
       August 9 at the Yuchengco Museum
       August 10 at the Vargas Museum 


MANILA, PHILIPPINES - As the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) concludes the commemoration of its 50th anniversary, the Philippines marks the historic occasion by hosting a contemporary art exhibition featuring ten artists who will represent each ASEAN member state. 

The exhibit titled Ties of History: Art in Southeast Asia is curated by noted art historian, scholar, and curator Patrick D. Flores. 

It will be held simultaneously in three major art institutions in the Philippines: the Metropolitan Museum of Manila (MET Manila), the University of the Philippines Vargas Museum, and the Yuchengco Museum. 

The exhibition’s artists from the region will gather in Manila to open the exhibition on August 8 (MET Manila), 9 (Yuchengco Museum), and 10 (Vargas Museum) with a series of programs for each venue. The opening reception of each venue starts at 5pm. The exhibition will be on view from August 10 to October 6, 2018.

The project is presented by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) through the Dalubhasaan Para sa Edukasyon sa Sining at Kultura (DESK) with the support of the Office of Senator Loren Legarda.

“Ties of history” is a phrase taken from a document signed by ASEAN’s founding members on August 8, 1967. The document describes “a region already bound together by ties of history and culture.” A region that is “conscious that in an increasingly interdependent world, the cherished ideals of peace, freedom, social justice, and economic well-being are best attained by fostering good understanding, good neighbourliness and meaningful cooperation among the countries of the region.” The document gave birth to the regional organization, which taken as a collective is the world’s 5th largest economy.
  
Ties of History: Art in Southeast Asia is a survey of contemporary art, on the one hand. On the other, it is a diligent study of a particular practice. The project selects three works of each artist from the ASEAN countries to be exhibited in three institutions. This enables the exhibition to present a more in-depth look into the interests of the artist and allows the audience from different parts of the city to view the exhibition. 

As Flores, who was recently appointed as Artistic Director of Singapore Biennale 2019, explains, “this undertaking…draws attention to the thoughtful and sensitive process of artistic transformation and maturity and tries to avoid the tendency of survey exhibitions to merely select the most popular or the most accessible.” 

“It also reminds us that artistic practice is not fully formed but rather gleaned in the condition of constant forming. It is this constant forming that the project endeavors to curate,” he adds. 

NCCA Chairman Virgilio S. Almario agrees that “[t]here is much to gain in gathering the talents of the region in order to view not only their works but to also reflect on the realities each of them respond to.” He further emphasizes that “it is a proud moment that the Philippines initiates this celebration of ASEAN artists.”

Almario also remarks on the importance of the ASEAN in the current climate. For him, “[the] ASEAN is a unique regional organization because it aims to be known to the world as one community despite its diversity in religion, race and culture. In a world troubled by differences in belief, finding peace may be meditated through art that lets us see the threads that string us together.”

Senator Loren Legarda, one of the Philippines leading cultural advocates, expresses her pride with the recent developments in Philippine contemporary art: “Support for Philippine contemporary art is at its peak with our participation at the Venice Biennale for four consecutive years after a 51-year absence, with Dr. Flores as the first curator since our re-entry. This collaborative endeavor further puts the country at the center of contemporary art globally, not just in Asia. I invite our ASEAN neighbors to continue this art project annually or in the form of a biennial in the same manner by which we host political and economic affairs in ASEAN.” 

Featured Artists

Ties of History: Art in Southeast Asia aims to identify artists from across generations who have demonstrated both responsiveness and range in relation to the concerns of aesthetic material and socio-historical contexts. 

A contemporary artist based in Singapore known for her collaborative and multidisciplinary approach to art, Amanda Heng (b. 1951) explores social issues in the context of Singapore’s inter-cultural social milieu.

Roberto Feleo (b. 1954) is a seminal Philippine artist whose works are sharp sociohistorical commentaries on Philippine myth and history and creative investigations into local materials and techniques.

Known for his practice that includes the use of natural materials and traditional tools used in Indonesian craft, Anusapati (b. 1957) has inspired a younger generation of artists disposed to respond to craft, modernism, and the environment.

Do Hoang Tuong (b. 1960) of Vietnam belongs to an influential generation of abstract painters in the South of Vietnam in the 1990s. From an academic perspective and within the narrative space of his paintings, he expresses the desire of a founding condition of a new subjectivity.

Savanhdary Vongpoothorn (b. 1971) was born in Laos and came to Australia in 1979. Her practice implicates Lao cultural references interwoven with Australian and other cultural mediations in a productive space of resettlement.

Working with photography and the moving image, Chris Chong Chan Fui (b. 1972) from Malaysia questions and redirects how humans work within such intersecting fields as economics and ecology.

Jedsada Tangtrakulwong (b. 1972) lives and works in Thailand. His practice is informed by Thai cultural sign systems and reflects on the delicacy of daily existence.

Min Thein Sung (b. 1978), born and based in Myanmar, works with and on motifs, media, and processes inspired by the everyday and his childhood. 

