Making sardines extra special

The Mega Creations Premium Sardines in Natural Oil and  Spanish Style.

By Jaimes R. C. Sumbilon

When it comes to sardines, the first thing comes to mind is an affordable and easily-consumed dish usually prepared during breakfast.

We usually cook sardines either sauteed with onions and garlic with its own sauce or just heated straight from the can. But for those in hurry, it can be consumed from the can.
That may soon change, however, with the newly-introduced styles of cooking to make the sardines more extraordinary.
This is the goal of Mega Creations Sardines, which recently launched its newest product, the Mega Creations Premium Sardines. The featured sardines has two new variants — the Mega Creations Premium Sardines in Natural Oil, and its spicier counterpart, the Mega Creations Premium Sardines  Spanish Style.
Valerie Tan, brand manager for Mega Creations Premium Sardines, shared that mouthwatering meals can easily be prepared using common household ingredients in as quick as 20 minutes.
"Food enthusiasts can now enjoy richer flavors with a gourmet twist, and use these simple ingredients to crate delightful meals they can share with loved ones," enthused Tan.

She also assured the public about the quality and freshness of their canned products. "Mega Creations Premium Sardines offers unparalleled freshness and flavor that Filipinos will rave about. Our products go through a stringent process from catching to canning, ensuring that all the natural goodness of the sea are locked in each can," disclosed Tan.

Valerie Tan, brand manager for Mega Creations Premium Sardines

Chef Greg Villalon

To give an idea on how to make sardines extra special, a cooking demo was held with the help of noted chef Greg Villalon. The chef validated the richness in flavor and versatility of sardines on the three homemade dishes he prepared using simple ingredients that we can usually find in our kitchen.
"Fresh ingredients and a bit of love is the secret to every successful dish. With Mega Creations Premium Sardines, it has become so easy to whip up delectable dishes that will make ordinary meals extra special and surprise your friends and loved ones," expressed Chef Villalon.
Here are some of Chef Villalon's recipes he shared during the cooking demo:

Asian-style sardine sub sandwich
Ingredients:
2 cans      Mega Creations Premium Sardines
1/2 cup    Hoisin sauce
4 slices     Cucumber
2 pcs.       Mini baguette
1 cup        Shimeki mushrooms
3 tbsp.      Apple cider vinegar            
3 tbsp.      Mayyonnaise
               Salt and pepper
 

Asian-style sardine sub sandwich

Procedure:
1. Mix the sardines and hoisin sauce, season to taste and reserve.
2. For the sesame mayo, mix the mayonnaise and sesame seeds and chill.
3. Heat olive oil in a pan and sauté the mushrooms, season to taste then deglaze with cider vinegar, let it simmer until almost dry, then reserve and chill.
4. Assemble the sandwich by first cutting the bread in half. Spread the sesame mayo on one half of the bread, then place a generous amount of the sardine spread. Top it with mushrooms and cucumber slices.
5. Serve the sandwich with a side salad and potato chips.

Chef Villalon during the cooking demo

Cilantro and sardines pesto pasta
Ingredients:
2 cans    Mega Creations Premium Sardines
2 cups    Spinach leaves
2 cups    Red bell pepper
1/2 cup   Raisins
1 cup       White onion (minced)
2 tbsp.     Cinnamon powder
2 tbsp.    Cumin powder
1 tbsp.    Turmeric powder
6 tbsp.    Tomato paste
1/2 cup    Olive oil
              Salt and white pepper
For sweet potato mash:
1 kilo    Orange sweet potato (peeled and cubed)
2 cups    Milk
6 tbsp.    Butter (softened)
            Salt and white pepper
For cheese crust:
1 cup      Cheddar cheese (grated)
1 cup      Japanese bread crumbs
          Butter

