BLOG
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.

Teppanyaki Takes Center Stage at Akira
April 28, 2015

Teppanyaki Takes Center Stage at Akira

The fire and flair of teppanyaki is the highlight of the dining experience at Akira: The Art of Sushi and Teppanyaki, reintroducing the art of teppanyaki to the growing market of sophisticated diners in the metro. Like the mythical firebenders, Akira’s teppanyaki chefs are trained to show their mastery of the flame, not just to cook the food but to win the guests over as well, turning the personal dining experience into an art form. Teppanyaki refers to the Japanese style of cooking food over an iron griddle or a teppan. Preparations are as important as the meal itself, and the freshest ingredients – quality meats, vegetables and seasonings – […]
The Great British Festival Experience: Brits and Glamour
April 28, 2015

The Great British Festival Experience: Brits and Glamour

Now on its second year, the British Embassy’s Great British Festival fulfilled its promise to be bigger, better and greater. This three-day activity kicked off with a symbolic ribbon cutting by Her Majesty’s Ambassador for the Philippines Asif Anwar Ahmad together with Fil-Brit football stars James and Phil Younghusband. “This is a great celebration of Philippine-British partnerships [that] we have been building over the years,” said Ambassador Ahmad, “We wanted this festival to highlight the many aspects of British excellence.” He then cited few of these many milestones, one of them the increase in Phil-British partnerships, with fifty-eight (58) new companies joining the festival from the original twenty-four (24) last […]
Philippine Primer March 2015: Back to School Feature
March 03, 2015

Philippine Primer March 2015: Back to School Feature

This Month’s Issue This March, we are giving you more reasons to enjoy the Philippines. The HOT TOPICS section is gracing the pages of Philippine Primer again: discover new places and happenings in Metro Manila! For the main feature, Philippine Primer highlights the most reputable preschool & elementary schools that we feel the niche market of the Japanese will definitely be interested in. Learn more about these schools’ admission and enrollment procedures, curricula and more. Also, learn more about the latest health-food trend: fruit and vegetable juicing. Since people nowadays are going crazy about the art of juicing, Philippine Primer has featured some of the popular fruit & vegetable juices […]
ANA Presents 3rd Yose in Manila
March 02, 2015

ANA Presents 3rd Yose in Manila

The All Nippon Airway (ANA) held the 3rd traditional Japanese storytelling, Yose, last March 1, 2015. This year, famous comedian Tatekawa Shinosuke took the stage on the 2nd floor ballroom of the Fairmont Makati and performed Rakugo in front of almost 600 people in the audience. Rakugo is a type of Japanese verbal entertainment wherein the storyteller sits on a small cushion on stage. Among the performers were Mr. Shinosuke’s 6th apprentice, Shinotaro Tatekawa, and a violin entertainer, Magnum Kobayashi. Children and adults alike enjoyed the comical performance. According to Mr. Shinosuke, it was only in Manila where there were so many kids among his audience. He also said seeing […]
The 19th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Festival
December 28, 2015

The 19th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Festival

The Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Festival (PIHABF) was first organized by former Tourism Secretary Mina Gabor together with some local aviation enthusiasts with one goal in mind: to help jumpstart the local economy and boost the spirit of the Central Luzon region after the devastating 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo. Now on its 19th year, the festival, also known as A Weekend of Everything that Flies, was indeed uplifting and more enjoyable than ever. PIHABF is primarily a gathering of local and international aviators and flying enthusiasts, although spectators are also welcome. And so last February 12-15, people from all over the country and the world flocked to Clark […]
Dyson Launches Latest Floor Cleaner and Bladeless Air Multiplier
December 29, 2015

Dyson Launches Latest Floor Cleaner and Bladeless Air Multiplier

UK’s premium vacuum cleaner brand, Dyson, officially launched its latest technology on the 4th floor of Rustan’s Makati last February 26, 2015. The event was attended by representatives from Dyson Ltd., Rustan’s Department Store, the British Embassy and Whiteplanet Inc., the exclusive distributor of Dyson in the Philippines. To better introduce the newest revolutionary products, a demonstration was made by celebrity Bobby Yan. The Dyson Air Multiplier™  is the world’s first bladeless fan. It is engineered to deliver powerful, smooth air, without the nuisance of noise. How does Air Multiplier technology work? Air is drawn in by an energy-efficient, brushless motor. Airflow is then accelerated through an annular aperture, passing […]
Embassy of Japan, ICAN Philippines Sign Grant Contract for Mindanao
February 27, 2015

