Benilde’s ‘REX’ reimagines Sophocles’ Tragedy through Corruption and Political Dynasties in the Philippines

De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB), through its School of Arts, Culture and Performance (SACP), brings a contemporary Filipino adaptation of Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex to the stage with REX, running from November 12 to 22, 2026, at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Blackbox Theater in Circuit Makati.

Written by Palanca Hall of Famer and DLS-CSB Digital Film faculty member Joshua Lim So and directed by acclaimed theater director, set designer, and Theater Arts program chair Tuxqs Rutaquio, REX transforms the ancient Greek tragedy into a story that confronts pressing issues in Philippine society, including flood control failures, questionable public infrastructure, and political dynasties.

A Classic Tragedy Rooted in Philippine Realities
Set in the city of Tebes, REX follows the Po family and their construction company, St. Paul the Apostle Constructions, as torrential rains leave more than a hundred citizens dead. As the family struggles to protect its interests, long-buried truths begin to surface, revealing how corruption and the pursuit of power among those in leadership can lead to widespread suffering.

Instead of centering on a plague brought about by divine forces, the production examines the consequences of systemic corruption and failed public accountability. Through this contemporary retelling, REX connects the timeless themes of Sophocles’ tragedy with realities that continue to affect Filipino communities.

A Collaboration Across Benilde’s Creative Disciplines
Beyond its social commentary, REX highlights Benilde’s commitment to community-driven and socially relevant theater. The production brings together students, faculty members, alumni, and industry professionals, bridging academic disciplines such as Theater Arts, Production Design, Dance, Music Production, Multimedia Arts, Photography, and Creative Industries Management.

Its creative team includes movement designer Christine Crame of the Dance program; lighting designer Jose Joaquin Aranda of Theater Arts; sound designer and engineer TJ Martinez, a Music Production faculty member and alumnus; costume designer Phillip Domingo, a Production Design alumnus; and projection designer Ces Valera, a Production Design faculty member and alumna.

Leading the production team are project manager Baha Vergara, production manager Irene Romero, deputy production manager Hazel Gutierrez-Marges, marketing and promotions manager Erri Rojo, stage manager Kate Loreno, deputy stage manager Axl Fernandez, technical director Renz Sevilla, and assistant technical director Dexter Sy.

Through the combined work of its creative and production teams, REX demonstrates how classroom learning and collaboration across disciplines translate into professional theater practice.

Eula Valdez and Martin Del Rosario Reunite on Stage
Leading the ensemble are veteran actors Eula Valdez and Martin Del Rosario, who reunite on stage 12 years after both received Gawad Urian awards for their performances in the critically acclaimed independent film Dagitab (2014).

 

They are joined by professional actors Bong Cabrera, a member of the Benilde Theater Arts faculty; Sheryll Ceasico; Emilio Macabantad, a Theater Arts alumnus; and EJ Jallorina, a former Goin' Bulilit cast member.

Jallorina continues to champion authentic queer representation through a transgender woman character in the production, contributing to ongoing conversations about breaking stereotypes and creating more meaningful portrayals of LGBTQ+ characters in the performing arts.

EJ Jallorina

Together with student performers from Benilde’s BA Theater Arts program, the ensemble brings together emerging talent and experienced theater practitioners in a production that explores the human consequences of power, secrecy, and corruption.

Performance Schedule and Ticket Information
REX runs for approximately one hour and 45 minutes at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Blackbox Theater in Circuit Makati.

Performance dates: November 12–15 and November 19–22, 2026

Show schedule:
November 12: 7:00 PM (Opening and Press Night)
November 13: 7:00 PM (Gala Night)
November 14, 15, 21, and 22: 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM
November 19 and 20: 7:00 PM

The production has a total seating capacity of 300, with the following seating sections:
Trono ni Rex: VIP Center Elevated Bleachers
Tanaw ng Tebes: Front Floor Level
Sa Gilid ng Lihim: Side Seating

Tickets are open to the general public, as well as Benilde students, faculty, and alumni. They are available online through Ticket2Me.net.