Cilantro and Sardines Pesto Pasta

 Procedure:
1. Peel, chop and boil sweet potatoes until soft enough for a knife to go through it. Drain off the sweet potatoes before mashing with a folk.
2. Place mashed sweet potatoes in a pan, then incorporate milk and softened butter until desired consistency is achieved.
3. Heat olive oil in a sauté pan then add onions, peppers, spinach and raisins. Briefly sauté, then add all the spices and leave in the pan until fragrant.
4. Add the potato paste and stir well. Next, add the sardines and mash thoroughly until a spreadable texture is achieved.
5. Assemble the dish in a casserole. The ingredients will be layered similar to a lasagna dish, with the first layer made of sweet puree, and then topped with the spinach mixture. Repeat the process until you fill the casserole.
6. Sprinkle the cheese crust on top then add slices of butter to cover the whole dish.
7. Bake in a 375 degree Fahrenheit oven for about 30 to 45 minutes or until the crust has browned. Serve and enjoy!

Moroccan Sardine and Sweet Potato Casserole

Puttanesca sardines style

Villalon will bring these and his other delightful sardine dishes to every home through Everyday Creations, a new cooking show that teaches foodies how to serve worthy meals in minutes. Viewers can now learn how to make pesto pasta, fresh spring rolls, Greek pizzas, and other yummy dishes made from your ordinary sardines. The show also will also provide the audience more unique and easy-to-make recipes.
In partnership with the Mega Creations Sardines, catch Everyday Creations, which will premiere tomorrow, April 5, at 6:30 p.m. on The Lifestyle Network. You may also visit the My Everyday Creations page on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/MyEverydayCreations. -- Jaimes R. C. Sumbilon

The author with Chef Rosebud Benitez and Chef Villalon

Home of finest gifts and décors

By Jaimes R. C. Sumbilon

With just a few days left before Christmas, everybody seems ready to celebrate this much-awaited celebration of the year. Christmas indeed is the perfect time for bonding with the family, as well as for reunions with long-lost relatives or friends, or just a simple gathering with officemates.
Since this is the time to be jolly, Filipinos celebrate Christmas like no other. They celebrate a Christmas full of meaning and color — replete with singing, dancing, eating, games and parties all night long. No other festivity can beat the Filipino spirit in terms of fun and joy than this holiday tradition.
Christmas is also the “season of giving and sharing,” as we exchange presents with our respective monito or monita, receive gifts from our ninong (godfather) and ninang (godmother), or share these with friends and loved ones.
Gift-giving or gift-sharing is the extension of our expression and kindness. We give or offer valuable presents on holidays, especially Christmas, and also on important occasions such as birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, or sometimes, even in asking favor or forgiveness.
When it comes to choosing the right gifts, Filipinos are meticulous. We make sure that the gifts we give will make others happy and delighted. Sometimes, we are not concerned about the price and quantity of our gifts, but we focus more on quality to make sure the one who will receive these presents would feel extra special.
Included in Filipinos’ Christmas list is a home makeover. As the Christmas draws near, we put a lot of decorations and other home furniture that make our home look new, lively and presentable to our visitors.
This is why a lot of stores or kiosks open during this season to help us decide what decorations can add spice to our homes. Among these is Shelter, which recently unveiled its vintage-themed Christmas collection at its Makati outlet.

Since it opened last year, Shelter has claimed to become among Manila’s premiere sources of the latest elegant and distinctive furniture, décors, accessories, home ware, books and giveaways that are produced locally and around the world.
Shelter, which was first seen in 2011 in San Juan, is a partnership between United States-based furniture retailers Joey Luna and Lee Imperial (owners of the well-known Furniture Direct store in Las Vegas, Nevada, where most of Shelter’s products come from), local businessman-restaurateur Yong Nieva and interior designers Ivy and Cynthia Almario. Furniture Direct is said to be the largest online retailer of middle to high-end furniture in Western US.
“This year, we are celebrating the elegance of Christmas in the ’50s with unique furniture and furnishings that you won’t find anywhere else in the Philippines. These are perfect for those who want something different and classy in their homes to enhance the usual Christmas decorations that they put up,” enthused Luna, who attended the University of Southern California and has been a US resident for more than 20 years now.
Among the items included in Shelter’s Christmas collection are the ’50s-inspired TV sets showing different Christmas villages, miniature snowmen and cars, Christmas trees, miniature Santa Clauses, singing stuffed toys, candies and other holiday ornaments.
Besides Christmas-themed furniture and decorations, Shelter also offers a wide array of unique holiday gifts such as jewelry boxes, figurines, vases, paintings, coffee table books, trinkets and accessories, among others.

