An Evening of Couture and Culture: Alexis Monsanto Brings Qin Dynasty-Inspired Fashion to the Bowers Museum

The world class Bowers Museum in Orange County has commissioned Hollywood fashion designer Alexis Monsanto to present his latest couture collection, inspired by the Qin Dynasty, in conjunction with the highly anticipated exhibition, World of the Terracotta Warriors: New Archaeological Discoveries.
The exclusive unveiling of Monsanto's collection will take place during the museum's fundraising gala on Thursday, May 22, 2025.

Known as "Hollywood's Fashion Expert," the Filipino-born couturier, an alumnus of the Otis College of Art and Design and founder of the Hollywood-based Alexis Monsanto Atelier, will showcase his signature blend of feminine, timeless and elegant designs crafted from exquisite fabrics with origami treatment, manipulation, and 3D processing.

Alexis Monsanto

Guests will experience the unexpected looks direct from his Los Angeles atelier, featuring dramatic, bold, and sophisticated contemporary silhouettes with hand-painted silk, embroideries, intricate embellishments like Swarovski crystals, laser cutting, embossing and impeccable craftsmanship. Monsanto's collection promises to be a captivating visual complement to the Terracotta Warriors exhibition.

Monsanto drew his inspiration and color palette from the beautiful jewels and precious stones displayed by women in Emperor Qin’s court and from the depictions of mythological dragons and other creatures used in the colorful art of the era.

The May 22 Gala, spearheaded by the exhibit’s chair, Anne Shih, will offer an unforgettable evening of philanthropy, art, fashion and international cultural exchange.

Monsanto is collaborating with a select group of international artisans and luxury brands, including Delvaux, the esteemed leather goods house, which will provide the show with exquisite red-carpet clutches and jewelry from Van Cleef & Arpels.

Monsanto's journey from the Philippines to Hollywood is an inspiring story. In 2011 he was a finalist in the KTLA5 Catwalk competition. He then became the station’s red carpet commentator during awards season.

He has been a leading figure in the fashion industry for over a decade. He headlines LA Fashion Week and has been recognized by LA Fashion Magazine as “runway visionary” for his innovative designs and theatrical presentation.

 
He has dressed many of Hollywood’s stars, including Charlize Theron, Kate Beckinsale, Karol G, Mariah Carey, Felicity Hoffman, Jennifer Coolidge and Olympic Gold medalists.

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How to Make All Your #TravelGoals Come True This Year

Discover how you can unlock exclusive travel promos with the GCash Card

Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore – these are just some of the top destinations of Pinoy travelers last year. Whether it's a quick getaway, an adventure abroad, or a return trip to your favorite country, making your #travelgoals a reality starts with good planning.

With 2025 well underway and everyone eager to tick off the countries on their bucket lists, here are a few tips and tricks for a fun, stress-free, and memorable trip abroad while ensuring you always get the most out of your money.

Create a travel budget and track all your expenses

It is so easy to get carried away by the sheer excitement of traveling abroad. This sometimes leads us to make expensive mistakes, like booking overpriced hotels, plotting too many expensive activities in your itinerary, or buying too many clothes and goodies that cause you to exceed your baggage allowance.

While it’s great to splurge once in a while for a trip abroad, setting a budget can help you financially stay on track, and can help you prevent unexpected expenses. Who knows? You might just save enough to be able to go on another trip later in the year!

An easy way to keep an eye on your budget is by tracking all your expenses down in a notebook, an online spreadsheet, or an app – what matters is finding what works best to help you stay on top of your expenses so you can see where you can ease off of spending.

Research, research, and research

With a set budget in mind, your next planning focus would be finding the most ideal flights, accommodations, and tours. Now it’s time to do some research to find some options and see if they match up to your expectations. Researching for your trip can be as simple (and fun!) as reading blog posts and watching travel videos about your dream destination. You can also check out reviews of certain hotels, restaurants, and activities, to see if they’re worth booking or not.

Before you finalize anything, make sure you also take a look at online promos and discounts, because it’s usually cheaper to book in advance online, rather than when you get to your destination. Also, make sure the travel apps and websites you’ll be booking on are safe and legit!