Ticket claiming begins one hour before each performance, while theater doors open 30 minutes before showtime.

For updates on REX, other DLS-CSB theatrical productions, and institutional activities, follow Benilde Arts on Facebook at facebook.com/benildearts and Instagram at @benildearts.

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The Manila Hotel welcomes the Holiday Season with 30% Off Christmas Hampers

Christmas at The Manila Hotel comes with traditions of its own, and this year, the Grand Dame of the Philippines adds to the season with a selection of Christmas hampers filled with festive treats and keepsakes to bring home.

Available in two selections, the hampers bring together holiday favorites such as Fruit Cake, Santa Chocolate, and a bottle of red wine, alongside The Manila Hotel keepsakes and Willy the Bear collectibles. They make an easy choice for sharing at home, bringing to a holiday gathering, or sending to family, friends, and colleagues.

“Gift-giving is one of the things that makes the Christmas season special. With our Christmas hampers, we wanted to bring together some of the familiar flavors and keepsakes associated with The Manila Hotel. From the treats on the table to the little things we keep year after year, Christmas is very much about sharing. We hope these hampers become part of the meaningful moments that make the season special,” says Marvin Kim Tan, vice president for sales and marketing of The Manila Hotel.

From October 10 to November 20, 2026, guests can enjoy the Early Bird Offer of 30% off on the Christmas hampers.

The Deluxe hamper, priced at Php 3,211.60 nett, from the regular price of Php 4,588, comes with Fruit Cake, Fruit & Nut Chocolate Bar, Santa Chocolate, Banana Thins, a bottle of red wine, The Manila Hotel fan, and a mini Willy the Bear Paper Mâché.

The Premium hamper, priced at Php 5,311.60 nett, from the regular price of Php 7,588, offers a little more to unwrap, with Fruit Cake, Fruit & Nut Chocolate Bar, Santa Chocolate, Banana Thins, a bottle of red wine, The Manila Hotel fan, Regular Prestige Card, Willy the Bear Santa Stuffed Toy, and a Capiz Star Ornament.

With a mix of treats to share and keepsakes to enjoy beyond the holidays, the Christmas hampers bring a little of The Manila Hotel into the season of giving.

For orders and inquiries, guests may call +632 8527 0011 or +632 5301 5500 local 1125, email restaurantrsvn@themanilahotel.com, or visit www.manila-hotel.com.ph.

Orders may be picked up from November 20, 2026 to January 3, 2027. Terms and conditions apply. Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-269349 Series of 2026.

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TOPS ARTFEST 2026 invites artists to explore new perspectives in Plein Air Painting Competition

PERSPECTIVE PLAY challenges student and professional artists to interpret the landscape of TOPS through their own creative lens

A single place can hold countless stories, depending on who is looking. This October, Tops ArtFest 2026 invites student and professional artists to discover and express those stories through PERSPECTIVE PLAY, its 2026 Plein-Air Painting Competition.

Plein-air painting, the practice of creating artwork outdoors while engaging directly with the surrounding environment, encourages artists to look beyond what is immediately visible. Through PERSPECTIVE PLAY, participants are challenged to explore the relationship between observation, imagination, and interpretation, transforming the familiar landscape of TOPS into individual expressions of creativity.

Artists are invited to step outside the studio, engage with their surroundings, and translate their unique perspectives onto canvas or paper. The competition welcomes a range of styles, from realism to figurative abstraction, provided that identifiable figurative or representational elements are present.

The competition will take place at The Circle, TOPS, on October 23, 2026, with registration from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Participants may continue painting onsite until the following morning, subject to competition guidelines. Completed artworks must be submitted at Hostel Honeycomb during the designated submission periods on October 23 and 24.

The competition is open to both student and professional artists, with separate categories and medium requirements for each. Students may work in oil or acrylic on canvas, watercolor, or pastel, while professional participants are limited to oil or acrylic on canvas. All entries must be original works created onsite during the competition period. Purely abstract, non-figurative works, digital prints, mixed media, and other specified non-accepted formats will not be eligible.

