ARTS & CULTURE: Free Admission to the National Museum of the Philippines starting today, July 1

Starting July 1, everyone – locals and foreigners alike – can now enter the National Museum for free. Yes, you've read that right. FREE.  That’s just about the Best. News. Ever. to come out yesterday. 

Early yesterday evening, The National Museum announced on their facebook page that

Admission to the National Museum is now permanently free of charge for all visitors, Filipino or foreign, to its museums nationwide. 

A policy of free general admission has been established, effective July 1, 2016, by the Board of Trustees of the National Museum, in order to build upon significant spikes in viewership, especially among younger Filipinos, that have been observed in 2013-2015 and to date in 2016, when general admission has been made free of charge for various traditional reasons such as National Arts Month in February, National Heritage Month in May, and National Museums and Galleries Month in October. 

Enhancing universal access by all Filipinos to what we proudly exhibit as our national patrimony and heritage has always been a primary concern, and with this new policy we hope to reach more people than ever before, both by encouraging visits to our museums, and by bringing the National Museum's programs and resources to communities throughout the national capital and all the regions of our archipelago.  

By this measure of free admission, which is supported, in terms of the nationwide operations of the Agency, by a solid institutional budget drawn ultimately from all Filipino taxpayers through the national budget, we hope to better achieve our goals, and fulfill general expectations, of serving as a true national museum institution dedicated to the benefit of the entire Filipino people and the wider world.

With this, there's no more excuse not to learn about our own culture as a people as well as to say that art is just for the rich. As the National Museum is trying to tell us, art is for everyone.

The National Museum of the Philippines is located along Taft Ave. in Ermita, Manila.
It is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm. 

I had the entire gallery all to myself and so had this solo shot with the award-wining "Spolarium" by Juan Luna. 

Weather Spoon's Bagan: A Must-Try Restaurant in Bagan, Myanmar

I've only been to Bagan for two full days so I haven't really explored it that much. Since I do not have much time to explore the thousands of pagodas in the city I've tried my best to at least spend time scouting for the best restaurants to eat. I do not want to Google so together with my college friend, Evan we wander around Nyaung-U to the Old Bagan to try what's in store for our hungry tummies. While walking in the food strip, Weather Spoon's Bagan caught our attention since it was a full house. We waited for a couple of minutes but it looked like the customers were enjoying their local beer, burgers and pizzas so we decided to look for another restaurant to try.

We went back for dinner but again, Weather Spoon's Bagan was full so we tried another restaurant, again! We thought we'd never had a chance to try their food but luckily the next morning we're able to finally dine at the resto. There were not too many people when we arrived since it was still too early. Most of the visitors were still enjoying the sunrise view of Bagan. It was phenomenal by the way (I'll discuss this is my next post, hahaha)

Good morning from the land of thousand pagodas! #bagan #myanmar #travel #escapemanilatoSEA

A photo posted by Glen Santillan (@escapemanila) on Feb 16, 2016 at 5:13pm PST

We tried their Myanmar-style Fish Curry and Myanmar-style beef curry, both were served with plain rice and equally delicious Myanmar-style salad. I paired my beef curry with their Papaya Salad and Evan ordered Tomato Salad. The food were really good. It's too different from the usual curry that I've tried. And the salad? It was delightful!

So, if you are planning to visit Bagan, I highly recommend you eat at Weather Spoon's Bagan. The restaurant is small and cozy and is a good place to meet fellow travelers.

Here's the menu of Weather Spoon's Bagan. 1USD is approximately 1,200 Myanmar Kyat.

“Digital pivot” Plan Ushers in a New Era (and Logos) for PLDT and Smart

Top telecoms embark on a three-year transformation to the digital world with new logos.

PLDT and Smart Executives with its Chairman & CEO Manny V. Pangilinan

Digital service provider PLDT Inc., formerly Philippine Long Distance Company, and its mobile service subsidiary Smart Communications, unveil new logos as part of its brand identity evolution. This is a decisive move towards a more data-driven business, reflecting the current demand of its increasingly digital customer base.

The new branding campaign embodies the PLDT-Smart three-year "digital pivot," a key part of which is the transformation of current networks into the ultimate in data infrastructure capabilities, which will eventually provide customers with a wide array of powerful digital services. 

