The Philippines Statistics Authority reported that last year, restaurant and hotel spending grew by 11% (from P345.2B in 2014 to P383.2B in 2015). These figures indicate that today's consumer lifestyles are indeed very much geared towards dining out and enjoying the food experience. 

"While Filipinos spend at least 42% of household expenditure on food and beverage, customers today are also more informed and discerning in their choices," described May Juan, President of Phil. Asia Conferences and Exhibitions, Inc.

As such, this coming March 2-4, 2017, the Philippines is set to have its first sourcing platform dedicated to the restaurant cafe and bar industry. The Philippine Restaurant, Cafe, and Bar Expo (Philresca) 2017 will run as a trade-exclusive event for the industry's established and emerging buyers and sellers. It will also feature a series of educational and competitive events sanctioned by World Coffee Events (WCE).

During a press conference recently held at the World Trade Center, WCE Creative Director Amy Ball, shared how many processes it takes before coffee can travel from the tree to a consumer's cup. She described and affirmed how and why this beverage is an inclusive commodity that has a big global impact. Thus, WCE will be bringing international coffee experts and industry leaders to the country to talk about themes such as farming, retail strategy and marketing, trends (where coffee's been and where it's going), success stories, and more.     

The three-day B2B exhibition aims to match buyers with suppliers, distributors, manufacturers,and service providers of commercial kitchen equipment, cafe, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, baking and pastries, specialty food, delicatessen, and other allied services. 

Aside from being able to source their requirements, professionals from the F&B and hospitality industry, HRM, and culinary and tourism schools, and international buyers will also learn new tricks of the trade during the exhibition.

As the first of its kind in the Philippines, the expo stands to carve out its own niche in the world of food and beverage where about 50% of visitors in food trade exhibitions come from the restaurant, cafe, and bar industry. As per government data, the restaurant, cafe, and bar industry is predicted to employ 795,000 people by 2017. 

"It's not enough to open a restaurant. Supplier partners are key," explained Ms. Juan. "The winners in the business are those who can source the right ingredients that will cater to today's taste."

Prior to the exhibition proper, Phil. Asia Conferences and Exhibitions, inc. and World Coffee Events will co-organize Re:Verb Manila on March 1, a one-day symposium that would focus on connecting stories to introduce and expound upon the world of specialty coffee. As I mentioned above, there will be speakers brought in by WCE as well as media who will create conversations among participants. 

Moreover, Philresca will feature this year's Philippine National Barista Championship and Philippine National Latte Art Championship. Winners will be sent to world championships to compete among the best in the coffee industry. 

According to Ms. Juan, "Beyond business, we envision Philresca as an educational venue to discover new talent and sharpen the craft of future service leaders. We are glad to host [the championships] and help bolster the position of Filipinos in the global coffee industry." 

Philresca is supported by UCC Ueshima Coffee Phils., Inc., MK Kitchen Equipment & Supplies, Barista Depot, Allegro Beverage Corporation, Fly Ace Corporation, Blu Coffee Distributors Corporation, Equilibrium Intertrade Corporation, Goldbell Philippines Impex Corporation, Ricmas Commercial Eqpt., Ltd., HORESCA Concept Specialist, Inc., Cafe Amadeo, California Milk Advisory Board, Bote Central Inc., Manila Bambi Foods Corp., Culinary Generals & Razor Chef Philippines, and El Kapitan Food Enterprise.

To register as a buyer, book a space as a seller or inquire about sponsorship opportunities, send an email at info@phil-ace.com or call 02.5097767. For more information, visit www.philresca.com.

I support several advocacies because I genuinely believe in the big difference they make in people's lives. On top of my list is advocating for individuals with special needs because my third son is one and I would like to see them all treated with respect and dignity like any normal member of society.

This year, I am joining SM Cares, UNICEF, Tanghalang Pilipino, and the Camera Club of the Philippines in celebrating the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week, which started last July 18. 

I believe in their objective of raising awareness and helping create an inclusive environment for Children with Disabilities (CWDs) by highlighting their abilities instead of their disabilities. The campaign, called #ThisAbilityPH, features informative and educational activities for mall-goers through Tanghalang Pilipino's Sandosenang Sapatos stage play and an exhibit entitled See What I Can Do by the Camera Club where photos depict the everyday lives of CWDs.

