Be sure to catch the library-themed train of LRT-1. It had its first trip on September 5 and will run for a year. Many netizens have already uploaded their selfies aboard the train on their social media accounts. The wallpapers made the train look like a library hall lined with bookshelves.  Hopefully, it will encourage the love of reading to commuters.

Besides its library-designed interior, the train also features various school-related images and literature. There are handrail poles designed as coloring materials, stickers of graduation caps on train windows, and inspirational quotes about learning and success plastered. You can also find interesting trivia to read and pop questions to answer, too.

The specially-decorated train, referred to as the “Gabay Guro” train,  is a partnership between Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) and PLDT Smart Corporation, under its foundation’s education arm Gabay Guro. The launch was in time for the beginning of Teachers‘ Month this September and serves as a tribute to educators.

Of course, the special train’s first passengers were, well, teachers. According to Gabay Guro Chairperson Ms. Chaye Cabal-Revilla, the Gabay Guro Train is one way of  paying homage to teachers as everyday heroes.

The LRT management encourages commuters to take a photo of them on the train and tag them in social media. That is, if it is not too crowded on the train. [Photo from Gabay Guro FB page]

Who doesn’t love street food? From fish balls and squid balls to isaw and betamax to kwek kwek and tokneneng, we love them all. I’m sure memories of your days at school also come to mind when you think about some of the best Pinoy street food you’ve had so far.

Raella Mendez, a 5th year Architecture student in CSB, is also faced with delicious street food on a daily basis. “It’s fun studying at CSB because even if we’re so stressed and drained with acads, the school still finds ways to make the days more enjoyable,” she shares. “Plus, it’s nice to be surrounded with people with the same interests that you have.”

Raella says that she’s proud that the people in our school are very creative. “Kaya tuloy even the name of the food is creative,” she laughs. That is especially evident in a photo that she recently shared on Twitter, where our favorite tokneneng is called…

That’s right. They’re called waffle eggs! I asked Raella if CSB students actually call tokneneng waffle eggs when they talk to their friends, but she says she doesn’t think so. “It’s just what they put in our cafeteria,” she explains, admitting that she was surprised when she saw the name, too.

And while we don’t have proof of this, Raella says someone told her that they call turon ‘banana wrap’. Gotta love the creativity! Even Raella says that “nakakatawa siya kasi nakakawala ng pagod“. Raella has a theory that the cafeteria staff does it to put a smile on the students’ faces; but whatever it is, it seems to be working. In fact, Raella hopes that they put more ‘sosyal’ names to their food in the cafeteria to make them laugh more.

If you were in charge of naming the food in this cafeteria, what would you call other Pinoy dishes? Share your wit with us!

We’ve seen a lot of Jokers in history: there’s Cesar Romero, Jack Nicholson, Heath Ledger, and Jared Leto. There’ll be a new Joker and he’ll be played by Joaquin Phoenix, and we got to see our first batch of photos of the actor in the role in a biopic called Joker.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Todd Phillips (@toddphillips1) on Sep 16, 2018 at 12:12pm PDT

The first photo is of the actor, posted by director Todd Phillips on Instagram. The photo is captioned “Arthur,” which is most likely Phoenix’s name before the transformation.

The following images are of Arthur, a standup comedian, who confronts a clown in the street and punches him on the nose.

Phoenix’s Joker will be set outside the DC Extended Universe and will have no effect on Leto’s future appearances as the Joker. He will star with Robert de Niro as a talk show host, Deadpool‘s Zazie Beetz, and there are rumors that American Horror Story‘s Frances Conroy will join as the Joker’s mother.

Phillips mentioned that Joker will be different from the other films. We’re excited for it to come out on October 4, 2019!

Are you excited for this? Share your thoughts below!

Follow When in Manila Koji for more stories like this!

It’s the new age of women and we look up to beautiful women who have great stories to tell.  We’ve listed down some of the women who inspire us to reach our dreams and do good for the community. We also look up to women entrepreneurs who led their businesses to reach their full potential. (This list is in no particular order.)

23 Strong Women That Will Truly Inspire You

Bianca Araneta-Elizalde

Photos from Bianca’s Instagram account: @biancaelizalde

Organic food is something that many Filipinos are looking for these days. Wholesome Table owner Bianca Araneta-Elizalde found an opportunity to share her love for food through this business venture. Though most people may think healthy food isn’t delicious, Wholesome Table proves otherwise. Each dish is carefully crafted to be delicious and healthy – made from fresh, natural, and organic ingredients. Bianca has always been vocal about her love for food and health. She also shares how her family has a lifestyle that is true to her business goals of inspiring everyone to make a healthy choice with every dish that is ordered.

Karla and Kim Zulueta

Photos from Aperitif’s Instagram: @aperitif_ph

If you love wine and cheese, you have probably heard of Aperitif. Sisters Karla and Kim are the women behind this powerful brand who started with graze boxes and soon expanded to catering. Now, they have a retail store in SM Aura Premier. Their flagship products of graze boxes are on top of mind when people look for executive gifts. Their catering services are also a crowd favorite with their cheese raclette pasta, cheese and cold cuts, and even macarons and ice cream tables.

Dr. Kaycee Reyes

Photos from luminisce.com

Skin care is very important and Dr. Kaycee Reyes of Luminisce Skin Clinic makes sure that the treatments that her clients get match their lifestyle. We remember sitting down with her and asking how she juggles her career and family. She said it was hard work, but is very thankful for her husband who loves and supports her chosen business and career. Luminisce recently opened another branch in the Podium following the success of their first clinic in BGC.

Margarita Forés

Photos from Margarita’s Instagram account: @margaritafores

Named as Asia’s Best Female Chef in 2016, Margarita is really a force to reckon with. She openly battled and won over thyroid cancer in 2006, and she currently owns and operates Cibo, Lusso, Grace Park, and Alta. When it comes to her businesses, she wants to predominantly work with organic ingredients.

Amina Aranaz-Alunan

Photo from Amina’s Instagram account: @aminaaranaz

Aranaz and the School of Fashion and Arts founder Amina Aranaz is definitely a fashion force. With Aranaz going global and being available in major cities around the world, her accessories are a must-have for every fashionista. Amina vows to champion Filipino creativity whether through her fashion school or her accessory brand. Both businesses are leading in the industry and are taking the bar higher to produce quality talents and products.

