VERDE Creatives Starts "Equality Champions: Magandang Laban" Pride Month Exhibit

I dread the commercialization of holidays, and June as Pride Month is no exception. Just like them, I feel it should be celebrated everyday. It should be celebrated, but not forget the reason why it is being done. There have been countless lives that have fought for the rights of the LGBTQIA+ sector, and that still is being done to this day. With the non passage of the SOGIE Equality bill alone in the Philippines, there has been progress, but still, a long way to go.

Verde Creatives thought of bringing organizations together to start putting a face on the LGBTQIA+ cause. It's high time to get people see their valiant efforts and set an example on why they now need to be seen. After 25 years of having the SOGIE Bill in the congress and senate, it still hasn't been passed. What's funny is that their call is only for EQUALITY. The same right that every Juan and Juana enjoys, and even compromised on a lot of the sections of the bill. Seeing it be discussed every year is tiring, and these individuals are now presenting themselves, simply to note that there are real people behind the cause. 

Ms. Bemz of Verde Creatives says "We are being left behind and we have a long path ahead. In this photo campaign, we have several of our peers and allies including Senator Loren Legarda, Representative Geraldine Roman, Lenlen Alonte, Kababaihan Partylist Kate Coseteng and more. This includes various LGBT associations to join us in this campaign. We are putting these brave faces to make sure we involve ourselves in a very worthy cause."

Vashti of the Society of Trans Women in the Philippines (STRAP) says "I'm excited for this campaign as it showcases our experience, including Ms. Bemz and Verde Creatives, to support bills in congress so we can claim our rights. It should not stop our cause, including the SOGIE bill."

Ang Ladlad Partylist lead Dexter Macaldo adds "Equality champions in images brings stories of strength, of who you are, showing your beauty and individuality. This is to strengthen the LGBT voice, to bring change. This collaboration hopes to inspire others to also show their truth, in a more accepting society. Thank you Verde Creatives and other organizations for being here."

Ms. Maria Barbie Arcache of 1LGBT Pilipinas says "I would like to congratulate this event, it's something really amazing. I've known you for decades and in my life, I didn't think it's just pageants, but there's more to that. You can share that beauty in your heart, in 2 and a half decades, I've done pageants and now that I'm retired, I still want to share that advocacy. We cannot be stagnant, we need to fill that space and find your purpose in this world. We are here to move and shake the world, in the aspects of human rights. It's about time we show our faces. I am proud to be part of this campaign, we are all proud to be human and masterpieces of God."

Here's the press conference on video:

Here's a showcase of the photos they unveiled that evening:

 

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This is just the start of even more things they plan to do to push for the great causes they want to support. They'll be front, center, and putting their own faces to fight for the rights of LGBTQIA+ folks, to make sure there will be no stopping til equality happens, and their rights be given. 

This event was held at the Dark Roast Coffeehouse in Maginhawa. A great ally for the cause.

LG Unveils Isaiah Cacnio Digital Piece "Fragments" at National Museum of Natural History

So much has happened at the National Museum of Natural History when the folks from LG and Isaiah Cacnio unveiled his series called "FRAGMENTS" which was inspired by geological wonders in the country, and is a fully digital art. This is the first time that the National Museum has also housed something digital, so in a way, they are making history. I've seen it in person and it was huge. It also moves, non-static, super different from the things they usually display. Fragments is made up of three installations called Where Fire Begins, Stories in Stone, and What Breaks, Flows. Graphics in different colors that move and emulate emotion, you could easily be carried away when you view it there.

LG also showcased their latest OLED and QNED TV's that uses AI and the latest generation of features they have for devices. They also took us to see how they've changed the technology used for their TV's and AI Magic remote. It had less buttons and more function, which is apparently a good way to ergonomically change the usual crazy presses we need to do to watch TV or use apps in it. They're definitely changing the way we watch TV.

Robi Domingo hosted the event and interviewed Bela Padilla, Mika Reyes and LA Tenorio about their experience using LG products. From gaming, to binge watching and using the LG OLED B5 and QNED's features, they got to discuss how they enjoyed every bit of it. Oh and before I forget, the National Museum of Natural History also received the Php 500,000 worth of display tech from LG. This is part of their commitment to culture and education (as this is not the first time they've done this). This will be part of the display for years, their way of honoring the past. Make sure you visit the museum and enjoy the art installations, it's truly rare to see things like it in the Philippines. You can have them though if you get them from appliance stores nationwide!

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Cacnio's work was a stunner. I couldn't believe what I was seeing on display that afternoon. Go check it out at the National Museum. Entrance is free, but arrangements can be made for guided tours (I think it's a better option) so email them ahead.

