Artists celebrate La Casa De Papel with paper art

I received a La Casa De Papel kit last week in preparation for Part 5 Vol 1 of the show that aired September 3 and it includes an origami kit named after the Professor. I don't have much skills in origami or paper cutting of some sort but a few artists, in partnership with Netflix, created great art with the materials inspired of course by the show.

Patrick Cabral

First was this paper mansion from Patrick Cabral with intricate borders and detailed windows for the Royal Mint. He describes it as "The embodiment of the enemy. The corrupt system. I like the juxtaposition of something so powerful with something fragile like paper."

John Ed De Vera

Next is this artwork entitled Plan Chernobyl from John Ed De Vera. He uses the symbolism of the blimp that was used (to release 140 million Euros over Madrid) as a distraction in Part 3, while the Dali Mask, as we all know, has become an iconic symbol of resistance that has inspired a lot of people to fight with the Professor and the team. The red money coming out of the blimp forms the jumpsuit holding the blimp. The overall visual imagery is my personal homage to surrealism.

Mansy Abesamis

This intricate Dali mask with the lyrics of Bella Ciao is made by Mansy Abesamis. He says, "Bella Ciao is the gang’s battle cry! It unites and makes them stronger as a unit. They’re able to overcome every challenge, every twist, every dead end because of this. And this is even reinforced by the Dali mask and the red jumpsuit – a symbol of resistance against the system. It’s also a great equalizer. It’s a reminder that the thieves and hostages actually want the same thing – to be free from the system." to describe his work. He also created a Bank of Spain paper art.

Lastly, Sarjit Singh created two pieces - The first is the Professor’s red origami bird, which has played a big role in the show from the very beginning. He, as a lover of Origami artwork, was so happy to see it featured so prominently in such a popular show, and he hopes it inspired many others to try Origami themselves.

Sarjit Singh

The second is Inspector Alicia Sierra’s teddy bear from Part 3, which she strategically used to take down Nairobi because it belonged to her son.

Vol 2 of Part 5 of La Casa De Papel will be streamed only on Netflix this December.

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MOVIE REVIEW - Cinderella (2021)

We have seen a lot of adaptations of the fairy tale Cinderella and Amazon Prime's version takes us into a surprise. The movie that was released in the streaming app on September 3 not just gave us a dose of magic that we needed, but it livened up the senses for a musical production with a modern twist.

The start already sets the mood for a good musical with Rhythm Nation cover by the ensembles. While some songs have a pop-py arrangement like Somebody to Love, Material Girl, and more, 2 original songs are also great to hear with their unique melodies. But I'm so thankful that they stopped Pierce Brosnan to belt a tune -- which I think is an inside joke here.

Cinderella stars Camila Cabello in the title role but instead of the character that we are accustomed to, this girl has her dreams. Think about having the skills and won't really need a man and she knows how to rely on her own. Idina Menzel playing the stepmother is somewhat likable and not too mean compared to Cate Blanchett's Lady Tremaine. Media favorite Billy Porter gave his entertaining portrayal of the rather fierce fairy godmother as the Fab Godmother. Prince Robert (Nicholas Galitzine) on the other hand, while belts out good tunes for his songs, comes as either the one being saved here. It was a very different approach on the characters by Kay Cannon which main aim is to entertain.

Nicholas Galitzine and Camila Cabello

Charlotte Spencer, Idina Menzel and Maddie Baillio

Overall, Cinderella's beguiling show also sets some underlying themes if you assess it deeper. Women making their choices, being strong and wiser could deserve a nod for many audience.

Cinderella is now streaming in Amazon Prime.

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First trailer of Netflix's Red Notice

After the first look in July, Netflix has released the first trailer of Red Notice featuring Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds and Gal Gadot in a action-heist movie.

In the Red Notice, FBI issues a red notice in search of the world's most wanted and John Hartley (Dwayne Johnson), the top profiler gets on the case. He is forced to team up with the world's greatest art thief Nolan Boothe (Ryan Reynolds) to hunt for the most wanted art thief The Bishop (Gal Gadot). The high-flying adventure that ensues takes the trio around the world, across the dance floor, trapped in a secluded prison, into the jungle, and worst of all for them, constantly into each other’s company. Watch the trailer below.

John Hartley (Dwayne Johnson)

Nolan Booth (Ryan Reynolds)

The Bishop (Gal Gadot)

The all-star cast is joined by Ritu Arya and Chris Diamantopolous. Directed and written by Rawson Marshall Thurber (Central Intelligence, Skyscraper) and produced by Hiram Garcia, Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia of Seven Bucks Productions, Beau Flynn’s Flynn Picture Co. and Thurber’s Bad Version, Inc., Red Notice is a stylish globe-trotting game of cat-and-mouse (and cat) to be released this November.