Sheila Marcelo

Taking care of everyone is embedded in every woman’s DNA. This is why Filipino-American Sheila Lirio-Marcelo of Care.com is someone who truly inspires us. Care.com is the world’s largest online destination for finding family care. Sheila shares that her business really came from when she needed help as a mom and her father had a heart attack. Sheila helps people find child care, senior care, special needs care, tutoring, pet care, housekeeping, etc. through her website. She is one of the few women in the tech entrepreneurship industry to raise more than $35m in venture capital funding.

Trish Lim

Photos from Trish’s LinkedIn account: trishlim12 and Woven’s Instagram account: @woven.ph

Start-up business Woven Handicrafts owned by Trish Lim is giving new life to the traditional ‘banig’. The company’s products are from Basey Samar and are made with dried ‘tikog’ leaves and dyed ‘buri’ strips. They offer bags, wallets, and gadget sleeves for the millennial market.

Nanette Medved-Po

A post shared by Nanette Medved-Po (@nanettemedvedpo) on Jan 31, 2017 at 5:57pm PST

If you have purchased Hope in a Bottle before, then you have helped build a classroom through the company Generation Hope Inc. What you might not know is that the founder of the company is an award-winning actress, philanthropist and businesswoman who is more known for her career in the entertainment industry. She graduated Summa Cum Laude in Babson College with a degree in Finance and Entrepreneurship. The company sold 15 million bottles that helped build 57 classrooms for 12,500 children in the Philippines.

Reese Fernandez-Ruiz

Photos from reesefernandezruiz.com and Rags2Riches’ Instagram account: @rags2richesinc

The beautiful Rags2Riches creations came from the founder’s feelings of unfair trade and social injustice for the Payatas community where the products are made. Reese shares that they want to provide livelihood and programs for their artisans. Aside from beautifully made items, the company aims to represent the Philippines in the international fashion retail scene.

Anne Curtis-Smith

Photos from BLK’s Instagram account: @blkcosmeticsph

Actress/endorser/host/singer/businesswoman, she’s multi-hyphenated and there is no stopping her. Despite having a very hectic career, Anne managed to launch a makeup line during the period of her wedding. We always wondered how she did it. Wedding, business and showbiz career all at the same time? Anne is the co-founder and the creative director of BLK Cosmetics and it has come a long way since it was launched. The brand now has beauty counters in leading malls nationwide and will be opening their flagship stores soon.

Yuki Tansengco

Photos from Instagram accounts @shopstylecat and @yukitansengco

Blogger and entrepreneur Yuki Tansengco says her knack for business started when she was still in college. She shares that she sold accessories and everything she made when she was studying. She then went around the world to find inspiration for her business Style Cat. They sell handmade resort bags with impeccable weaving techniques by different crafters from all around the Philippines. The products are available in different stores in the Philippines and two stores in Singapore including Marina Bay Sands.

More on the next page!

Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) recently awarded the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman Football Field with the FIFA Quality Certification seal. Installed by E-Sports International, the first local company to have a field-tested for FIFA Certification in the Philippines, the UP Diliman’s newly-minted football grounds is the newest pitch that now holds the international standard label for FIFA Quality. The Quality Certification, under the FIFA Quality Program, is awarded to pitches that meet stringent and globally-recognized criteria for safety, durability, and performance.

“We at E-Sports International are committed to creating facilities that provide the ultimate sporting experience,” said Audris Romualdez, Managing Director of E-Sports International. “For UP to receive this certification means that it is capable of holding matches of premier caliber, providing opportunities for more homegrown football players see the global stage. This only shows how serious we are about providing world-class sports facilities.”

E-Sports International, in coordination with FIFA-Preferred Producer and manufacturer Limonta Sport, used Duo Shape P+ 45mm turf with a Shockdrain system for the football pitch. Test engineers from Acousto-Scan visited the football grounds to conduct the FIFA Quality field test, a two-phase procedure that carefully evaluates the turf’s surface composition, ball bounce, player interaction, weather resistance, among others.

“Our longstanding promise is to give athletes exceptional pitches so they can train to be the best they can be. High-quality turf systems should be properly installed and be well maintained to prevent rapid pitch deterioration,” explains Romualdez. “Paying close attention to these factors will guarantee a field’s safety, superior performance, playability, and pitch longevity.”

New Home for the Maroons

E-Sports International started base preparations for the UP Diliman field in May 2018 and finished the project in August. The UP Men’s Football Team (UPMFT), who secured its 18^th UAAP championship title in Season 80, are setting its sights to a stronger performance for the 81^st season. The UPMFT are now hard at work to bag another title as they train in the brand new UP Diliman Football Field.

The university plans to complete the entire facility housing in time for UAAP Men’s Football Season 81.

Quality is the Norm

Rizal Memorial Football Stadium, home of the Philippines’ National Football Team, was the first football stadium installed by E-Sports to be accredited with the FIFA Quality Certification. E-Sports has also successfully provided FIFA certification to the Biñan Football Stadium.

The company is currently building six additional football fields around the Philippines, two of which will undergo testing by the FIFA Quality Program by the end of the year.

“It is our hope that the football community will see the value of the FIFA Certification. E-Sports believes that good facilities stimulate harmonious and enjoyable sporting experience for players and athletes. We encourage everyone to have fields certified,” Romualdez said.

For more information on E-Sports, visit www.esports.ph or follow E-Sports International, Inc. on Facebook.

Words by Micah Avry Guiao

Photos by Caitlin Rodil

Based on the intriguing real-life espionage love affair in 1986, M. Butterfly explores the relationship dynamic between French diplomat Rene Gallimard (Olivier Borten) and Chinese opera singer Song Liling (RS Francisco), and what ultimately becomes of them after a series of scandalous revelations.

Thirty years have passed since the Tony Award-winning play by David Henry Hwang has set its foot on Broadway and it’s no longer a secret that Song Liling is actually a man under a woman’s guise. It is said that M. Butterfly “reveals where we have been and where we are going.” Today, a re-staging of this classic will be held at Maybank Performing Arts Theater this September 2018.

However, M. Butterfly is more than just a tragic love story. It proves to be more relevant than ever as it tackles issues related to gender identity and power play, as well as the disparity of portrayal between the East and the West.

It must be confusing to most how a man has come to fool another for 20 years. History tells us that for far too often, the East has been trained to succumb to the West. Likewise, the women are treated no differently. Once they play their part properly, everything falls into place despite deception being ever-present.

Back in the day, it was uncommon for ‘butterflies’ to sacrifice themselves through death at the expense of their lover. Song questions this status quo, begging Rene and the audience alike to ask the question: if it were the other way around–if a Western man were to kill themselves for an Eastern woman–would it be as drastic and profound? Would it be a celebrated act, despite its tragedy? An unsettled Rene answers, “I suppose not.”