RENEWPLUS Medical Aesthetic Clinic Opens at The LORETO Tower in Makati

Spent the afternoon at the Renewplus Medical Aesthetics clinic over at the 2nd Floor of The Lerato Tower 3 in Malugay, Makati City. As the name suggests, it's a place to get your treatments done. This means a lot, and we got to talk to Dr. Paul Francis Verano about it. He says "Renewplus is about cutting edge treatments and wellness services. It's a place to renew, reimagine and radiate. This is put up by businessman John Bilaos and offers a full line of treatments, laser and body procedures designed to only enhance your natural beauty. We aim to make your beauty goals achieved in a cost effective way."

They conceptualized it in early 2024 since the place needed one. Now together with Dr. Verano's team, they can do what you need to look and feel good. If it's about skin, your body, ears, scars, this place is equipped with the needed tools to get it done fast and safe. Dr. Yap told us a few procedures they do including Hollywood Spectra, laser peels to exfoliate pigmentations in areas you need to clear out. Lutronic Ultra on the other hand resurfaces skin with Thulium Laser, good for uneven skin tones and textures. They also have UltraGlo for the face and neck area, if you've got problems in these areas of sagging. They also do threads. RF microneedling, Coolite Bolt hair removal, and more if needed.

Here's a little tour of the clinic:

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Here's a short interview we did with Dr. Paul Francis Verano about the clinic and the services they offer:

Visit them at the 2nd floor of THE LORETO Makati Tower 3. This is in the Malugay area of Makati. If you have skin procedures needed to be done, this is certainly a great place to start. Visit their social channels to inquire or know more about their procedures.

CARITAS MANILA Starts SEGUNDA MANA Grand Bazaar at TRINOMA

Had the chance to visit the Caritas Manila led SEGUNDA MANA Grand Bazaar 2025 at the Ayala Malls Trinoma's 4th Floor in Quezon City. This is the social service arm of the Philippines Catholic church and has been running a couple of years already. 

It was packed but people were eager to help because where else would you be able to purchase really great finds of food and products and in turn help the causes that they support particularly the education of the poor and their livelihood. This was witnessed by leaders of Caritas Manila, our lovely Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, several beauty queens and kings too. 

Rev. Father Anton Pascual the Caritas Manila Executive Director says "For 72 years we have been doing Caritas Manila efforts and there are a lot of people helping us in Segunda Mana. Second Hand Items, new ones, toys, we monetize them for nature and community projects and we hope this would be sustained with your help. This is patterned from the US's goodwill stores and we thank Ayala Trinoma, PMG, Miss Universe PH and Misters Pilipinas, our Mayor Joy Belmonte who has helped social enterprise. We want to thank you, and hope this gets sold in 3 days so we can help the poor. The poor are not lazy, they just need opportunity so they could help themselves. Please spread the good news, may God bless you!"

Mayor Joy Belmonte says "I was lucky to have been able to work after graduation with Caritas Manila. At QC, our values are aligned and have worked to give scholars to lift themselves and not just rely on dole outs. We have 40k now and hopefully have 80k after our term. Thank you to Caritas for doing environmental efforts, textile is another waste we need to address in this economy. Every year we have tons of it in our landfills and in a circular economy we hope to recycle these. I wish people stop a consumerist lifestyle, balance it with new and second hand items to help, declutter and live simple lives to donate in Caritas Manila. We hope to host a lot of social enterprises in the city, it's my dream to do this. Let's all shop for a cause today!"

Miss Eco International 2025 Alexei Brooks says "Coming here I asked what to talk about, but recycling is an important part of it. I am an athlete, and was poor to afford shoes. My grandma went to buy a 500 peso pair which I eventually would win in Palarong Pambansa. I still have it, it's a reminder of who I am, to take care of the environment and climate change is happening. This organization is partnering with international ones and it is a good cause. If you want to achieve great things, please donate so you can make a difference in someone else's life."

PMG GM Agnes Magallanes adds "I rallied our team to donate and went on to do 3 years of helping this cause. We want to be part of the solution, meeting with them, we got to have social engagements and urge corporations to give back. We need to be part of the solution, not just clothes, but plastics, it's part of our sustainable efforts and we thank Caritas Manila for making us part of it. We hope to sell these and have nothing to send back to our warehouse."

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The event will be from today til June 8 so you have about 2 days left to go there and help. Make sure to visit and buy so we can help families send their kids to school through Segunda Mana and other Caritas Manila projects. They also have vendors from communities, as they want them to be self sufficient later on. Hope you can help!