Unicef launches online fundraiser

The United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) takes its fundraising efforts online to give everyone a chance to show their support in caring for the lives of our children. 

“Auction for Action: A Unicef Fundraising Online Auction,” goes live starting May 25 at www.ebay.ph/unicef. Up for bidding are the donations of Filipino artists and designers not only recognized here but also in the international market.

The 30 plus items consists of paintings, furniture pieces, lamps, photographs, jewelries, as well as few experiential packages.

The participating artists and designers include Manny Baldemor, Michael Cacnio, Celestina, Seb Chua, Kenneth Cobonpue, Araceli Limcaco Dans, Kristine Dee, Janina Dizon, Mich Dulce, Tom Epperson, Accessory Lab, Ito Kish, E. Billy Mondoñedo, Ramon Orlina, Debbie Palao, Ling Quisumbing Ramilo, Benji Reyes, Popo San Pascual, Joey Samson, Vito Selma, Victor Sollorano, Paul Syjuco, Reg Yuson, FIRMA/Felicity’s Ricky Toledo and Chito Vijandre and Galerie Joaquin artists Benito, Jomar Delluba, Hamzah Marbella, Dominic Rubio and Juvenal Sanso.

While the experiential packages include a dinner by Chef Tonyboy Escalante of Antonio’s and a dugout experience with the Philippine Football Team Azkals on July 3 at the World Cup qualifiers in Manila.

Auction for Action is the brainchild of Unicef Special Advocate for Children Daphne Oseña-Paez. Paez also donated some of her personal belongings for the auction.

At a press conference held at the Unicef Philippines office in Makati City, Paez shared the reason behind the fundraiser together with Bianca Gonzales, who is also a Unicef Special Advocate for Children.

First, Paez expressed that not many knows that Unicef relies entirely on voluntary contributions from individuals and groups for its fund. It Auction for Action’s aim to change this notion and raise awareness that everybody can help in this aspect

But more importantly, the online action seeks to raise money to support Unicef’s programs for protecting the welfare and rights of the children. The benefits of this particular fundraising auction will especially be allocated for the Unicef’s programs in the conflict-affected areas in Visayas and Mindanao.

Unicef Country Representative Vanessa Tobin said Auction for Action would focus on the health, nutrition, education and social protection of children suffering in these high risk areas.

*first published for The Manila Times. Read here.

Long live Café Adriatico!

For a place to be recognized as a landmark, it has to evoke a sense of familiarity, belonging and timelessness. Malate’s Café Adriatico is one such place not only because it quickly comes to mind as a great food destination, but it has always been strongly entwined with the fame of Manila City’s most happening district.

So when the café—located at Remedios Circle and Adriatico Street in Malate—caught fire on December 13, 2010, its owners and patrons alike were deeply saddened at the closure that followed shortly.

But after five long months of waiting, the Malate tradition finally reopened on May 17 still with the same goal: To be the dining destination it has always been known for. Café Adriatico brings back the good food, warm service and its signature old-world ambience to its devoted patrons.

30 successful years

Café Adriatico is the first café and restaurant of late restaurateur, journalist and bistro king Larry Cruz. The bistro first served the Malate folk on New Year’s Eve of 1980.

At press lunch to announce the reopening, Cruz’s daughter, Lorna Cruz-Ambas, who now serves as the chief executive officer of LJC Group of Restaurants, fondly recalled how the café came to life. She started by talking about how his father always liked to say that his being a restaurateur happened by pure accident.

Cruz, a journalist by profession owned an antiques shop called Koleksyon Antique Store where Café Adriatico is located today. His friend, David Sharuff, son of a Syrian who owns a restaurant in Ermita, convinced him to be partners and convert the place into a restaurant.

However, Ambas remembered that Sharuff bailed out on her father even before they actually started the business. Still, Cruz surged forward and was rewarded with a legendary café.

The bistro was patterned from those on the streets Paris and decorated with Cruz’s personal favorite pieces of antique dining tables, Ilocos chairs, the art collections of his father artist E. Aguilar Cruz, and of course, jazz music drifting from the speakers.

