Month: July 2016


Jul
2016

Musicartes Stages Opera Intima

categories: Concerts, Opera, Press Releases

Musicartes Inc. launched its Opera Intima series on July 22 with other shows on July 30, August 28 & 30  at the Mirror Theatre Studio, SJG Centre, Kalayaan Ave., Makati, featuring La Voix Humaine (The Human Voice) with Soprano Kay Balajadia Liggayu and concert pianist Rudolf Golez. 

Francis Poulenc-John Cocteau’s La Voix Humaine is the first of this opera series. Poulenc’s tragédie lyrique was first performed at the Theatre National de L’Opera-Comique in Paris on 6 February 1959.
Multi-awarded international director Dr. Anton Juan directs this rarely performed operatic monologue which portrays a woman on her telephone:
“The telephone is still a new invention in this world. But already it has become the instrument for love and lies. On the line for the last time with her ex-lover, a woman turns the phone into a weapon.”

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The venue for the performance is The Mirror Theatre Studio in Makati City. 


Jul
2016

Masflex Cookware: Celebrating 25 years For the Love of Cooking

categories: Family, Food, Press Releases

The Masflex brand recently celebrated 25 years in the Philippines.

I received an invitation to join Masflex’s celebrations, and it was an afternoon filled with food, cooking, and some surprises.

Products were displayed all over the venue. I was seated near the cookware displays, so I took this video:

A video posted by Em Alcantara (@touringkitty) on

What best way to showcase Masflex’s products than to try them yourself! We were given a chance to do some Pancake Art (which, I think, I didn’t fare well, haha, so much for the non-visual artist musician!).

Pancake Art

This was actually a contest of the best pancake art, and the winners did really pretty designs!

And, live cooking demo, of course! Masflex also introduced its newest Brand Ambassador, Nancy Reyes Lumen. Who else but the Adobo Queen can show off Masflex Cookware’s versatility through her cooking!

Ms. Nancy Reyes - Lumen (Brand Ambassador together with the Host, Mr. Hiren Mirchandani - VP for Marketing
Ms. Nancy Reyes – Lumen (Brand Ambassador together with the Host, Mr. Hiren Mirchandani – VP for Marketing

Ms. Nancy showed us three recipes – Adobo sa Beer, Kinulob, and Bibingka Crepe. She even showed a bonus recipe, called Rodrigo’s Roast, which became timely then because of the name of the new Philippine President.

Adobo sa Beer
Adobo sa Beer.
Kinulob
Kinulob.
Bibingka Ube Crepe Cake
Bibingka Ube Crepe Cake.

She invited guests to be “chef of the day” who assisted her in her cooking of each dish.

Chef Jaja, who is also an art teacher, assisted us in the Pancake Art area.

At the end of the program, the big box onstage filled with Masflex items were won by one lucky guest! 

Awarding of Grand Raffle

Before marriage, I wasn’t that keen on my cookware. What we have at home, we use. But now that I have my own family to cook for and feed, I was checking on the brands of my cookware, ensuring they are of high quality and will last for a long time. I think I’ve found where to invest my money on for cookware and kitchenware.

We are on the process of shifting into induction cooking, which some of my friends say, is more cost efficient and safe considering we live in a condo unit. Gotta change cookware as well, and I know which ones to get from the Masflex line.

Congratulations, Masflex Cookware!

Before I end, a final photo:

Touringkitty with Mr. Mirchandani and Ms. Reyes Lumen for a final photo op. I was so shy to come up onstage at first but I did, and even introduced myself to Ms. Nancy whom I first met during the Teresa production of their Alma Mater, St. Theresas College last year.

All photos supplied by Masflex.

Website: www.masflex.com.ph
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/MasflexCookware
YouTube channel: MasflexCookware

~ Touringkitty


Jul
2016

#galingNAMCYA: Humble Beginnings and Musical Excellence

categories: Art and Culture

I really like how the play of words came about in this upcoming concert of the National Music Competitions for Young Artists. It’s current yet shows NAMCYA’s authority when it comes to local classical music competitions.

The concert will feature previous prizewinners who have made their mark in the local classical music scene. All of them I’m pretty sure aspired to become excellent musicians, that’s why they join competitions not to win, but to somehow level off themselves among other musicians their age.

Maybe you or someone you know has joined the NAMCYA especially in their young ages. Maybe you are curious to find out more about the NAMCYA. Or maybe you are interested to support and sustain the annual event.

Watch the #galingNAMCYA on July 16, and get reintroduced with the premiere classical music competitions in the country.

 

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Accomplished musicians who have proven their brilliance nationally and internationally are set to perform in a concert on July 16, 2016, to showcase works by Filipino and foreign composers and raise funds for the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA).

