Lifestyle

The experience of learning to write in script is one of everyone’s most formative recollections. Even today, when technology has moved us away from the straightforward process of writing with a pen and paper, everyone can relate to the thrill of glancing at your impeccable, handwritten notes.

The sight of other people’s well-organized writing can still make you gasp, even if you can’t write that well yourself. These are some examples of writers whose style may encourage you to pick up a pen and start writing like the scribe of your dreams.

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Leigh Reyes

Other than being an award-winning advertising creative, Leigh Reyes is an avid pen collector. “The thrill of acquisition does fade, and in its place the joy of discovering newness in what one already owns glows more brightly,” she writes on her website (https://leighreyes.com). 

On Instagram (@leighpod) you can find evidence of her handwriting prowess, where she posts photos of handwritten notes, and gamely answers questions about all things pens and writing. 

At the Manila Pen Show, she will give a workshop on 2:00 PM, March 18, titled “Mad Scientist,” and will moderate March 19’s 3:45 PM panel featuring fountain pen collectors.

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Imma Frias

Imma Frias started her calligrapher journey in 2013, and since 2014 has been an instructor at calligraphy, and penmanship from 2016. “Calligraphy is something that is therapeutic… once you get the hang of it, it’s actually soothing,” she told The Lasallian a few years back.

Take a look at her Instagram (@dyosaimma) to see her deeply satisfying works of handwritten art. At the Manila Pen Show on March 18, she will lead a Handwriting Hangout at 10:30 AM, and at 2:15 PM on March 19, host Modern Calligraphy with Flex Pens. 

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Lorraine Castaneda

On Lorraine Castaneda’s Instagram (@calligraphyspot), she calls herself a “Purveyor of calligraphy appreciation, teacher of beautiful writing, and a stay-at-home time traveler.” All those things are true: her beautiful handwriting would not look any different from a passionate love letter written in the 1800s.

On March 18, 3:00 PM Castaneda will be heading a talk on Fountain Pens for Kids of All Ages, proving it is never too early to start enjoying the art of handwriting.

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Clement Dionglay

If you thought fountain pens could only be used by those who write in elaborate script, you haven’t seen Clement Dionglay’s Instagram (@clemdionglay). Here, she shows neatly written words in print, along with an impressive collection of pens. 

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Pao Alfonso

Another enthusiast who likes to write in print, Pao Alfonso’s Instagram account (@the.serial.doodler) showcases her thoughts on the world of pens. “Nib preferences really do change over time. I started out preferring fine nibs, then fell in love with medium and stub nibs. Now I’ve come full circle and prefer fine nibs again.”

Pao’s drawings, accompanied by her writing, work as mini food reviews of places she’s enjoyed. 

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Toni Santos

Toni Santos’ Instagram account (@toniscalligraphy) showcases her calligraphy along with inspirational handwritten statements and music lyrics that occasionally contain humor. She does not only collect pens; she also collects notebooks. She will be leading a discussion about Fountain Pens for Youth 7–12 on March 19.

On March 18 and 19, from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, the Holiday Hotel & Suites in Makati will be home to the Manila Pen Show. The Life-Changer for Children initiative of Save the Children Philippines will receive a percentage of the earnings. Please visit @manilapenshow and #manilapensshow2023 for a complete list of speakers, exhibitors, and schedules.

At the most recent Property and Real Estate Excellence Awards, which were hosted by the Philippine chapter of the International Real Estate Federation, a Paris-based organization, two projects from Filinvest Alabang Inc (FAI) received gold recognitions (FIABCI). While Filigree’s ultra-luxury condominium, Botanika Nature Residences, won Gold under the Residential Mid-Rise category, Filinvest City, FAI’s flagship township in Alabang, won Gold under the Sustainable Development category.

The awards recognize FAI’s dedication in creating resilient, future-ready, and people-focused communities that can be enjoyed by many generations.  “As we mark our 30th anniversary this year, we continue to be committed to our mission of building communities that are sustainable and people-centric,” shares Catherine Ilagan, FAI President and COO. “Our ultimate goal is to make all of our developments really experiential and engaging, supporting healthier and more fulfilled lifestyles, with Filinvest City and Botanika serving as our flagship projects,” she adds.

The FIABCI gold award further reaffirms Filinvest City’s dedication to sustainability by attesting to its efforts in creating a green central business area in Alabang, Muntinlupa. Other green recognitions include its 3-star Building for Ecologically Responsive Design Excellence (BERDE) Districts Certification by the Philippine Green Building Council, making Filinvest City the first and only Philippine CBD to receive this certification, and its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design LEEDv4 Gold for Neighborhood Development (LEEDv4 ND) certification by the US Green Building Council in 2020. “We have taken the big leap years ago when Filinvest Development Corporation Founder Mr. Andrew L. Gotianun, Sr. envisioned a sustainable and future-ready CBD and established FAI to transform the Alabang stockfarm to what Filinvest City is today. All these awards and certifications prove that we have been doing this right from the start, and that there are alternatives to the accustomed way of building cities in the metro”, Don Ubaldo, FAI First Vice President for townships, says.