Shelter owners Joey Luna and Lee Imperial

“Clearly, there is a demand for these kinds of furniture in the Philippines. My partner, Lee, and I take time to carefully select which items from the United States would work in the Philippines, taking into consideration various factors such as culture, design trends, even the climate in this country,” Luna said. “We also allow our customers to customize the items they want. Some of them have very specific requirements in terms of material and we do our best to meet these. They can even look for items they want from abroad and we can source it and deliver it to them here.”
Imperial, a violinist and a Hollywood producer of the feature film Frozen Assets, cited the Philippines as a sophisticated market.
“Filipinos are adventurous. In color, in style, they’re so much more artsy. Oftentimes in the States, people don’t know how to put together color, so they usually buy beige. Beige is such a popular color that one of our showrooms is just filled with beige furniture,” he said.
Luna and Imperial, along with their local business partners, travel between the US and the Philippines to provide up-to-date, hand-picked home ware and furniture brands from the US, Canada and Italy that, according to them, are “at the best and lowest possible price for the Asian market.”
Looking for gifts for the health-conscious? A selection of soaps and personal care products such as All Over Wash, Dragon Ice Balm, Dry Down Powder, Hair Gel and Post Shaving Cooling Gel are perfect for them.
Stylish incense candles are good for intimate or romantic dinners and can be used as air-fresheners for a sweet smelling ambiance. Shelter banners its varieties of candles, which include Elysian Garden, Pink Citron, Suede Blanc, Eden and Pear, Goji and Frenc Cade Lavender. Light up these candles with Shelter’s amusing matches such as Coral Embossed, Dragonfly Periwinkle, Fleurdel is Black, Greek Key Black, King of Spade and Lattice Silver on Green.

Shelter's wide arrays of would-be gifts and decors

Even our pets, such as cats and dogs, can have the chance to receive gifts and get their very own (well, a parody of well-known brands) Chewy Vuitton or Pawda bag, which they can perfectly match with their Jimmy Chews or Manolo Barkniks. “Man’s best friends” can also have either a bottle of Grrona or Arfsolut Vodka while relaxing on their Furcedez Benz bed.
These and a lot more interesting stuff await anyone who would like to experience Shelter’s retail theater that “engages the senses and tickles the imagination.”
“At Shelter, our goal is to inspire and engage the senses. We aim to offer a wide range of quality home products and furniture customization that fit the customers’ particular tastes and lifestyle at different price points,” expressed Luna, owner of Joey Luna Fitness Studio in Los Angeles (1987) and Luna Home Collections (1997).

Shelter outlet in Bel-Air Village, Makati City

Visit the Shelter Showrooms at No. 3 General de Jesus, Little Baguio, San Juan, and at No. 148 Jupiter St., Bel-Air Village, Makati City. For more information and inquires about Shelter and its products, e-mail sheltermanila@gmail.com. --Jaimes R. C. Sumbilon