To be held at the Little Theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), the concert, titled #galingNAMCYA, features past winners of NAMCYA, the country’s most prestigious music competition for the youth for more than 40 years.

The performers include Carlo Antonio Juan (Guitar), Sara Maria Gonzales (Violin),  Christian Tan (Violin), Kim Carl Mirandilla Ng (Viola), Arnold Josue  (Cello), Gabriel Allan Paguirigan (Piano), Luci Magalit (Piano), Myramae Tapia Meneses (Soprano), Antonio Maigue (Flute), Reynato Resurreccion, Jr., (Oboe), Ariel Sta. Ana (Clarinet), Frenvee Andra (Bassoon), Naomi Sison (Piano), and Jay-ar Mesa (French Horn, guest horn player).

“We are very excited to have these NAMCYA winners perform and show that many of our world-class musicians were shaped by their experiences in NAMCYA,” said Renato Lucas, Secretary-General of NAMCYA, and who is also a past winner of the competition.

“We titled the concert #galingNAMCYA because we want people to know that these performers came from NAMCYA and that they represent the wealth of talent that NAMCYA attracts every year,” added Lucas.

“Before all these talent contests that we see today on TV, there was NAMCYA. It was where excellent musicians were discovered and nurtured to become world-class performers. NAMCYA continues to do that, and we want everyone to know that NAMCYA’s advocacy is to help our youth develop musical excellence and promote Philippine music.”

#galingNAMCYA aims to raise funds to help NAMCYA in its advocacy. Activities include the competitions and special performances in November, as well as outreach performances, workshops on Philippine music, and commissioning of new Filipino works.

#galingNAMCYA’s virtuosi will perform masterpieces of Filipino composers such as Nicanor Abelardo, Bayani M. De Leon, Manuel Velez, and Felipe P. De Leon, Sr., as well as works of foreign composers such as Ludwig van Beethoven, Paul Dukas, and Francis Poulenc.

For more information, please call 836-4928 or email namcya@gmail.com.

http://namcya.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/galingnamcyaeditedfinal.jpghttp://namcya.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/galingnamcyaeditedfinal.jpg

 

 


Jul
2016

Using the Theory of Probability to Find Happiness

categories: Uncategorized
Photo: pixabay.com

They say there are only two certain things in the world: death and taxes. However, by spinning the main point of this statement, you can add a different kind of facet to the equation.

It’s arguably safe to say that everyone wants to be happy; they are certain they want to be happy. Whether in little victories such as getting up early to beat the morning traffic in time for work, or grand accomplishments like living the classic rags-to-riches stories covered by the Independent.

In today’s world, almost everything is quantifiable. By seeing everything from a mathematical perspective, you can develop a logical point of view – even with the most inexplicable and unjustifiable of things like finding happiness.

There are basic scientific explanations when it comes to the aspect of momentary happiness. As a matter of fact, there are specific hormones and endorphins that trigger it. When thinking about the general idea of joy, you can’t really pinpoint the exact equation on how to be happy. You can, however, turn to a little area in mathematics that tackles various scenarios and its likelihood.

On the surface, the theory of probability seems like more suited to the confines of a casino, as you usually see poker players calculate the odds of hitting a winning card on the river based on Charles Bloom’s write up. In a nutshell, the subject focuses on making quick decisions when faced with limited information with a plethora of possible outcomes.

To put its rationale to good use, Pocketfruity presents simple teasers that should get you up to speed with probability theory. Now, to apply this concept in the subject of finding happiness, look no further than understanding the fear of not knowing.

This anxiety is somewhat worse than any negative outcome. One example of measuring happiness – or contentment – is through a psychological test, wherein a subject is given an option to get a mild electric shock now or later. This study, conceived from an earlier one written by Alan Bellows, saw that almost half of the participants opted to get the pain over with, rather than a 50% chance in the future.

Regardless of how bad or negative it is, it’s common for people to want certainty in their lives. Happiness comes in different forms, and a basic understanding of this lies in the aspect of love. For singles, they can do the math and determine the chances of finding an eligible partner. First, take a rough estimate of would-be lovers, then multiply it by the chances of compatibility, then divide it by the ratio of demand, before multiplying it by the unwanted chance of separation. Without going into the exact numbers, the chance of finding the right person is at a staggering 100 billion to one. But all these principles and concepts don’t mean a thing when confronted by destiny.

You have in your hands the limitless power to grab life by the horn and attain happiness in the process. The possibility of achieving this is equivalent to the determination and the belief you put in every time. Indeed, it’ll be difficult to constantly look for something without knowing what you’re actually looking for, but the truth is, happiness can arrive anywhere. You just have to be ready. You just have to be realistic.