The way that Botanika Nature Residences combines aesthetics and functionality while embedding energy efficiency into its design sets it different from other upscale residential buildings. A flagship project of Filigree, FAI’s brand of high-end residential developments, Botanika’s promise to authentic green living is seen beyond its interior as it harmoniously co-exists with its environs. Approximately 70% of its total land area is dedicated to garden and open breathing spaces, while the building itself, covering 30% of the land, was designed to respect and complement its natural surroundings being located at the most exclusive portion of Filinvest City. On top of the FIABCI gold award, Botanika is also a 4-star BERDE certified development, and just last year, was recognized as the first H+W (Health and Well-being – Pilot Version) 3-stars Certified residential building by the Philippine Green Building Council.  “As the post-pandemic world takes shape, there is a growing need for space that keeps people close to the center of activities while also allowing them to retreat to a sanctuary of greenery and clean air at any time to safeguard and promote their health and well-being. Botanika Nature Residences guarantee a stress-free, healthier suburban lifestyle,” says Filigree deputy head and FAI First Vice President Daphne Sanchez.

The company’s efforts to promote an innovative and progressive culture have also been recognized through the honors bestowed upon Filinvest Land Inc. and Filinvest Development Corporation’s president and CEO. Josephine Gotianun-Yap, the CEO. She was named FIABCI’s inaugural Property Woman of the Year and was the first woman to get the Real Estate Personality of the Year award in the Philippines Property Awards by PropertyGuru last year.

Visit filinvestcity.com and filigree.com.ph to learn more about Filinvest City and Botanika Nature Residences.                            

There are always two of everything good. The best things in life come in pairs, whether it’s engaging in a favorite activity while snacking on your favorite foods, getting pampered while doing some online shopping, or watching a wonderful movie on your own TV with a terrific sound system to enhance the viewing experience.  

It’s a terrific idea to pair the TV of your dreams with the best sound system to go along with it. With Samsung’s One True Pair Promo, this brings about the best matching of the season. Take advantage of the opportunity to upgrade your lifestyle by finally purchasing your ideal Lifestyle TV and Soundbar together, saving up to P34,999.

This is your chance to take home the most coveted The Serif or The Frame TV with the ultra-chic and sleek Lifestyle Soundbar, all at a special bundled price when you purchase it via straight card or cash payment at any participating Samsung Authorized Dealer.

Samsung’s One True Pair is the best possible pair. The Q-Symphony feature, which enables the TV and Soundbar speakers to synergistically work together and deliver a larger and more immersive sound experience, makes pairing The Frame or The Serif with the Lifestyle Soundbar effortless and enables you to experience the very best of both products. Each room they are placed in is elevated by the beautiful designs of both objects, producing genuinely exciting spaces. The QLED technology combined with Dolby Atmos will be these two devices’ standout feature, providing you stunning visual quality and outstanding cinematic sound.

Samsung’s One True Pair promotion ends on March 31, 2023, so act fast. Visit www.samsung.com/ph to learn more about Samsung TV promotions, and like and follow Samsung on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date.

For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at http://news.samsung.com.

DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-161267 Series of 2023

A recent press conference organized by Rex Education brought together important groups dedicated to spreading awareness of piracy and preventing the unlawful copying and distribution of protected information.

Present at the event were leaders and representatives from the Philippine Association of Law Schools, the Association of Law Students of the Philippines, , the Legal Education Board, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines, the National Book Development Board, the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations of the Philippines, the National Bureau of Investigation, Association of Administrators in Hospitality Hotel and Restaurant Management Educational Institution, the Philippine Librarians Association, the Philippine Council of Deans and Educators in Business, the Philippine Association of Collegiate Schools of Business, Philippine Association for Teachers and Educators, Professional Criminologists Association of the Philippines, Association of Christian Schools, Colleges and Universities and the Philippine Educational Measurement and Evaluation Association.

The illegal reproduction and dissemination of copyrighted works, such as but not limited to music, movies, and other media, is known as piracy. The Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines, Republic Act 8293, which safeguards and defends the exclusive rights of scientists, inventors, artists, and other talented persons to their intellectual property and works, strengthens anti-piracy laws in the Philippines.

The press conference is a part of REX’s anti-piracy campaign, which was launched last September 16, 2022 at the Manila International Book Fair. The primary objective of the campaign is to curb, if not eradicate, content piracy by educating, communicating, and instilling among our colleagues, families, and children a true appreciation of the value of one’s own work. REX’s efforts in this direction are also in recognition and support of the relentless hard work of intellectual property law enforcement agencies in the country.