As the M. Butterfly cast put it, does being a female Asian make you an inferior character? Song Liling faces the reality of being a double minority as she seems to fit in the gender and racial stereotypes–even in her own country.

Why are aspects of femininity and codependency on the butterfly’s part an integral theme to her being? Is it because she’s Oriental, or because she’s a woman, or perhaps both?

Song summarizes this romanticization of the dominant West and the submissive East in her dialogue in Act 1: “It’s one of your favorite fantasies, isn’t it? The submissive Oriental woman and the cruel White man.”

Never mind his suspicions of it all, Rene has come to own Liling as his “perfect woman.”

Towards the end, as Rene Gallimard is dragged away, he renders Song Liling his final thought on the revelation that is presented to him: “Tonight, I’ve finally learned to tell fantasy and reality. And, knowing the difference, I choose fantasy.”

Furthermore, toxic masculinity is embodied in the form of Rene’s best friend, Marc (Lee O’Brian). Throughout the play, the choice of words in which Marc uses to depict women aren’t just objectifying, it perpetuates ideas about the male gender role, defining masculinity in exaggeration. It sets an image that men must always be sexually aggressive, lest there is something wrong with them.

As someone who has an inclination towards contemporary musicals, M. Butterfly was the variety I never thought I needed. It opened my eyes to the realities of the past, all the while telling a tale of passion and betrayal.

What’s more, all proceeds go to charities geared towards the education and the arts. Each performance will be donated to a beneficiary of their choice, some of which include Hope for Change, Love Yourself Foundation, Teach for the Philippines, Philippine Stagers Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, 1Meal Foundation, Philippine Animal Welfare Society, and Love is All We Need Organization.

Catch M. Butterfly’s 3pm and 8pm shows at Maybank Performing Arts Theater, BGC Arts Center, Bonifacio Global City! The play runs from September 13 to 30, 2018. Tickets can be purchased from TicketWorld. Ticket are priced at ₱2,000, ₱1,750, ₱1,500, ₱1,250, and ₱1,000.

Will you be seeing this show? Let us know in the comments!

Words by Hannah Angelique Bacani

Photos by Meghan Sevilla

Rapunzel! Let down your hair! Cara Barredo as Rapunzel

Repertory Philippines’ Rapunzel! Rapunzel! A Very Hairy Fairy Tale takes us to an enchanting adventure in a land filled with a fireless but fearless dragon, a brave and handsome knight, an evil, queen-wannabe aunt, a flamboyant hair stylist, and of course, the lost princess with her long, long, long golden hair. Directed by the founder and artistic director of Repertory Theater for Young Audiences, Joy Virata, the play puts a quirky and magical twist to the classic tale we all grew up to.

READ ALSO: 10 Secrets from the 50 Successful Years of Repertory Philippines 

Lost his poof! but not his cool. Arnel Carrion as Socrates

Based on the book, music, and lyrics by Janet Yates Vogt and Mark Friedman, this retelling of Rapunzel’s story added the characters of Socrates the dragon, Edgar the hairstylist, and the gypsy woman to the tangled tale.

I’m hungryyy! Bituin Escalante as Gypsy Woman

It’s all about ME! Carla Guevara-Laforteza as Lady Zaza (Right)

The story opens with Princess Rapunzel trapped in the deep, dark, dank, dismal, dreary forest by her aunt, Lady Zaza who wants to steal the throne and become the queen. But then comes the handsome knight, Sir Roderick in search of his destiny; alongside his best friend and hair stylist, Edgar, in search of the perfect head of hair. Together, they find their way to the forest and into Rapunzel’s tower. With the help of the gypsy woman who’s a liiiitle bit crazy and Socrates the old and witty dragon, Sir Roderick and Edgar rescue the princess.

You can call me Rody. Hans Eckstein as Sir Roderick

The perfect head of hair! Steven Hotchkiss as Edgar (Left)

Inspired by the works of painter, Henri Matisse, the stage sets the enchanting fairy-tale of Rapunzel. Add to that the colorful and elaborate costumes of every character, the play is a picture of a perfect tale filled with magic, music, and happily ever afters.

Rapunzel! Rapunzel! A Very Hairy Fairy Tale runs from September 15, 2018 to January 27, 2019 at the Onstage Theater, Greenbelt 1, Makati City.

(Source: The 405)

Disney announced in the past that they are developing their own streaming platform, which will compete with Netflix.

The said Disney streaming platform is set to be launched in late 2019.

Although there is still no information about the content that will be made available on the Disney streaming platform, rumor has it that Loki and Scarlet Witch will be getting their own TV series.

(Source: Slash Film)

Variety reported that Disney is planning to use popular characters from the Marvel Cinematic Universe in their own content.

According to the report, there will be separate shows that will focus on Loki and Scarlet Witch. Tom Hiddleston and Elizabeth Olsen are likely to reprise their roles. Therefore, it can be expected that the upcoming TV series will have both original actors from the movies.

The report further detailed that these shows planned for Disney’s own streaming platform will be different from the existing Marvel TV series like ABC’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Netflix’s Daredevil. This is because Marvel shows on the Disney streaming service will be produced by Marvel Studios, not Marvel TV, with Kevin Feige, the President of Marvel Studios, taking a hands-on role in their development.

Reports say that the upcoming shows will only have six to eight episodes.

Marvel and Disney have not yet confirmed this information.

Anything to add to this story? Share your thoughts with us.

Words by John Peter Himor

The recent Typhoon Ompong devastated much of Northern Philippines, and one of the country’s most prized tourist destinations was not spared. The city of Vigan in Ilocos Sur, and its heritage houses, one of the Philippines’ UNESCO world heritage sites, are in a wreck after Typhoon Ompong slammed the Northern part of Luzon last weekend.

ALSO READ: 25 Filipino Memes That Saved Our Lives This 2018

Here are some photos of the heritage site gathered from Ilocos’ Tawid News Magazine and netizen John Noel Mendoza Andaya:

Photo: www.facebook.com/tawidnewsmagasin

Photos from John Noel Andaya’s Facebook (@john.n.andaya)

Hundred-year-old heritage houses were damaged by the typhoon’s strong winds, with their roofs strewn over and the exteriors removed. Previously a buzzing area for tourists all over the world, Calle Crisologo and Vigan were seen practically empty last week except for the uprooted trees and wood and yero that litter the city’s heritage core zone.

Photo from John Noel Andaya’s Facebook (@john.n.andaya)

Because of Vigan’s important place in our country’s history, its devastation is a major loss for our Filipino culture. It will take a long time before the city is fully repaired, but hopefully we still get to see and experience Vigan as the historic place we know it to be.

