ALDEN RICHARDS Celebrates 15 Years with MOVING FORWARD Concert

15 years must have been a tall order for most people, but for Alden Richards... it's like he's just starting. The talented and multi awarded actor is celebrating this milestone with some of the most important people in his career, HIS FANS, which he deem deserves this concert, a way to thank them for supporting him this long. 

Watch him arrive at the red carpet in Shang Mall!

 

Alden says "I'm very excited this coming December 13th as we celebrate my journey, my learnings, the things I learned and how we keep on Moving Forward. I thank C@$in0 P|us, Bench, Belo, CDO, White Flower and Oxycure for all their help. The purpose of this event is for my 15th Anniversary, and how I want to give back and pay it forward. I want to highlight the people that have been part of my journey in the last 15 years, and that's the fans. Why Sta. Rosa Laguna as the venue? Because I've been in the industry so long but I haven't had a big event in a place where I grew up. With the help of the people of Sta. Rosa, we were able to mount this event. And I'm very excited because now I could give back to the place where I grew up in. Since Day 1, they've been always there for me. It's our little way of saying thank you to them, and I'm doing it all in this one event."

He adds "In the 15 years, there's been a lot of fan interactions that have happened. I get surprised about news, the most memorable one of which the folks that I have helped in the past would suddenly come up to me and say how their lives have changed because of that. I was just there to help, but to actually see how it has changed their lives means a lot to me. It gave them comfort, I think those are the ones that really touch me in fan encounters. I remember in 2019, a girl standing in the crowd was looking at me intently. She was holding a diploma, looking at me the whole time, smiling, so I wondered what it was about. She approached and told me that she already graduated, and that I was responsible for it. I learned that it really isn't about the volume of people that you help, it's the effect you have on people, it gives me more passion, grounds me, that because of all the things I'm doing in my own way, it creates ripples of kindness. It's why I continue doing the things I'm doing today.That kind of platform and reach, it's what keeps me going."

Here's a video of the media conference, please enjoy!

One of the highlights of the concert is the inclusion of PBB artists Will Ashley, Bianca De Vera and Dustin Yu. He will also have popular band CUP OF JOE performing a song or two in the event. This is produced by Myriad Events, and for tickets you can get them at https://arxv.helixpay.ph/. There are only a few seats left as Diamond and Platinum sections are sold out. This is a once in a lifetime experience to be with him at this locale so if you're a big fan, it's time you take the trek down south to see Alden Richards in the flesh!

Alden Richards is MOVING FORWARD and there's no stopping him anytime soon! Congratulations Alden! :) 

Majestic Views, Art and More at the Santa Maria MUSIC and FILM Festivall

The Sierra Madre mountain range has once again been the talk of the town as it played a part in slowing the track of the recent Super Typhoon. This starts from the province of Cagayan to the south in Quezon, but did you know that the Santa Maria Music and Film Festival (SMMFF) is also happening here? I distinctly remember the 2023 run when they featured various films, musical acts while nestled in the great outdoors! With the  theme "See What Others Can't" they've managed to celebrate year after year with the 2025 edition happening at the founder Jennifer Maliwanag's family mountain property in Santa Maria, Laguna (which is also part of the range). 

It's pretty remote and atop clouds in the morning, but this didn't stop them from featuring even more participants this year. Imagine, having 39 films from 17 different countries Australia , EU, Canada, South America, the US and a few from Southeast Asia) all to be showcased in this year's SMMFF. All of which are being celebrated, and to make this platform be their voice, and allow us to experience their different stories (and See What Others Can't). 

Quarter Finalists include Cotton Candy by Jesse Klick of USA, To Be Anders Widmark by Peter Östlund of Sweden, Image Dance by John Dawson also from the USA, First Refusal by Courtney Sanello from the USA, American Pot Story: Oaksterdam by Ravit Markus & Dan Katzir from the USA, Reborn by Ken Izumisawa of Japan, Castle in the Air by Jess D'Aguanno of Australia, Clout Chaser by Lubomir Atan of the USA, The World of UConn Stamford’s Campus Library by Dorian Robinson of the USA, Inspire Me by Geoffrey Fighiera of France, Chance Encounters by Hasi Eldib of Canada, Guiding Light by India Anne Mitchell of the USA, Life in Tandem by Joseph Litzinge & Mia Grimes who are also from the USA.

