EDEN - a new Netflix animated original series

This looks interesting. A new Netflix animated original series will be streaming starting May 27th.

Thousands of years in the future, a city known as “Eden” is inhabited solely by Artificially Intelligent robots whose former masters vanished long ago. On a routine assignment, within the depths of the city, two maintenance robots accidentally awaken a human baby girl from stasis questioning all they were taught to believe -- Watch the trailer below:

   

Eden is featuring the voices of Ruby Rose Turner (Sara), David Tennant (E92), Rosario Dawson (A37), JP Karliak (S566), Neil Patrick Harris (Zero), Cassandra Lee Morris (Zurich), and Julie Nathanson (Geneva) for the English dub. It is created by Justin Leach (Innocence) who also serves as producer, revered Taiwanese animation studio CGCG, with Yasuhiro Irie (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood) responsible for director, music by Kevin Penkin and international creators.

 

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The Body Shop marks 25 beautiful years in the Philippines

British beauty brand The Body Shop marks another beautiful milestone as it celebrates its 25th anniversary in the Philippines. The brand, which introduced cruelty-free and nature-inspired skincare and bath and body treats to Filipinos when it first opened its doors on May 16, 1996 at SM Southmall, now has over 60 standalone stores, and is in 10 The SM Stores all over the country.

The first The Body Shop store (1996) in SM Southmall

The Body Shop is more than a beauty brand – promoting environmental activism like its counterparts all over the world, Body Shop Philippines has participated in many campaigns which promote real change. With the support of its customers, help was extended to The Philippine Eagle Foundation in 2018, Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation in 2019 and to SM Foundation for the typhoon victims in 2020.

Philippine Eagle Foundation

Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation

The Body Shop will be delighting everyone with amazing offers and promotions for the entire month of May in celebration of their 25th anniversary. The Filipina’s most loved Lip and Cheek Stain which was first launched in the Philippines will be going to its old price at 395 during the anniversary month. On top of that, The Body Shop’s most loved products over the years such as Tea Tree range, Drops of Youth™ range and White Musk® fragrance collection will be offered at 25% OFF. There will also be weekly offers to watch out for so you can stock up on your favorite skincare and bath and body treats.

Don’t miss out on the grand 25th anniversary sale and explore cruelty-free beauty. Visit their online store 24/7, add to cart, and check out anytime of the day at thebodyshop.com.ph. The Body Shop’s cruelty-free and vegan products are also available in The Body Shop stores, Call & Deliver, Lazada, Shopee and ShopSM. The Body Shop now accepts SM Advantage Card for points earning and redemption, SM and Sodexo premium pass in all The Body Shop stores nationwide.

 

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Soap Serye Moroccan Clay Soap review

I have tried many commercially made soaps as I aim for good and lasting effects but they mostly fail in keeping my skin healthy and moisturized. Even medicated soaps give that dry feeling, or sometimes to smooth as if I didn't rinse. I end up changing soaps every time I did not achieve the result that I wanted.

Then my friend Joji who was working for a network ventured into soap business and asked me to try the soap that she created. She is relatively new in the business because she was one of the affected individuals who lost their jobs because of the pandemic. I admire her for her resilience and thinking of a business to survive and so I'd like to try her product and at it's the least I can do for her to cope up with these times.

Her product Soap Serye just started during this pandemic and she developed 2 products. I bought her Moroccan Clay Soap which has all safe and mostly natural ingredients such as Olea Europea Fruit Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Elais Guineensis, Kernel Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Aqua, Authentic Moroccan Red Clay, Kaoli-num, Lactomoist, Sodium Lactate Organic Green Tea Essential Oil. Combining the benefits of these ingredients will give your skin a natural rejuvenation without the harmful chemicals and strong fragrances. It is good for deep cleansing, exfoliation, soothes skin irritations and fight certain skin bacteria because of the certain extracts. 

The Moroccan Clay Soap lathers well and can be used as body and hair wash as it also fights dandruff. It is a good 2-in-1 cleansing soap for the whole body.

Plus it comes in a sustainable packaging too. The soap is wrapped in recycled paper and also comes in a stylish weave bag that you can also recycle as a stylish gift. Talk about sustainability and conservation. Tip: Slice a bar in half or according to your preference and place it on a dry rack after using to extend your soap's life for more refreshing baths.

Soap Serye also offers Madre de Cacao soap that is good for your pets. Give them the pampering they deserve without harmful chemicals.

You may order Soap Serye online at Lazada for 170 per bar. Just go to https://www.lazada.com.ph/shop/soap-serye-co to order. You can also follow Soap Serye & Co Facebook page and Instagram @soapserye

 

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Black Widow character posters

Marvel Studios released a series of character posters for the first film of Phase 4.

Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow

OT Fagbenle as Rick Mason

David Harbour as Red Guardian

Rachel Weisz as Melina Vostokoff

Florence Pugh as Yelena Bolova

Taskmaster

We still don't know who the Taskmaster is but we know that Marvel is very secretive with these spoilers. He would be the strong villain against Natasha who had a deep grudge before getting into SHIELD. Black Widow sets the story between Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War. Let's all find out when it gets live on Disney+ on July 9.

Black Widow is directed by Cate Shortland under Marvel Studios, distributed by Walt Disney.
 

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MUSICA FEUROPA 12 and Concert of Champions set virtually this May

Musica FEUROPA, Far Eastern University’s annual choral festival with the European Union Delegation in the Philippines as its principal partner proudly presents Musica FEUropa 12, a virtual series of concerts for the first time on May 15, 22, 29 and 30, 2021.

