Events Archive

My coverage of family-oriented events in and around the Metro.

Lea Salonga Instashines with a Musical Tribute

Globally acclaimed artist and Filipino icon, Lea Salonga, returns home this August as she stars in her first-ever laundry musical – “When I Shine With You”, telling the story of Lea’s most iconic pieces of clothing and how they keep shining anew.

To celebrate and recognize Lea’s mark in the Philippine music industry, the new Ariel Instashine produced a one-of-kind musical that brought her fans nostalgic joy, as she serenades them with a renewed rendition of a classic OPM song, ‘When I Met You’ by the Apo Hiking Society. Lea is joined by some of her students from The Voice, Leah Patricio, Esang de Torres, and Mica Becerro who pay tribute to their coach as they relive Lea’s journey through some of her memorable clothes in the past – as these clothes make their way back on stage and shine as if they are new.

World-class talent Lea Salonga serenades the crowd as the new Ariel Instashine’s ambassador last August 1, Thursday, in her first-ever laundry musical that showcased her most iconic pieces of clothing and how she continues to keep them shining anew.

Lea Salonga is now part of Team Ariel
Ariel recently launched Lea Salonga as its newest addition to the growing Ariel family. Lea is the ambassador for the new Ariel Instashine – the next generation of detergent that promises to make old clothes look new again in just one wash.

“We are delighted to welcome Lea Salonga to Team Ariel as we launch our New Ariel Instashine – the world’s first detergent with Power Boosters. Lea represents progressive Filipinas who continue to shine not just in the Philippines, but also on the global stage.” shares P&G Asia Regional Brand Communications Lead Louie Morante.

When I Shine with You is a sensorial, nostalgic journey
Every piece of clothing has a story. In this one-of-a-kind musical, Lea takes us on a journey down memory lane by telling the story behind some of her most treasured clothes in her iconic roles. With a history of more than four decades in the industry, Salonga had her first break at 9 years old when she played the title role in Annie in 1980.

“Annie was my first big break. I was 9 then and felt a big mix of happy, scared and really just enjoying myself. Tt’s why I kept my dress after all these years: to remind myself of that girl who believed she could shine,” Salonga shares.

Since her debut, Salonga appeared in a number of theatre productions and had several television projects until 1989 when she was selected to play Kim in the debut production of the musical Miss Saigon in London. This role earned her the title as the first woman of Asian descent to win the Tony Award for her excellence in live Broadway Theatre in 1991.

She adds, “I had no idea how demanding it was going to be to play the role of Kim. As a teenager, I found it worth it because it pushed me to be more creative and thoughtful with my craft. That’s why I’ll always find the shirt I wore to the audition memorable. It may seem like a simple white one but it means a lot to me – it was the one that helped me shine and live my dreams.”

Among all the roles she played and amid her past accomplishments, Salonga takes pride the most in being a mom to her daughter Nicole, “There’s so much love and reward in being a mother. It’s definitely a new chapter for me, and one of the best roles that I have the privilege of playing.”

Reminiscent of the new Ariel Instashine’s clothes renewal benefit, the musical sparked a renewed sense of inspiration as Salonga relived the highlights of this true-to-life musical journey through her memorable clothes – from when she played Annie, to her white shirt during her audition for Miss Saigon, and an apron she got when she was a new mom.

“Through stains and messy times in the kitchen, this apron marks one of my life’s biggest role – being a mom to Nicole. It’s the role that no one could have ever prepared me for. It’s continuous hardwork but it brought so much joy and love to my life. It’s inspiring me to shine brighter every day for my family,” Salonga says.

