Ballet Manila's Florante at Laura: A Symphony of Creativity and Harmonious Ingenuity

“Something magical happens when artists come together!”

Ballet Manila Premieres "Florante at Laura," a new production featuring renowned Filipino artists. The show is a retelling of the classic Filipino literary work. The landmark production brings together some of the country’s finest dance and musical artists for a world premiere that spotlights yet another Filipino literary masterpiece.

Ballet Manila's creative director, Lisa Macuja Elizalde, couldn't contain her excitement when asked about Florante's upcoming world premiere at Laura.

The outstanding production, which follows the ballet company's highly successful Ibong Adarna, will be performed at the Aliw Theater on October 12, 2024, at 8 p.m., and on October 13 and 19, 2024, at 5 p.m. Florante at Laura will bring together some of the country's most renowned creatives in music, literature, ballet, and stage production.

A collaboration of masters in their craft 

“Florante at Laura was a project that was going to be Gerardo Francisco’s next epic adventure. This was planned way before the pandemic happened. I was so very thrilled when National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab said yes! That’s why we work so hard every day – to create art that people will want to watch again and again.” ~Lisa Macuja Elizalde, Ballet Manila's Creative Director

Gerardo is the dance company’s longtime principal dancer and co-artistic associate, who also choreographed the award-winning Ibong Adarna. Working with him is the exemplary British choreographer Martin Lawrance who is behind Ballet Manila’s  full length innovative retelling of Romeo and Juliet in the Filipino setting. 

“Clear communication, thorough discussions, and mutual support were crucial in keeping us on track. We just seem to click and bounce ideas off of each other. It has so far been a very fruitful collaboration. Communication has been the key!” ~Gerardo Francisco, Dance Company’s longtime Principal Dancer and co-artistic Associate

From the collaboration between Gerardo and Martin, the intricate pieces to this masterpiece of a production started falling into place when Lisa invited renowned writer and balagtasan expert Professor Michael Coroza as a guest in her show, Art 2 Art, where she asked him to watch Ibong Adarna. “I then invited Michael to collaborate with Gerardo and Martin Lawrence to create the libretto for Florante at Laura.”

Soon after, the quest for a composer began.  Lisa imagined someone who can create original compositions akin to a Filipino Tchaikovsky—sweeping, dramatic, powerful, and romantic.

One of the Pillars of Original Pilipino Music (OPM), Ryan Cayabyab, was named National Artist for Music in 2018 with an extensive body of work ranging from orchestras and full-length musical productions to television and commercials.

“It had been quite some time since I wrote a large musical work. “Most important before I start creating music is the mutual understanding among the other creatives and the producer regarding style and medium of music. Everything is a surprise and wonder for me. I challenged myself into accepting this landmark ballet production, and I hope that it becomes an important legacy for all of us involved in it.” ~Ryan Cayabyab, One of the Pillars of Original Pilipino Music (OPM), National Artist for Music in 2018

Despite  being a seasoned composer and musician, Ryan was thrilled to work with fellow creatives.

Breathing life into his original compositions is the Orchestra of the Filipino Youth (OFY) under the baton of his  son, Toma Cayabyab—another dream fulfilled for Ryan.

An epic production with mesmerizing visuals

Florante at Laura, a work of literary art by Filipino poet Francisco "Balagtas" Baltasar, was released in 1838 and tells the tale of Florante, a duke who was taken prisoner and sold into slavery by the Turks. However, with Aladin's assistance, he was able to escape his captors and make his way back to Albania, where he faced off against the usurper Count Adolfo, sought atonement, and was reunited with his beloved Laura. 

Ballet Manila enlisted the help of important actors who have appeared in numerous domestic and international productions over the years in order to translate the story's universal themes of love, betrayal, and friendship into dramatic visuals. Set designer Mio Infante clarified that his creations represent more than just the story's real location.  

