Mang Inasal shines with 9 wins at 2025 Marketing Excellence Awards

 

Mang Inasal bags 9 wins at 2025 Marketing Excellence Awards

Mang Inasal, the Philippines’ Grill Expert, dominated the 2025 Marketing Excellence Awards held last August 8 at the Grand Hyatt Manila, Taguig, winning nine trophies across different categories.

 The brand’s broad success demonstrates its strong command of diverse marketing strategies, successfully engaging consumers through digital platforms, advertising, insightful research, immersive experiences, and impactful partnerships.

Among the awards was the coveted Gold for Excellence in Marketing to a Specific Audience for Love the Flavors, Love the Philippines, a landmark collaboration with the Department of Tourism that championed Filipino food as a vital part of the country's culture and heritage, attracting locals, tourists, and festival-goers alike.

The brand also received four Silver Awards for Digital Marketing (#MangInasalCreamyYESSummer), Consumer Insights/Market Research (‘Yan ang Kaing Mang Inasal), Experiential Marketing (Pork BBQ Caravan), and Sponsorship Activation (Mang Inasal Celebrates Festivals); and four Bronze Awards for Advertising (‘Yan ang Kaing Mang Inasal), Out-of-Home Advertising (It’s A Sign), Viral Marketing (4- Cheese Halo-Halo), and Marketing Leader of the Year (awarded to Mang Inasal Marketing Head, Allan Tan).

Mang Inasal bags 9 wins at the 2025 Marketing Excellence Awards

“All these wins come from the passion and dedication of our diverse teams working together to delight our growing community of consumers nationwide,” said Tan. “We believe Mang Inasal is more than just food. It's about the special experiences our customers share with us. And these recognitions remind us how important that connection is, and they inspire us to keep creating campaigns that genuinely touch hearts and bring people closer.”

These wins at the Marketing Excellence Awards raise Mang Inasal’s total recognitions for 2025 to 19 local and international honors. This count includes its first Asia-Pacific Tambuli Award for Love the Flavors, Love the Philippines and two Silver Awards at the 5th ASEAN PR Excellence Awards, one for the Mang Inasal Nation Facebook Group and another for the 2024 Pork BBQ Launch. Together, these achievements solidify Mang Inasal’s standing as a powerhouse in creating campaigns that not only capture attention but also build lasting connections with its customers.

Want more Mang Inasal exclusives NOW? Visit https://manginasal.ph for the latest news, https://manginasaldelivery.com.ph for delivery deals, and follow Mang Inasal on social media for more Ihaw-Sarap and Unli-Saya updates!

Kuris-kuris Exhibit by Gibraltar at Gateway Gallery from August 16 to 22

 

Kuris-kuris Exhibit by Gibraltar

Filmmaker and visual artist Ray Defante Gibraltar is marking an important period in his life with a pair of milestone projects — his first solo art exhibit and first book. Both deal with themes of mental health and are direct expressions of his former struggles with addiction.

Titled “Kuris-kuris At Ang Pagpapaamo sa Aking mga Dragon,” the art exhibit features striking abstract mixed media pieces that portray a tapestry of mental, psychological, and emotional turmoil. Kuris is a Bisayan (Cebuano) word for doodles or scribbles.

The exhibit runs from August 16 to 22, 2025, at Gateway Gallery, 5th floor, Gateway Tower in Araneta City. It’s the same venue where Gibraltar held his previous exhibit, Under Construction, a two-man show with colleague Jom Vega in August 2024.

Nagdyo-dyornal din ang adik

Folded into the “Kuris-kuris” opening event is the debut of Gibraltar as a published author. Titled “Nag Dyo-dyornal Din ang Adik (Mga Pinta at Kuwento Tungong Kahinahunan),” the book is a companion piece to the exhibit, containing a catalogue of all artworks in the exhibit and essays on select pieces that feature the autobiographical stories and inspirations behind them.

The 90-page tome tells about his journey from the darkness of addiction to the light and hope of recovery and rebuilding his life as an artist, a son, a sibling, a husband, and a father.

“Ang pagsalin ng aking mga karanasan sa mga pahina ng librong ito, at ang pagbabahagi ng aking personal na art journal, ay isang paglalakbay pabalik sa aking sarili (The translation of my experiences into the pages of this book, as well as the sharing of my personal art journal, is a journey back to myself),” Gibraltar writes in the book’s Foreword.