Recognizing artistic excellence
The competition offers substantial cash prizes across both categories.

In the Student Category, the first-prize winner will receive ₱20,000, followed by ₱15,000 for second place and ₱10,000 for third place. Three Merit Awards of ₱5,000 each will also be presented.

In the Professional Category, the first-prize winner will receive ₱50,000, followed by ₱40,000 for second place and ₱30,000 for third place. Three Merit Awards of ₱15,000 each will also be awarded.

All prize recipients will receive certificates, while winners will also receive gift certificates from Art Caravan. Winning artworks will be exhibited during the Tops ArtFest 2026 Awards Night on October 25, providing audiences an opportunity to appreciate the artists' interpretations of the theme.

Art that invites a different way of seeing

Presented by the Cristina Lee Dino Foundation Inc. and the Sacred Heart School for Boys Batch ’85 Foundation, Tops ArtFest 2026 carries the theme Building and Breaking Norms, celebrating artistic expression that challenges conventions, opens new conversations, and encourages audiences to see the world differently.

Within this larger celebration, PERSPECTIVE PLAY offers artists an opportunity to engage with place as both subject and inspiration. By working directly within the landscape of TOPS, participants are encouraged to explore how individual experiences, choices, and ways of seeing can transform a shared environment into distinctly personal works of art.

Artists must register onsite, present a valid student ID when entering the Student Category, and comply with the prescribed artwork dimensions and submission deadlines. Late submissions will not be accepted. Entry claiming is scheduled for October 25, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and October 26, from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

For complete competition guidelines and requirements, interested participants are encouraged to refer to the official Tops ArtFest 2026 announcements.

Tops ArtFest 2026: Building and Breaking Norms runs from October 22 to 25, 2026, at TOPS, Cebu in partnership with Junyee, Nune Alvarado, TOPS, Montebello Hotel Cebu, Hostel Honeycomb, 2TinCans Philippines, Tops Media Center (TMC 105.1 FM), and Art+ Magazine.

Artists are invited to bring their materials, find their place in the landscape, and show the world as they see it. At PERSPECTIVE PLAY, every point of view becomes an opportunity to create.

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Beyond the Key: Smart Yale Home Pop-Up Booth heads to ACE Builders SM City Fairview with Dani Barretto, dropping massive 50% OFF Flash Promos

Yale Home Philippines steps into a new chapter this October 15–31 alongside lifestyle icon Dani Barretto, kicking off with a massive 50% OFF 1-day flash deal on October 15 and exclusive nationwide discounts running from October 16 to 31

Building on the momentum of its initial kickoffs in May and June, Yale Home Philippines partners with ACE Hardware Philippines to bring the next generation of smart security to ACE Builders in SM City Fairview, redefining modern home protection by stepping beyond the key. To highlight the real-world impact of keyless living, #MySmartYaleHome Ambassador Dani Barretto will join the October 15 event. As a lifestyle icon, founder of Wellness Whispers, host of chart-topping The Bare It All Podcast, and a hands-on mom, Dani will share how Yale’s smart solutions bring seamless convenience and complete peace of mind to her busy routine.

To celebrate this next chapter, Yale is dropping massive promos and exclusive rewards for ACE Hardware customers from October 15 to 31, giving homeowners the ultimate opportunity to upgrade their living spaces.

Exclusive Offers, Perks & Price Drop Deals
Enjoy 50% OFF for ONE DAY ONLY on October 15 at ACE Builders SM City Fairview!
Yale Luna Elite+: ₱33,749.50 (from ₱67,499)
Yale Uno: ₱9,999.50 (from ₱19,999.00)
Yale YDL325 Smart Lock (Square & Circle): ₱6,499.50 (from ₱12,999)
Yale Solis Safe 230L: ₱8,349.50 (from ₱16,699)
Yale Solis Safe 250: ₱8,649.50 (from ₱17,299)
Yale Solis Safe 400: ₱9,849.50 (from ₱19,699)
Yale Solis Safe 560: ₱11,949.50 (from ₱23,899)

If you miss the event day, you can still catch special introductory savings of up to 30% OFF on these exact featured products from October 16 to 31 across ACE Hardware stores nationwide.

