Grab Philippines and ONE Championship Honor Manny Pacquiao w/ Framed Belt

Grab Philippines celebrated National Heroes Day last Monday, 26 August by inviting Grab drivers and their families for a day of fun in an event that celebrated Grab’s Everyday Heroes on the road.

In attendance were members of Grab Philippines community, ONE Championship senior executive Victor Cui, and team Lakay athletes Eduard Folayang, Geje Eustaquio, ONE Strawweight World Champion Joshua Pacio, and Team Lakay head coach Mark Sangiao. Also in attendance as a special guest was Filipino sports icon and national hero, Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao.

The event at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila drew a huge crowd with entertainment and raffles. There were even performances by music and dance acts Shanti Dope, Rocksteddy, and the SexBomb girls. 

Fans and Grab drivers who all came out to see Pacquiao, as well as members of the famed Team Lakay of Baguio City, were treated to a world-class evening program.

Pacquiao is a winner of multiple boxing world titles across eight different weight divisions. He is the only man in the history of the sport to achieve such a feat. But he, for the most part, has stayed within the sport of boxing for the majority of his career. 

Aside from occasionally dabbling in professional pool, Philippine basketball, acting, and even singing, “Pacman” has remained a boxer. He has, however, dipped his influence in the sport of mixed martial arts -- at least, on the business end.

Pacquiao, who has worked closely with Asia-based martial arts organization ONE Championship in the past, was presented with a token of appreciation, by ONE and ride-hailing company Grab Philippines.

A beautifully-framed ONE Championship world title belt was presented to Senator Pacquiao as a commemorative token for being a national hero.

“Manny [Pacquiao] is such an inspiration to us all. On behalf of Team Lakay, I’d like to thank ONE Championship and Grab Philippines for allowing us to be a part of this event,” said Sangiao.

“Witnessing his career and how he has overcome countless obstacles and constantly defied the odds, Manny motivates us to be the best we can be. He’s a hero for us all. I’m sure everyone at the event was happy to see him there.”

Pacquiao also took the time to make a sizable donation to the Jinkee and Manny Heart Foundation, which gives free heart care for children in the Philippines. The Philippine senator donated 1,000 PHP for every grab driver in attendance, which ended up totaling 1-million PHP overall.

“Not only is he a sports icon, but Manny is also a terrific human being, and an amazing public servant who truly cares for the Filipino people,” said Folayang.

“With what he’s given back to the people, even taking money out of his own pocket to help the poor and underprivileged, it’s more than admirable. It’s inspiring, and it’s motivating. Everyone is in good spirits right now. It was such an honor to even be in the same room as Manny. He’s an absolute legend in every sense,” Folayang added.

ONE Championship and Grab have executed strong partnership activations since the beginning of the year, working on various initiatives in the country, as well as in Southeast Asia. The two companies look to continue that strategic partnership for the remainder of 2019 and beyond.

“Feel the Rhythm, Hear My Feelings"

Today's TeenGen is a lot more vocal and expressive with what they're going through or what's on their minds. Whether it be a kilig moment with crush, heartbreak, getting recognized in school, or a cause they strongly support, teens of these days can teach us a thing or two about having no holds barred. It has been a year since our Homecoming to Teen Love, this year, Coke Studio brings us its 3rd Season: MyFeels. Indeed, no one does it better than Coke when it comes to launches with the Coke Studio Music Festival that commenced the Coke Studio Season 3: MyFeels last August 23 at the Circuit Makati with our hosts from the Summer Concert Ylona Garcia and Justin Quirino. 

 Headlined by Coke Studio Season 3 artists, we welcomed the rainy season with rush of water and stream of feelings ranging from love, freedom, independence, and moving forward. We moved to the groove with Iñigo Pascual, Ron Henley, Al James, Lola Amour, This Band, and Miss Sarah Geronimo while Janine Teñoso, Clara Benin, Bea Lorenzo, Silent Sanctuary, Brisom, St. Wolf, Just Hush, UDD, and Morisette serenaded us with their solo performances. Also giving us surprise numbers were Coke Studio Seasons 1 and 2 alums Ben & Ben, December Avenue, and IV of Spades. We used to be shy about sharing what we feel, no matter what it is, to people around us even the ones we trust. Coke Studio: MyFeels is here to turn the tables, its time to celebrate our feels and make it known that no one can dictate the validity of our feelings.

