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Sunday, January 25, 2009

National and College Theater Festival to Open

To highlight the outstanding theater achievements of university-based theater groups, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), through its National Committee on Dramatic Arts, will be holding Tanghal, the fourth National University and College Theater Festival on February 1-5, 2009 as part of the Philippine International Festival (PIAF).

The event will feature a showcase of six exceptional theater performances that will be followed by a conference featuring international guest artists that will tackle the contributions of theater groups in the universities and colleges all over the Philippines in the hopes of forming a National Student Theater Alliance. The fourth Tanghal is aimed at marking the importance of university and college-based theater programs in the Philippine history.

This year’s fourth Tanghal is slated to take place in the National Capital Region (NCR), as the three previous theater festivals were held in the provinces.

The first Tanghal was held in Iloilo City in 2007 and was hosted by the University of San Agustin and the Teatrokon Western Visayas Theater Network. In 2008, Tanghal moved to Zamboanga with the Western Mindanao State University and the local government unit of the City of Zamboanga playing hosts. For the third leg of the theater festival, Tanghal was held at Laguna, hosted by Colegio de San Juan Letran in Calamba in cooperation with the Arts Research and Training Institute in Southern Tagalog, Inc., Linang Laguna Theater Network and the Lusong Luzon Theater Network.

The PIAF is annually held every February as per the Presidential Proclamation No. 683 signed by former President Corazon Aquino in 1991 and is currently undertaken by NCCA headed by its chairman, Dr. Vilma Labrador and its executive director Cecile Guidote Alvarez. Commissioner Ricardo de Ungria, head of the Subcommission on the Arts, is the festival director of PIAF 2010.

For details, contact the NCCA at (632) 527-2192 loca 612-615, email ncca.paio@gmail.com or log on to www.ncca.gov.ph.

Friday, January 16, 2009

Kasalang Tarlaqueño - Kasalang Filipino 2009 – Tarlac Leg

On February 20 – 22, 2009, Tarlac will transcend from a historical province to the next wedding destination in the Philippines as local wedding suppliers gather at the Diwa ng Tarlac in San Vicente, Tarlac City for the Kasalang Filipino 2009 - Tarlac Leg.

Kasalang Filipino 2009 is a nationwide wedding fair road show which ties twelve (12) Philippine cities with one goal of promoting the local wedding industry. The following are the 12 cities of the 2009 road show – San Pablo, Tagaytay, Tarlac, Dagupan, Bacolod, Legazpi, Dumaguete, General Santos, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Manila, and Cebu.


Tarlac as the third leg of Kasalang Filipino 2009 is co-presented by Kasal.com and ABS-CBN Regional Network Group in cooperation with the Tarlac Provincial Government, Coconut Grill Resort and Restaurant, and Café Maja Rica.

A Lovely Night. A couple lovingly looks at each other as they stand in front of a church in Tarlac City. Photo courtesy of Ariel Javelosa Photography


Numerous activities have been lined up for attending couples such as wedding talks and seminars on wedding photography, wedding planning, table setting and styling, cake decoration, and floral arrangement; a showcase of vintage wedding gowns by Tarlac’s known personalities; photo display of local churches; and bridal makeup competition made possible by Ever Bilena. Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRM) and Tourism students from Tarlac will compete in a table setting competition during the event. Local landscape artists will collaborate to transform the venue into a garden wedding venue. Lucky couples will get a chance to win free wedding giveaways, honeymoon packages, appliance showcases, and a free honeymoon trip to Macau during the bridal fair.

Admission is free. Register online at www.kasal.com to take part in this nationwide bridal road show. For inquiries, contact The Manila Catering at (632) 376-6209, 0920-945-1185 or Kasal.com at 415-9249, 414-3596 or email kasal.com@gmail.com, info@kasal.com.



Kasalang Filipino 2009 is co-presented by Kasal.com and ABS-CBN Regional Network Group and made possible by Goldilocks, Ever Bilena Cosmetics, Ariel Javelosa Photography, and the following media partners: Lifestyle Network, Sky Cable, WRR 101.9, My Only Radio, Metro Weddings, Metro Home and Entertaining, Food Magazine, Foodie Magazine, Flavors Magazine, The Manila Times, Business Mirror, Philstar.com, Tsinoy.com, and LocalDirect.com.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

9th Health, Wellness, and Beauty Show 2008


Various natural health products and beauty regiments were showcased during the 9th Health, Wellness, and Beauty Show 2008 held last November 28-30, 2008 at the SM Megatrade Hall 1, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City.”

With the theme “Your Health, Your Wealth”, the event aims to address the health, wellness and beauty concerns of the public and introduce new remedies, services, tools, equipment, and organic products that would help rejuvenate both mind and body. Furthermore, it seeks to increase the awareness and consciousness of healthy living and provide various options for the Filipinos to stay fit, healthy and beautiful.

During the 3-day event, participating professional health practitioners and medical doctors gave free consultations and conducted free health and wellness seminars. Also, over 60 companies offered various health and beauty products; organic, natural food and drinks, and fitness and wellness services to visitors. Others offered demonstration and product presentation of the latest organic, herbal and beauty products.

The event was organized by Fiera de Manila and sponsored by Health and Lifestyle Magazine, Aspendos International Corporation, Business Mirror, View Magazine, Friendly Alliances and Media Expressions Inc., HotOccassions.com, and HotWire.