PLDT-Smart Chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan says, "Rather than allow ourselves to be disrupted by new technologies, we are disrupting ourselves. We have embarked on a digital pivot to enable us to serve the increasing needs of our people's digital lifestyle and the country's growing digital economy."

Manny V Pangilian at the unveiling of the new PLDT & Smart Logo

The telecom duo puts its money where its mouth is. The two companies have jointly made a commitment for capital expenditures for this purpose with a PhP43 billion allocation for 2016, and a further PhP100 million more in the pipeline. PLDT is in the midst of acquiring part of the telco assets of San Miguel Corp. which includes the right to use the 700 MHz frequency, more commonly referred to as the  digital dividend. This will significantly increase the telcos' ability to provide powerful and widespread wireless communications such as 5G, even in rural areas. San Miguel has had control over this particular spectrum since 2005.  

In addition,  PLDT and its subsidiaries, including Talas Data Intelligence and Voyager Innovation, are in the midst of developing and providing more efficient and convenient financial and digital technology services to the Group's customers.  Mr. Pangilinan reveals, "We shall lead the digital revolution by embracing the smart life within the organization, pursuing digital innovations and enabling our customers to go digital in their own ways. The biggest winners will be our customers who will have a growing range of choices at their fingertips."

New look

PLDT and Smart now have logos that represent the main thrusts of the Group's business, namely value for customers, meaningful innovations, and outstanding people. The central figure in both logos is appropriately enough a stylized equilateral triangle, which also happens to be the symbol for Greek letter "delta,"  representing change. Mr. Pangilinan explains, "Taken together, these three pillars create tremendous energy that will enable our customers to achieve their limitless potential. The triangle’s three sides support each other. Thus, an inherent strength flows harmoniously among the sides to sustain the structure."

The previous PLDT logo was iconic, an abstraction of the telephone receiver with four sides, and had enjoyed a 33-year stint. The  new logo heralds a welcome change in both look and services. For Smart, the new logo is only the third in its 25-year history.

Recent PLDT innovations

PLDT is fast approaching its ninth decade, but it is still changing lives. At 88 years old, the company has always been at the forefront of communications technology.

• It was the first to offer DSL subscribers with the ability to share data with a Smart mobile subscription
• It launched a wide array of web-capable devices including the Telpad, an online tablet hub that controls home digital services, the TVolutions Stick which converts television sets for use as personal computers, and FamCam, a mobile-enabled CCTV that streams home security footage wirelessly   
• Its subsidiary, Smart, pioneered the deployment of LTE-A, which enabled it to offer 4.5G service in Boracay
• It offered businesses with a series of digital enterprise services through its  SMACS (Social, Mobility, Analytics, Cloud, and Security) platform, including the Philippines' first mobile app using geo-fencing called MarketBuilder

#TasteTheFeeling : A Journey of a Coca-Cola FEMSA Bottle

I was one of the not so lucky people who have not experience a tour at a Coca-Cola Plant during my high school years. Yeah, it's a bummer! We were supposed to have a field trip to the plant but it got cancelled so the idea of getting to taste an ice cold Coke fresh off the bottling line remained just a thought for many years. So, when I got invited to be a part of a media tour at the plant, I did not hesitate and said, yes!

Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines ranked 10th among the largest Coca-Cola Bottlers in the world, the only nation outside South America in the top 10. It offers 18 FDA-approved brands with a wide product variants selection spread throughout the country. 

And so the journey begins...

Our first stop was at the Coca-Cola FEMSA Davao Plant, where the journey of a bottle begins. The Davao plant was established in May 1950 an was moved to its current location along Mac Arthur highway in Barangay Ulas in 1974 which occupies 3.8 hectares. The plant has the capability to produce about 1.1M gallons of beverage annually. 

Cat Avelino, Coca-Cola FAMSA's External Communications & CSR Manager

Just like in any other plant tours, before we commenced our media tour, we were briefed by Cat Avelino, Coca-Cola FAMSA's External Communications & CSR Manager about the company's values and how it remained the top choice by many Filipinos when it comes to soft drinks. 