“This epic ballet includes a diverse set of locations, which not only serve as physical spaces but also symbolize the internal and external conflicts of the characters, as well as broader themes of love, war, loyalty, and betrayal.” ~Mio Infante, Set Designer

Complementing his designs are the stunning costumes from Make It Happen, led by  Otto Hernandez & Therese Arroyo Hernandez.

“Costumes play a crucial role in conveying the story and message of a production. It can contribute to the overall visual aesthetics, help define characters, evoke emotions, and enhance the audience's understanding of the narrative.” ~Otto Hernandez & Therese Arroyo Hernandez, designs are the stunning costumes from Make It Happen

Meanwhile, lighting director John Batalla emphasizes the importance of using a distinct lighting color palette to differentiate the varied locales of Florante and Laura.

“Mood is certainly a major part of the themes that lighting has to tackle in a production such as this in order to transport the audiences to a different time and far-away places.” ~John Batalla, Lighting Director

Expect more from Ballet Manila

As one of the country’s leading dance companies, Ballet Manila has been known for its keen eye for excellence and artistry. Even though it has produced numerous award-winning shows, Lisa's leadership will ensure that the audience continues to see top-notch performances.

Show Dates:

October 12, 2024     -     8:00 p.m.

October 13, 2024     -     5:00 p.m.

October 19, 2024     -     5:00 p.m.

Tickets for “Florante At Laura” are now available through Ticketworld. Direct links to buy tickets:  https://bit.ly/BMFloranteAtLauraBuyTickets

For bulk ticket orders (50 or more), email balletmanilamarketing@gmail.com 

But for now, she wishes the audience to bask in the magical greatness of Florante at Laura. 

All performances will be staged at Aliw Theater, Pasay City. For tickets, visit www.ticketworld.com.ph. To learn more about Ballet Manila and its shows, visit www.balletmanila.com.ph. 

HUAWEI's All-Round WATCH GT 5 Series Now Available for Pre- Order, Starting at P12,999

The HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Series, the company's most recent wearable technology innovation, is currently ahead of time. With its cutting-edge features and elegant design, Huawei's newest smartwatch lineup is delivering wearable technology to consumers' wrists. The brand-new Huawei Watch GT 5 Series and the Huawei Watch Ultimate are available for pre-order from September 26, 2024, to October 3, 2024.

Elegant Design in Sizes That Fit Everyone

The octagonal watch face is brought back to life by the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Series, which has a sleek, reflective design. Comfort is guaranteed by the lightweight ceramic construction without sacrificing toughness. The 42mm model of the WATCH GT 5 Pro has a thin nanocrystal ceramic body with gold accents, while the 46mm model combines sapphire glass, titanium alloy, and ceramic for an opulent yet robust feel. Vibrant AMOLED displays—1.43 inches for the 46mm model and 1.32 inches for the 41mm and 42mm model—come with both versions. Thirteen new vivid watch faces have been added to the 30,000 already available on the Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro. There are several types of straps that users can select from, including titanium, blue and black fluoroelastomer, blue and brown woven, white ceramic, and white leather.

Move Smarter with Upgraded Sports and Fitness Features

Running form analysis and trail running functions are just two of the sophisticated fitness tracking features available on the WATCH GT 5 Series. For runners of all skill levels, the AI-powered "Running Coach" provides real-time metrics and insights to enhance performance and reduce injuries. Real-time navigation, offline maps, and route previews are helpful for trail runners. Safety features on the watch include route reminders in case runners stray from the intended course.

With 40 meters of water resistance and a dedicated freediving mode, the WATCH GT 5 is tested to diving standards for user safety.

The watch and the HUAWEI Health App work together to transform the phone into a cycling computer for cyclists. It monitors heart rate, calories burned, location in real time, and more. The timepiece

supports external power meters for comprehensive data on cycling efficiency, track return features, and full-color cycling maps. The software offers thorough post-ride performance analyses following every ride, assisting users in making the most of their training and advancement.