For many of us, glass is simply something we use for drinking, for a clearer vision, and for seeing out of a window or car windshield. In 1975, architect Ramon Orlina innovatively painted on 25 pieces of glass panels and had a sold out exhibition at the Gallery at Hyatt on Roxas Boulevard.

Ramon Orlina in the Reflections Gallery

In 1976, he pioneered the use of glass as an artistic medium of expression in sculpture. A visionary, Orlina saw beyond the humble origin of industrial glass, and went on to hone a unique craft that made his name synonymous with glass sculpture in the Philippines. Since then, he has had extensive exhibitions in the country and in other parts of the world.

the award-winning Silvery Moon

In 1999, Orlina first used optical glass for his entry in the Toyamura Sculpture Biennale in Japan where “Silvery Moon” was declared winner of the Mr. F. Prize. In celebration of his 40th year as an artist, Orlina is unveiling 23 pieces of recent sculptures carved out entirely of clear optical glass as opposed to his signature green glass and the other hues in crystal glass he is known for such as amber, azure, lavender, and pink.

(from left) Radiant Streams, Startling Definitions, Sensuous Curves

I can no longer remember where I first saw an Orlina glass sculpture several years ago but I was fascinated since then and became an avid admirer of his works of art. So it was with delight and excitement that I accepted an invitation to visit the Museo Orlina last weekend.

with Mr. Ramon and Mrs. Lay Ann Orlina

Ramon Orlina graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Sto. Tomas in 1965. After working as a licensed architect for 10 years, he ventured into the field of Fine Arts in July 1975 and started work on industrial glass.

the museum with a beautiful view and wonderful natural lighting

Now, 40 years and many awards later, he is known for a significant body of works, many of which can be enjoyed by art enthusiasts at his private art museum located in Tagaytay City.

the very ornate and awesome Pintado 07 one in a series that consists of female torsos ornamented with tattoo designs such as those found in a number of ethnic groups in the country

Pamaypay ng Maynila

Scars mean different things to different people. For some, they are a reminder of pain and personal tragedy while others consider them as a sign of healing wounds. Scars are a testament to what individuals have overcome because of their courage and resilience. These physical marks could also mean closure about a past incident and is something that can be visually improved as part of the healing process.

Contractubex (Extractum Cepae + Heparin + Allantoin), the country's leading scar management brand, has partnered with the burn centers of the Philippines and the Philippine Association of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgeons, Inc. (PAPRAS) mission for an advocacy called SCARvivor, which shares life-changing stories of six individuals who bear scars but kept on living inspiring lives.

The SCARvivors shared a bit of what they went through during the press launch along with talks from Dr. Jose Joven Cruz, President of PAPRAS and Dr. Dorothy Dy Ching Bing, Burn Rehabilitation Consultant on burn centers in the Philippines.

It is not that easy to share the history of any country in just a few words. There are so many momentous events that should be told and discussed first to help one better understand and appreciate a nation. This is very true of the Philippines. We have such a colorful history but it takes months of history lessons and classes before young Filipinos could totally understand what our country has been through in the past centuries.   

Now, there's a great way for parents and teachers to teach and let children experience history through 30 beautiful paintings in an art exhibit that chronicles our nation's life and times. SiningSaysay: Philippine History in Art covers moments from pre-historic Philippines to modern times. 

There, you'll be able to see for yourself how petroglyphs discovered in Angono, Rizal look like, or what went on during the Spanish occupation and rule. Appreciate artists' renderings of the Cry of Pugad Lawin; the declaration of independence in Kawit, Cavite; great women in history such as Gabriela Silang and Melchora Aquino; the establishment of the Commonwealth Government; the rise of the labor unions all the way to recent years when Filipinos continued to fight for justice and democracy. 

What if -- a portrait on the wall suddenly winks? Or the glass inside a painting starts shattering complete with realistic sounds? How about still figure drawings that suddenly begin walking? Many people reading this would probably think "Yeah, that's possible … in the movies!" 

Let me share that I've seen those things with my own eyes when I visited the Yuchengco Museum yesterday! There, subjective art has finally been influenced by technology such that art became borderless and guests were gifted with a new level of understanding! 