Just when we thought 2019 is going too fast and time is running out for us, Coke Studio came to the rescue with its 3rd Season and made us realize to celebrate every single thing no matter how little they are, look out for the possibilities that learning from triumphs and slumps can give us, and keep in touch with the feels of people around us and ourselves. Catch them every Saturday starting September 14, at 10am on ABS-CBN.


#cokestudiomusicfestival 
#metrobuzzbloggers #CokeStudioMyFeels

‘Inside Out’ on Sept 10 at the RCBC Auditorium

   “Inside Out” is a dance concert inspired by the book of the same title. The book is a compilation of lectures of yogini Dadi Janki, who was touted by scientists as having the World’s Most Stable Mind. 

    In 1978, the Medical and Science Research Institute at the University of Texas conducted a study on the brain activity of people who meditated. Dadi Janki’s results showed that while performing actions, lecturing and doing math, her brain waves recorded delta, a state equivalent to deep sleep and regeneration. 

   In most of her lectures,  she explains that developing a calm mind under all circumstances is based on using the powers of the soul—peace, love, purity, happiness and truth. 

   “Inside Out” will be held on Sept. 10, 7:30 PM at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza.  This one-woman show, performed by Marge Enriquez, is directed by Bong Cabrera and choreographed by Kris-Belle Paclibar. 

   The concert will be followed by a short talk by British guest speaker, Denise Lawrence,  on how changing one’s character can change luck.  Lawrence is a senior teacher of the Brahma Kumaris, a United Nations-affiliated NGO.

   For details, contact 890-7960 or 0917-9803541.

Philippine Opera Company Presents “Passion”, A Tony Award Winner for Best Musical, on September 14–29

“PASSION is about how the force of somebody's feelings for you can crack you open, and how it is the life force in a deadened world."—Stephen Sondheim

For its 20^th year anniversary celebration, The Philippine Opera Company is inviting everyone to a romantic journey into and through the many shades and mysteries of love as it proudly presents a new production of PASSION - the 1994 Tony Award for Best Musical from September 14 - 29 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City.

From the Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine, and based on the 1981 Italian film ‘Passione d'amore’, discover the power of love in PASSION with the wondrously complex landscape of the human heart as the subject of this haunting, intensely emotional one-act chamber opera that many consider to be Sondheim's deepest and most powerful evening of musical theatre.

Directed by Robbie Guevara, PASSION is about a man's relationship with two women in a steamy tale of desire and rejection, romantic selfishness, of that terrifying relentlessness that can be found in people who have not learned how to love.

Synopsis

Italian officer Giorgio is engaged in an exciting affair with a married lover, Clara, when he's transferred to a provincial outpost. There, his commanding officer Colonel Ricci and the company doctor Tambourri encourage his friendship with Ricci's ailing cousin Fosca, as she's desperately in need of friendly companionship. At first pleased to be of help, Giorgio is pained by Fosca's unwanted advances and her attempts to turn their relationship into a romance. In frustration, he turns his back on her, but through his dealings with both women in his life, learns some deep lessons about love and commitment.

Characters

CLARA –A married Milan socialite who is having an affair with Giorgio. Beautiful, shallow and rhapsodically in love with Giorgio, yet also melancholy given the confines of her situation. 

GIORGIO BACHETTI - A pensive, well-respected, good-hearted young army Captain in the Italian military who is in love with Clara.

FOSCA - The ugly, thin, and reclusive cousin of Colonel Ricci. Very sickly and unattractive, she is deeply emotionally damaged. Smart, well read, and bold. Her desire to be loved teeters between longing and desperation. A deranged, lonely woman who develops an unhealthy obsession for the handsome soldier Giorgio.