Swing Like a Pro with Advanced Capabilities

With over 15,000 tier-1 golf courses worldwide, including over 100 in the Philippines, the smartwatch's "golf mode" is now available to golf enthusiasts. With the addition of 3D Course Effects, it offers an enhanced perspective of the course. These features, in addition to real-time distance measurements, give golfers a more accurate shot planning experience. A reference line for improved navigation and strategic play is provided by the "Green View."

The wristwatch is a useful tool for golfers of all skill levels because it also has a "Practice Mode" that assists users in tracking and perfecting their swings. These features improve the overall golfing experience, strategy, and course navigation.

Advanced Health and Wellness Monitoring

Huawei unveiled its cutting-edge HUAWEI TruSense System earlier this year. With the help of this technology, which is available on the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Series, HUAWEI smartwatches can provide accurate fitness and health tracking. The device also includes the HUAWEI Sunflower Positioning System, which enhances users' outdoor experiences by improving positioning accuracy through the use of an adaptive software algorithm for satellite signal tracking.

Numerous enhanced health-tracking features are available with the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Series. Users can now stay on top of their heart health as the latest HUAWEI smartwatch incorporates vital signs monitoring including ECG, blood pressure, SpO2 (blood oxygen saturation), and heart rate. In addition, the watch has enhanced body temperature and respiratory rate tracking, which could be useful for daily health monitoring.

In addition to pushing the envelope of innovation, Huawei is working to promote a more all-encompassing approach to wellness and health. The Emotional Wellbeing Assistant is another feature of the smartwatch. With the help of this feature, users can keep an eye on their emotional states and track changes in their emotional states by examining physiological markers like heart rate variability. Long-term emotional data is provided by the gadget, which aids users in better understanding their feelings and makes lifestyle recommendations to elevate emotional states. The watch has an interactive Pet Panda face with animated expressions that show the user's emotional state. The panda gives the gadget a whimsical and unique touch by reflecting the user's emotional state.

With a touch of a button, the WATCH GT 5 Series uses ECG Readings for real-time heart data and Pulse Wave Arrhythmia Analysis to identify irregular heartbeats. The Sleep Breathing Awareness feature also keeps track of the quality of sleep and looks for possible breathing problems like sleep apnea. The HUAWEI Health App then lets users examine their sleep habits, giving them the ability to comprehend and enhance the quality of their sleep.

Convenient, Intelligent, and Long-Lasting Experience

There's more: in Q4 of 2024, the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Series aims to introduce the nation's first-ever GCash payment feature via QR on a wearable device, providing users with an even more convenient smartwatch experience! Users can now make safe, contactless payments right from their wrist, whether they're getting coffee or grocery shopping. For added convenience, it also offers speech-to-text input, a virtual keyboard with complete Tagalog support, and NFC-enabled door access.

The HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Series is designed to handle users' hectic daily schedules. With the 46mm sizes, just a quick 1-hour charge can last up to 14 days of power. In the meantime, the 41mm and 42mm's batteries allow for up to seven days of use.

Discover the “Ultimate” Partner on the Course

Pre-orders for the latest iteration of the Huawei Watch Ultimate can be placed from September 26 through October 3. created for those looking for a high-end smartwatch with enhanced Expedition mode with Route Import, as well as advanced Golf Course features like plays-like distance, shot distance, and AI Caddies. The watch is the perfect partner for scuba diving because it can withstand up to 100 meters of water resistance. The watch has an eye-catching green and white ceramic dual-tone bezel. The HUAWEI WATCH Ultimate's stylish, athletic design makes it appropriate for both formal events and golfing.

Secure your HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Series and HUAWEI WATCH Ultimate Today! Pre-order the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Series and get a bundle including a pair of HUAWEI FreeBuds 5i worth PHP 3,599 on Shopee, Lazada, Tiktok, HUAWEI Online Store and HUAWEI Experience Stores.

You can also still avail our early bird promo. Deposit P1000 via HUAWEI Online Store, you get a one-year warranty extension on your unit and P2000 token in return. While on Lazada, Shopee and TikTok you can get a P1000 voucher.