Friday, January 9, 2009

My Wedding in Tagaytay - Kasalang Filipino 2009 - Tagaytay Leg


From ordinary to known personalities like Presidential daughter Luli Arroyo, Tagaytay City has attracted numerous couples to hold their weddings in the city because of its cool weather,picturesque churches and cosy gardens. As such, Tagaytay has become one of the premier wedding destinations in the country.

Love in Tagaytay. A couple pose behind Taal Lake after their wedding ceremony. Photo courtesy of Ariel Javelosa Photography


For soon-to-be wed couples who are planning for their special occasion, visit the Olivarez Convention Center in Tagaytay City on February 13 – 15, 2009 as it transforms to a venue filled with the best wedding suppliers for the My Wedding in Tagaytay, the second leg of Kasalang Filipino 2009.

Kasalang Filipino 2009 is a nationwide wedding fair road show which ties twelve (12) Philippine cities with one goal of promoting the local wedding industry. The following are the 12 cities of the 2009 road show – San Pablo, Tagaytay, Tarlac, Dagupan, Bacolod, Legazpi, Dumaguete, General Santos, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Manila, and Cebu.

Numerous activities have been lined up for attending couples such as talks on wedding planning and wedding trends, bridal fashion show by Ramon Santiago, showcase of Cavite’s ethnic gowns, city tour, and bridal makeup competition made possible by Ever Bilena. Lucky couples will get a chance to win free wedding giveaways, honeymoon packages, and appliance showcases during the bridal fair.

Admission is free. Register online at www.kasal.com to take part in this nationwide bridal road show. For inquiries, contact Tagaytay Country Hotel at (046) 413-3310, (632) 888-5784 or Kasal.com at 415-9249, 414-3596 or email kasal.com@gmail.com, info@kasal.com.

My Wedding in Tagaytay Program Highlights


February 13 (Friday)

  • Motorcade and Street Dancing
  • Ribbon-cutting and opening of wedding fair exhibit
  • Cultural show
  • showcase of Cavite's ethnic gowns
  • bridal fashion show

February 14 (Saturday)

  • wedding fair exhibit
  • talk on wedding trends
  • bridal make-up demonstration
  • Ever Bilena bridal make-up competition
  • bridal fashion show by Ramon Santiago

February 15 (Sunday)

  • wedding fair exhibit
  • talk on wedding planning
  • flower and event styling demonstration
  • awarding of raffle prizes
  • My Wedding in Tagaytay wedding fashion show


Kasalang Filipino 2009 is co-presented by Kasal.com and ABS-CBN Regional Network Group and made possible by Goldilocks, Ever Bilena Cosmetics, Ariel Javelosa Photography, and the following media partners: Lifestyle Network, Sky Cable, WRR 101.9, My Only Radio, Metro Weddings, Metro Home and Entertaining, Food Magazine, Foodie Magazine, Flavors Magazine, The Manila Times, Business Mirror, Philstar.com, Tsinoy.com, and LocalDirect.com.

Friday, January 2, 2009

DOT Furthers RP as New Wedding Destination


In recent months, the Department of Tourism (DOT) has continuously promoted the Philippines as a premier wedding destination throughout Asia and the United States.

Last November 1 and 2, 2008, DOT joined the 6th and 7th leg of the Great Bridal Expo in the United States. During the event held at the Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles and Anaheim Convention Center in California, the Department, together with Rita Neri Events Planners, set up a booth themed “Destination Philippines” which offered the products and services of some of the Philippine’s premiere wedding suppliers, such as Shangri-La Hotel and Resorts, Club Punta Fuego, Lito Sy Photography, Palamuti by Jing Tañada (florist), Forsc Ink (sound systems), Pastry Bin (cake specialist), Imacron videos, wedding gown designers Rajo Laurel and Frankie de Leon, Printsonalities, and Wink: Written in Ink (invitations designer and printer). Philippine Airlines also supported the Philippine team for the said event.

The country’s booth stood side by side with well-known American wedding suppliers JC Penney: Wedding Registry and David’s Bridal.

All the suppliers’ brochures were placed in one “Destination Philippines” shopping bag that they gave out to interested couples. The bag also contained guidelines for getting married in the Philippines, with practical information on Catholic and legal requirements for couples, whether Filipino, foreign or military.

DOT aims to present the country to Filipino-Americans (Fil-Ams) and North Americans as a great wedding and honeymoon destination. According to Rita Neri, the mentality of Filipinos, Fil-Ams included, is that “you [Filipinos] haven’t gotten married unless you walk in the church in Manila”. She adds that wedding costs here in the country is cheaper and since a lot of Fil-Ams spend their Christmas and New Year vacations in the Philippines, most decide to tie the knot during these months.


BiyahengPinas.com thanks the following sources for this article:

Jambora, Anne. Phlippine Daily Inquirer. RP: from nature trip to wedding spot (Posted December 3, 2008) Retrieved December 8, 2008 from
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/diaspora/diaspora/view/20081203-175816/RP-from-nature-trip-to-wedding-spot
Re-posted at Showbiz and Style Section of Inquirer.net at
http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/lifestyle/lifestyle/view/20081129-175192/Philippines-top-bridal-destination

Jamora-Garceau, Therese. The Philippine Star. Nice place for a white wedding (November 16, 2008) p. 1
Posted at Philstar.com Retrieved December 8, 2008 from
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?ArticleId=415755&publicationSubCategoryId=87