COLONEL RICCI – The formal and righteous commander and the cousin / guardian of Fosca. His demeanor is typically one of love and benevolence.

LUDOVIC - A handsome man who pretended to be an Austrian Count so he could marry Fosca and steal her money.

DOCTOR TAMBORRI - The regiment's attending physician. Though aloof at times, he sincerely cares for Fosca.

LIEUTENANT TORASSO - The cook and an Army Lieutenant. Given to laughter and perhaps a bit overweight, he has a lovely singing voice and is quite aware of the business of others.

MAJOR RIZZOLI – Major in the army.

SERGEANT LOMBARDI  - Army Sergeant. Has no talent for cooking but remains determined. He is impish and can be found gossiping.

LIEUTENANT BARRI - Army Lieutenant. Quick witted and in possession of a razor sharp tongue, he is an avid gambler.

PRIVATE AUGENTI - Army Private and mail carrier. The youngest among the group, he has a genuine and sweet disposition.

Cast

The lead cast of PASSION are as follows: SHIELA VALDERRAMA-MARTINEZ (Fosca), VIEN KING (Giorgio) and Jasmine Fitzgerald (Clara).

The supporting cast members include: Lorenz Martinez (Doctor Tambourri), Raul Montesa (Colonel Ricci), Noel Rayos (Lt. Torasso).

The ensemble is composed of Jonel Mojica (Major Rizzolli), Lorenzo Mendoza (Pvt. Augenti), Jos Jalbuena (Ludovic), Timothy Racho (Sgt. Lombardi), Joshua Cheng (Lt. Barri), Vyen Villanueva (Fosca’s Father) Lorraine Lisen (Mistress) and Jasmin Salvo (Fosca’s Mother).

The artistic team of PASSION is composed of Karla Gutierrez (Artistic Director – Philippine Opera Company), Robbie Guevara (Director), Daniel Bartolome (Musical Director and Conductor), Jason and Jo Tecson (Set Designers), Shakira Villa Sykes  (Lighting Director), Zenaida Gutierrez (Costume Designer), Myrene Santos (Hair and Make-Up Designer), Venger S. Marquez (Vocal Coach); Sunshine R. Domine (Production Manager).

Background

The sweeping romantic score of PASSION which Sondheim describes as “one long rhapsody” will be performed by the Philippine Opera Orchestra under the baton of musical conductor Daniel Bartolome.

PASSION opened on Broadway in 1994 and won four Tony Awards: Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score and Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical.

Major productions: London (1996), Germany (2011), Sweden (2016); Off-Broadway revival (2013) and London revival (2010). Other productions include: St. Louis (1996), Sondheim Celebrity (2002), Minnesota Opera (2004), Netherlands (2004), Lincoln Center, New York (2005), Chicago (2007), Melbourne (2014), Paris (2016), Virginia (2018), and Italy (2019).

Experience an exceptional theater treat with PASSION and learn about what love is, what it means to be in love, what we look for in love or what love can be.

The schedule of performances of PASSION are as follows:

September 14, 20, 21, 27 and 28 --- 8 pm 

September 15, 21, 22, 28 and 29 --- 3 pm.         

Venue: Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City.

Total running time: 105 minutes

Call TicketWorld at 8919999 or Philippine Opera Company at 0917-6452946 for show buying, sponsorship and fundraising opportunities.

Follow Philippine Opera Company on Facebook and Instagram.

#poc2019 #pocturns20 #pocishome #pocpassion2019

“Passion” is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI) New York.

