Lifestyle

A LEGACY TO HONOR. David Medalla visited the BDO Corporate Center Ortigas during the inauguration of his sculpture, “Cloud Canyons No. 31,” on August 31, 2019.

BDO Unibank honors Filipino artist David Medalla, who passed away on December 28, 2020.

It commemorates Medalla’s legacy with the continued display of his sculpture, “Cloud Canyons No. 31,” at the lobby of its Corporate Center in Ortigas (CCO).

“Cloud Canyons No. 31” found its way to CCO for bank employees, clients, and visitors to enjoy in 2019. Before coming home to the Philippines, it was exhibited in the Hepworth Wakefield art museum in England when Medalla was one of the shortlisted artists for the inaugural Hepworth Wakefield Prize for Sculpture in 2016. It is made of plexiglas tubes, wood, fibreglass, water, soap, and oxygenators, and is part of a series often referred to as the “bubble machines.”

Mara Coson, who oversees the BDO Art Collection, said of Medalla’s passing:

“David Medalla was magnetic. He lived a life that drew people in while he himself could not be contained. He left the world with stories so wild and infinite they can never all be told.

“Medalla was born in Manila in 1942, with literary and visual genius uniquely attributable only to his bright spirit. His biography is too vast for a short note, and is kept alive by the many who encountered him along his life’s adventures, strangers and friends, periods from explorations of kinetic art in the 1960s and beyond to performances anywhere, and travel whether physical or otherwise. He spent his life around the world, at home everywhere and still home was also the Philippines, where he died peacefully.

“More than ever, we must make sure the bubbles of Cloud Canyons No. 31 continue endlessly and fully in our care—and most of all, welcome to the public to experience these clouds for always. We will do Medalla proud.

“When you visit the bubble machine, I encourage you take a moment to wish David the best for his next life, as he dances with ease among the brightest galaxies.”

This year has certainly been a unique year for all of us. The onslaught of the pandemic, the rise of activities like working and learning from home, and the lessened contact with our loved ones, among other adjustments, have invited many to sit back and value the small joys and bits of happiness just a little bit more this year.

The call to remain united and finish 2020 on an optimistic note is stronger than ever. From medical frontliners to delivery riders, there have been many members of our community who deserve thanks and appreciation for helping us make it through to the end of this year. Luckily, Grab has made spreading the holiday cheer and Christmas spirit easier for everyone with Ituloy Ang PassKo – Ipasa ang saya at biyaya sa bawat pa-Grab!

Grab made your transactions count and helped turn them into meaningful ways to share happiness with others this Christmas. Watch how you helped here!

Partner-Drivers and Partner-Merchants Take Home Big Prizes

Through the 24 Days of Christmas with Grab, helping the community was made even more fun and exciting through weekly raffles which have brought smiles and passed on happiness to Grab users and even Grab’s own community of partner-drivers, riders, and partner-merchants.

Grab partner-driver Diosdado Belo and Grab user Thomas Camacho were the lucky winners of an Apple Bundle thanks to the 24 Days of Christmas raffle!

From December 1-24, 24 Days of Christmas qualifies Grab users to enter weekly raffles simply from transactions made on the Grab app. From these raffles, delight and cheer are doubled as prizes such as a Sony Playstation 5, Cebu Pacific flights and accommodations from Agoda and Booking.com, Apple Macbook Airs and AirPods Pros, and Samsung Galaxy Tabs, Z Flip phones and other Samsung gadgets not only go to Grab users, but also to a very lucky Grab driver or store partner!

In a heartwarming example of Grab spreading joy to the community, lucky user Thomas Camacho was able to snag an Apple MacBook Air and AirPods Pros during the second week of the raffle. Thomas was able to share the good news with Grab partner-driver Diosdado Belo, who also got the chance to win the same big prize!

Now on its third week of giving away prizes, Grab continues to spread happiness and the holiday spirit among their community.

Consolation prizes were also given to lucky winners by Unilever, Coke, GOMO, Century Pacific Food Inc., Coke, Nestle, Purefoods and 88tuition.

P2 million donation collected through Grab Christmas Factory

Grab’s commitment in sharing the holiday spirit in these unprecedented times does not end there; and as different as Christmas would be this year, Grab ensured that no one gets left behind with the Grab Christmas Factory. Together with the Tanging Yaman Foundation, donations to Grab’s beneficiaries became possible for all Grab users from November 27 to December 18 by simply clicking on the Grab Christmas Factory tile on the Grab app.

With the help of the Grab community, Grab was able to donate P2 million to the following hospitals:

• Philippine General Hospital
• Philippine Children’s Medical Center
• Philippine Heart Center

Donations were also made possible with Grab’s partners: Century Pacific Food, Inc., Purefoods, Colgate-Palmolive, Nestle, Coke, Smart, and Unilever.

Though Christmas may not be the same this year, Grab shows that happy and meaningful memories can still be made with our loved ones. Their commitment in serving Filipinos remains, helping the community feel the Christmas spirit and being one with the community every step of the way. Truly, with Grab, tuloy ang saya at biyaya, at tuloy ang PassKo.

24 Days of Christmas is still ongoing! To continue spreading the holiday cheer with Grab, check out the Grab app where all transactions you make until December 24 will entitle you to weekly raffles, and get the chance to win big prizes! For more information, head on over to grb.to/passko.

Have you finished buying your Christmas gifts? Or Your looking for a last-minute gifts that you can DIY in an instant? Good news Tiktok gives a few handmade Christmas gift ideas. Handmade gifts are always nice to receive, especially at Christmastime. These presents show extra thoughtfulness and care from the giver to the recipient, no matter how simple they may be. They’re usually budget-friendly, too!