Be First. Claim the Elite Experience
Be the very first to buy the flagship Yale Luna Elite+ on October 15 and get a FREE Yale Uno, on us.

Shop the Highest Single Receipt. Win Pro-Level Luxury.

The top single-receipt buyer from October 15-31 takes home the Yale Luna Pro+.

Go Elite for the Ultimate Upgrade

30% OFF on Yale Luna Elite+ for ₱47,249.30 (from ₱67,499) PLUS a FREE Yale Smart Outdoor Camera with FREE installation within Metro Manila.

Your Easy Switch to Smart Living

30% OFF on Yale Uno for ₱13,999.30 (from ₱19,999) with FREE installation within Metro Manila.

Smart Access, Shaped for Your Style

30% OFF on Yale YDL325 Circle or Square for ₱9,099.30 (from ₱12,999) with FREE installation within Metro Manila.

Seamless Protection for Your Valuables

30% OFF on Yale Solis Safes
230L for ₱11,689.30 (from ₱16,699)
250 for ₱12,109.30 (from ₱17,299)
400 for ₱13,789.30 (from ₱19,699)
560 for ₱16,729.30 (from ₱23,899),
PLUS a FREE Yale VCA5127 Cylindrical Knobset.

Don't miss your chance to experience keyless convenience firsthand—visit the Smart Yale Home Pop-Up Booth at ACE Builders SM City Fairview starting October 15 to 31, step beyond the key, and discover the next generation of smart home living.

Unlock Real Life Security. Upgrade to a Smart Yale Home.

Join the conversation using #YaleHomePhilippines #TrustedEveryDay #MySmartYaleHome #ASSAABLOYPH #ACEHardwarePH

For more information, visit and follow Yale Home Philippines on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. You can also follow ACE Hardware Philippines on: Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

 
DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-269336 Series of 2026
DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-269367 Series of 2026

About Yale Philippines

For your home. For what you love. For you.

Trusted every day since 1840, millions of families have relied on Yale to keep the things that matter most—their homes, loved ones, and belongings—safe, connected, and protected. As part of ASSA ABLOY, the world’s leading provider of access solutions, Yale Philippines delivers a smarter way to protect your home, bringing intuitive, connected security right to where life happens.
Offering a complete lineup of smart locks, safes, and hardware engineered for real life—so you can protect what matters wherever you are, whenever you want—Yale brings smart security so seamless it takes care of itself. Yale Philippines is committed to helping Filipino families build safer, smarter, and worry-free home sanctuaries with true peace of mind.

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The Manila Hotel’s Art Gallery Showcases Lander Blanza’s “Prominence”

The Manila Hotel’s Art Gallery presents Prominence: A Visual Break from the Norm, the 12th solo exhibition of Filipino multidimensional artist Lander Blanza.

 

The month-long exhibition brings together Blanza’s distinctive approach to tone, depth, balance, and texture, offering a collection of works that invite a closer look. His use of tonal manipulation gives each piece a sense of dimension and movement, creating a visual experience that is both striking and contemplative.

Prominence features several of Blanza’s notable series, each exploring a different visual language. His Abundance series draws from ideas of wealth and prosperity, while Big Catch looks into the richness of nature and its seemingly endless bounty. The Ridge series turns to the landscape, translating dramatic mountain formations into atmospheric compositions.

The exhibition also extends beyond the canvas with Blanza’s brass sculptures. Works from his Bonsai, Lucky Bamboo, and Money Tree series combine intricate craftsmanship with familiar symbols associated with beauty, harmony, growth, and fortune.

 

With solo exhibitions previously presented in Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, London, Italy, and Singapore, Blanza brings an international perspective to The Manila Hotel’s Art Gallery.