Media Raves

"Close enough to singe your soul." -- The New York Times

“Exultantly dramatic, this is the most thrilling piece of theater on Broadway.” – The New York Post

“Fall for the ravishing music in ‘Passion.’” -- The Washington Post

“For any Sondheim fan, it’s a must; for anyone who has not seen Passion before, it can be a revelation.” -- DC Metro Theater Arts

“Passion is not “just another love story,” as Giorgio and Clara innocently sing at the show’s opening. It’s a Sondheim work after all, with all the intelligence, complexity and exceptionally elegant agility with dialogue and music one would expect from the maestro.” --  TheatreScene.com

Carlo Di Blasi Named President of ONE Championship Italy

20 August 2019 – Milan, Italy: The largest global sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE), has just announced that Carlo Di Blasi has been named President of ONE Championship Italy. As a member of the ONE Championship senior leadership team, Di Blasi is responsible for developing business strategies and plans, executing strategic B2B and marketing activities, acquiring and managing relationships with key accounts, and ensuring strong stakeholder management across the Italian business ecosystem. He will represent ONE Championship in Italy and help drive the culture of the company’s core values in the market. Chatri Sityodtong, Chairman and CEO of ONE Championship, stated: “It is my pleasure to announce that Carlo Di Blasi has been named President of ONE Championship Italy. Carlo is a well-respected figure in the European martial arts industry, particularly with the work he has put in towards developing Muay Thai and kickboxing, as well as mixed martial arts in Italy. With Carlo’s business and domain expertise, he plays a key role in shaping the future of ONE Championship. As our organization establishes strong roots in locations around the world, the ONE Championship brand continues to flourish globally. Our goal is to ignite the world with strength, hope, dreams, and inspiration through the power of martial arts. I have no doubt that Carlo will do a tremendous job in his new role.” Carlo Di Blasi, President of ONE Championship Italy, stated: “Experiencing a ONE Championship event live for the first time, I immediately understood this is the future of martial arts. Getting to know the ONE Championship team - Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong, Vice Chairman Saurabh Mittal, and Group President Hua Fung Teh, and all the amazing people in the company - it’s the most incredible team I’ve ever seen. I know here at ONE Championship, we are going to change the world. I am proud to be President of ONE Championship Italy and even more proud to be part of this organization. I will do my best to help ONE Championship take martial arts to the next level.” Before joining the organization as President of ONE Championship Italy, Di Blasi previously served as Italian representative for the International Sport Karate Association (ISKA) and the World Muay Federation (WMF). He was a Board Member of the International Federation of Savate (FISAV), and Vice President of the Global Association of Mixed Martial Arts (GAMMA). Di Blasi also boasts of professional experience as a promoter for K1 Italy, GLORY Kickboxing, Oktagon, and Victory World Series tournaments across Europe in countries such as Sweden, Italy, France, Hungary, Slovakia, Russia, Panama, and Bielorissia. A former Savate Italian Champion, Di Blasi served for the Italian Army as Carabinieri in the Anti-Drug Department of the Special Forces. A graduate of Law at the University of Milan, Di Blasi speaks Italian, English, German, French, and Spanish. For more updates on ONE Championship, please visit www.onefc.com, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ONEChampionship, and like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ONEChampionship.

About ONE Championship™ ONE Championship (ONE) is the largest global sports media property in Asian history, and the largest producer of millennial live sports content in Asia. Headquartered in Singapore, ONE is the Home of Martial Arts, and is the world's largest martial arts organization, hosting bouts across all styles of martial arts such as Muay Thai, Kickboxing, Karate, Kung Fu, Silat, Sanda, Lethwei, Mixed Martial Arts, Tae Kwon Do, Submission Grappling, and more. ONE hosts the biggest sports entertainment events across Asia, featuring some of the world's best martial artists and world champions on the largest global media broadcast in Asia. ONE Esports, a subsidiary of ONE Championship, runs Asia's largest global esports Championship Series with some of the biggest blockbuster game titles in the world. In addition to its digital platforms, ONE Championship broadcasts to over 2.6 billion potential viewers across 140+ countries with some of the largest global broadcasters, including Fox Sports, ABS-CBN, Astro, ClaroSports, Startimes, Thairath TV, Skynet, Mediacorp, Great Sports, Tencent, Star TV, Mediaset Italia, ProSiebenSat.1, Dubai Sports, Turner Sports, and more.