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No child's play in Squid Game

What would you do for 45.6 billion won (1.9T PHP)? In the new Netflix series Squid Game, you will literally risk your life. The trailer and ensemble poster give us a hint on this exciting story.

If you're into some gruesome stuff with a combination of The Hunger Games and The Platform, we might like the Squid Game. With its society and capitalist themes mixed with our innocent child games, I can already envision that this will be a top hit. Watch the intriguing trailer below:

Squid Game is directed and written by Hwang Dong-hyuk.  Starring Lee Jung-jae, Park Hae-soo, Oh Young-soo, Wi Ha-Jun, Jung Ho-yeon, Heo Sung-tae, Tripathi Anupam, Kim Joo-ryoung, and more. Schedule for release on September 17.

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Dito at Doon premieres on Netflix today

From the director of I'm Drunk, I Love You and producers of Heneral Luna, Janine Gutierrez and JC Santos star in pandemic-themed movie by Jaime Habac, Jr entitled Dito at Doon. The movie makes its global premiere on Netflix today, September 3.

In Dito at Doon, Gutierrez plays Len who gets into a heated argument with Caloy (Santos). Their different backgrounds found online romance in the midst of a pandemic. Cast includes Victor Anastacio, Lotlot de Leon, AJ Sison, Yesh Burce and Shyr Valdes.

Written by Alex Gonzales and Kristin Parreno Barrameda for TBA Studios and WASD Films.

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This September on Netflix

Hey-yo! The -ber months are here and we're unwrapping the gifts early from Netflix. Great movies and series will be on their way as we begin the longest Christmas season in the world.

La Casa De Papel, Season 5 Vol 1 - September 3

The last seasons of La Casa de Papel (Money Heist) and Lucifer are coming, also great Filipino productions that we all love while they were airing on TV like Pangako Sa'yo and The General's Daughter. Here is the list of programs we will all watch out for:

September 1 - The Great Raid

September 2 - Dito at Doon, Afterlife of the Party, Q-Force

September 3 - La Casa De Papel

September 7 - On the Verge, Octonauts: Above and Beyond, Kid Cosmic: Season 2

September 8 - Into the Night: Season 2

September 10 - Kate, Lucifer: The Final Season, Pangako Sayo: Season 1

Pangako Sa'Yo

September 14 - You VS Wild: Out Cold

September 15 - Nightbooks, I'm Drunk, I Love You

September 16 - He-Man and the Masters of the Universe

September 17 - The General's Daughter: Season 1, Sex Education: Season 3, Squid Game

Squid Game

September 22 - Intrusion

September 24 - Midnight Mass, The Starling, My Little Pony: A New Generation

September 28 - Ada Twist, Scientist

September 29 - No One Gets Out Alive

Coming Soon - Bangkok Breaking

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Philippine Guild of Watercolorists hold convention titled "Hues of Hope"

Since 2016, the Philippine Guild of Watercolorists holds an annual convention where they provide an exposition of the works of passionate artists through watercolor as a medium, and aims to empower its members with new techniques, spread joy to the community, and inspire aspirations by telling stories through art.

This year, they, as ambassadors of hope, will paint the most aspiring colors through an exhibition entitled, Hues of Hope.

The Annual Members Juried Exhibit had 93 participants in total and was sent to International Artist Jurors. Of the 93, 55 members were accepted for the exhibition and will be launched this September 2, 2pm at the LRI Design Plaza gallery. The paintings were screened by the following jurors from here and participating countries including NCCA Haligi ng Dangal Awardee Ferdie Isleta, Cid Reyes (DLSU-PH), Eudes Correia (BR), Zeze Lai (HK), and Prafull Sawant (IND).

The convention will consist of a month-long series of virtual activities and demos from renowned artists from the local and international art community. It is open to members of the Philippine Guild of Watercolorists and non-members for a minimal fee.

Demonstrations will be conducted by the following watercolor artists -- Art Cunanan, Jayson Yeoh, Sterkhov Konstantin, Sandy Allnock, Yuko Nagayama, Dan Macapugay, Doc Alvin De Jesus, Emman Silva, Gerardo Jimenez, Gilbert Miraflor, Jen Consumido, Uhky-uhky Estremos, Dino Dante Pajao, and Pinky Peralta.

The convention can be also accessed via an exclusive Facebook Group where the virtual demos and activities will be streamed live. Should an attendee wish to view the demos at a much later time, the videos will remain in the Facebook Group for as long as the convention duration but for an additional fee, they will have a lifetime access to the videos. The convention will run from September 2 up to September 30, 2021.

The event is sponsored by the NCCA, LRI Design Plaza, Giftbox Inc, Pulp & Pigment, DE's Artroom, Play Crafts and Prestige Paper Products.

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Native and locally-made home decor from Kultura

The Philippines is a melting pot of culture, artistry, and ingenuity which can also be found in home furniture and decoration. From all parts of the country from North to South, Filipino's hard work and creativity are manifested.