“We are honored to host Lander Blanza’s Prominence exhibition at the Art Gallery. The exhibit offers our guests an opportunity to discover and engage with his art, while continuing the hotel’s commitment to providing space for Philippine art and culture,” said Marvin Kim Tan, vice president for sales and marketing of The Manila Hotel.

Prominence: A Visual Break from the Norm is on display at the Art Gallery of The Manila Hotel unti October 31, 2026. Admission is free.

For more information, please contact +632 85270011 or +632 53015500, email info@themanilahotel.com, or visit www.manila-hotel.com.ph.

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PascualLab keeps the Galing going at 80

Continuing its year-long 80th-anniversary milestone, PascualLab highlights the galing that has shaped its legacy and continues to drive its commitment to everyday health and wellness solutions for Filipinos

Eight decades after its founding, Pascual Laboratories, Inc. (PascualLab) ❶, continues to evolve alongside Filipino families, introducing family-friendly health and wellness products that address changing consumer needs, while remaining rooted in the values of quality, care and malasakit.

Founded in 1946 by Isosceles and Leonora Pascual to address the post-war needs of Filipinos, PascualLab has grown from a family-founded enterprise into the company behind household brands such as: Ascorbic Acid (Poten-Cee), Vitex negundo L. Lagundi Leaf (Ascof Lagundi), C-Lium Fibre, and OraCare Mouthrinse. Guided by its vision of Strong, Healthy Families, PascualLab continues to mark its 80th anniversary with the #GalingThatKeepsGoing, a theme that honors its heritage, reflects its purpose, and celebrates the Filipino excellence carrying it into the future.

 

Galing (Healing)
Over time, the health and wellness needs of many Filipinos have changed. This 2026, PascualLab continues to evolve alongside them, offering new health products and innovations designed to make everyday wellness relevant and accessible to every Filipino family.

These include the launch of MyColla-C, a premium Collagen + Vitamin C support for those in their mid-30s and 40s as they embrace their next brightest chapter; and Paracetamol + Vitamin B1 + Vitamin B6 + Vitamin B12 (Alevia-B) for triple action relief of mild to moderate muscle, joint, and nerve pain.

The company also relaunched its Poten-Cee Gummies, Ascorbic Acid in a yummy, gummy format to support the Vitamin C needs of young members of the family;and Pelargonium sidoides DC. Root (PELARGO), a natural option for relief from the common cold.

Galing (Excellence)

Behind these innovations is the galing of PascualLab’s people -- professionals whose expertise, commitment and malasakit continue to move the company forward.

For PascualLab, however, excellence is not only about creating innovative and relevant health products – it's also about making them accessible and affordable. In celebration of its 80th year, the company also offered Php 80 off selected products through one of the country’s top drugstores, as a gesture of gratitude for the many years of continued trust and support.

Galing (Roots)
Through it all, PascualLab is inspired by its vision of Strong Healthy Families while remaining rooted in the spirit of care or malasakit upon which its founders built the company.

As it celebrates its 80th this 2026, it celebrates a legacy founded on quality and care – and looks ahead to a future of stronger, healthier Filipino families. That is the #GalingThatKeepsGoing.

For more information, follow us at https://linktr.ee/pascuallaboratories

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TEATRO Lasalliana stages four Filipino one-act plays this October

TEATRO Lasalliana brings four Filipino one-act plays to the stage this October with BOKYA: Mga Piling Dula para sa mga Taya, a collection of plays exploring love, misinformation, cultural memory, and family through stories that every Filipino will end up relating to.

Running from October 28 to 30, the production features Ganito ang Pinangarap Kong Kasal, Pilipinas Kong Mahal with All the Overcoat, Ang Awit ng Dalagang Marmol, and ’Nay, May Dala Akong Pansit.

The title draws from Bokya, a Filipino term associated with losing a bet or coming away empty-handed. Taking inspiration from Filipino variety and game shows, Bokya aims to explore stories that leave you feeling empty-handed, but at the same time, content.