Artist and curator Vuth Lyno (b. 1982) from Cambodia is the Co-founding Artistic Director of Sa Sa Art Projects, an artist-run space initiated by the Stiev Selapak collective in Phnom Penh. His artistic and curatorial practice is primarily participatory in nature, exploring collective learning and experimentation.

Working with organic materials, Yasmin Jaidin (b. 1987), a contemporary artist from Brunei, interrogates how these elements are often overlooked in the context of contemporary life. 

Selection Process

A network of practitioners in contemporary art in the region was consulted in the selection of artists for the exhibition. These advisors include Ahmad Mashadi, Head of the National University of Singapore Museum; Khim Ong, Deputy Director, Curatorial Programmes at Nanyang Technological University Centre for Contemporary Art Singapore (NTU CCA Singapore); Loredana Pazzini-Paracciani, independent curator, writer, and lecturer of Southeast Asian contemporary art; and independent curator and scholar Grace Samboh.

Public Program

The public is invited to join an artist talk and roundtable discussion with the advisors from the region as they discuss contemporary art in Southeast Asia on August 11 at the MET Museum of Manila. There will also be a public and education program to feature talks and lectures by scholars of and practitioners in the region in the duration of the exhibition’s run. 


For details relating to the exhibition’s education programs, please check our social media pages @tiesofhistory or email us at info@tiesofhistory.org to be added to our mailing list. 

Get bonus points for free flights with Cebu Pacific GetGo Credit cards

From hassle-free shopping, to convenient bills payment and limitless access to exciting promos, credit card users certainly enjoy the best of what life has to offer. Now, GetGo members can indulge in a lifestyle of luxury and free travel when they apply for their own CEB GetGo Credit Card.

As the most rewarding lifestyle program, GetGo is again making everyday purchases more satisfying by giving away 8,000 bonus points to newly-approved CEB GetGo Credit Cardholders who apply from January 31 to August 31, 2018.

With your new CEB GetGo Credit Card, you can embrace a lifestyle of unlimited travels... 

Interested individuals can sign up via https://bit.ly/2Md1DXx or through other UnionBank channels. Once approved, all they have to do is to use their credit cards for a single or accumulated retail spend worth P20,000, register online at https://unionbankph.com/8kgetgopoints and sign up for the new UnionBank Online mobile app via the Apple Store or Google Play. 

...to experience the world the way you want to.

With 8,000 bonus GetGo points, you can book thrilling getaways and make priceless memories at any of the country’s most beautiful provinces. You can fly to Bacolod, Cebu, Iloilo, and Tagbilaran to discover unique local culture and architectures. You can even spend a weekend at the beach by scoring the best one-way flight deals to Davao, Suriago, and Dumaguete with your GetGo points. Or if you’re up to fly out of the country, you can use your additional 8,000 points to explore Cebu Pacific’s international destinations.
But wait, there’s more! New CEB GetGo Platinum Credit Cardholders will also receive a unique promo code worth 8,000 GetGo points when they spend another P20,000 worth of single or accumulated purchases using their new credit cards within 65 days from card approval date. They can use this code to get 8,000 points off when booking their flights with GetGo. That’s just P40,000 total spend using CEB GetGo Platinum Credit Card for a total of 16,000 GetGo points!

Apply for your own CEB GetGo Credit Card and enjoy exciting benefits - from earning 8,000 bonus points, to flying to your dream destination for free!

So, what are you waiting for? Enjoy your next trip with your own CEB GetGo Credit Card. Promo runs until August 31, 2018.

For more information on memberships and partners, visit www.getgo.com.ph. Stay updated on the latest promos by liking GetGoPH’s official pages on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Something Old, Something New Series 6

It has been sometime since my last something new, something old post so here goes. I found myself another classic piece from my mother's "magic chest" of dependable wearables that doesn't seem to age in style. As you can see from my smile, I am obviously enjoying a leisurely stroll in a mall in total comfort and confidence.

Something Old

A lilac-colored sweater from Jill of Rustan's is the focal point of my look. I decided to tuck it in, in front and let it loose at the back. I also decided to go for a strapless undergarment so I will not have to worry about straps showing.

Something New

I found this loose SM Woman black pants on sale for only Php 300 and never regretted the money I shelled out for it. It goes well with most of my shirts and blouses. 

Finished Look

I completed the look by wearing Adidas Originals White Slip-on sneakers and unbranded clear fashion eyeglasses. 

Santacruzan and Flores De Mayo: The Difference

There is a tendency to use Santacruzan and Flores De Mayo interchangeably when talking about traditional May festivities. Although both have religious significance with a procession of ladies parading in long gowns, the similarity ends there. I just learned the difference this year when I got the chance to participate in both.

Santacruzan

The Santacruzan is a procession honoring the finding of the True Cross by Helena of Constantinople (more popularly known as Reyna Elena in local use) and Constantine the Great. The procession traditionally includes biblical characters to emphasize its religious origins although modern depictions tend to highlight the "queens" with their consorts. Santacruzan is actually only one of the events held during the month long celebration of Flores de Mayo during the month of May.