To put it more accurately, Café Adriactico became the first concept restaurant in the country that reshaped the whole dining scene. From then on, it became famous for its “tasteful and warm ambiance.”

Overcoming tragedy

When Café Adtriatico’s closed in December because of the fire that took out the second floor, many patrons felt a great sense of loss.

Ambas shared that as she was watching the fire consume her father’s beloved café, she knew that whether it was damaged slightly or severely, LJC would be determined to revive it again.

Lucky enough, Ambas said, the fire only destroyed the kitchen area of the second floor. Restoration included refurbishing the old moldings, details and furniture. They also repainted the café to be little brighter and made sure that the electrical system is properly installed.

As a whole, Café Adriatico looks the same as the original. LJC decided to do this in order to keep its famed old-world ambiance.

Unfortunately, the water that put the fire out damaged three of her grandfather’s paintings.  “Those were what we couldn’t replace.”


Good food

Artists, fashion designers, government officials, famous actors did not only love Café Adriatico for its ambience; they also flocked to the restaurant because of its delicious menu.

At the prelaunch, the all-time favorites were served to let everyone know that Café Adriatico’s taste lives on. Among them are the Lengua Estofada and Lola Ising’s Adobo Rice dishes, Claude’s Dream dessert, a cold confection of pandan jelly and young coconut milk on buffalo milk ice cream, and the classic Chocolate Eh! hot drink.

To offer old patrons and new diners alike with more delicious tastes, Café Adriatico’s executive chef Ninoy Aquino and corporate executive chef George Lizares are also in the process of creating a new menu that merges the classic favorites and new culinary creations. “Something for the patrons to watch out for,” said Ambas.


The legacy continues

Café Adriatico is the flagship restaurant of the LJC Group of Restaurants which include Bistro Remedios, Café Havana, Larry’s Café and Bar, Abé, Fely J’s Kitchen, Lorenzo’s Way, Abé’s Farm and La Mer Catering. And all these names carry Larry Cruz’s signature old-world ambience.

Every restaurant also carries the dining business formula that Cruz taught his daughter. “He always like to say that a dining experience is being able to have good food with great service in a tasteful ambience with reasonable pricing.”

She added it is her mission to stay true to this formula and keep his father’s legacy alive.  After all, the famous and beloved Larry Cruz worked so hard to make LJC grow. 

Café Adriatico is open everyday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. except Sundays. For inquiries and reservations call LJC Marketing Office at 522-0403.


*first published for The Manila Times. Read here.

Avon’s big, bold and beautiful 125th celebration

A toast to Avon's 125 years

Avon, global leader in direct-selling, marked another milestone as it reached its 125th year in the business in April. Here in the country, Avon Philippines celebrated its anniversary with the highly successful “Big, Bold, Beautiful Party.”

The occasion, held on April 28 at Parañaque’s trendy Republiq Club in Resorts World Manila, remembered Avon’ success stories and at the same time, revealed what’s in store for the company in the days to come.

The night shone bright as Avon’s biggest endorsers graced event. Present were Avon Fashions Style Ambassador Ruffa Guiterrez, Avon Color Ambassador Angel Locsin, Avon Color Creative Consultant Lala Flores and Anew Ambassador Lea Salonga.

Singer and actor Billy Crawford hosted the party together with Guitterez. Both Crawford and Salonga entertained the guests with their singing performances.

In full force too were Avon Philippines’ top executives and representatives.


Continued commitment
Avon’s history began in 1986 when it was founded as California Perfume Co. by David McConnell. The small town company had just one representative selling a single product.

Today, Avon is the biggest direct-selling company in the globe, with 6.5 million independent representatives selling products ranging from cosmetics, fragrances and skincare, to jewelry and accessories, to fashion apparel and lingerie.

Avon also became known as the company for women. Not only did it bring beauty and wellness straight to its consumers’ doors, but it also created jobs and earning opportunities for Avon ladies.

Avon's big celebrities- Ruffa Guiterrez, Lea Salonga and Angel Locsin with country president Mike Gudgin

And as its way of giving back, Avon established different charities and advocacies championing women’s causes.