Musica FEUROPA 12 will celebrate the power of music with choral groups sharing their virtual performances to showcase both Philippine and European pieces for the public to see, hear and enjoy.
Musica FEUROPA aims to elevate the standards of participating choirs by using the European guidelines for competitions. It prepares Filipino choirs to participate in European choral competitions and fosters an openness to cultural exchange.

 

pna.gov.ph

The main purpose of Musica FEUROPA is to make it one of the definitive festivals in the choral circuit, first in the Philippines, then in the world:

• To promote the European Union in the Philippines, particularly through its music during the European Union Month of May;
• To expose Filipino choirs to the works of European composers; and
• To give equal importance to the works of Filipino composers.

As in previous years, highly respected Adjudicators from the Philippine choral circuit will be present in the first three concerts to provide constructive feedback to each of the selected choirs.

The adjudicators are as follows: Anna Abeleda-Piquero, Mark Anthony Carpio, Dr. Ed Manguiat, Ramon Lijauco, Jr., Jonathan Velasco, and Dr. Maria Theresa Vizconde-Roldan.

Some of these adjudicators will return for the finale on May 30 to conduct their choir in the Concert of Champions.

The latter will feature various Filipino choirs who have won not just in Musica FEUROPA but bigger competitions in the Philippines and abroad.

Invited choirs will submit videos of past or virtual performances of one piece in an official EU language by a composer from the EU, one in any Filipino language or dialect by someone of Filipino descent and the Ode to Joy in German.

The deadline for submission of entries is May 18.

Musica FEUROPA 12 will happen via Zoom.

All Musica FEUropa 12 concerts will also be posted on its YouTube Channel and that of the FEU Center for the Arts.

Musica FEUROPA 12 is also brought to you by 98.7 DZFE, official media partner.

 

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Miss Celia Diaz-Laurel launches a book on her thespian life

How do we immortalize our life? Many would like to become legends and those we look up to open the pages and write themselves a book. On her 93rd birthday, Ms Celia Diaz-Laurel gives as a read about her life in marriage with the arts in a coffee table book called "My Lives Behind the Proscenium" - something that she has worked on this time of pandemic and we think that it could be a good time to share her story.

A mother, wife, philanthropist, writer, painter, thespian, theater production and costume designer, she dedicates her book to the women and men whose encouragement and confidence helped her become an actress namely: Mother IMMACULADA (Assumption Convent); WILFRIDO MA. GUERRERO (UP Dramatic Club, University of the Philippines); SONIA RIFKIN and DOÑA TRINING LEGARDA (Manila Community Players); JAMES B. REUTER S.J. (Ave Maria Players and The Cathedral Players); CONSTANCE WELCH (Drama Department, Yale University); BEHN CERVANTES (who persisted in urging her to write this book about her life in the theatre); and husband SALVADOR ‘DOY’ LAUREL, who understood her calling and allowed her to grow not only as an actress but as a person.

 

The book chronicles the life that Celia Diaz Laurel led with chapter titles: Stage-struck at Five, Wartime Years, Dramatic UP Days, Yale Years, Back to the Stage at Repertory Philippines.

“Celia has written an entertaining story about her theatrical life in a straightforward, simple, style that not only will give the curious reader an insight into her life and the social milieu of her time but is a historical narrative of the early years of Manila theatre and the personalities who were part of it. She writes about her early personal life as the background for the successful career she carved out for herself—not only as an actress but as a set and costume designer,” wrote Joy Virata in the foreword of the book.

 
Celia Diaz Laurel shares her insights about her book -- how she so much enjoyed her life as an artist, how she impacts the people she works with, and most of all, to share art to the audience.

MY LIVES BEHIND THE PROSCENIUM is edited by Suzie Laurel-Delgado and Cocoy Laurel; Dulce Festin-Baybay (Editorial Consultant), Miriam R. Castillo (Project Coordinator), Sarah L. Sanz (Photo Editor), Nestor Amador Malgapo Jr. (Book Design and Cover). Printed by GA Printing.

For book reservations and inquiries, kindly please contact Ms. Jenn Tejada c/o 88697298 Mon. - Fri. 1pm - 5 pm. Online orders can be placed on May 29 Facebook Live launch www.facebook.com/CeliaDiazLaurel.

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The scenes Steven Spielberg's captured in West Side Story 1961

I've just seen West Side Story of 1961. So I tried to look back on the trailer released a few weeks ago that was directed by Steven Spielberg.

I think it will capture almost all the iconic moments, shot by shot, from the 60s movie in his adaptation of the West Side Story in a modern day setting and West Side fans will have a trip on memory lane in these scenes. Let me break some of them for you from Act 1.

Maria prepares for her first dance in the United States. She is hesitant to wear a simple white dress but Anita helps her to wear it and she will be the most beautiful maiden in the event.

The dance event where everyone will be enjoying

Tony glances at Maria for the very first time 

Maria looks back towards Tony.

Tony visits Maria and meets him at the balcony after the dance despite the dangerous fate in store for both of them.

Have you spot more scenes that look similar from the 1961 and this year's version? Tell them in the comments below. Steven Spielberg's West Side Story features Ansel Elgort as Tony, Rachel Zegler as Maria, Ariana Debose as Anita, David Alvarez as Bernardo of the Sharks gang, Mike Faist as Riff of the Jets gang and more.

Opening December 10, 2021 in theaters worldwide, a Christmas musical event from Disney.

 

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