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News in the Philippines

Stay in the loop with your go-to source of blogs in the Philippines! Know the latest happenings and trending news in Manila and across the country.

December 28, 2015

Exclusive Interview: Meet Two Artists of ArtBGC TheNextAct ONE Festival

Meet two of the talented international artists who contributed to the art scene of Bonifacio Global City: Nate Frizzell and AKA Corleone. – – Since the kick-off of the festival last May 23, The ArtBGC TheNextAct ONE Festival has been nothing but awe-inspiring. Watching the artists themselves paint the blank concrete walls of BGC to life is such a sight to behold, and one would just be wowed with the talent and passion they see from the artists while doing their work. Philippine Primer was able to meet two of these artists and learn more about their respective works around BGC and their pursuit of creativity. – Nate Frizzell – […]

June 09, 2015

Manila 1945: The Rest of the Story

“It is by remembering the lessons we’ve learned from the past and applying them to the present that we can prepare for the future.” A quote from Manila 1945: The Rest of the Story, and possibly the key answer to anyone who’s still wondering why it is relevant to study history today. – Photo grabbed from Spyron-AV Manila’s Facebook page – On June 6, 2015, Philippine Primer attended the special screening of this award-winning World War II documentary at the U-View Room of Fully Booked Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. – The audience, captivated by the film (Photo grabbed from Spyron-AV Manila’s Facebook page) – Manila 1945: The […]

June 09, 2015

Bunga Arts Link Igal-Pansak Recital: Igal-igalan! Pansakan! Magsukol!

On May 29, 2015, Friday, the 2015 Igal Dance Workshop commenced with a colorful recital at GT-Toyota Asian Center in UP Diliman. Bunga Arts Link, in collaboration with the University of the Philippines Asian Center and the Office for Initiatives in Culture and the Arts (OICA), celebrates its third year of breathing new life to the art of Igal-Pansak. – IGAL AT PANSAK. Performances were artistically directed by MCM Santamaria. – Professor Rolando Talampas, the Secretary of the Asian Center, officially opened the event. During his welcome remarks, he shone some light on the importance of the practice of Igal for the Sama people and its relevance to the Filipino […]

December 28, 2015

M Turns 11: A Decade and One of Great Food and Great Music

The intersection of Makati Avenue and Dela Rosa Street housed one of the hippest parties in the Metro last June 4, 2015, as the Museum Café, or the M Café celebrated MTurns11, their anniversary party. – THE CROWD THICKENS. As the night grows deeper, more and more people comes to celebrate MTurns11. – Specializing on Asian cuisine given a modern twist, the Museum Café is part of the restaurant family under the Raintree Restaurants chain, together with Kabila, Chelsea and Stella to name a few. The party is a tribute to the eleven years of “great people, soul-shaking music and nothing but good vibes” the café has given to its […]

December 28, 2015

20th French Film Festival Opens With a Bang

The red carpet opening night was filled with friends, free-flowing drinks and fantastic films! – SALUT! Notable guests raise their glasses with French Ambassador to the Philippines Gilles Garachon. – Pleasant smiles greeted everyone who walked down the red carpet at the Greenbelt 5 Fashion Walk last night, June 3, 2015, at the grand opening night of the 20th French Film Festival. Despite the sweltering last-of-summer heat that veiled the evening, lively chatter from the guests, cocktails, wine or beer at hand, livened up the night together with the fireworks-filled backdrop. – FULL HOUSE. The Fashion Walk has never been more elegant…or more jam-packed. – Snippets of conversations about the […]

June 03, 2015

Art BGC The NextAct ONE Festival: Re-faceting Manila One Wall At A Time

May 30th marked the closing of the country’s first ever mural-centric arts festival. Art BGC’s The NextAct ONE Festival treated Bonifacio High Street dwellers and visitors to a day of good food, great music and extraordinary art. – – Booths were set up in the Bonifacio High Street Central Amphitheater. – – The festivities kicked off with a performance by up-and-coming artist BP Valenzuela. She mesmerized the audience with her own compositions like Even If You Ask Me. Then, internationally-acclaimed artist Nate Frizzell went on stage to talk about the inspiration behind his work. He wants his work to be relatable and something that the public can interact with at […]