“Isang pangangailangang kailangan harapin ang mga pangyayari sa aking buhay, lalo na ang mga sugat, ang mga natutunang aral, at ang mga kwento ng pag-asa sa aking pag-ahon mula sa adiksyon (Facing these experiences in my life is a need that has to be face, especially the wounds, the lessons learned, and the story of hope in my recovery from addiction).”

"Kuris-kuris At Ang Pagpapaamo sa Aking mga Dragon" is his first solo art exhibit and "Nag Dyo-dyornal Din ang Adik (Mga Pinta at Kuwento Tungong Kahinahunan)"; is his first book.

Manila Prince Hotel Showcases Gown by Celebrated Designer Ryan Chris

 

A gorgeous gown by famed fashion and wedding designer Ryan Chris is on display at the Manila Prince Hotel's showroom, highlighting Filipino artistry. He was one of the featured designers at the hotel's inaugural Manila Bridal Fair, which took place in the Grand Ballroom on July 26 and 27, 2024. One of the highlights was a bridal fashion show, in which Ryan's designs enthralled viewers with their sleek yet contemporary aesthetic.

Ryan Chris Profile

As CEO and President of Ryan Chris House of Fashion, he has built a brand defined by timeless elegance with a modern fit. Drawing inspiration from classic bridal looks, Ryan favors refined silhouettes, soft ivory tones, and subtle details that retain their beauty for decades. His creations often incorporate elements from Philippine heritage, honoring traditional craftsmanship while infusing a contemporary touch.

Ryan’s passion for fashion traces back to childhood, when a wedding-themed coloring book gifted by his grandmother sparked a lifelong fascination with bridal gowns. In school, he would sketch dresses with classmates excitedly choosing their favorites.

Ryan Chris and Gowns

“I began in the wedding industry as a planner, helping brides choose gowns before realizing I wanted to design them myself,” said Ryan Chris. “My journey has always been about creativity, perseverance, and telling each bride’s unique story through her gown. Manila Prince Hotel celebrates timeless beauty and elegance, the same values I bring to the Ryan Chris brand. This partnership is more than just showcasing a gown, it’s about inspiring others and sharing the story behind every creation.”

From sketching dresses as a child to staging fashion shows featuring over 100 original looks, Ryan has become one of the country’s sought-after designers. His works have been featured in Ofrendas de Flores and Sketches + Stitches, a charity fashion show benefiting indigenous students and children with cancer.

 “We are proud to support a local talent like Ryan Chris,” said Marvin Kim Tan, vice president for sales and marketing of Manila Prince Hotel. “His designs embody the style and quality we value, and we are delighted to have his work in our showroom.”

The gown is currently on display at Manila Prince Hotel’s showroom, allowing visitors to see firsthand the artistry that has made Ryan Chris a standout name in Philippine fashion.

Meet the Jury for this year’s Andrea O. Veneracion International Choral Festival

 

The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the Philippine Madrigal Singers unveil the roster of acclaimed members of the choir community locally and internationally, who will serve as the jury for the upcoming Andrea O. Veneracion International Choral Festival (AOVICF). 

The AOVICF is a melting pot of culture synchronizing in perfect harmony through musical artistry. Reflective of this are the jury members for AOVICF 2025 who hail from different cultural regions across the globe: Maria Theresa Vizconde-Roldan and Mark Anthony Carpio from the Philippines, Elise Bradley from New Zealand, Andrea Angelini from Italy, Gene Peterson from the United States of America, Ana Maria Raga from Venezuela, and Roni Sugiarto from Indonesia.

Maria Theresa Vizconde-Roldan (Philippines)

MARIA THERESA VIZCONDE ROLDAN

Dr. Maria Theresa Vizconde-Roldan co-founded the Treble Choir Association of the Philippines with her husband, dedicated to teaching and nurturing children, and promoting Philippine choral music. They also arranged Filipino folk songs, made materials for children’s choir and contributed articles to the International Federation for Choral Music (IFCM) Choral Magazine. One of her notable works is pioneering the GESTAPHOR method in choir rehearsals which promotes the use of gesture, words and metaphors in explaining abstract concepts.