How the Coca-Cola is made?

The bottling process starts from the preparation of the raw materials, ingredients (basically composed of water, sweeteners, and natural flavors), then onto the bottle washer where the bottles are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized, filled, capped, and inspected using state-of-the-art equipment and the strictest quality control measures. Bottles that pass the stringent quality control are then put into crates and brought to the warehouse for immediate dispatch.

Now that it's bottled, where are those Coca-Cola products go?

After the filled bottles are put into crates, they are delivered to the distribution center where they are tagged and loaded to the trucks in accordance to the customers order for a certain day. They are being dispatched for delivery  to retail establishments.

Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines has two distribution centers serving Southern Mindanao area, employing 395 associates and providing beverage requirements close to 80,000 establishments.

A Taste of Success

Most of the establishments supported by Coca-Cola FEMSA are small to medium enteprises (SMEs) sari-sari stores and carinderias or eateries.

One of them is Nanay Vangie, owner of Vangie Eatery , a thriving carinderia in Bangkal, Davao City. Nanay Vangie started small 30 years ago and grew her business eventually into a bigger outlet today. 

Nanay Vangie is an exclusive Coca-Cola outlet since she started her business. From just four dishes and two carinderia tables, she now offers 40 types of dishes and serve more than 100 customers a day. Her carinderia mainly caters to local residents in the area as well as students and office workers in the vicinity who are looking for a meal and a cold drink.

She is grateful for the support she received from Coca-Cola sales executive assigned to her for guiding her and keeping her business on track. With the success of her business, she was able to send her children to school. 

"Coca-Cola plays a major role in my family's life as it helped us get through the day from our daily expenses, sending my children to schools, among other expenses," she said.

Nanay Vangie has five children, three of which are now young professionals.

The journey doesn't end

More than its world-class quality and satisfying taste, a Coca-Cola and all the other beverages produced by Coca-Cola FEMSA, is actually made of so much more. It's made out of love, dedication, and happiness by the more than 10,000 people in 19 plants and close to 60 sales offices across the Philippines.

So the next time you open a bottle of Coke, remember that it is more than the fizzy drink you have loved for so many years. It is the result of the hard work and dedication of thousands.

Microtel by Wyndham Acropolis : A Home Away From Home

Most people prefer to stay in a hotel where they can be comfortable. This includes their safety, convenience and cleanliness. The Microtel by Wyndham Acropolis has it all. This affordable hotel does not provide things that you don’t need, so it fits the budget of their guests. Wyndham Hotel Group has an international chain of hotels. Here in the Philippines, its establishments can be found in Acropolis, QC, Baguio, Batangas, Boracay, Cabanatuan, Cavite, Davao, General Santos, Mall of Asia, Palawan, South Forbes, Tarlac and UP QC.

Location

Located in the urban district of Eastwood, Mictrotel by Wyndham Acropolis is perfect for those who wants to wander around Metro Manila. It is a 0.5 km walk from the city proper and a 45-minute ride from the NAIA (airport). There is no need to worry about accessibility because it is also within the reach of Eastwood CyberOne Mall, John F. Cotton Hospital and the Medical city. The convenience and the safe environment of this hotel makes it a home away from home.

Amenities

Microtel by Wyndham Acropolis offers free wifi in all areas, who would not want a free wifi, right? It also has a free parking area, how good is that? They have 84 rooms ready for accommodating its guests. The rooms are in a decent size, with good air conditioning units, a great factor since Metro Manila is a very hot place. It has an electronic keycard entry system, TV with cable channels, IDD and NDD phone, refrigerator, hair dryer and safety deposit box. Microtel is a non-smoking establishment which makes it a child and family friendly hotel. 

Microtel Acropolis also has conference/meeting room to accommodate guests who are in their business trips. A function room is also available for celebrations and gatherings. The hotel also has a spa where you can relax after a day of wandering around the city.  

Food

Microtel by Wyndham Acropolis offers a complimentary buffet breakfast for its guests. They have a skilled kitchen staff to prepare it for you. They also have a bar to where the guests can chill, a restaurant to serve more of their deliciously cooked cuisines and a coffee shop to accommodate those who are on their business trips and those who are enjoying their solitude. There are also vending machines for your convenience.