December 28, 2015

Dreams: Hopes and Fears in Sleep or in Waking (A Review)

Poetry. Music. Visual Art. “What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word dream?” This was the question posted by rapper Quest at the recently held Dreams: Hopes and Fears in Sleep or in Waking last Sunday, May 31, 2015. Held at SOMA Space, Green Sun, the event was organized by different communities of artists — LOGOS, The Upward Project, and DOXA. All three aim to inspire the youth to reach for their dreams through the arts. – – The night was filled with exuberance and copious talent was witnessed onstage. Tristan Ortega and Monique Espiritu dazzled the audience with their piece about a realistic utopia. […]

December 28, 2015

GREAT British Auto Show: A Showcase of Car Heritage

Everyone is on the edge of their seat, eager to witness the first ever British auto show in the country! – – “What you might think looking around is we only make really strange, old cars. We make very individualistic cars, the design is truly unique but as you already heard we are not only talking about our past glories.” British Ambassador to the Philippines Asif Ahmad emphasized the distinct sophistication of British cars in his opening remark in the first ever GREAT British Auto Show held at Capitol Commons last Sunday. Spearheaded by the British Embassy Manila, UK Trade & Investment and its partners, the event showcased both vintage […]

December 29, 2015

The Art of Storytelling: A Fun-filled Day with Words

A WORKSHOP FOR EVERYONE. People of all ages come together for a fun-filled day with books and stories. – Philippine Primer is loaded with stories to tell after going last Friday (May 29, 2015) to The Art of Storytelling held at Spaces by Babyland, organized by Manila Workshops, and part of the Parenting Pals Workshop Series. Hosted by storytelling teacher Luisito Pascua, known for his iconic role “Kuya Bodjie” in the television show Batibot, it was a day of creative storytelling and activities with an audience composed of primarily of storytelling enthusiasts, prep and elementary teachers, and most especially mothers. The workshop is divided into two sessions, one in the […]

December 28, 2015

Beautiful Handicrafts of Tohoku, Japan

  – Intricately woven baskets, hand-made ceramics, printed textiles: these are a few of the many handicrafts that you may expect to see on display in this exquisite collection. Starting June 16, the Ayala Museum will be housing the Beautiful Handicrafts of Tohoku, Japan exhibit at the Ground Floor Gallery of the Ayala Museum in commemoration of the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami. The Japan Foundation Manila along with Ayala Museum and JT International (Philippines) Inc. will be ushering in Eastern treasures in the form of handcrafted art from the Land of the Rising Sun. Around 70 different works of art that embodies the artistic philosophy of those from Aomori, […]

December 28, 2015

5th Annual SNUPS Awards 2015: Witnessing the Splendour of our Oceans

Philippine Primer gets an exclusive chance to witness the beauty of our deep blue sea! . SNUPS Awards Night Marine photography enthusiasts and contestants gathered on the evening of May 27 at the Glorietta 5 Atrium, in Makati to attend the 5th Annual Splash-NUDI Underwater Photo Shootout (SNUPS) Awards 2015 to celebrate this. It was a spectacular night as people felt and behold the underwater-like ambience of the event. Through a splendid gallery of photographs taken under the deep blue sea, the magnificence of the aquatic life was seen. . SAMPLE SHOTS. Photographers display their works. . SNUPS is an annual underwater photo and video competition that took place in […]

December 28, 2015

SM Advantage Card 2-HOUR Special: Additional 10% OFF on May 29

Be the first in line when SM opens its doors for the opening of the 3-DAY SALE up to 70% Discount at SM Makati, SM Cubao, SM Harrison and SM Quiapo branches from May 29 to May 31! – Photo from SM Advantage Card – However, on May 29, 2015, Friday, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 NN, shop and present your SM Advantage, SM Prestige or BDO Rewards card at the time of your payment, and get ADDITIONAL 10% OFF on selected products! Here are the following participating merchants of the 2-HOUR SPECIAL: 1. THE SM STORE (department store) 2. Uniqlo (apparel) 3. Kultura Filipino (handicraft) 4. Forever 21 (apparel) […]

February 28, 2017

ANNOUNCEMENT: Philippine Primer Office is Closed on May 29-31, 2015

Please be informed that Philippine Primer office will be closed on Friday, May 29,2015, due to company outing. Our office will be back to its normal operation on Monday, June 1. Your understanding is greatly appreciated. Thank you! –

