All-Around Pinay Mama

All for the Kids at Manila Children’s Festival 2015

December 05, 2015

This holiday season, fun and learning are in store for kids and kids-at-heart at the Manila Children’s Festival, slated December 11-13 at the Megatrade Hall 3, 5^th Level, Mega B, SM Megamall EDSA, Mandaluyong City. The festival is an event that caters to parents and children through its co-located events, The Manila Children’s Book Fair and Superkids 2015.

The Manila Children’s Book Fair gathers foreign publishers of children’s literature and reading materials using both print and electronic media, while Superkids 2015 will be the platform for families to explore educational, engaging and family-bonding activities for children with their parents.

The MCF is set to help children learn new skills through enjoyable workshops and activities, as well as educate parents, educators, and other professionals working with children on how to unleash their full potential.

On Friday, December 11, the Minions will entertain the kids with a film showing of “Minions” at 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Children can also meet and greet the yellow stars of the film at 1:00 PM courtesy of Magnavision. Kids can get creative while filling their bellies with a Design Your Own Christmas Cookie workshop with Chef Ria Aplasca of the Center for Asian Culinary Studies at 12:00 NN. Slated at 5:00 PM, the “Parachutes: Santa’s Delivery Workshop” is a fun way to introduce engineering to kids.

Meanwhile, to help parents get to know the digital generation, award-winning author Dr. Queena Lee-Chua will hold a session entitled “Growing Up Wired” at 1:30 pm. The session will explore proper guidance, care and caution that parents can give their children, who have never known a world without the Internet and 24/7connectivity.

On December 12, the Minions are again set to entertain kids with a film showing at 10:00 AM while The Learning Library holds a storytelling session at 10:30 AM. Little fashionistas will enjoy the Christmas Masquerade kiddie fashion show by Tiddletots at 11:00 AM. Kids can also prove their talent in singing with the MCF Kiddie Karaoke Competition at 1:00 PM. At 5:30, children can also get their hands busy with an engineering activity called Poppers: Let It Snow while little foodies can try their hand at Cupcake Decorating with Nicole Alysson Uy at 7:00 PM.

On December 13, National Bookstore will also hold fun events for kids. Anvil Publishing, Inc., Adarna House, Inc., Adbox Book Distributors, Inc., Adept Corp., Asia Parks Amusement & Development Corp., Candy Club Party Couture, Citibank, N.A., Engineering for Kids, Grolier International, Inc., Gymboree, Jump Bounce & Play, Learning Library, Learningway Enterprises, Magnavision Home Video, Mindwerks - The Toy Shoppe, National Book Store, Inc., OMF Literature, Inc., Phoenix Early Learning Services, Inc., Precious Pages Corp., Propan TLC, Stabillo (Euro Pacific) & Okiedog (DMTE Marketing),Tiddle Tots, Tupperware Brands Philippines, Inc., UNICEF, Urban Ashram Yoga and WS Pacific Publications, Inc.

The Manila Children’s Festival is organized by Primetrade Asia, Inc. in partnership with the Overseas Publishers’ Representatives Association of the Philippines (OPRAP). The event is sponsored by Anvil Publishing, Inc., Engineering for Kids, Selecta, and Challenge Island.

Manila Children's Festival 2015: The Much Awaited Event for the Whole Family

November 10, 2015

One of my advocacies as a mom blogger is to promote awareness on raising readers despite the advancements in technology. Aside from learning by doing, there's still no substitute in learning through reading and enjoying it with the whole family.

Choosing the right toys and educational materials that are developmentally appropriate is very important also to help our kids achieve their full potential.

I always support events and activities in line with these. With great pride and honor, I am so pleased to announce that yours truly is a Blogger Partner of Manila Children's Festival- a haven of fun, learning, and holiday shopping for kids and their families that will be held on the second week of December at the Megatrade Hall 3 of SM Megamall.

The Festival, brought to you by Primetrade Asia, Inc. together with the Overseas Publishers' Representatives Association of the Philippines (OPRAP), will showcase various products and services for children and also parents through its co-located events, the Manila Children's Book Fair and SuperKids 2015.

The Manila Children's Book Fair will gather foreign publishers of children's literature and reading materials using both print and electronic media.

Superkids 2015, on the other hand, will be the platform for children and their parents to explore educational and engaging bonding activities.

Products like baby goods & accessories, books, educational materials, apparel, shoes, toys, kiddie party giveaways and supplies among others will be up for grabs. Other than products, there will be services such as insurances, healthcare, childcare, trainings, workshops, party planning and venue that will be offered to the attendees of the three-day event.

Other highlights of the event will include talks on parenting, children’s health and well-being along with workshops on children’s creative development.