Use ShopeePay Later or LazPay Later to purchase your device with staggered payments and benefit from 0% interest for up to six months. You can also take advantage of a special 0% installment promotion in our physical stores, valid for purchases made with Home Credit for up to 18 months and credit card purchases for up to 24 months. If you would like to trade in your old device, you can take advantage of Huawei's trade-in promotion, where you can get a trade-in token worth PHP 2,000 at a few HUAWEI Experience Stores around the country.

The HUAWEI WATCH Ultimate in Green is also available for pre-order for P45,999. Secure the exclusive pre-order bundle with the HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 3 worth PHP 10,999, a one-year warranty extension and a two-year (APAC) regional Accidental Damage Protection Service, with up to two claims, on top of that. Purchases through the HUAWEI Experience Stores get to trade in their device and get a token worth P4,000. Avail a special 0% installment promo of up to 24 months for credit card purchases and up to 18 months for Home Credit purchases. These exclusive pre-order offers are available starting September 26 to October 3, 2024.

To learn more about the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Series and the HUAWEI WATCH Ultimate, sign up for the VIP preview or visit HUAWEI’s official website or social media accounts (Facebook | Instagram).

About HUAWEI Consumer BG

HUAWEI's products and services are available in more than 170 countries and are used by a third of the world's population. Fifteen R& D centers have been set up in the United States, Germany, Sweden, Russia, India and China. HUAWEI Consumer BG is one of HUAWEI's three business units and covers smartphones, PC and tablets, wearables and cloud services, etc. HUAWEI's global network is built on over 30 years of expertise in the telecom industry and is dedicated to delivering the latest technological advances to consumers around the world.

For more information please visit: this page.

Cozy Up With These Tanduay Rum Cocktails for the Rainy Days

The ideal cocktails can lift the spirits on gloomy days when people are reflecting and the sky are getting darker. The greatest ones are made by Tanduay, the World's No. 1 Rum*, and provide just the right amount of warmth and flavor on a gloomy day.

These rum-based drinks are a delight on rainy days, whether they are consumed by yourself or with company. They draw attention to the unique tastes and complexity of Tanduay rums, demonstrating why the renowned Philippine brand is still winning accolades and awards across the world.

Two of Tanduay's most acclaimed rums, Tanduay Asian Rum Gold and Tanduay Asian Rum Silver, are included in the recipes. Most recently, in the New Orleans Spirits Competition this year, the former took home a bronze medal and the latter, a silver.

In the past, the Tanduay Asian Rum Gold has won gold quality awards from the Monde Selection Quality Institute, double gold from the 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, gold from the 2018 International Review of Spirits, and gold from the Beverage Testing Institute's 2017 International Review of Spirits, among other accolades.

Tanduay Asian Rum Silver has won numerous accolades, including a gold medal from the International Review of Spirits in 2018, a platinum award from the SIP Awards in 2022, and a gold medal from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2018.

Two of the brand's best-selling items, Tanduay Rum Dark and Tanduay Rum White, are also included in the recipes.

New Fashion With Tanduay Asian Rum Gold

With a taste profile of mature honey and hints of toasted oak, almond, and vanilla, the Tanduay Asian Rum Gold has a pure distinctive taste that is further brought out in this zesty cocktail.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Tanduay Asian Rum Gold
• 1 piece Orange Wheel
• 2 pieces Cocktail Cherries
• Orange Bitters

Procedure:

Muddle orange wheel and cherries in an old-fashioned glass. Add 4 drops of bitters. Fill with ice and pour in Tanduay Asian Rum Gold. Garnish and serve.

Victoria’s Negroni With Tanduay Asian Rum Silver

Ingredients:

• 1 oz Tanduay Asian Rum Silver
• 1 oz Sweet Vermouth
• 1 oz Campari
• Orange peel for garnish

Procedure:

Stir in all ingredients with ice in a mixing glass until completely chilled. Rub the side of an orange twist onto the  rim of a rock glass. Strain mixture into the glass with fresh ice. Garnish with orange twist.