Embassy of Japan, ICAN Philippines Sign Grant Contract for Mindanao

MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Japanese Ambassador Kazuhide Ishikawa and ICAN Philippines Country Director Yukiyo Nomura  signed the grant contract for the project on Capacity Building Project on Peace Education and Conflict Resolution in Bangsamoro Communities of Mindanao at the Embassy of Japan on February 25, 2015. The project amounting to US$ 575,692 (approximately 2.5 million pesos) is funded through the Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO Projects, a small-grant funding program of Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA). Mindanao has experienced 40 years of conflict between the national government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), causing 120,000 deaths in the last 20 years. The Municipality of Pikit where the MILF military camp […]
Sunset Samba: Obrigado to the Sun (A Review)
December 28, 2015

Sunset Samba: Obrigado to the Sun (A Review)

Imagine a setting where you’re surrounded by the picturesque architecture of old Manila. The skyline made beautiful by the remnants of the old city, you sit with your friends and enjoy music so moving, it rivals the breathtaking sunset you see on the horizon. That was the Sunset Samba in Intramuros. Set on the roof deck of the Manila Collectible Co., the Samba School Imperatriz Filipinense, in partnership with Viva Manila, introduced the crowd to the music of Brazil. The crowd sat on ornate carpets on the floor. No chairs or tables here, folks! The setting was intimate and made you feel as if you were among friends. Warm smiles and […]
Beer, Music and More at Mabuhay Germany: A Testimonial
December 28, 2015

Beer, Music and More at Mabuhay Germany: A Testimonial

Primer special correspondent Michael Engel shares* with us his experiences at Continental’s Groovy Doovy German Night! ——————————————————————————————————————- We could’ve danced all night long. The event was the perfect get-together. The moment I arrived in the venue, I heard German music from my youth. Songs from my favorite German bands when I was younger filled the air. It felt very comforting. Pop music from the 80’s was also played. Groups of people were dancing in front of the stage. Some games were played earlier, although I was not able to witness them. Overall, everyone was having a great time. It felt almost like a Bierzelt (beer tent): fun and laidback. Bier […]
The Aristocrat Beyond Troubling Times: Manila, My City at War!
December 28, 2015

The Aristocrat Beyond Troubling Times: Manila, My City at War!

As part of the Filipinas Heritage Library’s Manila, My City at War!, a month-long commemorative event for the 70th anniversary of the Battle for Manila, stories about the World War II entitled Life Goes On and the War on Air were shared last Saturday, February 21, 2015 at the Ayala Museum. Guest speakers were invited to talk about the everyday life and culture in Manila during the Japanese occupation. Among the topics discussed were the Tagalog language, medicine, transportation & utilities, books, komiks, radio and music. One of the speakers, Mrs. Priscilla Reyes Pacheco, shared some of the stories of their family’s business and now known as one of the […]
Detoxify Bar Opens in Westgate
February 24, 2015

Detoxify Bar Opens in Westgate

Juice up, Southies! Detoxify Bar is in town! Celebrities and guests gleefully joined owners Paul and Joy Torres at the opening of their first store south of Manila on February 23. Located at Westgate, Alabang, the whole look of the store is clean, simple and laid-back – exactly what the south is all about! White walls, inspirational posters and comfortable chairs fill the newest store of this juice bar popular for their signature blends that aim to cleanse your body of harmful toxins. Fun and laughter filled the air as everyone sampled the bar’s juices and dishes. The three cheese sandwich squares and the high protein salad were the perfect […]
Win Free Tickets to Brasilipinas 2015!
February 23, 2015

Win Free Tickets to Brasilipinas 2015!

Want to score free tickets to BRASILIPINAS 2015 and other goodies? Join their photo contest!
Sail Around the World with Worldship Orchestra
February 23, 2015

Sail Around the World with Worldship Orchestra

Good classical music is a rare find here in Manila. Love for this kind of music rarer since it is seen as an acquired taste or exclusively for the elite. Worldship Orchestra on the other hand believes otherwise. A fairly new organization established just last December, Worldship Orchestra and the students and professionals that comprise it travel the world in order to introduce classical music to children who have little or no access to classical music. It turns out that music can contribute greatly in a child’s development by giving them life-skills such as self-esteem and discipline. These are two things they will need in their many years to come. […]
50 Shades of Love (A Review): Dating Mr. Greys & Ana Steeles for Five Minutes Each
February 20, 2015