Flores de Mayo

Flores de Mayo is one of the May devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary. This procession serves a culmination of a month long prayer and flower offerings to Mother Mary usually held in churches and chapels. In an effort to put emphasis on the real meaning of the procession, our parish decided to use the many titles attributed to Mary to be represented by the ladies. 

While there might be differences in the way these two May processions are conducted, these are traditions worth keeping. Like many youth of today, I wouldn't have known about this if not for the efforts of dedicated adults to involve us. 

My Sony α5100 E-mount Camera with APS-C Sensor

The long wait is over. Last Christmas, I got my most wished for gift - my own DSLR camera. This is my Sony α5100 E-mount Camera with APS-C Sensor and I expect to improve a lot in taking photos with it as my dependable tool.

As of this time, I am just trying it out and discovering its potentials as an equipment for a serious amateur photography enthusiast like myself. I intend to take basic photography lessons this summer and I couldn't wait to learn more. I'm not sure yet if I intend to make a career of photography but I am minding my parents' reminder of the need to develop a particular skill that I can fall back on just in case. 

Camera Specifications and Features

These are the camera specifications and features of the Sony α5100 E-mount Camera with APS-C Sensor:

SONY α5100

s p e c i f i c a t i o n s

• 24.3 MP Exmor® APS-C CMOS sensor
• BIONZ X™ engine for superb detail and noise reduction
• Fast Hybrid AF with 179 phase-detection points
• 180º tiltable LCD screen for perfect self-portraits
• Wi-Fi® and One-touch NFC for simple sharing and control

                                             

And these are the lenses and accessories I hope to complete in time:

❝multi battery adapter kit❞

❝planar t* fe 50mm f.1 4 za❞

❝fe 50mm f1.8❞

❝fe 50mm f2.8 macro ❞

❝fe 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 g oss❞

❝np-fw50 w-series 
rechargeable battery pack❞

❝bc-trw battery charger❞

❝e 10-18mm f4 oss❞

❝e pz 16-50mm f3.5-5.6 oss❞

❝vario-tessar® 
t* e16-70mm f4 za oss ❞

❝e 16mm f2.8❞

❝e 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 oss❞

❝e pz 18-105mm f4 g oss❞

❝clm-fhd5 clip-on lcd monitor❞

❝e 18-200mm f3.5-6.3 oss❞

❝e 18-200mm f3.5-6.3 oss le❞

❝e pz 18-200mm f3.5-6 oss❞

❝e 20mm f2.8❞

Below are some pictures I took using the 5100 DSLR Sony Camera:

I'll be posting my future attempts in this craft very soon after I finish my Basic Photography lessons.  

What Will Be Your Debut Color Motif?

Times have changed according to my mother. According to her, pastel colors like light pink or baby blue were common choices for color motif for debut parties. These colors are said to represent youth, sweetness, and everything associated with a young girl blossoming into womanhood.

Image

Bolder color motif choices are being seen on debut parties. One that I've seen recently is my cousin Jessa's debut party. She chose to use her favorite colors black and red; the former being a color choice that used to be reserved for somber occasions and the latter for more festive events. Black, which has always been a  very classy color turned out to be a chic choice. 

Red made sure that the debutante stood out from the sea of black dresses for the traditional cotillion dance. What does this say about debut color motif choices the? That a debutante can choose what color she sees fit to use.

I have about 5 years to think about my choice.

How Teens are Reinventing Formal Wear

Teens are not known to be fond of wearing formal wear. Many say it's uncomfortable, restrictive, or just plain fussy. Apparently, teens have found a way around this. Just look at how my friends did it.

Greek Goddess in Golden Sneakers

While my good friend Athena (named after the a Greek Goddess)who recently celebrated her 13th birthday, was willing to go all out with the formal wear and accessories, she opted to wear gold sneakers with her dress. I can surely understand why. After all she has so many things to do as star of the night. As you can see, she carried herself so gracefully and elegantly even in sneakers.

A lot of girls during the event had the same idea by coming in formal clothes paired with sneakers.

Dance Partner in Walking Shorts and Trainers

Looking at this picture of a male friend of ours, you wouldn't notice anything extraordinary. Once you see the full picture though, the unexpected sight of walking shorts and trainers he is wearing may be an initial surprise but certainly lent a comfy feel to an otherwise formal coat and tie look. He definitely carried his outfit with the confidence only a person truly comfortable with himself can do.

Many young male guests were also seen with long-sleeved polo shirts and ties but also sporting their reliable trainers.

The Classic Option

And then there were those like me who played it safe by going for dresses and heeled shoes for females and coat and tie with long pants and leather shoes for males. What is important though is that everyone had fun. It's nice to have the freedom to express ourselves in what we wear.

Us teens have reinvented formal wear in the name of comfort and personal style but can still definitely bring it on, under strict dress codes when needed.

Fashionable Mother

I simply have to say this, the celebrant's mother, Tita Tonee's outfit is very classy, made sporty by the gold elevated sneakers she is wearing. So clearly, fashion is not the monopoly of teens.

What I'm Wearing

Floral Flared Dress by Tees and Things

Beige Pumps by Chelsea



Stay tuned for our next fashion watch as we look for the best, unique, and most interesting outfits to feature in my blog.