Get exclusive deals with your GCash VISA Card

One way you can unlock exclusive travel deals is by paying with the GCash VISA Card. Available in 200+ countries and territories and over 80 million merchants, the GCash Card opens up endless possibilities - from the planning stages of your trip until you're at your destination.

Using your GCash Card to pay for hotel bookings at Agoda gives you an exclusive 8% discount on hotel bookings. Lifestyle and travel content creator Kara Rodriguez knows all about this convenient deal.

During her recent stay with her mom in Cebu, she was able to take advantage of this discount on her hotel booking which offered all the things she was looking for to really connect with her! Check out her vlog here, and remember that with smart planning and your GCash Card always on hand, you can secure deals just like Kara did.

@karaysabella Treating your loved ones this holiday season? Get an additional 8% off of your @agoda bookings by paying with your @GCash Visa Card! 💙 #kayamo #igcashmo ♬ Christmas Lights - Vladislav Kurnikov

But that's not all! You can also book hotel stays with IHG and use your GCash Card for up to 20% off in participating hotels in Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Maldives, Laos, Japan, Micronesia, Australia, New Zealand, and South Pacific Islands!

Enjoy your travel adventure

With your bookings finalized, time to pack your bags, grab your passport, and get your OOTDs ready. Take lots of photos and videos, check out your destination’s hottest food and culture spots, and make unforgettable memories. Most of all, don’t forget to bring the all-new VISA-powered GCash Card, with you for more convenient travels!

Easily order one without the need for required documents through the GCash app, turn your #travelgoals into a reality! To learn more, visit GCash at www.new.gcash.com/services/cards.

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Watch the Behind-the-Scenes of Mission: Impossible -- The Final Reckoning

Paramount Pictures has just dropped a thrilling behind-the-scenes featurette for Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, giving fans a closer look at the adrenaline-fueled action, jaw-dropping stunts, and passionate performances that define the iconic franchise. As Tom Cruise returns as Ethan Hunt, this latest installment promises to push the limits once again — and from what we've seen, it delivers in spades.

The featurette offers exclusive glimpses into the making of the film, showcasing Cruise’s signature dedication to practical stunts, and the creative vision of director Christopher McQuarrie. The commitment from cast and crew is palpable, with every frame crafted to elevate the high-octane legacy of Mission: Impossible. Watch here:

“Our lives are the sum of our choices,” the synopsis teases. And in this chapter, every decision carries more weight than ever before.

The star-studded ensemble includes returning favorites and powerful new additions: Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Esai Morales, Pom Klementieff, Henry Czerny, Holt McCallany, Janet McTeer, Nick Offerman, Hannah Waddingham, Tramell Tillman, Angela Bassett, Shea Whigham, Greg Tarzan Davis, Charles Parnell, Mark Gatiss, Rolf Saxon, and Lucy Tulugarjuk.

Produced by Tom Cruise and Christopher McQuarrie, and executive produced by David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, Don Granger, and Chris Brock, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is based on the classic television series created by Bruce Geller. The screenplay is written by Christopher McQuarrie and Erik Jendresen, ensuring a gripping narrative that matches the franchise’s storied legacy.

Catch all the action only in theatres starting Saturday, May 17, in Dolby Cinema, 4DX, Premium Large Formats, and IMAX.

Don’t miss out on exclusive sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes moments — FOLLOW @TOMCRUISE for more content straight from the source!

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National Parks Development Committee presents 'Adhika' on May 11

The National Parks Development Committee, as part of the Concert at the Park series, in celebration of the founding anniversary of the Department of Tourism proudly presents ADHIKA featuring the Philippine Baranggay Folk Dance Troupe - Manila and the Parangal Dance Company -  California, USA on Sunday, May 11, 2025, 5:30 pm at the Open Air Auditorium, Rizal Park, Luneta, Manila. This is open to the public. Free Admission.

ADHIKA will also feature Culture Bearers - Kalinga: Ophelia Grace Addom; Karl Duane Cusay Bawer Maguindanaon: Faisal Monal Tausug: Airia Askalani Obeso, co-directed by Ronnie del Barrio and Eric Solano, ADHIKA is a stirring, vibrant collaboration of Philippine indigenous and traditional dance bringing to life the rhythms, rituals, and stories that shape the Filipino spirit.