See more photos of the destruction in Vigan here:

Have you been to Vigan? How do you feel about this? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Words by John Peter Himor
Photos by Meghan Sevilla and Danielle Castillo

At the Manila International Book Fair (MIBF), an annual week-long book fair at the SMX Convention Center, our Filipino creators got to exhibit their work to a massive crowd of 150,000 book lovers over the book fair’s five-day run. Last September 12-16 was the 39th staging of the MIBF, and the amount of creativity from our local artists was beyond expectations!

Crazy discounts at Manila International Book Fair 2018

What’s crazier is that these titles are usually offered at special MIBF prices at discounted rates—all the more reason to start visiting MIBF every year! To help you decide on what to buy, here we’ve listed down 10 must-read Filipino titles that you can check out at different bookstores or at next year’s MIBF:

ALSO READ: 5 Sulit Tips to Help You Get The Most Out Of Manila International Book Fair

10. Dead Balagtas Tomo 1 by Emiliana Kampilan

Dead Balagtas Tomo 1: Mga Sayaw ng Dagat at Lupa (SRP P550)

Philippine geography and hugot romance make an unusual tandem in Dead Balagtas Tomo 1: Mga Sayaw ng Dagat at Lupa. This first volume details the story of the creation of the Philippines based on the local mythology of the romance between Tungkung Langit and Laon Sina. Furthermore interspersed in its storytelling are short stories of ordinary Filipinos personifying significant geographical events in the birth of our nation. Dead Balagtas is simultaneously personal and global in scale, and undeniably beautiful and well-written.

9. P*cha, E’Di Komiks Pa Rin by Toto Madayag

P*Cha, E’Di Komiks Pa Rin (SRP P350)

People just couldn’t get enough of Toto Madayag’s Facebook comics Libreng Komiks, that he had to publish an equally hilarious volume 2, P*cha, E’Di Komiks Pa Rin. This book compiles the funniest strips from Libreng Komiks along with exclusive content you won’t find anywhere online. P*Cha, E’Di Komiks Pa Rin is something you can enjoy anytime, anywhere if you want to have a lighthearted, good laugh!

ALSO READ: Libreng Komiks: Your Weekly Dose of Good Pinoy Humor

8. What Kids Should Know About Filipino Food by Felice Sta. Maria & Mika Bacani

What Kids Should Know About Filipino Food (SRP P149)

For those with curious kids or curious minds themselves, What Kids Should Know About Filipino Food is the perfect book to muse over. While it targets a younger audience, the book still offers an engaging and informative take on Pinoy food favorites which appeals to both adults and young-at-hearts. Explore the different types of Filipino street food, or learn why Filipinos love eating rice. Filipino Food is the third installation of this series, the first two being What Kids Should Know About Filipino Architecture and What Kids Should Know About Andres and the Katipunan.

7. Hukbong Sandatahan ng Kahaggardan! by Manix Abrera

News Hardcore! Hukbong Sandatahan ng Kahaggardan! (SRP P500)

Manix Abrera is a household name in the comic book industry. If his popular Kikomachine series is set in a school setting, News Hardcore! Hukbong Sandatahan ng Kahaggardan! provides a behind-the-scenes look of the world of media and journalism. With News Hardcore, enjoy an extensive and witty (and fully colored!) illustration of the publishing industry with the Manix-esque art style we’ve all grown to love. Rak-en-rol!

6. Strange Natives by Paolo Herras and Jerico Marte

Strange Natives: The Forgotten Memories of a Forgetful Old Lady (SRP P300)

Strange Natives: The Forgotten Memories of a Forgetful Old Lady is the book for the lover of the supernatural. Bringing a different flair to Philippine mythology, this book tells the story of a native land before the time of colonizers and invaders, as told through Grasya, a forgetful old lady with the ability to remember her memories through a touch of a butterfly. With its captivating story and masterful illustrations, Strange Natives is also a National Book Awards 2017 nominee. How cool is that?

5. Zsazsa Zaturnnah sa Kalakhang Maynila by Carlo Vergara

Zsazsa Zaturnnah sa Kalakhang Maynila Blg. 2 (SRP P200)

We may not have a whole cinematic universe, but the Philippines also has a rich lineup of badass superheroes. Carlo Vergara’s Zsazsa Zaturnnah is an interesting cult favorite. Zsazsa Zaturnnah sa Kalakhang Maynila, divided into three parts, chronicles the life of Ada (Zaturnnah’s alter ego) at the heart of the metro. With a bonggang superhero and a crazy storyline, Zsazsa Zaturnnah sa Kalakhang Maynila is sure to make you forget about the long upcoming Wonder Woman 1984, at least for a while.

4. Ang Hari ng Komyut by Lizette Daluz

Ang Hari ng Komyut: Ang Pagkilala (SRP P99)

Nothing comes quite as relatable as Lizette Daluz’s Ang Hari ng Komyut, telling the tales of the commuting experience with hilarious honesty and vivid accuracy. Hari ng Komyut is the ideal commuter—patient, respectful, and street-smart—so much so that it seems like the book is a guidebook for proper public transpo etiquette. This book is filled with good values and beautifully illustrated comic strips, eventually winning the Best Reads for Children award at the National Children’s Book Awards 2018! Bring this book wherever you go, whether you’re in the jeep, bus, or MRT.

3. Inside Daniel’s Head by Joji Reynes-Santos

Inside Daniel’s Head (SRP P275)

Inside Daniel’s Head is Adarna House’s newest publication and tells the story of Daniel, an autistic child with a secret taste for adventure. Pushing for inclusivity and acceptance, Inside Daniel’s Head is a timeless tale for the happy little kids out there. Look out for this book on bookshelves before it runs out!

2. Komunity by various artists

Komunity (SRP P200)

Can’t decide on which art style you prefer, or don’t have the budget to buy multiple comics all at once? Komunity, a collation of comics from several of your favorite artists, may be the answer to all of your woes. Featuring 19 artists including the likes of Arnold Arre, D. Borja (Hunghang Flashbacks) and Juris Go (Jan Jan Comics), Komunity includes a comic style to satisfy all desires. What’s cooler is that Komunity is also available in four variant covers so you can either pick the cover you like most or purchase all four to gift to your friends or as a collector’s item!