Services

Microtel by Wyndham Acropolis has a friendly and accommodating staff who will always help you for whatever assistance that you require. 

Overall, I had a great stay at Microtel Acropolis - a comfortable sleep and a worry-free stay!

Muni-Muni at NAIA Terminal 3

Muni-muni sa Terminal 3. Waiting for the counter to open.

The first time I flew out of Terminal 3, it was just a couple of weeks open to the public. I remember only three concessionaires were open on the fourth floor. They were mini-stop, dimsum n' dumplings, and yellow cab pizza. After immigration, there was a delifrance and a red ribbon kiosk. That was it. The rest of the terminal seemed to have been boarded up.

There were about two or was it three airlines flying out of there, too - Cebu pacific and PAL express. The joke that time was fly out of a nice terminal but on a budget airline. Ouch.

The last time I flew out of Terminal 3 was last nov 30. It was early in the morning and it was the first flight out. I didn't get to explore their airport as much as I would've wanted, with catching some zzzzs being more the pressing need.

As I now sit in my little corner, I look around the terminal and see it brimming with life! It's a whole different now than when itseemed like a hollow box we walk through to get to the planes.

Now, there are shops like Victoria Secret! The chains are here - KFC, Wendy's, Chowking, McDonald's, and of course, Jollibee. There's a 7-11, a food hall, and even a Starbucks! Even local favorite "Mary Grace' has set up shop. It now even has an airport lounge, 'The Wings!'

Other international carriers are now operating from terminal 3, too. Emirates, KLM, and Cathay Pacific to name some.

I must admit that there are things that still need to improve, like the perpetually non-working escalators among other things.

But from what I am seeing right now, I guess Terminal 3 isn't so bad anymore.

Terminal 3 now has a transit lounge called 'The Wings.' 

The Golden Arches are now at Terminal 3, just too happy to serve us! Weee!

More food choices for everyone! Homegrown brands like Chowking, Tapa King, and Max's can be found at the Food Hall. 

Lo and behold, there's something very much like a department store at Terminal 3! Not to mention a Starbucks!

ARTS & CULTURE: Pilipino Sound 2016 and Yummy Eats Baon Blowout this Saturday June 4

This Saturday, either you like to wander around the old streets of Manila or you are an unapologetic mall rat, there’s something happening for you.  

Head to Manila’s Escolta for Pilipino Sound 2016.  Taking its cue from Barcelona’s Primavera Sound – a music festival featuring both independent artists and commercial successes, Pilipino Sound 2016 will celebrate local and international talents in music and art. Featuring a lineup that includes six local and international DJs. Happening tomorrow, June 4, from 12 nn to 12 am, it hopes to bring back to life Escolta which was once Manila’s cultural center.

 Pilipino Sound 2016 will be held on June 4, from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. on Escolta St., Manila. Admission is free.

 

Some of the artist performing at Pilipino Sound 2016
image from CNN Philippines

But if you’re a mall rat through and through, you might want to drop by Yummy Eats at Glorietta 4 Activity Center, tomorrow, 4 June, from 10 am to 6pm.

Offering delish treats would be 30 Yummy-approved concessionaires and Yummy Chefs sharing new baon ideas. There would also be games and raffles where you could win prizes from the sponsors. Buy your tickets now atwww.yummy.ph/yummyeats tickets will also be sold on the day of the event.#YummyEats2016

Learn new Baon ideas at Yummy eats Baon Blowout!
Image from Yummy 

Arts & Culture: Five amazing things about The British Library

Jane Austen brought me to the British Library.
While #lookingforjaneausten, I read somewhere that the British Library is in possession of a handwritten letter by Jane to her beloved sister Cassandra. It was a reply to the one sent earlier by the older Austen and talks about the birth of a new nephew – Henry Edgar Austen, news about their brother Charles who was serving in the Royal Navy, and such things that occupy an Austen character – weather, health, clothes, and social engagements.

Jane Austen’s letter is part of the Sir John Ritblat Gallery a.k.a the Treasures of the British Library and could be found on the first floor, on the left when coming from the main entrance.  