As the founder and conductor of the Young Voices of the Philippines, Dr. Vizconde-Roldan has led the group to win multiple championship titles in all categories during the 2023 Golden Gate International Choral Festival in San Francisco. The group is also no stranger to major music centers such as the Carnegie Hall and the Dekelboum Concert Hall in the USA. They also sang for the late Pope Francis at the World Children’s Day in Rome in May last year. Under Dr. Vizconde-Roldan's leadership, the group has been honored with many local awards and recognitions including the Ani ng Dangal Award from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the AWIT Awards given to them by the Philippine Association of the Record Industry.

Mark Anthony Carpio (Philippines)

MARK ANTHONY CARPIO

Chosen by National Artist for Music Prof. Andrea Veneracion to succeed her as the Choirmaster of the Philippine Madrigal Singers since 2001, Prof. Mark Anthony Carpio led the group to perform and win awards in premier world competitions such as the Habaneras y Polifonia in Torrevieja, Spain in 2004 and the Concorso Polifonico Guido d'Arezzo in Arezzo, Italy in 2016. Aside from being a choirmaster, he also gives masterclasses and serves as a jury in competitions, festivals, and music institutions across Asia, North America and Europe.

Carpio has also worked with the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and the Philippine Choral Directors Association in helping promote and shape Philippine choral music. He also directs the community ensemble Pansol Choir at the Sta. Maria Della Parish.

Elise Bradley (New Zealand)

ELISE BRADLEY

Elise Bradley’s work as singer and choirmaster for various choral groups in New Zealand and Toronto has earned her a number of awards and even landed her a spot as a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM), an honour awarded to her from Queen Elizabeth II.

From guiding school and community choirs in both New Zealand and Toronto, she has also received many invitations to extend her talent and musical wisdom, may it be conducting, adjudicating choirs or speaking at conferences all over the world, including the 11th World Symposium on Choral Music in Spain, and the World Choral Symposium in Turkey in April 2023.

Elise Bradley also co-founded the Choral DirectioNZ and the New Zealand Children’s Choral Academy and has returned to teaching music in primary classrooms as part of the Creatives in Schools initiative by the Ministry of Education in New Zealand.

Andrea Angelini (Italy)

ANDREA ANGELINI

As a world-renowned conductor and music educator, Andrea Angelini is a leading figure in choral festivals both within Europe and the international scene. His music education, from studying the piano and organ, as well as composition and choir conducting, is reflective of his prominence in choral festivals and competition all over the world.

Andrea Angeli is the founder and artistic director of the Associazione Musicale Musica Ficta and formed the Vocal Ensemble Musicaficta. He also served as the Editor-in-Chief of the International Choral Bulletin. He is currently serving as the President of Associazione Emiliano-Romagnola Cori that aims to provide courses and strengthen the Italian choral community.

Gene Peterson (USA)

GENE PETERSON

Dr. Gene Peterson has worn many hats as a music academic and practicing conductor. From his tenure as Director of Choral & Vocal Studies and Professor of Music at universities in California, Minnesota and Tennessee, to leading school, church and community choirs, Dr. Peterson is a landmark figure in the American choral sphere. He has led performances in major venues including the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican City and the Carnegie Hall in New York.

Currently, he is the Artistic Director for Perform International/Perform America that gives aid to touring music groups in their travel and performance. Furthermore, he sits in various committees and associations that help in the promotion of choral music—and music in general—in the United States of America.

Ana Maria Raga (Venezuela)

ANA MARIA RAGA

Ana Maria Raga is the founder and president of the Aequalis Foundation, an organization dedicated to "music for human development". Her foundation’s core focuses on artistic performance, educational programs and community-based musical activities.

Raga's methodology as a music trainer and conductor highlights the conductor's role as a music interpreter, trainer and builder of the choral instrument. Aside from teaching music, she also stands as an adjudicator at international choral and composition competitions such as the ICCC Marktoberdorf and the China International Choral Competition. As a conductor, she worked with choirs across the USA, Europe and Asia including Aequalis Aurea female choir, and the prestigious World Youth Choir in 2009.

Roni Sugiarto (Indonesia)

RONI SUGIARTO

Roni Sugiarto’s musical journey was shaped by mentors Joseph Kristanto and Avip Priatna, and has deepened through masterclasses with renowned musicians including Mark Anthony Carpio and Jonathan Velasco (Philippines), Julie Spittill (Australia), Marcus LaPratt (USA), William Lock (USA), and André de Quadros (USA). These engagements have contributed to his international artistic perspective and his highly regarded approach to vocal ensemble work.