1. Si Janus Silang at ang Tiyanak ng Tabon by Carljoe Javier and Natasha Ringor

Si Janus Silang at ang Tiyanak ng Tabon (SRP P250)

This manga-style rendition of Edgar Calabia Samar’s novel Si Janus Silang at ang Tiyanak ng Tabon is another cult favorite. In this first installment of the Janus Silang series, mystery lurks around an RPG game, TALA Online, as several teen deaths weave Janus into the game and into the legend of the Tiyanak ng Tabon. Mixing Philippine folklore and elements of RPG gameplay, Si Janus Silang at ang Tiyanak ng Tabon takes the reader to a world full of adventure, suspense, and danger. The second comic installment of the series, Si Janus Silang at ang Labanang Manananggal-Mambabarang, is also in the works, so stay tuned!

Which Filipino title from our list is your favorite? Do you have any suggestions for other must-read local Filipino titles? Share them with us below! 

Manila International Book Fair (MIBF)

www.facebook.com/manilaintbookfair
info@­manilabookfair.com

Words by: Carinna Reyes

There’s a running joke within my family that because I love the water so much, it has decided to follow me everywhere—in the form of a flood. This is because out of the four of us in the family, I’m most likely to be stranded somewhere due to high floods, as it has happened often. In fact, it has happened quite a lot that I’ve developed a sixth sense for it.

Just recently, it happened again. One afternoon as I went home from Katipunan, I had a gut feeling that instead of taking the LRT as I usually do, I should take a grab instead. It was raining the whole day, so it seemed reasonable. But of course, I didn’t listen. My stingy self thought it wasn’t worth the money, and went my usual way, thinking it would cost me less.

Boy, was I wrong.

Even when I stepped out of the station and waited for a jeep, it felt odd that there was barely any passing by. Still, I brushed it aside. When at last, I rode one and paid my fare, that was when the series of mishaps began.

A few minutes after riding the jeep, the rain poured harder than before. After everyone has paid, the driver ~conveniently~ remembered that there was a rising flood (higher than an average person) in front of De Los Santos Medical Center and said he can’t go farther than where we were.

Under the strong winds and rain, I had to walk for a few miles to find shelter. Along with several other passengers and evacuated families from a nearby barangay, I was stranded in a roofed walkway of a condominium from 6 pm to 2 am, just sitting on the dirty floor and wishing for the rain to stop so we could all go home.

(This is a pretty accurate depiction of how I looked like.) 

During that time, it seemed as if I caught a glimpse of an apocalypse. I picked up a few things as I witnessed how people behaved differently when put in a desperate situation.

For one, I learned that no one can ever survive alone. If I weren’t lucky enough to sit beside three friendly mothers, I wouldn’t have known that the guard secretly has the key to the locked bathrooms, or I wouldn’t have had a spare cardboard to sit on or have someone look after my seat as I look for something to eat.

For another, I’ve discovered that the greatest hurdle when stranded isn’t hunger, but boredom. And from boredom stems paranoia, anxiety, and panic. Once you let those emotions take over, desperation kicks in. And from this experience, I know now that desperation is the root cause of chaos.

For instance, when I stumbled upon a convenience store, I saw how people hurriedly grabbed food from shelves like it was the literal hunger games. Then, around midnight, when the flood had subsided waist-high, I watched people frantically hail a flatbed truck against the driver’s will, and dangerously jump over its back just so they can ride something to get across the flood.

(It was a little bit like this except the truck didn’t tip over. And they weren’t out to eat brains).

I couldn’t blame them though. At that time, my back was aching from sitting too long, and I felt weary and filthy. Even I was itching to get home, and my resolution to stay calm was wearing off.

But the most important thing I’ve learned is that the saying is true: the early bird may catch the worm, but it’s the second mouse that gets the cheese. Those people may have gotten home first, albeit through murky floods and risky means, but it’s because I waited that I was able to get home as safely and dryly as possible.

Around 2 am in the morning, I woke up to see a line of cars that were at last moving again, which meant the flood had become shallow enough to pass through. With a friend I made who was sitting beside me, we decided to walk around and fortunately saw a yellow dump truck with soldiers on it parked on the side of the road. (I know, it sounds sketchy, but I just really wanted to get home. Plus, the soldiers seemed nice and at ease.)

We went up to them and they asked if we needed to get across. We said yes, and they pulled us up into the truck and asked us to hold on, as they gathered more stranded commuters. Once the truck was full, they drove us all the way to the other side of Araneta, and then pulled us down the same way they pulled us up.

After saying my goodbye to my new friend, I walked home, knowing that I should never doubt my instincts again. This experience was one for the books. I mean, not everyone can say they survived being stranded for 8 hours, and that they hitched a ride with a couple of soldiers to get home.

But it isn’t one of the most pleasant things either, so I hope it never happens to you. If it does though, now you’ll know what to do: trust your instinct.

ALSO READ: The Commute Survival Kit: 8 Must-Haves To Survive Public Transportation in Manila

Have you ever had any memorable stranded experiences? Share your story in the comments!

If you’re a Filipino, you probably know our national anthem ‘Lupang Hinirang’, the lyrics of which were written by Jose Palma in 1899. Not having grown up here, I was only introduced to our national anthem fairly recently, but I fell in love with it pretty quickly. How couldn’t I what with it being so poetic from start to finish?

Having those feelings intact, imagine how surprised I was when a couple of days ago, I heard that Senate President Vicente Sotto III wanted to make some changes to its lyrics to make the national anthem “more positive”. And he’s actually serious about it. He really wants to file a resolution for his desired change.

The line that Tito Sotto wants to change is the final line of the national anthem, which goes, “Aming ligaya ng ‘pag may mang-aapi ang mamatay nang dahil sayo”. His proposed new verse is as follows: “Aming ligaya na ‘pag may mang-aapi ang ipaglaban kalayaan mo.” According to Tito Sotto, the current national anthem sounds defeatist. “My suggestion is perhaps the proper Senate Committee should study and we can consult the NCCA (National Commission for Culture and the Arts) to look at that possibility,” he says.

Do you agree with him?

Back in February, Shangri-La at the Fort located in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) was criticized for hiring a pest control company to “relocate” over 20 community cats living in an adjacent park, which residents of the neighborhood dubbed as “cats of BGC.”

Recently, another in another area of BGC, community cats are under threat once again.

Here is a post that describes what is the current situation for the cats of BGC.