Avon Philippines’ president and general Manager Mike Gudgin said during the event, “125 years—that is a heck of a long time. And you know, the amazing thing is it’s not just 125 years of business; it’s 125 years of making people beautiful. It’s 125 years of giving careers, skills, financial independence and empowerment for women.”

Gudgin assured that 125 years later, Avon will remain the company for women. 

Angel Locsin

Beautiful and new

The Big, Bold, Beautiful Party was highlighted by the introduction of the newest products under the Avon Color, Skincare, Intimate Apparel, Fashions and Jewelry and Accessories lines.

Salonga, Locsin and Flores took center stage as they confessed their personal faith in these products.

Salonga shared how Avon’s skincare breakthrough Anew 360° White Ultra UV Shield SPF50/PA+++ is the best protection against harsh ultraviolet rays. Locsin and Flores talked about Avon’s newest lipstick, the Ultra Moisture Rich Moisture Seduction that acts like a lip balm while still giving a bold lipstick color.

The party also featured a fashion show parading Avon’s latest in accessories, jewelries, lingerie and apparel.

Collections including Shimmer Sensation, Retro in the City, Plaid and Plenty, Blissful Moments and All That Blossoms paraded the runway. Models wore Avon’s trendy and sexy lingerie accessorized with earrings, necklaces, rings and watches. The runway show also included bags, wallets and shoes.

Ruffa Guiterrez

Upcoming exhibit

An important announcement for one of Avon’s advocacies, “Speak Out Against Domestic Violence,” was also revealed during the evening.

As part of 125th celebration, Avon will intensify its campaign against abuse and violence towards women. The company partners with top photographer Raymund Isaac, together with big names such as Boy Abunda, Amanda Griffin and Ruffa Gutierrez as subjects in a photo shoot that will focus on domestic violence.

On its 125^th year, Avon’s goal is to further encourage women to break the cycle of violence and speak out.

Avon is available through all Avon Representatives nationwide. For more information, call 864-AVON (2866) or visit www.avon.com.ph.


*first published for The Manila Times. Read here. 

Magbago na tayo

And so they say, change. How ironic this photo is! 

*Model: A good friend

Photography and editing by me. 

Of poems and stupidity

I suck at poems. And there I was, supposed to teach poetry for the Summer Art Workshop our youth organization is holding in our barangay. I smiled a hidden smile when I learned that my precious student won't be present. 

I was saved. I'm not quite sure how I'll teach poetry. I'll write poems that are usually emotionally driven and it's just that. Decent but nothing grand. But I read a good poem during my short stay in the workshop and I got inspired.

It always work for me, a good read equals a good desire to write. 

And so, I wrote a poem. 

***

The heat, the beat, they give me

plain headaches, so I bang my head

And use my hardened skull to crack the wall

But it's one barrier I can't destroy

I wonder where all this stubbornness comes from

Could one's brain be this twisted and digested

Trying so hard to break

What seems to you is a norm and a god

It's so bright but do you even 

see me as a ray of light

Once, twice, thrice, my favorite is fries

But none of it really matters

We can be just friends

With or without the benefits

But not more than what I ask for

'Coz what I want, I never got

***

Iambic pentameter, perfect rhyme, stanzas, alliteration, blah, blah blah. It's so hard!!! 

Time flies, I'm stagnant,

A new month is in, welcome May. And as I wrote in my journal last night--How times passes by soooo fast it feels as if its water running down your fingers or sand slipping your grip. 

At nights like these, it's just ain't right. You get, its unavoidable. The feeling that times leaves you behind while you stay stagnant. I need growth yes, I do. 

Last night, my cellphone got taken away by a man who is eaten by this society's disease. Poverty. I hate it, the idea that people gets helpless, hopeless, they do bad things to other just so they survive. 

What do I need? 

I have a good perspective in life. I'll always and forever remain a free-spirited happy soul. To find amusement in the silliest, smallest things. That's one life force I'll never let go. 

But I oughta be responsible. Like taking care of my personal things and personal feelings. And treasuring my work, that allows me to meet and talk to people with passion. And so, be more productive and skip all the crap (the laziness).

Love saves the world. But, PASSION saves one soul. 

And how randomly I'm talking.