DIY gifts don’t need to be complicated in order to be special, and there are many crafty projects online that you can complete in an instant for last-minute gift-giving. TikTok actually has a lot of them, along with other holiday-themed projects and tutorials shared by crafty creators on the app. Here are five videos that show easy to make handmade gifts that you can complete just in time for Christmas.

Know how to sew? You can turn old clothing into a whole new outfit for someone special this Christmas. Check out this video for inspiration.

https://www.tiktok.com/@jessreneevega/video/6797971842440154374

There’s so much you can do with just popsicle sticks and hot glue. Here’s an idea for a DIY lamp made with these two materials and a lightbulb socket.

https://www.tiktok.com/@darcycaldwell1/video/6799318552739450118

These tiny handmade notebooks are perfect for anyone who likes doodling, making lists, or writing down ideas on the go. They can easily fit into a bag or pocket, and you can customize their covers to suit the recipient’s style. 

https://www.tiktok.com/@flowmasters/video/6814538715164101893

This handmade paper bouquet card is a great gift to give a loved one.

https://www.tiktok.com/@besassique/video/6791353743263780101

Need a nice holiday present for bigger kids and teens? This DIY Decision Maker Machine is something they might really enjoy.

https://www.tiktok.com/@techbuildermontage/video/6881046826724756737

Finish off your gift wrapping with a personalized Christmas card that you can easily make on your computer.

https://www.tiktok.com/@gianborlongan/video/6867335273659763969

Spread joy and Christmas cheer among your loved ones by giving them a handmade gift this season. Don’t forget to share your best holiday moments with friends and followers on TikTok, too! Download the app on your iOS and Android devices today to get started.

Smile Train, continue raising funds this Christmas and known as the world’s leading cleft charity. This holiday season invites everyone to share the gift of smiles and partnered with Riz Cabrera, Visual artist to raise awareness for children born with a cleft through the launch of her online art auction which she hopes can contribute to sustaining Smile Train’s goal to provide children the urgent support and care needed.

Every day, 540 babies are born around the world with this serious health condition – preventing them not only from smiling, but also posing difficulties in eating, breathing, and speaking. Through the auction, Riz hopes to help fund the surgeries and therapies that could transform the lives of Filipino cleft patients.

“When I came across the Smile Train website, I was deeply moved by their advocacy. While I initially wanted to just be a channel of blessings for the patients, my goal was to raise awareness for this generation, specifically to those dealing with mental health issues just like myself,” shared Cabrera. “Although we all have our own personal problems and trials, if we would just look beyond ourselves, we can still be a message of hope to somebody. I believe that focusing on helping other people is therapy itself and partnering with Smile Train rekindles hope within me,” she shared.

For Riz, her passion for painting was ignited by hardships and these hardships have taught her to focus on helping others. This is why she is using her craft to help charities such as Smile Train. “ART ignites HEART. Nowadays, especially with the ongoing pandemic, we spend most of our time browsing or surfing the internet. I believe that the eyes are the windows of the soul. As an Artist, I have this obligation to penetrate souls with Love, Faith, and Hope through my art. Helping charities like Smile Train through arts can definitely move people to reach out.”

“Smile Train continues to advocate for individuals born with cleft and to providing free surgery and comprehensive cleft care to them and we look forward to partnering with various individuals who believe in our shared goal,” said Smile Train South East Asia Director Kimmy Flaviano. “We are grateful for the work Riz has done and continues to do for the benefit of Smile Train and we look forward to this generation to join our cause and act on behalf      of children born with a cleft lip and/palate.”

This Christmas, you can bring a smile to the lives of people by supporting the auction. Check out https://www.32auctions.com/smile2020 to view the artworks.The auction runs until 24 December. Donations are also accepted in the site.  You may also follow Riz through her Facebook and Instagram accounts @carizzze. For more information about Smile Train Philippines’ local efforts and to refer a patient in need, visit smiletrain.ph/get-help, follow Smile Train Philippines on Twitter and Instagram @SmileTrainPh, and like them on Facebook at @SmileTrainPhilippines.

Catriona Gray, Smile Train Global Ambassador conducted patient home visits in Colombia with Smile Train partner, Factory of Smiles last November. Catch Ms Gray as she shares her experience with Smile Train Colombia on this exclusive video interview below:

https://greenbulbpr-dot-yamm-track.appspot.com/Redirect?ukey=1vK3YZSpcQ5-d3wNdfe3hLN4LSMM9z0FOeeAqAWpUZV4-663660488&key=YAMMID-94856243&link=https%3A%2F%2Fdrive.google.com%2Fdrive%2Ffolders%2F1kbtU_PrW22BDF1cNWV-nXA956vD0bueT%3Fusp%3Dsharing

Globally, 540 babies are born with a cleft every day. Smile Train is committed to providing access to proper cleft care treatment and financial assistance even during the pandemic. In addition to life-changing surgery, Smile Train’s local medical partners provide essential care, such as speech therapy, emotional support, nutrition services, and orthodontic care, to ensure that children have the opportunity to lead full and productive lives.

As a Global Ambassador, Catriona continues to use her platform to raise awareness for children with cleft lip and palate. Her work included visiting Smile Train’s programs in the Philippines and in Brazil to see firsthand all of the incredible work done by the organization locally. In addition, she has attended several virtual speech sessions with cleft patients, launched a Public Service Announcement (PSA) for finding patients and is currently the face of the beepTM card awareness campaign.

For more information about Smile Train’s global efforts and to donate, please visit smiletrain.org. To learn more about Smile Train’s local programs in the Philippines, please visit smiletrain.ph, follow Smile Train Philippines on Twitter and Instagram @SmileTrainPh, and like us on Facebook at @SmileTrainPhilippines.