Here is a copy of the full post from Facebook:

When people play gods and lack compassion #SerendraCatRoundUp#AlveoLand

Ladies and Gentlemen. This is #twoserendra of @alveolandcorp As you can see, Alveo kept to its promise to provide open green spaces to its homeowners. What the corporation forgot to consider, however, is that with open green spaces and only bushes and grill bars separating the property from the “outside world”, stray cats (and most possibly RODENTS!) will naturally also reside in this space. Coupled with this is the fact that other communities with irresponsible pet owners tend to dump kittens into the BGC area including Two and One Serendra. Community cats have taken refuge here, all spayed and neutered by tenants and homeowners in their bid to curb the population of strays. However there is a good side to having community cats. We have no rodents. Cockroaches in the basements are also close to zero. And since cats are territorial, only the brave strays can attempt to take up space in the gardens and basements.

(Edited 091918_3:46PM) A memo was issued to the homeowners saying “The Council shall have the right to surrender the animal to the Barangay Fort Bonifacio Taguig for impounding.” The Taguig pound is neither trained nor prepared to handle CATS. The last time they impounded the Serendra cats, we were told they were going to be euthanized in 3 months’ time. Imagine the stress it created for us. These were all SPAYED AND NEUTERED cats.

Fellow animal welfare advocates signed a letter addressed to “THE COUNCIL” requesting for a dialogue. We outlined our proposal, which includes our commitment to monitor, feed (only during agreed times and only in pre-approved spaces), to help in educating homeowners (put up simple signs requesting residents not to feed nor pet), and even to continue sponsoring the TNVR efforts from our own personal funds. We also committed to even help take legal action on those caught abandoning cats within the complex (mostly non-residents of Serendra). To top it all, we also commit to even penalize our own members if we do not abide by these rules… to this date, no response.

Exterminating the cats like pests is not only inhumane, it is also STUPID. Because the complex is open and lush, new colonies will grow in less than 6 months without the resident cats. Rodents and cockroaches will also be present, as there will be less or no natural pest control for the community.

If these self righteous, narrow-minded homeowners would only read up on co-existing with community cats, we won’t have this problem. This will persist. We will waste time and resources rounding up cats and killing them only to find new ones in less than a year’s time. Surely there is a more viable solution to this.

Oh by the way. This circular also says anyone caught feeding the cats will be fined 10,000 or close to USD200.00. Yet they will not impose fines on those caught smoking or throwing trash indiscriminately. Wow. IF THIS IS NOT EXTORTION, I DON’T KNOW WHAT IS.

To “The Council” – please remember that you REPRESENT the homeowners’ interests. You are not our bosses. We have as much rights as you do, and we have every right to be heard. We pay the same association fees, square meter by square meter. You are ultimately spending funds and resources that are also paid for by us – animal lovers and non-animal lovers alike. All is fair in a community. Face us, so we can find a solution to this mess.

To APMC: spin this and take the opportunity to be the real leader and example in the real estate market. Be the pioneer as you claim to be, and introduce a more progressive stance and vision. Otherwise, just stop selling “green” spaces. You don’t deserve the community cats. Build a fort, a building, build a high wall to keep the cats and strays away.

Sometimes we people need to think more and complain less. God bless you animal haters, and may your cars and homes be infested by rodents.

JEM LIM, Unit Owner
TWO SERENDRA

PHOTOS from the Alveo Land website.
Post from @rain_the_kitty

Here is a copy of the said citation.

Facebook page Cats of Manila also posted about this:

Here is a copy of the full post from Facebook:

So if residents of #Serendra are no longer allowed to feed the cats, then who is?

There used to be a MOU between Serendra and the residents/volunteers who feed the cats regularly. Sadly, the guards are now taking down names of residents who are caught feeding cats to be penalized Php10,000.00.

These “new” pet house rules were approved only last August 30, 2018.

Please visit the page of Cats of BGC to see the cats who need fostering. Hurry, before they start disappearing again.

#SerendraCatRoundUp

How can you help?

You can help by fostering the remaining cats of BGC and sponsoring future TNVR projects. You may reach out to the Cats of BGC through these accounts.

CATS OF BGC
www.facebook.com/bgccatsph
www.instagram.com/catsofbgc

You may also reach out to your own communities to set up Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR) for your own stray cat populations. Contact an animal welfare organization to help you set it up–but you must be willing to initiate and organize as volunteers are few and can only do so much.

We reached out to Two Serendra and Alveo Land but we didn’t get a response from them as of this writing.

Anything to add to this story? Share your thoughts with us.

Words by Angeline Gormley

At the surface, airports seem like a busy and stiff place. People come and go on a rush, towing their bags and walking briskly towards their assigned flight gates. A few years of quiet observation led me to believe that airports are a symbol of many unshared stories—and that the happiest and saddest ones belong to the airport of my home country, NAIA.

Even though it has unfortunately been hailed as one of the “worst” airports in the world, I believe that NAIA has many interesting stories to tell. My husband, a Filipino-American growing up in the States, has always wondered why arrivals in the Philippines were always filled with an ambience of excitement and a rush. He asked me, “How come when Filipinos come home walking towards the NAIA exit, I always see them smiling and rushing? I never see that in other airports.”

My husband’s question sent me in deep thought about the plight of the Filipino people. Everyday, the Philippines sends thousands of Overseas Filipino Workers of which NAIA is the gateway to the rest of the world. Somebody’s father, mother, son or daughter will take a shot in a foreign land to have a better chance in life. The lack of opportunity in their home country is what pushes them to seek elsewhere. Though the Philippines is a country rich with natural resources, I realized that the best riches it offers to the world are its people.

Somewhere in the world, there’s a humble Filipina domestic worker taking care of another person’s child instead of her own. Along the quiet halls of international hospitals, there’s a Filipino nurse ready to serve an aging soul. They have left their mark in every face of the world—as engineers, teachers, doctors, servers, and any job in shape or form—ready to work for their families back at home.

Will they have left their loved ones if they had a choice? I think this is why NAIA is the most emotional airport in the world. Its stories of “hellos” and “goodbyes” echo the pain and joy of separating and uniting once more.

As I hear another plane taking off and another one landing, I am reminded of these quiet realities of life. I am inspired by the sacrifices that Filipinos make just to make ends meet. I hope that I would still live to see a Philippines where its airports are filled with more tourists instead of Filipinos leaving to work abroad.

Photos from pexels.com

Words by John Peter Himor

Photos by Meghan Sevilla

They say the real way to a person’s heart is through their stomach. If that’s the case, a flower bouquet may not be the best gift to give your significant other, because although flowers look beautiful, they are sadly inedible. Lucky for you, we found a better alternative: a CHICKEN WAFFLE BOUQUET.

These chicken bouquets are available at Crazy Cone, a newly opened food stop found in StrEAT Food Park, Maginhawa. They offer chicken bites served in a waffle cone with crazy different combinations. Perfect for a gift on date night, these chicken & waffles are sure to give your date a big and tasty surprise!