In Ganito ang Pinangarap Kong Kasal, Eljay Castro Deldoc explores love, friendship, and the expectations surrounding marriage through France, Kris, and Noel. The play examines the gap between the life people dream of and the lives they are expected to live.

Deldoc's Pilipinas Kong Mahal with All the Overcoat shifts the focus to the production and manipulation of information. The play follows Ambet and Nato, operators of an online publication whose pursuit of viral content becomes complicated when clients ask them to rewrite historical narratives, bringing questions of misinformation and historical revisionism to the stage.

Ang Awit ng Dalagang Marmol, written by Andrew Estacio and directed by Nazer Salcedo, looks at the stories embedded within art and cultural memory. As artists reinterpret a familiar cultural work, they encounter a history that challenges what they thought they knew.

Completing the lineup is ’Nay, May Dala Akong Pansit by Juan Ekis, an absurd and darkly comic story about two siblings attempting to prevent their mother's death. Beneath its humor is a familiar question: if you knew what was coming, could you change the ending?

Founded in 1988, TEATRO Lasalliana is the theater organization of De La Salle University–Dasmariñas and a member of its Performing Arts Group. Under the direction of Nazer D. Salcedo and guided by its motto, “Go for Truth,” the organization has spent more than three decades developing student artists and producing Filipino theater both onstage and behind the scenes.

Its recent productions have also explored different forms of performance, from The Wounds Remain: A Memoir of Martial Law in 2025, which examined Filipino experiences during Martial Law, to Can’t DRAG Me Down: Queens for a Cause in 2026, the university’s first-ever drag concert and fundraising event featuring student drag houses from across Luzon.

With BOKYA, TEATRO Lasalliana returns to a collection of Filipino stories that move between comedy and drama, the personal and the historical, and the familiar and the unexpected.

For more details and tickets, visit the Teatro Lasalliana Facebook and Instagram pages.

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MSO Music Academy opens new home at One Ayala

The Manila Symphony Orchestra officially opened the new home of the MSO Music Academy at One Ayala last October 6, 2026.

The new space was blessed by Fr. Benny Tuazon of Manila Bahay Pari, San Carlos Seminary, followed by the ribbon cutting by MSO Foundation President Ms. Maan Hontiveros, Standard Insurance Representative Ms. Marife M. Pineda, and the One Ayala General Manager Mr. Khen Akot.

The studio was graced by the presence of Standard Insurance Group Chair Mr. Judes Echauz, the MSO Music Academy teachers and MSO administrative staff, and members of the MSO press family. The occasion brought together students, faculty, families, and members of the MSO community in celebration of MSOMA’s continued commitment to providing quality music education and meaningful performance opportunities for young musicians.

Adding to the celebration was a special mini-recital featuring MSO Music Academy students and faculty. The program included Paganini’s Cantabile, performed by Sara Maria Gonzales (violin) and Amansinaya Añonuevo (guitar); Katakataka for piano four hands, arranged by Augusto Espino, performed by students Julia Reanna Aquino and Endrei Joashu Lejano; Giordani’s Caro Mio Ben, performed by young soprano Eina Lejano with Jeremiah Valenzuela on piano; Willy Cruz’s Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas, arranged by Jeffrey Solares, performed by Dione Lhorrell Reyes (violin) with Jeremiah Valenzuela (piano); Vivaldi’s Summer Storm from The Four Seasons, performed by David Llandino with the MSO academy strings faculty; and Vivaldi’s Concerto for Two Violins in A Minor, featuring students Eliana Mariano and Lois Quitane as soloists. The program concluded with From the Start by Spencer Stuart/Laufey, performed by the string ensemble in celebration of the grant given by The Laufey Foundation to the MSO Foundation.

Aside from MSO’s existing studio at Ayala Malls Circuit, Makati, this new space gives the academy a permanent home where children, teens, and adults can learn music, develop their skills, prepare for performances and competitions, take part in its scholarship programs, or simply enjoy the joy of music-making.