Ophelia Grace Addom and Karl Duane Cusay Bawer

ADHIKA is a living tribute to the Philippines’ cultural roots. From Luzon’s festive movements to the sacred traditions of Mindanao and Sulu, each piece invites you to journey through the diverse landscapes of Filipino identity.

More than a performance, ADHIKA is a call to remember and celebrate. It honors cultural bearers, inspires new generations, and keeps the legacy of indigenous traditions alive — vibrant, relevant, and proudly Filipino.

The Philippine Baranggay Folk Dance Troupe (PB) began as a mixed dance class in the 1940s at Philippine Normal College (now Philippine Normal University) under founder and creative director Dr. Paz Cielo Angeles-Belmonte – and thus the longest-running Philippine cultural performance troupe of its kind. With a rich history of training generations of dance educators and performers, the troupe honors Philippine tribal and traditional dance through music, song, and dance. Now led by Creative Director Ronnie del Barrio, PB has performed extensively in the Philippines, ASEAN, and worldwide over the past seven decades. The troupe offers annual workshops, events, and stage productions, continuing its mission to celebrate and preserve Filipino cultural heritage.

The Parangal Dance Company is a non-profit, Filipino Folk Dance & Music Company based in the unceded Ramaytush Ohlone Territory, also known as San Francisco in California, USA. Parangal’s mission is to give tribute to Philippine heritage by preserving and promoting ethnic attire, music, and dance through research, workshops, and performances.

Parangal aims to serve as a bridge, inspiring and connecting Filipinos in diaspora to their roots to give them a sense of pride and identity, while educating diverse communities to foster awareness and appreciation of Philippine culture.

For further inquiries contact: Ronnie del Barrio +639455572161 Email: hello@philippinebaranggay.com

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New Stores, New Experiences at SM Malls in the East Metro

The East Metro just got a whole lot more exciting with the latest lineup of tenants opening their doors at your favorite SM Malls! Whether you're craving something delicious or looking to upgrade your wardrobe and essentials, there’s something fresh and delightful waiting for everyone.

At SM Center Antipolo Downtown, foodies can now indulge in Japanese comfort food at Le Katsu, known for its perfectly crispy and tender tonkatsu dishes. Pair your meal with a refreshing drink from RoyalTea, which offers a variety of cheese teas and fruit-infused drink  perfect for cooling down after a busy day.

Over at SM City Marikina, a familiar favorite is back—Max’s Restaurant has re-opened its doors, ready to serve its iconic fried chicken and Filipino classics in a cozier, revamped space.

Iconic Filipino restaurant, Max's, reopens its doors at their new location at the GF of SM City Marikina

For sweet cravings, try the creamy delights of Bebang’s Halo-Halo, a modern and premium twist to the Pinoy classic dessert. If you're in the mood for a quick snack or something to go with your coffee, drop by Pretzels & Cinnamon for freshly baked goodies that hit the sweet spot.

Crowd favorite, Bebang's Halo-Halo is now open at SM City Marikina

Pretzels & Cinnamon now open at the 3F of SM City Marikina

Coffee lovers are in for a treat at SM City Masinag with the arrival of Zus Coffee, a Malaysia-born brand making waves for its affordable, premium brews in a variety of exciting flavors. It’s the perfect spot to fuel up during a shopping break or for casual meetups with friends.

ZUS Coffee at SM City Masinag is your new go-to for affordable coffee experience

And for stylish yet comfortable footwear and bag options, SM City San Mateo welcomes Alberto. Whether you’re looking for formal shoes, trendy sandals, or work-friendly options, Alberto combines fashion and function to keep your steps on point.

Stylish and comfy fashion available at Alberty SM City San Mateo

These new additions make shopping, dining, and hanging out at SM Malls in the East Metro even more fun and rewarding. And the best part? There's more to come! Watch out for exciting new shop openings in the coming months—bringing even more variety and surprises your way. Come visit SM Center Antipolo Downtown, SM City Marikina, SM City Masinag, and SM City San Mateo today—your newest shopping and dining discoveries are just around the corner!