Crazy Cone can be found at StrEAT Food Park, Maginhawa.

If you and your date want to try something different, affordable, yet super sulit all at the same time, you have to try these chicken waffle bouquets on your next trip to Maginhawa. These waffle cones are LOADED to the brim with all sorts of comfort food like fries, macaroni and cheese, and, of course, flavored chicken bites. You can even customize your cone to also include add-ons such as bacon bits or a deli sausage for a complete taste of the chicken bouquet experience.

We made our DIY Cone: Crazy Buffalo Chicken, Bacon, Cheese Fries, and Garlic Sauce! 

Crazy Cone already offers three perfect combinations so you no longer have to worry about the flavors. There’s Cheese Overload (Mac & Cheese + Wacky Parmesan Chicken), Spice Up! (Sausage + Crazy Buffalo Chicken), and ILYSBacon (Bacon + Classic Chicken). If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, try the DIY Cone where you get to assemble your own waffle cone from their wide array of chicken flavors, add-ons, and sauces!

The cheesier, the better! Exciting chicken bites at Crazy Cone.

This new twist on the classic comfort food brings the chicken & waffles to a whole new level of convenience and originality.

“We love chicken & waffles, but we realized that it was a hassle to eat, especially if you’re craving for it. So, we thought of a solution of making it into a cone and going fork-free,” Alexx Esponga, the owner of Crazy Cone, explained.

Different DIY combinations you can try at Crazy Cone.

“We really wanted to make Crazy Cone into a go-to comfort food […] to bring happiness to people, just like the feeling you get when you receive flowers,” Alexx continued.

Of course, you don’t need a significant other to surprise you with a chicken waffle bouquet. You can always date yourself and buy one (or two) on your self-love days! We’re sure that whoever receives these chicken & waffles, may it be you, your boyfriend/girlfriend, or a loved one, that person is bound to enjoy a beautiful and edible bouquet!

ALSO READ: Pak na pak na pakpak! 8 essential chicken wings in Manila

Which chicken waffle combination are you excited to try? Share them with us below!

Crazy Cone

StrEAT Maginhawa Food Park, 91 Maginhawa Street, Diliman, Quezon City

facebook.com/crazyconeph

Contact Number: 09166255771

StrEAT Opening Hours:

Tuesday to Sunday, 5 PM to 12 MN

We’ve seen plenty of Jokers in the past but that doesn’t mean there’s not enough space for one more. We watched Cesar Romero, Jack Nicholson, Heath Ledger, and Jared Leto. There’ll be a new Joker and he’ll be played by Joaquin Phoenix, and we got to see our first photo of the actor in full makeup for a biopic.

Joaquin Joker Phœnix. pic.twitter.com/hkPNSmgWuV

— Mehdi Omaïs (@MehdiOmais) September 22, 2018

Phoenix’s Joker will be set outside the DC Extended Universe and will have no effect on Leto’s future appearances as the Joker. He will star with Robert de Niro as a talk show host, Deadpool‘s Zazie Beetz, and there are rumors that American Horror Story‘s Frances Conroy will join as the Joker’s mother.

Repost from #toddphillips1:
Camera test (w/ sound). Joker. pic.twitter.com/R9W2QqKwNS

— Warner Bros. Pictures (@wbpictures) September 21, 2018

Warner Bros. even released a teaser for Phoenix, and TMZ captured a clip of a scene being shot on the subway.

Phillips mentioned that Joker will be different from the other films. We’re excited for it to come out on October 4, 2019!

Are you excited for this? Share your thoughts below!

Follow When in Manila Koji for more stories like this!

Hey, Marshmallows! If you were a fan of the cult series Veronica Mars, we have great news for you: the show is returning and lead actress Kristen Bell will return to play the titular role!

BREAKING NEWS out of Mars Investigations! :) A new #VeronicaMars series is comin atcha via @hulu. Thank you to all the marshmallows for staying excited and to @Hulu for giving Veronica a chance to wear her big girl pants. I hope we’re still friends after I taser you. pic.twitter.com/z2EufrjMpX

— Kristen Bell (@IMKristenBell) September 20, 2018

The news was announced by Bell herself on Twitter. On the platform, she revealed that Hulu will be streaming all the old episodes, before adding, “which is great, because you’ll need to brush up since we’re making another one!”

She captioned her video with: BREAKING NEWS out of Mars Investigations! :) A new #VeronicaMars series is comin atcha via @hulu. Thank you to all the marshmallows for staying excited and to @Hulu for giving Veronica a chance to wear her big girl pants. I hope we’re still friends after I taser you.

Veronica Mars ran from 2004 to 2007 and followed Bell as Mars, a student who also works as a private investigator with the help of her detective father. The series has been critically acclaimed, even forming a loyal fandom. In 2013, Bell and series creator Rob Thomas launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise $2 million for a movie. They hit their goal in less than half a day and managed to raise $3 million more.

For the reboot, a statement revealed: Spring breakers are getting murdered in Neptune, thereby decimating the seaside town’s lifeblood tourist industry. After Mars Investigations is hired by the parents of one of the victims to find their son’s killer, Veronica is drawn into an epic eight-episode mystery that pits the enclave’s wealthy elites, who would rather put an end to the month-long bacchanalia, against a working class that relies on the cash influx that comes with being the West Coast’s answer to Daytona Beach.

There’s no announcement yet when the revival will air.

Are you excited for this? Share your thoughts below!

Follow When in Manila Koji for more stories like this!

Words by Camille Geguera

YouTube NextUp is a program which helps bronze-level creators take the next step in their YouTube career. Since its launch in 2011, it has successfully helped more than 500 video creators around the globe.

This year, Youtube NextUp has selected 12 local creators with the purpose of promoting local talents and to help them improve and hone their craft. With this agenda, it inspires more people to engage and create quality and meaningful content. Meet the YouTube NextUp Class 2018 that you should check out right now:

ALSO READ: Data Privacy Asia Manila 2018: Doubling down on data privacy and cybersecurity

12. Stephen Flores (InReelLife)

If you’re a Broadway fan then this channel is for you. Stephen combines his love for film, skits, and musicals and turns them into theatrical goodies. With his snappy edit and entertaining content, you’ll surely anticipate for what’s his next skit is all about.

11. Alicia Litonjua (Lesha)

Lesha is a singer-songwriter, producer and an electro-pop artist. She gained recognition by adding her signature electronic twist through her song covers. In 2017, she won the grand prize for Best Cover Ever, a YouTube Original Series hosted by Ludacris. Recently, she released her Two Faced EP where she composed and arranged all of the songs. Head over to her channel if you’re looking for some chill, local music to bop into.