The academy has six regular studios, each equipped with a piano, for lessons in voice, piano, violin, viola, cello, guitar, flute, trumpet, saxophone, harp, and other instruments. A larger studio is also available for group lessons, workshops, masterclasses, and small recitals.

The new branch in One Ayala was made possible by the generous support of Standard Insurance and Mr. Ernesto Echauz, who fully funded its construction. The pianos for the studios were generously provided by Mr. Christopher Varlez of Varlez Pianos. The MSO is especially grateful to One Ayala and Ms. Mariana Zobel Aboitiz for welcoming the Academy into their home, with the aid of MSO Trustee Mr. John Silva.

Music education remains an important part of the MSO’s work. The MSO Music Academy also continues to support its teachers through professional development, including Suzuki teacher training programs locally and internationally. By supporting both teachers and students, the Academy hopes to provide a meaningful learning experience for every learner who comes through its doors.

Today, the doors of the new academy in One Ayala are open. MSO looks forward to seeing the studios filled with God-given talents, friendships, and many new beginnings. With its new home, MSO hopes to welcome more families and learners into music education.

ACADEMY CONTACT INFORMATION:
Ms. Kaye Sison
09164087549
msomusicacademy@gmail.com
Follow MSO Music Academy on Facebook and Instagram

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Spook-tacular street parties and more in store for Hong Kong’s first-ever Halloween Month

Spook-tacular street parties and more in store for Hong Kong’s first-ever Halloween Month

For Filipino travelers looking for a reason to travel to Hong Kong this season, this is your sign. For the first time, Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) is bringing “Hong Kong Halloween Month,” to the streets, with major districts across the city gearing up for the spooky season every Saturday from October 17 to 31.

With the theme “Make the Streets Your Runway,” the city-wide celebration invites both visitors and locals to dress up and take their Halloween looks beyond the theme parks and straight into the streets.

Join the city’s largest Halloween Cosplay Street Party for a scary good time

In Central, Pinoy art fans can enjoy large-scale, Halloween-themed installations like giant eyeballs, a mysterious gateway, and a haunted jail. There will also be an outdoor music party and a family carnival so parents can take their kids on a spooky night out on the town. Pet parents will be sure to enjoy the Kai Tak Sports Park Halloween Party, with pet photo spots, neon lighting installations, and live busking performances.

Monster flash mobs, roaming cosplayers in full Halloween regalia, and DJ performances are what await at the Only in LKF! Halloween Cosplay Party @LKF Monster Mash, featuring three major themed cosplay street celebrations: “Monster DJ Night”, “Wizard Block Party”, and “Monsters Night.”

For Filipino travellers craving a big city photo moment and a sweet treat, you can’t miss the Next Stop, Mong Kok! Langham Place Halloween Street Party. Here, you can find the iconic red Hong Kong minibus transformed into the “Mong Kok Haunted MiniBus” installation, along with themed snacks and limited-edition desserts to keep your energy going.

Make sure to put on your dancing shoes for the TST East Halloween beats party where you can find local and international DJs spinning some scarily good tunes set against the backdrop of the iconic Victoria Harbor.

Fun frights and themed nights at major city theme parks

Hong Kong’s two theme parks are also rolling out their signature Halloween events to attract Filipino families. Hong Kong Disneyland Resort’s “Disney Halloween Time” transforms the park into an ultimate Halloween destination. You can enjoy the park’s line-up of entertainment offerings, including the all-new musical celebration “Mickey’s Happy Halloween Adventure,” a grander “Uninvited! A Villains Takeover Party,” award-winning musical “Let’s Get Wicked,” and with a variety of themed food and beverages, merchandise, and Trick-or-Treat experiences.

Ocean Park Hong Kong’s will also be hosting its annual “Halloween Fest,” with four thrilling scare experiences and a packed line-up of unmissable Halloween entertainment. Highlights include a landmark collaboration with “Under the Castle”, an original intellectual property (IP) created by internationally renowned artist Jackson Wang, delivering an immersive, multi-sensory horror experience. The themed dining experiences, limited-edition merch, and interactive activities also cannot be missed.