December 28, 2015

JAL Bonus Miles Campaign: New JMB Customers First Flight Bonus Mileage Promo

For new and first time members of Japan Airlines Mileage Bank (JMB), especially those who are living in Jakarta, Hanoi and Manila, YOU have the opportunity to receive bonus miles from JAL when you fly on selected routes with selected fares during March 9, 2015 (Mon) to July 31, 2015 (Fri). – (Screen grabbed from JAL) – So what are the selected routes and fares? All routes of JAL Flight Jakarta / Hanoi / Manila – Tokyo (Narita), including the Hanoi – Tokyo (Narita) code-share flights with JAL flight number (JL5000 / JL5001) are eligible to participate. Ho Chi Minh City – Tokyo (Narita and Haneda) flights, however, are not eligible. […]

December 28, 2015

go-en’s 3rd Anniversary Matsuri: Totally Sugoi!

Go-en celebrated their 3rd year with kendama, karaoke, kimonos and, of course, ramen – 50% off ramen! – HIGH AND MIGHTY. An authentric Kodomo no Hi suit of armor displayed in the window together with other Japanese pride, welcomes the customers during the special occasion. – It was two days of superb and non-stop contests, celebration, and dining as Go-en commemorated their 2015 anniversary on May 9 and 10 at go-en The Japanese Ramen Shoppe in Quezon City. The festivity had different awesome games and activities and offered their best-selling ramen at 50% off. – GOENKENDAMA. Nothing beats kendama while listening to J-Rock music. – The event had Japanese games […]

December 28, 2015

Art BGC The One Festival: First Mural Viewing Party is Colossal!

FAILE paints the One Global Place Open Lot. It was Saturday, May 23, 2015, and the festival has indeed begun. – FAILE and their mural – International artist FAILE started working on their contribution to the first-ever mural-centric arts festival. Located on the 5th and 26th streets at Bonifacio Global City, the wall of the 28-storey One Global Building served as the blank canvass for their unique art. Many people visited the site to witness the making of the mural first-hand. It was definitely more than that, though – it was a party. There were food carts and food stalls on the venue serving snacks, drinks, and cocktails to the […]

December 28, 2015

Game On: Taking Comedy to the Next Level

Spontaneous, impromptu, and outrageously funny – This is Improv. The night of May 21, 2015 was a night brimming with bursts of laughs and giggles as Silly People’s Improv Theater (SPIT) and Switch Improv with special guest stars Phil and James Younghusband amused everyone at Game On held at Puñta Manila. The event was the kickoff of their fundraising series for the Manila Improv Festival 2015 that will happen this whole month of July. – FOR LETTER E, EMOTIONS! SPIT performs a song drawn from the audience’s ideas of things people play. – The show started at 9PM with SPIT welcoming everyone with a hilarious song number featuring things that night’s […]

June 10, 2024

Five (5) Yummy Beauty Solutions for Your Skin

Caring for oneself is of great importance to women. They, or we, work hard to look fresh and polished all the time While most of us rely on highly-rated and/or trusted products for our skin and hair, there are a number of yummy alternatives that we can do right at the comfort of our homes. Today, we will present to you five recipes for your skin and hair. Yes, you read that right! These are all affordable, natural do-it-yourself (DYI) ways to pamper yourself.   Strawberry Face Mask for Oily Skin . Photo by trombone65 (PhotoArtLaatzen) via Flickr . Apparently, that basket of fresh strawberries from Baguio has other uses […]

December 28, 2015

Teach What You Know: A Productive Summer Crafternoon

Productive, informative, and most importantly, fun! Teach What You Know: A Summer Crafternoon met all our expectations and even exceeded some! . . . Last Saturday (May 16, 2015), Philippine Primer went to the Philexcel Arts Center in Clarkfield, Pampanga to be part of an awesome crafternoon. A crafternoon, according to the organizers is “an afternoon devoted to the joys of crafting”. Quite accurate, as the afternoon wasn’t just about learning the basics of different crafts, but also about the joy you can feel from making art. The turnout wasn’t too big, with only a little over twenty people at the event, but this actually worked to the participants’ advantage. […]