In its continuous support for the arts, Samsung Electronics Philippines Corporation (SEPCO)  partnered with the Yuchengco Museum to present Relative Realities: Creating New Dimensions of Art through Technology, a digital art exhibit and immersive experience featuring the works of six contemporary Filipino artists. 

The exhibit showcases the artworks of six especially invited Filipino artists from a wide range of creative practices: printmaker Ambie Abaño, painter Ernest Concepcion, painter Jason Montinola, sculptor Leeroy New, visual artist Arturo Sanchez, Jr., and multimedia and performance artist Josephine Turalba.

Relative Realities, a collaboration between one of the world’s most recognized technology brands and one of the country’s most trailblazing museums, is a month-long exhibit and the first of its kind in the Philippines. Supplemented by a mobile app and Samsung Digital Gallery at the museum, the exhibit was where artists and non-artists collaborated and where technology provided artists with new tools for expression thus becoming a fundamental force in the development and evolution of art.  

This out-of-the-box experience will definitely excite today's young generation who are very attached to their mobile gadgets. The museum hopes to further attract them by supporting youth programs and having tours on digital art. Watch this!

Visitors will experience going beyond the traditional museum tour where guides simply present art on a pedestal or wall. By scanning an artwork using an Android smartphone or tablet that has the mobile app called FACETS, they can already experience art in a whole new light. Don't worry if you don't have an Android device because there are gadgets in front of selected artworks that you can use. FACETS will let you see a different side to what you're looking at -- whether it’s information about the work and the artist or even 3D graphics, video, animation, or sound. 

Digital Soul by Arturo Sanchez, Jr.

The Futuristic Art Creations Enabled by TVs and Smart devices (FACETS) app is especially developed by Samsung to feature not only the artworks in Relative Realities, but also select paintings on view at the Yuchengco Museum's Masters Gallery. Through this app, guests can learn more about the museum's master works, their styles, the meaning of each work, and their place in the development of Philippine art. Download FACETS through the Google Play Store: http://bit.ly/FACETS.

Commercial District by Ernest Concepcion

Jeannie Javelosa, curator of Yuchengco Museum, shared, “We want to break the practice where the museum’s curatorial direction of an exhibition collection sets the pace for the appreciation and understanding of art. Would not art be best understood in the pureness of subjectivity—where the artist presents and the viewers formulate their own understanding and experience of the artwork?” Watch this one: 

Relative Realities is powered by Samsung’s Ultra High Definition Smart TVs and tablets along with FACETS which uses augmented reality technology to create new museum experiences. Relative Realities is now on view at Yuchengco Museum from August 7 to September 8, 2014. See all the other cool artworks there by scheduling a visit soon!

Autoretrato by Ambie Abano

After this month-long exhibit, the artworks highlighted in Relative Realities as well as select pieces from the Yuchengco Museum Collection will be incorporated into the new Samsung Digital Gallery at the museum’s third floor. This space will offer visitors an opportunity to create new human experiences where they can interact and learn more about the artworks displayed there. The Samsung Digital Gallery is due to open to the public in September 2014.

The Yuchengco Museum is located at RCBC Plaza, corner Ayala and Sen. Gil J. Puyat Avenues, Makati City. Museum hours are Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call (632) 889-1234 or visit www.yuchengcomuseum.org.

Fans of Transformers are highly anticipating the fourth movie that's coming out later this month.

But, before the film premiers, do visit the Transformers exhibit at the Mall of Asia Atrium where you not only get to buy cool merchandise, but also get to have photos taken with popular characters such as Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, and Grimlock.

Check out the cool setup done by MCT Events Management and the various Transformers stuff for sale that, I'm sure, both kid and adult fans would love to have.

They've got toys, apparel, stationery sets, school bags and supplies, accessories, drink ware, canteen sets, and footwear from Toy Kingdom and Honey Barn.

Don't forget to visit the booths of Oreo (check out my next post on how to win a trip to Universal Studios in Hollywood and other exciting prizes) and Oppo plus, get your kids to join fun activities like face painting and coloring for a minimum required purchase.

The Transformers 4 exhibit runs from June 13 to 26, 2014.