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LG Philippines Inaugurates New HQ at Arcovia City

(From L-R) Megaworld First Vice President, Mr. Roland Tiongson, Pasig Police Station Chief, Col. Hendrix Mangaldan, LG Asia Regional CEO, Mr. Jaesung Kim, LG Philippines Managing Director, Mr. Nakhyun Seong, LG Philippines CFO, Mr. Hongsuk Chang

LG Electronics Philippines officially inaugurated its new office at the 15th and 16th floors of One Paseo building last April 22, 2025 in Arcovia City, Pasig, after over 35 years into local operations from its first office in Brgy. Maybunga, Pasig. Over the years, LG has been at the forefront of bringing innovation and cutting-edge technology to Filipino homes and businesses. The new office represents not only a fresh start but a continued commitment to excellence, ensuring that LG remains a leader in the industry while providing a better work environment for both its employees and partners.

Life’s Good caravan parked outside their new office in Arcovia, offering a warm welcome and a peek at LG’s latest innovations

The new office in Arcovia City includes open-concept workspaces to promote collaboration and creativity, as well as modern tools and technologies to support productivity and employee well-being. The office houses a showroom where employees and visitors can explore the latest LG products and technologies, a spacious auditorium optimized for presentations, seminars, and events, as well as a well-appointed cafeteria that offers a relaxing space for employees to enjoy meals and unwind.

LG Philippines team proudly presenting their spacious Arcovia office lobby

LG employees also get to enjoy floor length windows, providing employees with a 360° view of the city and nearby mountain ranges. In designing an office with the employee’s well-being in mind, LG hopes to set an example in staying true to its brand promise as a Smart Life Solutions company: that Life’s Good, right from its new home.

The day was filled with activities for LG’s employees, which included a photobooth,and a pouch customization booth where they designed personalized canvas pouches as souvenirs. LG’s new neighbors also enjoyed a supply of free drinks found in LG refrigerators that were stationed at One Paseo’s lobby, provided by LG’s brand partners — Locally, Milkis, and Chingu Cafe.

Ending the day on a high was LG’s collaboration with the 107.5 Wish Bus, which made a special stop right outside the new office for LG and their new neighbors in Arcovia City. Special performances were made by artists Earl Generao and Arra San Agustin for the crowd to enjoy. The event was a perfect blend of entertainment and community spirit, making it a memorable part of the day.

Wish Bus dropped by Arcovia City, sharing optimism and the Life’s Good message to nearby offices

The event was attended by LG Philippines Managing Director Nakhyun Seong, CFO Hongsuk Chang, and LG’s Regional CEO for Asia Pacific Jaesung Kim, who joined employees and partners in celebrating this milestone. “LG Philippines has called its previous office 'home' for over 35 years, and it was the employees, as well as their dedication and hard work, that truly made it special,” said Nakhyun Seong, Managing Director of LG Philippines. “This new space not only aligns with LG’s global reputation for innovation and Smart Life Solutions.” Mr. Nakhyun Seong continued.

LG Philippines Managing Director, Mr. Nakhyun Seong, acknowledging the team’s dedication while emphasizing the new office’s role in advancing technology for the benefit of the Filipino people

“It also honors our past while inspiring continuous innovation that benefits LG’s local employees. As a company committed to making a positive impact and creating lasting value, we also aim to empower our employees to leverage advanced Korean technology to ultimately support the growth and development of the Filipino people, contribute to the country’s progress, and make ‘Life’s Good’ a reality for our customers, shaping a brighter future for all.”

LG Philippines Team in front of their new office at Arcovia City

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Meet vívoactive 6, the latest health and fitness smartwatch from Garmin

Know your body better with popular fitness, wellness and smart features—all on a bright, colorful display

Garmin has announced its newest health and fitness smartwatch with the vívoactive® 6, now with an even brighter AMOLED display. With up to 11 days of battery life, users can go about their day – and night – without stopping to recharge, making it easier to take advantage of popular health and fitness features like Body Battery™ energy monitoring, sleep coach, dozens of preloaded sports apps, new mobility workouts, and more.