He passes on his extensive musical training by teaching and guiding youth choirs like the award-winning Saint Angela Choir (SAC). Through his leadership, he has helped SAC mark their name in the international music competitions like the Tolosa Choral Contest in the Basque Country, the Tokyo International Choir Competition and the World Choral Championship in which they won the top podium in 2024. Sugiarto is not a stranger himself in the international choir stage having performed in Milan, South Africa and East Asia.

He currently works as the Music Director of the Saint Angela Choir and ITB Student choir, and Artistic Director of the Saint Angela International Choir Festival and Satya Dharma Gita International Choir Festival.

The AOVICF is a choir competition open to choirs all over the world. Named after the founder of the Philippine Madrigal Singers and National Artist for Music Andrea O. Veneracion, it aims to showcase the musical artistry and culture from different regions of the world as well as foster the international music community.

For more information about the AOVICF, you may visit https://www.aovchoralfestph.com/ and Andrea O. Veneracion International Choral Festival Facebook page. You may also follow the official CCP social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for updates on future events and public programs.

CCP and BOGT Philippines present “13th of September” this August 10

 

The Be Our Guest Theater (BOGT) Philippines will represent the Philippines at the prestigious 18th Mondial du Théâtre in Monaco, from August 20 to 27, 2025. This marks their third international theater festival after Canada (2019) and Germany (2021, 2022), marking a significant milestone for Filipino artistry on the global stage.

To make this momentous event possible, the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and BOGT Philippines will premiere 13th of September in the Philippines with a fundraising send-off show on August 10, 3 pm and 7 pm, at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, CCP Complex.

Proceeds from the show will help cover essential expenses for the delegation’s participation in this important project.

Ticket prices: P 1,000 (Center) and P 800 (sides).

Tickets are available at Ticketworld, CCP Box Office, or through this link. 

“13th of September,” an adaptation by three-time Palanca awardee Eljay Castro Deldoc from Lanie Robertson’s “The Insanity of Mary Girard,” will feature a groundbreaking reimagined staging under the direction of ALIW and LEAF awardee Riki Benedicto, whose directorial works have not only been presented but have also won awards on the international stage. 

Acclaimed film and theater director Andoy Ranay will take on the challenging lead role of Mary Girard, promising a performance that will elevate the production to new, more powerful heights, together with actors Lao Rodriguez and Drew Espenocilla.

The play delves deeper into profound and timely themes, tackling issues of empowerment, injustice, power play, and the complexities of sanity. 

Its narrative of overcoming adversity and asserting one’s voice has already resonated with audiences in previous international showcases at the Festival International de Théâtre de Mont-Laurier 2019, Canada, and THEATERWELTEN 2021 and 2022. 

BOGT producers Katreen Dela Cruz (production and stage manager), JayLo Conanan (production designer), Roldan Lozano (lighting designer), and Ces Valera (projection designer) complete the delegation of nine who will fly to Monaco this August.

The BOGT Philippines delegation, driven by pure passion, is eager to share this impactful work with the world.

BOGT Philippines is an independent, non-profit theater company established in 2019 by a group of professional theater, events, and film practitioners from Manila, Philippines. Its key objectives are to create and produce performances for international theater festivals and to strengthen the visibility of Philippine theater on the global stage.

The historic performances in Monaco are scheduled for August 26 and 27, at the renowned Princess Grace Theater, where “13th of September” will have the honor of closing the festival alongside esteemed productions from Lithuania and Morocco.

This marks the second time the Philippines will participate in this esteemed quadrennial festival since its founding in 1957. 

The Philippine High School for the Arts (PHSA) was the first Philippine delegation to the Mondial du Théâtre back in 1997. Their production of Labaw Donggon, a powerful dance-drama based on the Visayan epic, brought Filipino artistry to the world stage. It featured the music by Gawad CCP awardee Joey Ayala, direction and choreography by National Artist Agnes Locsin, set design by Bob Feleo, a script by Dr. Nicanor Tiongson, and led by Tangahalang Pilipino artistic director Nanding Josef. The PHSA’s performance was a brilliant showcase of the talent, creativity, and spirit of Philippine theater.

BOGT Philippines extends its deepest gratitude to Fire and Ice Studio, Beyond Concepts Photo Studio, the Office of the First Lady, and the Cultural Center of the Philippines for their invaluable contributions and for creating a space where Philippine theater can thrive.