I entered the room after a group of kids on a school trip. As we passed by ancient religious texts as well as some of the most significant literature in the English-speaking world – perhaps you’ve heard of Geoffrey Chaucer and his Canterbury Tales – the hair on the back of my neck started to stand up. But it was when I have finally inched my way to Jane Austen’s writing desk and her handwritten letter that heart burst. Perhaps it was best that I was trailing behind the school kids or they would’ve started wondering why this shorty had tears in her eyes.

I came for Jane Austen but I was treated to so much more. I got a good look at scribbles of Leonardo da Vinci on his notebook, handwritten lyrics by the beatles, and even an old depiction of the port city of Amsterdam. Another fascinating piece was a letter of King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn to Cardinal Wolsey, asking about the developments regarding Henry’s annulment.

Needless to say, The Treasures of the British Library as well as the King’s Library – the Library of King George III – are the British Library’s gems. But there are more interesting things about it and here are five of them. 

1. The British Library is the largest library in terms of catalogued items.
It boasts of over 150 Million items and to this day, continues to receive a copy of every publication in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Its collection grows at the rate of 3 million items every year.  And part of that massive collection is the world’s oldest dated printed book, the Diamond Sutra. 

2. It is the largest public building constructed in the United Kingdom in the 20^thCentury with a supposed budget of £142M.
Originally designed by Sir Colin St. John Wilson and his partner MJ Long, the British Library has a total floor area of 112,000 square meters. It has fourteen floors with nine overground and five underground.

3. It is a brutalist building and a Grade 1 listed building at that!
Quite a departure from the usual gray concrete brutalist buildings we see here in Manila, the British Library is classified under “Brick Brutalist.” Done in brick and concrete, it still is a massive, monolithic building that is all about function and circulation and gives no F*&K about romanticism and mystery. In fact, 10 million bricks and 180,000 tons of concrete were used to erect the building.

In the UK, they have the Statutory List of Buildings of Special Architecture or Historic Interest. This means all buildings on the list cannot be demolished, extended, or altered without special permission from the local planning authority. Last year in 2015, The British Library was added to the list. “The British Library is one of England’s finest modern public buildings. Listing it at Grade I acknowledges its outstanding architectural and historic interest. Colin St John Wilson’s stately yet accessible design incorporates fine materials and a generous display of public art. The Library’s dramatic and carefully considered interiors achieve its ultimate goal: of creating a space to inspire thought and learning,” said Roger Bowdler, Director of Listing at Historic England, said in a previous interview.

4. You can eat at the library!
Operated by Peyton and Byrne, the library has a self-service restaurant on the first floor – next to the King’s Library, a café on the ground floor, The Last Word café in the main courtyard, and an espresso bar on Euston Road.

5.  Anyone can enter for free!

The main courtyard of the British Library - a good spot to enjoy a book and a good cup of tea from The Last Word, a Peyton and Byrne café.

Here's the main entrance to the British Library. Apparently, one cannot bring in any luggage that's bigger than a 'carry-on' luggage inside the library.

Along the West Wall from the entrance are the bust of the founders: (left to right) Sir Robert Cotton, Sir Joseph Banks , Thomas Grenville, and Sir Hans Sloane.These busts also lead people to the Treasures of the British Library.

Another gem of the British Library is the Sir John Ritblat Gallery which houses the Lindisfarne Gospels, original beatles lyrics, and the Magna Carta (which was on display in another room when we were there.) 

Seating areas are all around. So just as long as you keep it down, it's a good spot to meet up with friends!

Escalator or stairs to get to the King's Library. 

At the head of the stairs on the first floor is this bust of King George III. It is a gift of Friends of the British Library to commemorate the move of the King's Library to the building.

The centerpiece of the British Library is the King's Library Tower which houses King George III's Library.

The King's Library Tower is a six-storey structure.

Lovely natural light inside the library keep it from being gloomy or oppressive!

People just don't read and study at the library. They socialize, too! A popular spot is the cafe. 

Right next door is St. Pancras Renaissance London

Sources: 

www.bl.uk
www.gov.uk
www.peytonandbyrne.co.uk
The Architecture of The British Library At St. Pancras