50 Shades of Love (A Review): Dating Mr. Greys & Ana Steeles for Five Minutes Each

Incessant chatter equals resounding success! And in 50 Shades of Love, incessant chatter came in the form of pleasant conversations about travel, food, work and many more. While the rest of the world was going crazy in love at the cinemas, Telu Events held their own blockbuster event at the Oz Bar last Valentines’ Day. During this event, participants had the chance to date not one, not two, but forty-nine (49) beautiful people! The theme of the event was very loyal to the bestselling book and hit movie, Fifty Shades of Grey. The materials used are simple but amusing: the organizers picked and printed out signature lines from the book. […]
A Day of Unity and Sharing; a Celebration of Talents: Pasinaya 2015 (A Review)
December 28, 2015

A Day of Unity and Sharing; a Celebration of Talents: Pasinaya 2015 (A Review)

Pasinaya started with a flourish of Filipino dances from the different islands of the Philippines, officially opening the festival. It was a fiesta indeed, complete with the excited groups of people who were watching very eagerly on that nippy Sunday morning. The day’s activities, their designated sites, museum tour routes and other details were laid onto a map-like guide. Upon entering the CCP Complex, one can see CCP ushers dressed in white with Pasinaya 2015 print around the place to guide guests to certain performance venues. One of the starting performances was from the UST Symphony Orchestra, where they performed a medley of Philippine pop classics: It Might Be You, […]
Detoxify Bar Flagship Store Opening
February 17, 2015

Detoxify Bar Flagship Store Opening

Photo from Philippine Primer A little over a year ago, Detoxify Bar burst through with them heightened public awareness of detoxing, juice fast, organic foods the woodwork and brought and overall healthy diet and nutrition. In the months that followed, the detoxrevolution spread like wildfire! From local showbiz celebrities to top international models and even a few senators and congressmen, people from all walks of life were being seen with their DB juices or the now iconic white Detoxify Bar thermal bag in hand. This year, they have broadened their reach tenfold by announcing the opening of another branch and 2 more franchise branches making it a total of 5 […]
Travel Tour Expo 2015
December 28, 2015

Travel Tour Expo 2015

The ultimate travel expo is happening now, Feb 13 to 15 at the SMX Convention at SM Mall of Asia. The biggest and most anticipated Travel Tour Expo will highlight participating travel agencies, airlines, theme parks, and hotels organized by the PTAA. Avail of must-book deals from over 250 exhibitors and enjoy freebies, and exclusive offers. In this kind of event, you can see how healthy the travel and tourism in the Philippines. The venue was jam-packed and the crowd is incredible, be sure to get a map at the ticketing station or take a photo of the Expo Map located at the entrance. The entire SMX exhibition halls are […]
It’s Almost Valentine’s Day
December 28, 2015

It’s Almost Valentine’s Day

Here’s a Fun Fact: Did you know that Valentine’s Day in Japan is celebrated differently? It is the women who show their love by giving chocolates to special people in their lives. Men, on the other hand, will get their turn but not until March for “White Day.” What makes it more complicated is that there are different chocolates to be given out according to the person you are giving to. Tomo choco can be given to a friend. Giri choco is ordinarily given to co-workers, classmates, a male friend or superior. Hon mei choco is the chocolate given to a very special man in a girl’s life. Usually, this […]
Valentine’s Day Offers for PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®Vita
February 13, 2015

Valentine’s Day Offers for PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®Vita

Ladies who are still thinking about what gift to give to your significant other, here is the best gift – PlayStation®4 (PS4™) or PlayStation®Vita (PS Vita). That boys love playing games is probably the only and the best answer to why PlayStation® consoles are the most generous and best gift ladies could buy. This Valentine’s Day, Sony Computer Entertainment Hong Kong Limited (SCEH) Singapore Branch is offering special editions for two of its popular consoles, PS4™ and PS Vita, to give couples something to enjoy together. The Glacier White PlayStation®4 always comes with one DUALSHOCK®4 Wireless Controller. To give couples opportunities to play together, SCEH is offering this promotion whereby […]
Contemporary Art Fair 2015 (A Review)
December 28, 2015

Contemporary Art Fair 2015 (A Review)

With A Stroke of A Paintbrush, Magic!   Diverse in the best way possible. This is what one would come up after seeing the grand displays of fabulous art at the Contemporary Art Fair 2015. Once again, the best of modern and contemporary artists gather once more at The Link from the 6th to the 8th of February to showcase Philippine visual art. Overseen by the Philippine Art Events Inc, this art fair aims to celebrate Filipino art practitioners and the local art scene in general. Exhibitors this year include Silverlens, The Drawing Room and Art Informal. Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland inspired the exhibit of Art Verite where each […]