For those wishing to explore other ways to support or contribute to BOGT Philippines, feel free to reach out via Instagram (@bogtphl) or Facebook (/BOGTphl).

Expanding the Circles of Culture and Craft: MaArte at The Pen Returns with Purpose and Passion

 

MaArte at The Pen has evolved from a shopping event to a celebration of the Filipino spirit, where innovation and tradition collide and craftsmanship serves as a tool for conserving and enhancing our sense of cultural identity.

The Peninsula Manila's halls will once again be filled with the energy and inventiveness of Filipino craftsmanship at its best from August 7–10, 2025. MaArte, the Museum Foundation of the Philippines' main fundraising event, is in its 16th year. This year's fair has a deeper meaning as the foundation reflects its mission of "Cultivating Partnerships, Strengthening Legacy."

This subject symbolizes the Foundation's ongoing dedication to promoting Philippine museums and cultural institutions, which goes beyond the fair's expanding list of artists and attendees.

This subject represents the Foundation's ongoing dedication to assisting Philippine museums and cultural institutions around the country, and it speaks to more than simply the fair's expanding list of artists and attendees. MaArte contributes to the continuation of initiatives that preserve, honor, and transmit the diversity of Filipino history and creativity with each item bought and collaboration established. 

Kaalaman, Kultura, at Kaartehan—A Love Letter to Filipino Craft 

A celebration of the artistic journey is at the center of this year's MaArte Fair:

Kaalaman is the ability to master a craft, including its methods and supplies.

Kultura is the rich, living background of our culture that shapes beauty and is the source of inspiration; and Kaartehan is the flair, the natural imagination and inventiveness that give each product its own character.

Fashion designer Happy Andrada

With more than 160 exhibitors, including 40 newcomers, this year's exhibition is growing not just in scope but also in variety and vision. MaArte debuts a food and beverage category for the first time, showcasing chefs whose creations are just as well considered and skillfully made as any textile or jewelry.

Design with Soul: This Year’s Must-See Exhibitors 

MaArte 2025 brings together some of the country’s most exciting creative entrepreneur-cultural advocates: 

• Happy Andrada– Inventive takes on Filipiniana, showcasing modern silhouettes and hand-embroidered artistry. 

• Art Joy - Creating one-of-a-kind jewelry inspired by natural and man-made wonders of the Philippines 

• Oscar Mejia – Crafting scents that connect Filipinos to home, memory, and identity. 

• Neil Felipp – Internationally acclaimed for bags and accessories that combine fantasy elements and meticulous intricately detailed brass work. 

• La Mesa Mead (CoffeeXmead) – Makers of the country’s first commercially available Filipino mead, blending heritage and fermentation science. 

• Yssa Studio - Filipiniana fabrics done in traditional style, but with modern design, elements, lines and versatility. 

• Raquel’s Piña Cloth– A celebration of the timeless beauty of our native textiles. 

• Construction Layers (new) – Retro future apparel with an early 20th century aesthetic, infused with unconventional elements, and atypical fabric choices. 

• Alexie Nethercott – Hand crafted shoes and fashion accessories that are unique, intricately detailed, and unmistakably Filipino.  

• Angkan – Custom pieces hand drawn and hand crafted by Carol de Leon, Angkan supports indigenous communities, all products are 100% Philippine made, 

• Palawan Brewery – The first craft brewery in Palawan, the first craft beer made by women, and the first Filpino craft brewery in the US. 

…And many more artisans, each offering not just products, but pieces of Philippine culture reinterpreted through their eyes, hands, and hearts 

 

Beyond the Market: A Mission with Impact 

Each MaArte Fair is an act of kindness. The Museum Foundation of the Philippines' activities for the National Museum and the museum community are directly funded by a portion of each purchase, allowing it to continue its essential task of preserving our national legacy. Thanks in part to the fair's supporters, the Foundation's influence keeps expanding through everything from outreach and education to conservation initiatives and exhibitions.

MaArte stands as a loving and intentional act: to honor, elevate, and defend what makes us Filipino in a world where tradition is readily lost and culture is frequently commodified.

It's free to enter. Visit the Museum Foundation's official website at museumfoundationph.org or their Instagram account for additional details.

Venues for the Fair in August: 

• 5th Floor Guest Rooms

• 2nd Floor Meeting Rooms

• The Conservatory (2nd floor)

• The Upper Lobby (2nd 

• Garcia Villa and Balagtas Function Rooms

• Rigodon Ballroom