Art on a freeway

Amidst the current controversy surrounding the recent National Artist awardees, Freeway fully affirms its support in paying tribute to deserving recipients of the National Artist Award through its Freeway National Artist Collectors Series. 

The first collection of the apparel company’s series pays tribute to the literary master Nick Joaquin. His beautiful words are interpreted in limited edition graphic tees, hoodies, dresses, gift clutches and for the first time, a graphic tee for men. Each item includes commemorative gift packaging and a Nick Joaquin stamp of authenticity printed on each shirt.

Freeway held an intimate Tertulia (literary gathering) at The Row in the new Glorietta 5 for this launch. The Row was magically transformed into a poetry reading setting. It was an intimate celebration of his life with guests including members of Nick Joaquin’s family.

The audience witnessed a view of Joaquin’s life through a six-minute video which was produced by the CCP. The Tertulia was hosted by Mo Twister. The face that launched Freeway in the Philippines, G Tongi, read a heartfelt excerpt from Woman with Two Navels. QTV host Jocas de Leon read from The Summer Solstice and Bing Villegas representing the Joaquin family read an excerpt from A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino. The excerpts and readings were chosen by the Nick Joaquin expert Lito Zulueta, who is called “Joaquinesce” by the family due to his extensive knowledge on Nick Joaquin’s works and life. These readings were accompanied live with music from harpist and singer Noelle Cassandra as guests enjoyed warm coffee and treats from one of the best homegrown cafés in the country, Bo’s Coffee.

Guests had a chance to win Freeway gift certificates in the raffle and everyone was able to take home limited edition Nick Joaquin Clutch with writer’s goodies.

(Check out www.freeway.net.ph)

Bonding time for celebrity families

The family that eats and plays together stays together.

This was the message sent across by some of the country’s celebrity families who participated in the First Lucky Me! Pamilyaro Celebrity Edition held at the Fontana Leisure Park in Clark, Pampanga.

Welcoming the celebrity families was Rufino Tiam-Lee, VP for consumer division of Monde Nissin Corp., the makers of Lucky Me!. Tiam-Lee shared the company’s vision of strengthening family relationships among Filipinos. He said, “Lucky Me! has always committed itself to bringing families closer together and strengthening the Filipino family values. Through Pamilyaro, we want to impart building strong relationships between parents and children through play, as we believe that family playtime is one of the ways that parents can give quality time to their children while instilling in them good values.”

Celebrity families who attended the event were Gary Estrada with wife Bernadette Allyson and kids Gianna, Gabbi and Icee; Joey Marquez and kids Jaye, Jazella, Jacob, Johann, Joshua, Vinny, JB, Jesm and Paolo; Lotlot de Leon and daughters Janine, Jessica and Maxine; and former Mayor Boy Asistio with wife Nadia Montenegro and kids Yssa, Ynna, Ykka, Xander, Ysha, Sophia and Sam. Also taking on the Lucky Me! Pamilyaro Challenge were Domini Primero with wife Joanne Quintas and kids Rafael, Mulawin and Mayumi; Tania Montenegro and kids Mara, Nico and Mika; and Mymy Davao and her daughter Rafi and her two nephews. Also joining were Monde Nissin executives and their families: Louie Medina and wife Anne with kids LA and Chow; Chester Cajucom-Uy and wife Rizza with kids Kyle and Megan; and Jacob Dy and wife Shellane with kids Josh and Marco.

A Lucky Me! Pancit Canton Toppings kiosk was also stationed in the event grounds for free-flowing servings of noodles to power up families during their active playtimes together. Guests got a chance to sample their favorite noodle brand made even more special with delicious toppings like crispy pork with pineapple sauce, chicken teriyaki and sauteed veggies with squid balls.

After the rounds of mental and physical challenges, emerging as the winning team were former Mayor Boy Asistio and family and Monde Nissin’s Louie Medina and family.

The celebrity challenge truly showed the closeness of Filipino families as they bond while playing and eating together.