For those who want express their talents and creativity, singing and cosplay competitions will be conducted for children.

From the best educational toys to party planning services to informative and fun workshops, parents, kids and teachers are sure to have a great time during the Festival!

The Manila Children's Festival will be held from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM at Megatrade Hall 3, 5^th Level, Mega B, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City.

You may visit and follow these websites/social media sites for more updates:

Official Website: www.primetradeasia.com

Facebook: Manila Children's Festivall

Twitter: @MnlCFestival

For inquiries, please contact Primetrade Asia, Inc. via 895-1706, 896-0682 and 896-0661 or info@primetradeasia.com.

Ballet Manila Presents Paul Vasterling's "Romeo And Juliet"

September 26, 2015

The dance of powerful love sizzles as Ballet Manila unveils Paul Vasterling's “Romeo and Juliet”, the second offering of the company’s 20th performance season.

The Artistic Director and CEO of Nashville Ballet USA, Paul Vasterling is known for his powerful rendition of Shakespeare’s works. His interest in 'Romeo and Juliet" dates back to his teens when he first saw the 1977 movie "Turning Point' starring Mikhail Baryshnikov. He remembers being captivated by the "Romeo & Juliet" balcony pas de deux danced by Baryshnikov and Leslie Brown. He described it as one of the most beautiful performances he has ever witnessed. A year after watching the movie he followed his heart and nurtured his love for ballet.

Paul Vasterling will be in Manila to personally oversee the Manila staging; which also happens to be its Asian premiere. For the Ballet Manila production, he leaves no stone unturned in recreating the unforgettable tale of immortal love. Along with his interpretative choreography is the powerful musical score by Prokofiev as interpreted by The Manila Symphony Orchestra with Maestro Alexander Vikulov of the Mariinsky Theater as guest conductor.

Vasterling’s contemporary approach will transport the audience to the streets of Verona, the site of the endless brawls between feuding families, the influential Capulets and Montagues. With touches from the Franco Zefferelli film, the grandeur is defined by the expansive set, authentic period costumes and passionate renditions of love, power and death.

Following the season's “From Page to Stage” theme, "Romeo and Juliet" is the explosive classical entry to Ballet Manila's line-up of shows based on literary classics.

Aside from the tribute to immortal love, the audience will also have their share of suspense with the action packed fight scenes. Unlike typical theatrical duels, there is no shouting or special effects. The audience will be treated to a thrilling match of graceful gestures and leaps, along with a symphony of flying swords.

Fresh from their victory at the Asian Grand Prix in Hong Kong, Lisa proudly shared that the top winners in the international competition will be playing the role of Juliet.

Katherine Barkman the 2015 Asian Grand Prix winner will play Juliet with silver medalist Abigail Oliveiro and bronze medalist Joan Sia as her alternates. Playing Romeo are Rudy de Dedios (opposite Katherine Barkman), Brian Williamson (opposite Abigail Oliveiro), and Elpido Magait (opposte Joan Sia).

After officially hanging up her pointe shoes last year, Lisa dons them once again as she portrays Juliet's mother, Lady Capulet opposite Nonoy Froilan who plays Lord Capulet.

Although she has announced her retirement Ms. Macuja will continue to support Ballet Manila's performances and this includes joining the dancers for some shows. "My life is all about ballet and I will continue to dance roles that I feel I’m comfortable with," she said.

"Romeo and Juliet" will also be a reunion of sorts, since Lisa will be dancing with Nonoy Froilan, one of the country's premier danseurs.

"Nonoy Froilan was my first Albercht when I arrived from Russia in 1986. He was my first Basilio, Prince Sigfried, Nutracker Prince, Colas - together we danced Norman Walker's 'Summer's End", Basilio's "Oriental Fantasy' and many more adagios and pas de deux. We competed in Jackson together, we toured the Philippines together and for our Ballet Manila production of "Romeo and Juliet' in 2001, he was Lord Capulet to my Juliet in the Sergey Vikulov's full length version. I can't wait to dance with him again in the Asian premiere of Paul Vasterling's version"

The show is co-presented by Manila Broadcasting Company, Aliw Theater and Star City. Other sponsors are ACS Manufacturing, First United Travel, Papa John’s Pizza, Manang’s Chicken, Empire Salon, Slimmer’s World, Island Rose, Oasis Paco Park Hotel, Ramada Manila Hotel, and whatshappening.com.ph.

"Romeo and Juliet" goes onstage on October 2 and 3, 8:00 PM and October 4, 3:00 PM at the Aliw Theater in Pasay City. Tickets are available at all Ticketworld outlets, online at www.ticketworld.com.ph, or call 891 9999.