New Ariel Instashine-produced laundry musical featured Lea Salonga’s The Voice mentees Esang De Torres, Mica Becerro and Leah Patricio who played the roles Annie, Miss Saigon, and Lea as a mom, respectively; and joined by digital parenting icons Cat Arambulo-Antonio, Kelly Misa-Fernandez and Maggie Wilson-Consunji

(L-R) The Voice mentees Esang De Torres, Mica Becerro, Leah Patricio, P&G Asia Regional Brand Communications Lead Louie Morante, new Ariel Instashine ambassador Lea Salonga, P&G Philippines Media Manager Arthur Pena, P&G Senior Purchasing Manager Phoebe Ng, fashion icon Cat Arambulo-Antonio, British-Filipino TV personality, model, TV host, vlogger Kelly Misa-Fernandez, British-Filipino TV personality, actress and entrepreneur Maggie Wilson-Consunji

These iconic clothes were brought back to life and showcased though Ariel Instashine’s Renewed Collection on stage. Along with Lea were her mentees from The Voice, singers Esang De Torres, Mica Becerro and Leah Patricio – and digital parenting icons Maggie Wilson, Cat Arambulo and Kelly Misa, who also had their own memorable pieces displayed in the collection to attest to the superior cleaning benefits of the new Ariel Instashine.

A whole new detergent world

Launched in June, the new Ariel Instashine is the most recent laundry detergent innovation from Ariel. As the first-in-the world detergent with power booster beads, the product provides superior cleaning and stain removal in just one wash that helps make clothes look new again.

“We launched the new Ariel Instashine in the PH market in high hopes of addressing the highest standard of cleaning our consumers wants – cleaning clothes like they are new again. This is the world’s first detergent with power boosters to remove the toughest layers of stains and make your clothes shine anew in just 1 wash. As with our commitment to elevate the level of clean in laundry, we also hope to uplift our spirits through keeping clothing pieces valuable and timeless like Lea’s iconic pieces from her roles as Annie, Miss Saigon and as a mom,” concludes P&G Country Category Leader, Laundry Philippines, Ray Pine.

It’s a long ongoing journey for Lea filled with milestones that continue to give pride to the Philippines. Ariel celebrates this true Filipino icon as she shines for all of the Filipinos here and all over the world.

To find out more about When I Shine with You, the new Ariel Instashine and how you can make your old clothes look new again in one wash, follow the hashtags #NewArielInstashine, #InstaBagoin1Wash and #WhenIShineWithLea online.

LG Laundry Love For National Women’s Month

This event is now officially included sa list of my favorites blog events. Reason number 1, sobrang lapit sa akin ng venue! Reason number 2, I love the brand, specially their ref line. It’s my ref brand actually, the only ref brand I used ever since we started our family. Reason numerber 3, it’s a laundry event! We all have that love-hate relationship with laundry. It’s the launch of LG laundry love where it aims to encourage males to do the laundry as well.

OO nga naman, laundry is not just a woman’s job. Ang mga lalaki dapat naglalaba din at kung hindi nyo kaya, well, buy your misis a really nice washing machine like LG. That’s how it should be for me. Housework should not be gender related. It’s a responsibilty na dapat divide equally, same as providing for the family. Kung parehas na nag ta trabaho ang nanay at tatay, aba dapat lang na parehas din gumagawa sa gawing bahay ang Nanay at Tatay.

So yun na nga, if you can’t help your partners, buy her an LG. The innovative technologies designed for LG Home Appliances make chores, such as doing the laundry, easier to accomplish – and surprisingly pleasant – especially for men who are trying to do it right for the first time. LG’s line of smart appliances with features that offer powerful solutions for tasks often perceived as complicated, such as efficiently doing the laundry for clothes that are clean and even allergy-free.

To demonstrate that alpha-males, and even working dads can do it, motoring expert James Deakin, actor/model Eric ‘Eruption’ Tai, and PBA’s ‘Ironman’ LA Tenorio went onstage at the LG Laundry Love campaign launch to wash their family’s clothes. James, who is used to running at high speeds, used the LG Front Load washer with Turbo Wash technology, with a unique jet spray for excellent washing performance in less than an hour. Eric, who just had a baby with wife Rona, used the LG Top Load washer with its Baby Steam Care function that offers deep clean for baby clothes, along with Allergy Care that removes 99% of allergens to care for his newborn’s sensitive skin. For LA, who values his time off from his games, the LG Twin wash was a perfect match because it let him wash his just-used basketball jersey at the same time his children’s clothes. With all these convenient cleaning features and more that are available on the LG smart technology washing machines, it is easier to get the men of the family involved in doing the laundry.