Handcrafted baskets by the local artisans of Bicol and La Union… elegant dinnerware by the master woodworkers of Pampanga… and exquisite nito baskets that celebrate the unique art form of the Mangyan of Mindoro.

Gifts from Philippine fields and forests- bamboo, acacia, abaca, rattan, and nito - are transformed into creative pieces in Kultura’s latest houseware collection, adding warmth and lightness to your home décor.

This comes at a time when natural materials like rattan and wicker are having their moment as a major interior design trend. And innovative global furniture companies are reinventing these in new ways – think IKEA’s rattan pouf, West Elm’s luxurious accent chairs, H&M’s bounty of baskets. Suddenly, homespun is hot, folklore is fun, traditional is trending, and rustic makes raves.

Get ready to weave Kultura’s natural wonders into your home.

With their intricate weaves, textures, and natural beauty, Kultura’s multi-functional baskets will elevate any space. Whether used as storage solutions, planters, and décor, these baskets’ neutral colors can easily blend and will add warmth to any space.

 

Stylish acacia wood dining accessories, on the other hand, make your tables more inviting. Handcrafted trays made out of coco wood, capiz, and mahogany also highlight great entertaining with style.

There are also gifts from our coastal waters - hanging seagrass accents that can be used as pendant lights for your dining area. Flourishing in underwater meadows that resemble grassy fields, seagrass, or water hyacinth has an artisanal aesthetic and have been trending because of their durability.

Let's Support Local together! Kultura’s products for the home are handcrafted by artisanal communities all over the Philippines. Customers can now buy these well-loved home items without needing to travel to these places. Help preserve crafts and traditions and sustain these communities by providing them with opportunities for livelihood.

The Home Collection is available at Kultura Stores. You can also shop thru our website: www.kulturafilipino.com or thru Call to Deliver 0917-5174096. Kultura ships here and abroad.

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Vouchers, deals and rewards from SM Deals

Now that shopping has gone full-blown online, don't miss exciting deals with just a tap of a button. Here are some of the exciting deals I found in SM Deals app which you can also download from Google Play Store or AppStore.

Shop to your favorite brands in fashion, beauty, tech, home improvement, and even dining vouchers are also available in SM Deals. You can also get rewards when you use your China Bank credit card. See the partial list here.

All you have to do is simply download the SM Malls Online app at the App Store or Google Play store then create an account and register. Next, simply type in your delivery address location, select your preferred participating mall and you can now begin shopping exciting deals and enjoy more savings.

SM Deals is one of the many exciting shopping promos at SM. Shop, save, and be thrilled — #ItsADealAtSM!

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The TB battle

Something came over the mail today and I thank J&J Philippines for this care package. The lung pillows are so cute and it's made by Gawad Kalinga mothers to raise awareness about TB and how to fight it.

Little of you may know that I experienced TB (tuberculosis) years before and I think it's about time to share how I overcame this battle.

It was in early 2018 that I experienced fever that comes and goes, there were also times that I cannot sleep because of incessant coughing. I tried taking cough meds and paracetamol for cough but it continued for about 3 months. Then I decided to finally consult a physician.

I had some tests and it was found that I had TB (tuberculosis) in my sputum. I was not sure how I got it but the doctor advised me to take medications of Quadmax while monitoring my sputum monthly. I went to our city's health center so I can have my medicine for free. It was hard for the first months as I still had back pains, sometimes difficulty in breathing however, the coughing went a bit relieved. A few tolerable allergies manifested that I had to endure because it was just the side effects of the medicine. This continued while I was taking the medicine and glad there had been some improvements. In the last phase of my treatment, (the treatment went for 6 months) they gave me Duomax because they found that my body is improving against TB. I was religiously taking the meds accompanied by light exercise and healthy diet. This journey also worried my family because they have been exposed but thankful they are negative about that. The sad part was I had to isolate myself for very long.

After 6 months, I'm finally clear! I'm so grateful to my physician and the city health officers for assisting with this battle. I regained my lost weight, having better sleep, and had no more worries. I am also glad that I was able to see the world again but more cautious now.

I encourage everyone if you know someone who might be experiencing this, to be their support and never let them feel be lonely. TB sometimes kills due to depression or lack of emotional support. TB should be addressed in the early stages and don't be afraid to go to the doctor. The government already has programs against it so you can have your medicines for free.

The Philippines is one of the 30 countries that contribute to the population of TB patients in the world. 

 - World Health Organization

We must all be aware of our status and again, encourage people to reach out to the TB-DOTS health centers nearest you. You can find them here: https://medicalpinas.com/list-of-tb-dots-centers-near-you/

I am thankful for J&J Philippines for sending this care package today and this helped me open up about my case before and share my journey in fighting TB.

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