Glass Garden With Tanduay Rum Dark

A sweet rum that’s great for a variety of mixed drinks, the Tanduay Rum Dark has a smooth, medium-length butterscotch, frozen custard, cola, and caramel apple finish.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz Tanduay Rum Dark
• 3 oz Green Apple Juice
• 1 oz Lime Juice
• 0.5 oz Simple Syrup

Procedure:

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker, shake until fully- chilled. Doublestrain into a coupe glass. Garnish with tarragon and serve immediately.

Guava Basil Mint With Tanduay Rum White

With its satiny, soft, dry yet fruity light body and even, brisk sweet cream finish, the Tanduay Rum White offers tropical flavors that bring the sunshine on dark, rainy days.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Tanduay Rum White
• 5 pieces Basil Leaves
• 0.75 oz Lemon Juice
• 1 oz Guava Syrup

Procedure:

Shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker, until well-chilled. Double strain in a flute glass. Garnish with a basil leaf.

For the latest news on Tanduay, follow its official social media accounts. Tanduay rum products are available in stores nationwide and through www.shots.ph.

*Tanduay has been declared the World’s Number 1 Rum for the seventh consecutive year by Drinks International Magazine after selling 23.4 million case liters in 2023. It is the only Philippine rum brand to hold this title.

Karofi enters Philippines and opens pilot store at Robinsons Magnolia

“Karofi was established with a mission to protect and enhance every people's health in any environment. We have a mission to protect the water we drink and we are now one of the leading brands globally with a presence in 50 countries. We should all live beautifully.” ~Huong Elly, Karofi Chief Customer Officer

On September 8, Karofi opens a pilot store at Robinsons Magnolia Mall, providing Filipinos with the most advanced water filtration technology and low-cost water filters, the SMAX Pro V. This technology removes 99.99% of bacteria and produces good-tasting, alkaline, and hydrogen-induced water.

Water from faucets or taps in the Philippines is unsafe to drink, and the quality of the water does not meet national government standards, particularly in urban areas.

According to data from the United Nations and Unicef, 53% of households in the Philippines do not have access to a safe water supply, while 48% receive safely managed or piped water services. The situation in schools is even worse, with 55 percent of students lacking access to clean, safe drinking water.

A large portion of the Philippine population suffers from a lack of access to basic water and sanitation services, which leads to illness, malnutrition, and childhood stunting. Indeed, almost one-third of Filipino children suffer from stunting.

Indeed, according to the 2022 Annual Poverty Indicators Survey (APIS), more than half of the population (54.3 percent) gets their drinking water from a water filter system or bottled water. However, this comes at a cost, with Filipinos spending up to P7,000 per month on water filter systems.

Karofi Water Purifier, a global brand and one of the world's best home water purifiers with a presence in 50 countries, was named one of the "Top 10 ASEAN Strong Brands 2024" at the 8th Edition of the ASEAN Strong Brand Announcement Ceremony 2024, and is expanding into the Philippines with a pilot store at Robinsons Magnolia Mall. The award recognizes Karofi's research and development efforts to fulfill its mission "to ensure the healthy life for everyone in the water and air environment of our beautiful green planet."

“I am excited to be here today. I have been using water purifiers for a long time because we are trying to minimize our use of plastic bottles [which clogs the drainage system and adds to global warming]. I have been loving Karofi water filters so far, and I like their new counter top water purifier with hot and cold water functionalities at the turn of a knob. Plus, the water quality tastes so good, in addition to being so healthy. Water is a basic necessity and we consume it on a daily basis. We have to make sure that the water we provide our family is of maximum quality. Karofi's water purifiers offer the most health benefits, with the safest and healthiest features. I am so impressed. This gives us more reason to try Karofi water purifiers because of its quality. The questions you may ask yourselves are “Is the water purifier safe?” and How to install [Karofi] water filter?” The answers are, yes, water purifiers are safe, and it's easy to install them. Karofi is the best water purifier for home.” ~Coleen Garcia, Actress, the official endorser of Karofi Water Purifier

Meanwhile, Elly explained that hydrogen neutralizes and alkaline water combats oxidants and free radicals, promoting healthy cells and bodies. Karofi's inexpensive water filter system will allow Filipinos to drink water directly from the tap, eliminating the need to boil it or purchase it from refilling stations or bottled water. It's the best cheap water filter on the market.