“We should continue to educate, communicate, and instill among our colleagues, families, and children a true appreciation of the value of one’s own work. In this sense, we are all duty-bearers. But above that, we are Filipinos,” said Atty. Dominador Buhain, chairman of Rex Education. “ Aside from our laws, what also binds us are our values, our sense of pakikipagkapwa, of pagpapakatao, our pride in our own work, and our respect for each other and of each other’s work.”

The initiative has captured the interest of other organizations with like-minded ideologies during the past year. Consumers, students, and stakeholders from the education sector have all gathered to show their support for the campaign. Above all, there is a call to safeguard all of the creators’ intellectual property.

“Throughout our rich history, we recognize and respect one truth about what we do: We are able to accomplish so much because of our people. REX has immense pride for the talented and hardworking individuals who pour their creativity, knowledge, and skills in the development of our learning materials, and these are not limited to books,” said Atty. Dominador Buhain, chairman of Rex Education.

Please feel free to see the watch the “Proud Ako” anti-piracy campaign video, which was introduced at MIBF 2022, for additional details about REX’s efforts. To assist Rex Education in its efforts to safeguard the publishing business, go to www.rex.com.ph.

With increased support for both artists and art enthusiasts, Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) will return to Art Fair Philippines in 2023.

BPI, a fervent supporter of Philippine arts, helps visual artists through collaborations and art lovers by granting them more access to artworks at art events like the upcoming third edition of Art Fair Philippines.

“As we appreciate the value of artists and their works, we also see the significance of collecting and keeping great artworks, which is why we at BPI continue to provide our support as well to art lovers who, time and time again, visit Art Fair Philippines and acquire valuable artworks,” said Jenelyn Z. Lacerna, the Group Head of BPI Unsecured Lending and Cards, Product and Sales.

Art Fair Philippines 2023, which is happening on February 17-19 at The Link in Ayala Center in Makati City, will feature over 60 exhibitors from the Philippines and overseas as the art exhibition celebrates its 10^th year. It is co-presented by BPI and Ayala Land, among other corporate supporters.

To promote art appreciation and further boost the local art scene, BPI offers complimentary access to cardholders of BPI Visa Signature, Platinum Rewards Mastercard, Amore Platinum Cashback, and Gold Mastercard.

“At BPI, we consider keepers of valuable art works as art investors, as the works they acquire become part of their investment portfolio,” Lacerna said.

BPI has been the caretaker of more than 1,000 artworks by many prominent Filipino artists, such as Fernando Amorsolo, Jose Joya, and Ben Cabrera. Most of these art pieces are the country’s finest expressions of Philippine culture and are reflective of BPI’s inherent values.

“The kind of support BPI gives to art lovers provides them greater access to exclusive events such as Art Fair Philippines, which continues to showcase the country’s vibrant local art scene and helps Filipino visual artists generate support and reach a wider audience,” Lacerna added.

BPI affirms its commitment to recognize and nurture the country’s artistry and talent through its participation in events like this.

One of the many galleries featured in the art fair is Art Cube, which provides a platform for talented young artists to showcase their works before an extensive roster of art collections. The gallery, which will be located on the 5^th Level, Booth No. 5, will feature the works of father-and-son Renato and Guerrero Habulan, showing a glimpse of ordinary people: iconic images of the masses, their dignity amid hardship, and as an inspiration. Renato, a post-war and contemporary painter, is one of the most influential and award-winning watercolor artists in the country. Guererro, a recipient of the Thirteen Artists Awards of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, combines different figurative styles and approaches—from hyperrealism to pop surrealism to the “ready-made” images of silk screen printing.

Also featured in this year’s edition of the art fair includes Celine Lee, who has been recognized for her work, including the Juror’s Choice Award of Merit at the Philippine Art Awards in 2020. She has a diverse portfolio that includes paintings, sculptures, embroidery pieces, and multimedia works that show her innovative use of different materials and media.

A finalist in several competitions in 2018, including the LRT Art Competition, Shell National Student Art Competition, Metrobank Art and Design Excellence Competition, and Regional Winner for Philippine Art Awards, Winna Go’s paintings are also worth checking out for art enthusiasts. She draws inspiration for the majority of her paintings from the history of the Chinese diaspora, the depth of Chinese and Filipino culture, her own identity and place in society, and the splendor of nature.

“We invite the art enthusiasts out there to come and join us at the Art Fair Philippines and discover the country’s artistry and talent. Check out the many participating galleries that showcase Filipino artistry at its best,” Lacerna added.

Visit the Art Fair Philippines website and follow them on Facebook (www.facebook.com/artfairph) and Instagram (@artfairph) for additional information.