This will happen on my birthday December 6th from 4-8:30PM at the Santa Maria Open Air Cinema located at 143 Summit Barangay Pao-o in Santa Maria Laguna. If you want to experience it, visit their official website santamariafestival.com and register for a seat. It'll be one awesome day to see and feel music, film under the sky and stars!

This is organized by Jennifer Maliwanag (Festival Director), Rex Lopez the Producer and Creative Lead, and Jerico Maliwanag a Film Creator and Communications Lead for this year's SMMFF.

Development Plans for Tagaytay Highlands Bared

The famed mountain resort and leisure destination Tagaytay Highlands just rolled out its plans for the 1,200 hectare property. This land that sits on Cavite, Laguna and Batangas which still asks to be developed further, this is where Highlands Prime Inc. comes in, they're the subsidiary of SM Prime Holdings.

The plan includes to put the property filled with commercial establishments, provide services for its residents, space for recreational activities, but still keeping it sustainable. It's going to further improve the mixed use plan they have for The Highlands, Midlands, Midlands West an Greenlands which are districts of Tagaytay Highlands. I remember staying in The Highlands a couple years back which was filled with Swiss looking chalets and log cabins, filled with pine trees, a panoramic view of the mountains, something unbelievable to see often for folks from Manila.

The Midlands on the other hand will be paradise for Golf lovers as their Midlands Golf Club will draw in fans of the sport but still offer a place of refuge with stunning views of Taal Lake, Mount Makiling and forests along the lake. Luxury villas, a place to camp out, plus a long stretch of residences that promote health, wellness, while nestled in the mountains. Midlands West on the other hand will have open parks, so you get a mix of modern amenities and nature. The Greenlands remain eco friendly, wide and apt for outdoor activities which will remain this way for a long time. They will foster conservation efforts to maintain the natural beauty of the property, with a goal to reach a million trees before 2044. As of now, 490,000 sits in it. There stands more for future generations, and this is just the start for Tagaytay Highlands. There's more low density condominiums being developed so each resident would experience that mountain resort living they've dreamed of.

This is just the start for Tagaytay Highlands.

LG Philippines Initiates LG Library on the Go

Went to this quaint little school nestled in the heart of Nagcarlan Laguna this morning to celebrate what could be a great start for kids to learn reading. Folks from LG Philippines is in town as they roll out their "LG LIBRARY ON THE GO", aimed to benefit the population of Manaol Elementary School. This is part of the CSR activities called LG Ambassador Challenge -100 Days of Miracles which they put up with representatives of LG Electronics and their beneficiary, Korean Food for the Hungry International.

This was sparked by a wish from LG Ambassador Charlene Aguilar who wanted to have a transport with books on it. This will have a capability to go to other places as well so it could serve even more children in this side of the world. The event was attended by LG Philippines Managing Director Nakhyun Seong, LG Philippines Head of Corporate Marketing Ana Marie Salapantan and LG Philippines Marketing Communications Manager Anthony George Constantino. It was covered by a few media outlets, and bloggers too.

LG Philippines Managing Director Nakhyun Seong says "I am happy to meet you today, my simple message is READ A BOOK. Make it a habit to do it so you can have a bright future. Even if it takes you one book every month, it'll make your dreams come true! I am so happy to see the kids here, they are so energetic!"

Take a look at this new Life's Good Mobile Library!

The 7 Barangays is just the start and they plan to do more in the next few years. In the past they have been doing community based projects and this year they are concentrating on often overlooked needs which is EDUCATION. They also have eye checkup and glasses for the kids courtesy of Monloy this morning. 

It was touching to see the kids get excited about the books they are about to read plus the reading/storytelling sessions they prepared for them. These are the times where you can really say, Life's Good!

Inaugural Santa Maria Music and Film Festival Slated December 2

 

Looks like all roads lead to Santa Maria, Laguna as the first ever Santa Maria Music and Film Festival happens this December 2, 2023. "Bayan ng Santa Maria" as known to most of it's inhabitants, is a developing municipality in the south possessing some of the most unparalleled views of magical Mount Banahaw, Mount Cristobal and Laguna de Bay. 

Performers will include the Santa Maria Dance Troupe (the town's pride!), acoustic phenoms Miro Valera and Jeff Bolivar who will have a few sessions in between films. The festival will be showcasing 7 short films that will be done from 3PM to 7PM, all from different categories. Over 20 short film entries were sent to FilmFreeway.com then shortlisted to 13, then 7. These are entries from all over the world made by students, amateurs, directors, film makers and content creators which certainly would be interesting to see.