Get Free Rides Just by Dressing Up

Dressing up in your best Halloween costume will also get you to places—for free. Bust out your most creative costumes and enjoy free rides on the iconic Ding Ding Tram and Citybus’ Halloween-themed, open-top sightseeing bus route on October 17, 24, and 31. The open-top sightseeing bus will stop at all five street party locations to make sure you don’t miss out on any of the fun and Hong Kong Tramways’ Ding Ding Tram will be available to the public between Causeway bay and Sheung Wan (Western Market).

For more information, visit Discover Hong Kong.

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Behind the fiesta lies a dying nation: Dulaang UP reimagines Rizal’s Noli Me Tángere

From a traditional period piece to a lively, ritualistic cycle of life, death, and societal spectacle, Dulaang Unibersidad ng Pilipinas (Dulaang UP) divides José Rizal’s narrative of Noli Me Tángere’s (Noli) into two stark visual and emotional realms: the chaotic, enforced joy of public festivities (fiestas) and the silent, haunting truth of systemic decline and death (muertos). This dichotomy reflects the societal ailment of Spanish-colonial San Diego, where opulent religious celebrations are exploited by the ruling class to conceal extreme poverty, corruption, and psychological harm.

Fiestas y Muertos is a performatively grand display of abundance and piety, dissolving the strict hierarchy of church liturgy into a vibrant, energetic celebration of community and survival. Characters are transformed from mere historical figures into enduring mythical symbols of survival and sacrifice caught within a collapsing colonial system.

Filling the streets of San Diego is a cast of old and new friends of Dulaang UP, led by Jerom Canlas who puts a face on the familiar name of Crisostomo Ibarra, with Justine Peña playing the adored Maria Clara. The wise Pilosopo Tasyo, renamed Inay Dorang, is Peewee O’hara. The fugitive Elias is played by Ross Pesigan with the dutiful Salome given breath by Elora Españo. Joseph Pe is the sinister Padre Salvi with Jojo Cayabyab as the corrupt and prejudiced Padre Damaso. Iris Montesclaros as a long-suffering Sisa with her children, Quiel Campo and Daphne Galang, as Basilio and Crispin, respectively.

 

 

Fiestas y Muertos is directed by José Estrella and adapted by Andrew Estacio based on and inspired by the Filipino translation of José Rizal’s Noli me Tangere by National Artist Virgilio S. Almario. Together with Estrella and Estacio in the artistic team are Sir Anril Tiatco and Jem Javier (Dramaturgy and Additional Lines), Charles Yee (Set and Props), Carlos Siongco (Costume), Angel Dayao (Sound and Original Music), Barbie Tan-Tiongco (Lights), Joyce Garcia (Video), Al Garcia (Movement), Mykee Ababon (Technical Direction), and Aji Manalo (Sound Engineering).

In staging this production, the company probes the question: which corrupt structures, institutions, and illusions must be abolished to enable real social liberation?

Fiestas y Muertos will run from October 23 to November 15, 2026 at the IBG-KAL Theatre, UP Diliman. See the standard ticket prices below:

Ticket Type
Regular PHP 1,200
UP Community PHP 690 (Undergraduate/Graduate Students and Employees)
*Valid only for Friday shows
PWD/Senior Citizen/UP Alumni/Non-UP Student PHP 960

Show Schedule:
Fridays
October 23, November 13
7:00 PM

Saturdays and Sundays
October 24 and 25, November 8, 14, and 15

2:00 PM and 7:00 PM

For block reservations, showbuying, and early ticket inquiries, contact the Dulaang UP Marketing Team at dulaangup.marketing.upd@up.edu.ph or follow Dulaang UP’s official social media pages for updates.
Meta: facebook.com/DulaangUnibersidadNgPilipinas/
Instagram: instagram.com/dulaang_up/
TikTok: tiktok.com/@dulaang_up

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