Karofi's water purifier filters also incorporate Nano Silver, which kills or inhibits the growth of microorganisms such as pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and fungi while causing little to no harm to the human body. Nano Silver prevents re-infection as water circulates through the filter system.

"The economics of the water purifier are better. Karofi's water filters have hydrogen and alkaline for better health, safe and clean water to prepare milk for babies, and a safe water source that meets the standards set by the Philippine National Standard for Drinking Water and regulator of FDA Certified Water Filters." ~Karofi said 

In addition, Karofi's water purifiers could reduce the cost of clean drinking water to only between P1,000 and P1,500 in six to eight months.

Garcia highlighted the health benefits of alkaline water in the body, but added sometimes it is a challenge where to buy alkaline water.

Clean drinking water

Potable drinking water is a daily necessity. Most consumers are very particular about the type of water they drink and give their young children, preferring alkaline water or pure distilled water.

Karofi has successfully developed advanced SMAX water filtration technology with double efficiency and is the first water purifier brand to incorporate Industry 4.0 technologies into its products (comprehensive water quality control technology on AioTec smartphones; voice-activated water collection technology VoiceCall).

Karofi is the only brand in the Philippines that has been certified by the Institute of Occupational Health and the Environment for pure drinking water, standard bottled water QCVN 6-1:2010/MOH, making it one of the best water purifiers for home use.

Integrating modern 4.0 technologies into water purifiers provides Karofi users with easy access to safe and clean water. The technologies include VoiceCall technology, which allows for voice-activated water pouring; AioTec technology, which allows smartphone users to control water quality; touch-screen water collection technology; and quick hot and deeply cold technology.

The novel innovation enables users to monitor Karofi's water quality via smartphones.

Karofi Key Features:

Reliable quality—Karofi water purifiers have a multi-level water treatment process to ensure that water is free from bacteria, visible particles, foul odor and, taste, etc. The water coming out from the filtration system is visually crystal clear. The water is guaranteed safe for drinking for adults, but most especially for babies and young children.

Superior technology - With its optimum performance, Karofi water purifiers offer 50 percent cost savings on power. Its energy efficiency promises quick heating and cooling.

11 SMAX filters, HP 6.0—Guaranteed good water quality. The filter technology and the HP 6 feature mean that it has alkaline-like quality water and assures the removal of 99.99 percent of bacteria. The water quality is recommended to be safe for infants and young children. It is also odorless and good-tasting, with a hint of sweetness or citrus flavor.

Peace of mind—You are secure that the water you and your family drink is clean and safe and will not cause sickness. Avoiding hospitalization and medical costs can save you plenty of money from Karofi’s cheap water filter system. 

Healthier choice—Switching to Karofi water purifiers from a water refilling station offers consumers the best life without the worry of acquiring water-borne diseases like diarrhea or stomach discomfort. A healthy family will provide consumers with financial stability and security while allowing families to spend more time together. In addition , alkaline water purifier is good for the skin. 

Optimizes convenience - You can have unlimited clean, safe and fresh water at home anytime. You do not need to order from water refilling stations.

Value for money - Users of Karofi water purifiers spend between P1,500 and P2,000 every six months to change filters. Sometimes, it is even less if the water from the source is cleaner. Spending P1,500 – P2,000 every six to eight months is more affordable than per-gallon expenses from water refilling stations or buying bottled water. 

FDA-approved and certified, with a 36-month warranty.