During the Love Laundry campaign launch, LG managing director Inkwon Heo shared, “At LG, we believe in using technology to simplify life and to save time. Our washing machines are top-of-the-line products that are designed to make doing the laundry less complicated and more energy efficient. It is with our hope that the men of the household will see doing the family laundry less as a chore, but more as a way of showing support for their loved ones.” LG’s Laundry Love campaign also wants men to be able to feel that they can contribute to running the household. Through this, the traditional gender roles in the household will become a thing of the past, and with the children, the next generation growing up to see that their fathers are able to take on more responsibilities at home, it will be the norm, rather than the exception.

LG also opened its doors on the same day to the residents of Barangay Maybunga in Pasig to do their laundry at the LG office using the powerful washers. It is the company’s way of giving back to communities, with the aim of making clean laundry accessible, LG will be rolling out the mobile laundry van soon in the different barangays of Metro Manila.

For more information about the #LGLoveLaundry campaign and to see the lineup of LG’s washing machines, log on to lg.com/ph, like @LGPhilippines on Facebook and follow @LGPhilippines on Instagram.

Landlite’s Lighting Design Trends 2019

“The secret to life is put yourself in the Right Lighting.”

or the secret to being beautiful is having the right light. That’s what I learned from the make up workshop I attended, everything is about the right lighting. Even at home di ba? A good lighting design can really improve the look of your home. And if you are looking for the Lighting Design Trends 2019, Landlite shared with us the lighting design trends for this year 2019.

During the event, LPC also presented its new brand ambassador top host and celebrity Marc Nelson who will appear in the company’s marketing campaigns and share news about LPC products and industry insights.

Landlite’s Lighting Design Trends 2019

Eco-lighting
As the world becomes more conscious about the environment particularly in the reduction of waste and the promotion of recycling, lighting products are also responding to this call.

The Hook portable eco-lamp for one, designed by OiKo Design Office for Faro Barcelona, has been optimized for all stages of their life cycle, reducing the environmental impact between 30 percent and 70 percent. Free of harmful PVC, a harmful material present in most wires and plugs, the housings of The Hook portable eco-lamp are also made entirely of recycled plastic.

Human-centric
Another lighting trend that is fast gaining traction is human-centric design. Proponents of this movement say that CCT shifting, which refers to the correlated color temperature of LED bulbs, can help regulate circadian rhythms, moods, visual acuity and one’s performance.

Towards this end, Bohman&Folenius created the Inviting Light for home lighting, whose main characteristic is how the light moves to accompany you according to your different needs and moods. The head of the lamp adjusts both in its horizontal and vertical axis, while regulating light intensity, changes in color temperature, and also has a dimmable feature.

Its various versions—table, wall or clip—allow for multiple locations, such as shelving units, headboards, study and work desks, as well as in the kitchen.

Multi-functional
Consumers of today now also seek out lighting solutions that can replace multiple pieces of equipment, in their desire for value for money as well as space-saving needs especially for those who reside in condominium units.

Thus, the stylish NIKO by Nahtrang—a homage to scientist and inventor Nikolai Tesla—was borne, which is actually two objects in one: a lamp and mobile charger, with a surface on which we can charge our smartphone without cables getting in the way. With its Nordic design with dual functionality, NIKO is perfect for illuminating bedrooms and living rooms, and is a good choice for hotels.

Mobility
Another interesting trend coming to the fore is mobility in lighting products, which is a response to those who are more outdoorsy in nature. The Take Away lamp designed by Nahtrang addresses this need, taking inspiration from lanterns coupled with the versatility of Japanese ceramic bowls: small, light, cable-free, and nomadic—allowing it to be placed anywhere.

Landlite took the opportunity as well to present its other range of lighting solutions: the Le Vita by Nahtrang, delicate and simple in design; the MOY by Nahtrang, a modern round light that provides a uniform illumination ideal for living rooms or busy areas; the Cometa which allows for uniform and high-quality illumination with anti-glare technology; and designer lamps inspired by different world cultures such as the Akane by Pepe Llaudet and the Aladino.