This week until next, drop by Ayala Museum's ArtistSpace to view paintings by a special Filipino artist with autism.  J.A. Tan, who was born in Manila but now lives in Canada, graduated in 2010 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the prestigious Emily Carr University of Art + Design in Vancouver, Canada. Since then, he has joined shows in Canada, the U.S. and even the United Kingdom.

His last exhibit in Manila called "Piece by Piece ... A Selection of My Personal Best"was also held at the ArtistSpace. This year, he is once again having a one-man show entitled "On and On ... Step by Step ..." that runs from August 21 to September 3.

Last year, J.A. had the honor of having one of his paintings featured on a United Nation's stamp. "Victory" was one of the 8 pieces chosen from over 200 worldwide submissions and was issued as a UN stamp on April 2, 2012.

Just this past July, J.A. was at the opening of the 13th Biennial Conference of the International Association of Special Education as the keynote speaker. The event was held at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. J.A., who describes himself as an artist with autism, enjoys sharing his personal story about overcoming challenges and pursuing his passion for art.

"I have come to the realization that I have always used art as a way of helping myself bring out my thoughts, feelings, and ideas," he shared. "I consider it an integral part of my existence as each work is a personal journey of myself with myself, and myself with the world, bringing a feeling of peace and happiness since things become clearer to me through the images and visual pictures before me."

When asked what inspires and directs his art, J.A. revealed that he works on his paintings the same way he works at life. "I paint from small images and ideas and build up to a unified whole. As in my life, I learn in small steps and take in as much details and information as I can," the young man admitted. "I then put these all together into a whole piece that makes it possible for me to integrate myself into the world that everyone else perceives." 

"I live and work in this same world; but it is seen in a different perspective by me and my autistic mind,” he acknowledged. I am very happy for him and salutes his parents for fully supporting their son's passion. Congratulations J.A. and may you paint more pictures to delight art enthusiasts all over the world! 

For more information please visit www.artofjatan.com and http://facebook.com/artofjatan. To see more photos taken during my visit to ArtistSpace, please view this Facebook album. 

We all love receiving gifts and souvenirs and we find them more special when we know that the givers have put in a lot of thought in choosing them. Media people, for instance, are used to receiving tokens from press conferences and other events but there are certain giveaways that end up being treasured more because they are either really beautiful or useful or both.

Did you know that there are a lot of companies that make really nice stuff worthy to be given to valued clients and guests? Many of them will be showcasing their products in the upcoming Corporate Giveaways Buyers' Show 2013 on the first week of July where you can find business gifts, premiums, promotional ideas and merchandise incentives. 

Corporate Giveaways is now on its 26th year and was born from the idea of Worldexco Chairman, Lynn Romero, who was then a PR director of one of the country's leading hotels. At the time, she needed to find a ready and reliable source of specialized gifts for the hotel's clients and partners. Her personal quest eventually turned into a well-received solution that other marketing professionals were looking for.

Raquel Romero, General Manager of World Expos & Concepts Inc., recognizes that they have an obligation to provide their exhibitors with the market they want. "Just think about it, how many sure buyers can you really get from making cold calls? At Corporate Giveaways, the customers come to you. At this point, they have a market to pitch to; all they have to do is impress with their products and services."

Visitors are guaranteed to find quality products from a wide mix of manufacturers, traders, and importers. Aside from a core group of exhibitors, including Manel's Leathergoods, Star Paper, Tieline, Memo King, and others, the expo also features newcomers gathered through a referral system and filtered through rigorous criteria before making the cut. They were selected based on the quality of goods and the legitimacy of their corporate gift business.

During a press conference held at Sweet Bella in Greenbelt 5, Makati, members of the media got to meet representatives from three of the exhibitors. Inaki Garcia from Tieline shared that 2013 marks their company's 20th year as part of the Corporate Giveaways Expo and that the experience has been nothing but fruitful. Tieline has been providing top-quality ties, scarves, suits, and other pieces of formal apparel since 1989.

Purple Tag, represented by Chiw Bailon, on the other hand, has been a very well-received participant in the expo for 10 years. This company has been known to go above and beyond in personalizing a variety of gifts and giveaways for each of its clients. 

A newbie in the expo is Villa del Conte chocolates which offers specialty orders for events and corporate gifts. It is headed by Vince Aldanense who had the good fortune to meet the Nazzareno family of Padova, Italy and given the change to bring the irresistible Italian chocolates to Philippine shores. 