“No matter your fitness goals, vívoactive 6 is designed to help you understand your body better than ever before.

From your morning routine to your mid-day workout session to your nighttime wind down and everything in between, this smartwatch will be with you every step of the way.” — Susan Lyman, Garmin Vice President of Consumer Sales and Marketing

Start the day off right

A brand new feature on the smartwatch is Garmin’s new “smart wake alarm” feature that looks at lighter sleep stages during a pre-selected window of time to gently wake users with a light vibration. Once awake, the morning report provides an overview of last night’s sleep, recovery insights, Body Battery, daily calendar and more. It also includes heart rate variability (HRV) status, an early indicator of overall wellness and how prepared the body is for the day ahead. And now, users can customize the report even more with different themes, data and inspirational messages.

Never miss a beat

Packed with key health and wellness features, vívoactive 6 can help keep users going strong all day.

● Body Battery: View energy levels throughout the day to find the best times for activity and rest. Get even more details and personal insights on how sleep, naps, daily activities and high stress impact energy levels.

● Sleep coach: Receive a sleep score and personalized coaching for how much sleep is recommended and keep track of different sleep stages, naps and other key metrics such as Pulse Ox 2 and HRV status.

● HRV status: Monitor heart rate variability while sleeping to better understand overall health and how the body is navigating the challenges of life and environment.

● Stress tracking: See how calm, balanced or stressful moments affect the body throughout the day.

● Meditation and mindful breathing: Reduce stress, anxiety and more with guided meditation practices or start a breathwork activity to track respiration rates and stress levels.

● Pulse Ox: Track blood oxygen saturation while awake or asleep.

● Women’s health: Track a menstrual cycle or pregnancy and receive exercise and nutrition guidance.

Dominate your sweat session

To stay active throughout the day, vívoactive 6 includes more than 80 preloaded sports apps, including walking, running, cycling and pool swimming, plus new daily suggested walking workouts. Users can also download a robust selection of step-by-step workouts for strength, HIIT, yoga, Pilates, mobility and more through Garmin Connect. They can also access Garmin Coach running and strength training plans—several of which adapt daily based on performance, recovery and health metrics to help users prepare for their next race, train for a milestone or improve overall fitness. In addition to keeping tabs on daily steps and calories burned, vívoactive 6 can track moderate and vigorous intensity minutes, VO2 max and more. For wheelchair users, wheelchair mode tracks daily pushes and provides weight shift alerts, handcycle workouts and more.

While out for a run, keep track of crucial running dynamics like cadence, stride length and ground contact time.

PacePro™ provides runners with grade-adjusted pacing guidance based on course elevation and personal pacing preferences. Following a workout, the workout benefit and recovery time tools can help users understand how their workout benefits their body and see how much time is needed to recover before taking on their next fitness challenge.

Stay in the know

No matter what the day holds, stay connected with vívoactive 6. Receive text messages, emails and alerts when paired to a compatible iPhone® or Android™ smartphone. Those with an Android phone can also respond to texts using the on-watch keyboard. Safety and tracking features help provide peace of mind by sending a message with the user’s live location (when available) to chosen emergency contacts if they feel unsafe or if an incident is detected. While out and about, download songs and playlists from apps like Spotify® for phone-free listening.

What’s more, see health and fitness information in the Garmin Connect™ app and download apps, watch faces and more from the Connect IQ™ Store right on the watch, or find more options in the smartphone app.

Featuring a lightweight, aluminum bezel and silicone band, vívoactive 6 comes in Black/Slate, Bone/Lunar Gold, Jasper Green and Pink Dawn. Available now, vívoactive 6 has a suggested retail price of PHP 19,490. Get your  today on the official Garmin PH website or through Kinetic, Lazada, or Shopee.

Engineered on the inside for life on the outside, Garmin products have revolutionized the health and wellness industry. Committed to developing smartwatches and health measurement tools that help people of all activity levels lead healthier lives, Garmin believes every day is an opportunity to innovate and a chance to beat yesterday.

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