Out of all the entries, these 7 have been selected for the festival:

The Vibe Operator
Bitter Brownies
Life Savers
Searching for Chunk
Till the Music Stop
Dream On
I Can Do Anything: A Letter to Burning Man

The location for the event will be at the top of Sierra Madre, so moving to and from the tent venues will involve a little hiking. They also highly encourage for you to bring refillable bottles/tumblers for water at refilling stations for hydration. No plastic bottles please!

For those who plan to have accommodation or want to know about transportation arrangements, please check their website https://www.santamariafestival.com/planyourvisit to know more about the festival. Tickets are free but register first via https://www.santamariafestival.com/events/santa-maria-music-film-festival-2 as seats do run out fast.

Tip: Take lots of photos, bring cold weather protection, enjoy the art installations and different spots at the Santa Maria Music and Film Festival. Bring friends and enjoy movies, music, culture and art all in one place! 

This event is supported by Wearzitee, The place will also be housing World Cup Cafe soon. See you at the festival!

Brittany Builds in Sta. Rosa: For That English Country Feel

Something that I definitely would adore is living in the English countryside. I like the ambiance, the coziness, the shabby chic, some place that authentically mixes old and new. There definitely is something that home amidst the cold weather, or gloomy especially in the outskirts of London. Though we don't really have to travel there.

There's Brittany Sta. Rosa which they built with that exact theme in mind. It's in a sprawling 300 hectare property, tucked away in an enclave made by the folks at Brittany Corporation, the luxury arm of Vista Land and Lifescapes Incorporated. It's got the same allure, that rustic old world charm with the amenities of modern living.

Homes in Georgia Club and Augusta are placed amidst decade old trees, all in 300 to 500 square meter lots so you get ample space for living and nature. They also have parks which you can go and move around in, because why not, you deserve to live the life you deserve!

Georgia Club also has the feel of southern living, as it was a place likened to Georgia (the state). You'll see really good details, a wrap around porch, french windows and swings you can sit on hot afternoons, to have a place to enjoy warm biscuits and iced teas like they used to. Or choose to walk at the Peachtree Clubhouse or Daisy Park, have a picnic with family, friends at a beautiful English lookin landscape.

Augusta on the other hand sits on 15 hectares, at a very private and secure parcel of well designed gardens and lawns. A dream for some, but pretty true already in this place in Laguna. They also got amenities, much for sports, swimming, a court so you need not go elsewhere to have fun!

Brittany Sta. Rosa is also near Vista Mall Sta. Rosa, several plants, schools (universities), hospitals, offices, industrial parks, businesses so if you plan to work in the area, or build your own business, it's highly conducive for that!

For those who are into golf, nearby is a 27 hole course at Sta. Elena Golf and Country Club, imagine teeing off in the morning and working in the afternoons, that's a dream lifestyle!

SLEX and CALAx is also nearby so if you go to Tagaytay or Metro Manila, you can just skip right back home in Sta. Rosa because you're near with either one of them.

If you feel this is a match, head on to brittany.com.ph or their social channels by searching Brittany on the platforms. Homes like these are possible in the Philippines, I would check it out if I were you!

UNIONBANK Set to Construct Unionbank Innovation Campus in San Pedro, Laguna

Got off the Unionbank a little hopeful for our country. You see, the bank innovators just broke ground on this new initiative called the Unionbank Innovation Campus. Aside from their digital transformation a couple of years ago and the effective hackathons they hosted through the years,  their digital solutions continue to satisfy their customers needs. Putting this knowledge to a whole new generation of Filipinos is a must and they're putting their brains where their mouth is.

The Unionbank Innovation Campus will be constructed on a sprawling one hectare property in San Pedro, Laguna. They are banking on (sorry I had to say that line lol) their capabilities in research and development, plus their expertise in fields of data science, artificial intelligence, blockchain, digital banking (EON) and their Asian Institute of Digital Transformation which they have partnered with Singapore based Global Learning Solutions.

UnionBank President and CEO Edwin Baustista says "This is our dream, our testament to invest in the future not just in the Philippines but the rest of Asia. This is our thrust in the Aboitiz group and is a major step to become a hub for technology in the region. We want to create the future of banking and it starts with this facility."

The campus will be completed around 2nd or 3rd quarter of 2022, so if you're looking forward to have the know how on everything that concerns these technologies, it'll be best to head down south. News like these just excites me, I hope they have online options (which I'm sure they will) because it's pretty far from my home in QC. I'd like to look at graduate studies if it's going to be part of their curriculum.