If you are looking for gifts and souvenirs that you want your recipients to really appreciate, make time this July 3-5, 2013 to drop by the SMX Convention Center located at the Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City.

Get your senses ready to get creativity overload when you drop by Art Fair Philippines (AFP) in Makati. This prestigious event showcased a great visual feast and feature the best of Philippine contemporary art in a unique setting – a first for art exhibitions in the Philippines.

You can find Art Fair Philippines at the 6th level of The Link, a carpark located in the newly redeveloped Ayala Center. It was amazing how the venue was transformed into a vibrant art boutique by no less than world-famous Filipino designer Kenneth Cobonpue. During the by-invitation only preview last night, art lovers, collectors, and enthusiasts were treated to a unique and multi-sensory experience.

I was personally overwhelmed looking at hundreds of beautiful art pieces that were spread out across the vast area. Aside from being graced by the presence of well-known celebrities and personalities, the AFP served as the center stage where names familiar to followers of the Philippine art scene, stalwarts of regional art auctions, as well as promising art prodigies showed their work in all types of media.

The exhibition was jam-packed with some of the best and most distinct examples of Philippine contemporary art as presented by 24 of the most forward-thinking galleries and art groups that were chosen for their carefully edited and specially curated shows. Among these were Art Informal, Blanc, Boston Gallery, CANVAS, Finale Art Gallery, Galleria Duemila, Manila Contemporary, MO Space, Silverlens, Tin-Aw Gallery, The Drawing Room, and West Gallery. Featured artists include Ronald Ventura, Elmer Borlongan, Emmanuel Garibay, Don Salubayba, and Mark Justiniani.

One particular interest was “Asphalt,” a rambling installation from renowned kinetic sculptor Gabriel Barredo.

Upon entering, one would also notice the specially commissioned reception desk, created entirely of iconic San Miguel crates by artist Norberto “Peewee” Roldan, Jr., which was amazing!

Makati is considered by many as the point of convergence of the arts since it has a large concentration of galleries, institutions, and artistic practice. So it’s perfectly logical that it hosts the Philippines’ grandest exhibition of contemporary art.

The city is filled with urban art, a collective term used to describe paintings, drawings, sculpture, ceramics, and installations, depicting city life. You can see these from the Arturo Luz sculptures at the Ayala Triangle Gardens to Eduardo Castrillo’s pieces in RCBC and Impy Pilapil’s work in Washington SyCip Park.

To make art more accessible to everyone, people can have a personalized tour of artistic discovery by joining the Urban Art Project of the “Make it Happen, Make it Makati” campaign which was launched alongside the AFP. Art enthusiasts can follow a map where selected spaces near The Link carpark and its environs were marked and filled with a diverse spectrum of creative and masterful sculpture and art installations by leading contemporary Filipino visual artists. The exhibit runs from February 7 to 28, 2013.

Apart from Luz and Castrillo, other artists participating in the Urban Art Project include Charlie Co (Tower One and Exchange Plaza), Ronald Ventura (Glorietta 3 Park), Mark Justiniani (Glorietta Activity Center), Impy Pilapil (Washington Sycip Park), Leeroy New (Pedestrian Walkway), and Acid House (Ayala Museum Façade).

When you pass by the Dela Rosa Elevated Walkways and Underpass Art Gallery in Legazpi and Sedeno, make sure to also stop awhile to admire the works of Dexter Fernandez, Rai Cruz, KooKoo Ramos, Qudo, Triskaideka, Jood, and other graffiti artists.

To further show its commitment to support local artists, AFP will be launching the Philippine Art Awards, a platform to recognize and exhibit the works of established and emerging local artists to reach a wide audience. Stay tuned to AFP’s next project, “Art in the Park” which will open at the Jaime C. Velasquez Park on March 16, 2013.

Keep updated on upcoming events and attractions by logging on to www.makeitmakati.com, like the Make It Makati Facebook page, and follow @MakeItMakati on Twitter. Also check out Art Philippines’ Facebook and Twitter pages @artfairph.

To see more photos of the amazing artworks displayed at the AFP, please visit this blog’s album on Facebook.