10. KITHARA

KITHARA debuted their musical career through YouTube in 2010. Since then, the 5-man group would upload their original music for everyone to hear. The musicians behind “Hindi Para Sa’yo”, “Should I Leave Now” and, “To Move On” have garnered a lot of fans who are into their senti and hugot music.

9. Beverly Cumla

Who says poetry is dead? Beverly Cumla is known for her original spoken poetry pieces. Some of her videos easily went viral because everyone could relate. Some of her works are Ang Boyfriend Kong Writer, Sertipiko ng Tayo, and Para Sa Girlfriend ng Writer. 

8. Amy Talaboc

18-year-old Amy Talaboc hails from Cagayan de Oro. She’s a Bisaya beauty vlogger who does tutorial videos while dishing out some hugot lines. She has garnered a lot of viewers after she first uploaded a video on YouTube in 2017. 

7. Joel Minas

Joel Minas started creating videos after cover of a routine from Yuri!!! On Ice went viral, instantly earning him 3 million views. Even though he retired as a competitive figure skating in 2010, YouTube became a platform for posting his figure skating routine covers as well as figure skating challenges. He recently ventured into cosplay so that’s another thing that we all should look forward to on his channel. 

6. Janine Teñoso

Janine Teñoso is another OPM artist who first became known because of her song covers. Her cover of  Itchyworm’s ‘Di Na Muli became a hit just like her Huwag Mo Nang Itanong cover (Eraserheads) and 241 by Rivermaya. She started writing her own music after.

5. Benedict Cua

Benedict Cua vlogs about his adventures and reaches out to a very millenial audience. He also does challenges and collaborates with fellow YouTubers. This chinito, as he would say, is Chinese by blood but Filipino by heart. His humor will certainly make your day better.

4. Elle Uy (Elle Uy Decor)

Elle Uy only started uploading videos on YouTube this year but the number of subscribers she has is phenomenal. She’s an interior designer from Manila that shows how she does home makeovers, DIY projects, and anything you need to make yours a happy home. She recently focused on how to maximize tiny spaces–something that most people can relate to here in the Philippines.

3. Melissa Ricks

Celebrity Melissa Ricks shows another side of her through her channel. She does YouTube videos with her daughter Kiera. She likes to vlog about the things they do together (check out their video of putting on Clay Masks!). This duo is too adorable to resist.

2. Jam Raquion (Jam-packed)

Jam likes to make videos about anything under the sun. Her main goal is to make her viewers laugh with the stuff she vlogs. She’s also a big fan of Korean culture and does a series of dance covers and makeup tutorials.

1. Carlyn Ocampo

Carlyn Ocampo is part of girl group Pop Girls. Carlyn does a series of dance and song covers on her YouTube channel. She’s more famously known on TikTok, a short-video platform where she has over thousands of followers. Idol!

There’s surely more in store for us from these talented creators and the future generation of YouTubers. Who’s your favorite? :)

Words by Audrey Kho

Did you just say free tuition? Sign me up now!

Free education has always been a passionate subject for many. After all, who doesn’t want to study for free? Everybody can agree that education is vital in the success and development of any country, and so should be one of the top priorities of a nation.

So, what a great thing it is now that, since the signing of the free tuition law earlier this year, five state universities in the vicinity of Manila now grant free education to all of its students! Hooray, Philippines! Listed below are these five universities granting free education as of 2018:

University of the Philippines Diliman
Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila
Polytechnic University of the Philippines
Technological University of the Philippines
University of the Philippines Manila

But, of course, the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act applies only to government-run universities. So sorry, folks, privately-run universities around Manila aren’t eligible under this new law.

To keep you updated on these tuition fees, we’ve created some helpful infographics that summarize this year’s tuition fees of these universities according to the various courses that they offer.

Infographic above: Tuition fees for Adamson University, Ateneo de Manila University, Centro Escolar University, and Colegio de San Juan de Letran.

Infographic above: Tuition fees for College of St. Benilde, De La Salle University, Far Eastern University, Jose Rizal University, Lyceum of the Philippines University, and MAPUA University.

Infographic above: Tuition fees for National University, San Beda University, University of the East, and the University of Santo Tomas. List of state universities with free tuition also included.It is the dream of any democracy that all its citizens be educated. With this new development, our country takes one step closer to having this dream realized. Hooray, Philippines!

Words and Photos by Mara Karniella Sugue

Last September 23, Kammerchor Manila invited me to their intimate gathering: A Night with KM. I didn’t know what to expect, but I knew that I was in for something wonderful. The chorale performed several songs, from choir classics to Broadway medleys like Hallelujah, Paruparong Bukid, and Seasons of Love.

Their sweet melodies filled the room as they sang one song after the other. It was as if some kind of magic filled the room from the moment they started singing. Their performances even had some choreography to it so it not only made my ears happy but my eyes as well. I was at the edge of my seat as they performed their renditions of each song.

The chorale started their performance with this heartfelt duet

It would be an understatement to say that I enjoyed Kammerchor Manila’s performance that night. They swept me off my feet with their singing and everyone who was in that room that night was surely left in awe. Even after their performance, there were people asking for more performances from the chorale.

ALSO READ: Repertory Philippines Gives Rapunzel’s Classic Tale an Enchanting New Twist

But their performance shouldn’t have come as a surprise to me because Kammerchor Manila is a multi-awarded chorale. They have competed in various places in Europe and Asia. In 2017, they won the Grand Prix at the 1^st Leonardo Da Vinci International Choral Festival. They were even recognized by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts back in 2016 by being a recipient of the Ani ng Dangal Award.

With this, Kammerchor Manila is also featured on an album called Festive Magnificat, with songs from Korean composer, Hyun Kook. Because of their amazing performances, he entrusted the chorale to sing the songs on the album.

The treasurers of Kammerchor Manila promoting their album, Festive Magnificat

And if you also want to see them perform, then you’re in luck! On December 1, 2018, Darwin Lomentigar, officer-in-charge of Kammerchor Manila, is having his first solo concert entitled Uprise and Kammerchor Manila is a special guest. It will be held in Arts Above, 112 West Avenue, QC at 7PM.

Kammerchor Manila’s Musical Director, Anthony Villanueva thanks the audience for their support

Anchored to its pillar: “A commitment to excellence in music, friendship, and service to God,” Kammerchor Manila is a prime example of how it is no doubt that Filipino talent is world class. I can’t wait for them to touch more hearts in the future.

Kammerchor Manila

kammerchormanila.com