A story of love, treachery and redemption

Le Corsaire tells the love story of pirate Conrad and a slave Medora

By Jaimes R. C. Sumbilon

When a young pirate, named Conrad, along with his crewmates, wash ashore after a storm wrecks their
ship, he finds something more valuable than treasure — the beautiful Greek woman Medora. But the story doesn’t end there as more exciting adventures lie ahead.
This April, the Philippine Ballet Theatre (PBT), in cooperation with Petron Corp., for the very first time will stage the story of Conrad and Medora in one of the classical plays titled Le Corsaire in a full-length ballet.
Based on the poem “The Corsair” by Lord Byron, Le Corsiare, which literally means “The Pirate,” is said to be typically presented in three acts with a libretto first created by Jules-Henri V. de Saint-Georges and originally choreographed by Joseph Mazilier to the music of Adolphe Adam. It was first presented by the Théâtre Impérial de l´Opéra in Paris, France on Jan. 23, 1856.
The story has a complicated plot in which the protagonist Conrad (character to be alternately played by Lemuel Capa and Nordic Caraig) is saved by young and attractive Medora (Veronica Ylagan and Regine Magbitang) and her companion Gulnare (Joanna Galeste and Lobreza Pimentel) after a sea tragedy that brings Conrad and crewmates on the Greek soil.
Their positions quickly change, however, as Conrad becomes the one who will save Medora after the Turk traders, in league with villainous slave dealer Lanquedem, capture her and the other girls to sell them as slaves.

Lemuel Capa and Veronica Ylagan

As the story unfolds, Conrad and his fellow pirates promise to rescue these poor ladies and they go all the way to a slave market in a busy Turkish Bazaar, where the rich, influential and powerful Sied Pasha is looking to purchase new, beautiful and young slave women.
When the payoff has started, just in time, Conrad and his comrades rescue the girls but, in the confusion that ensues, the pirates also take Lanquedem as captive and bring them to their hidden cave.
At the hideout, Conrad and Medora declare their love, while the former promises to release all the slave women, wherein Conrad’s pal Birbanto, along with his friends, protest, and a fight breaks out among the pirates. Conrad, however, keeps his word and frees the women.
This is the opportunity for which Lanquedem is waiting. He strikes a deal with Birbanto and his comrades in exchange for his freedom and the betrayal of their friend sets afoot.
Soon, Lanquedem, Birbanto and their cohorts kidnap Medora, Gulnare and other maidens while inducing sleep on everyone, including Conrad, using a certain potion.
When Conrad awakes, he feels resentful for being betrayed. So, he, together with his best buddy Ali, and the rest of his team vow to save Medora, Gulnare and the other women once again.
To cut the story short, Conrad, Ali and their colleagues are triumphant in taking revenge against their enemies and in rescuing the women. Conrad, Medora, Gulnare and Ali set sail together for new adventures, and certain this time of true and lasting hapiness.
To give the public a preview of PBT’s newest offering, a short yet entertaining performance was performed by the lead cast of Le Corsaire before media and visitors.

The media were treated to tantalizing excerpts from the ballet from its lead cast

Why Le Corsaire?
“This is a question we have been asked since PBT decided to stage this not so well-known ballet, except for the popular Pas de Deux of Medora and the slave,” enthused Felicitas “Tita” Radaic, one of the PBT founders during the media launch at the Cultural Center of the Philippines recently.
“For one thing, PBT, which is a classical company, would like to venture into lesser known ballets, since staging these would form part of enlightening audiences and students, aside from offering entertainment,” she added.
Radaic, however, said she hesitated to use the word entertainment, which would be misconstrued in its shallower connotation. “Ballet, especially the classics, should form part of one’s education, together with the other arts: music, drama, visual arts and literature... outside of the academic scenario. And because PBT believes in education, it is venturing further than the more usual offerings, and spending more than the usual to produce Le Corsaire. The financial risks are tremendous, some think foolhardy, but still necessary to flesh out an exciting and rarely seen classic,” Radaic, who is also part of the organizing committee, explained.
The official also related this ballet act to our historical events and even to our present times, which she noted that Le Corsaire will show us a glimpse into one of the oldest problems in our society, i.e kidnapping and human trafficking.

PBT's Tita Radaic

“The abduction of young maidens for sale as chattel in public markets/bazaars. It harks back to our own pre-colonial experience when men, women and children were kidnapped,” Radaic said, citing Pintados of Iloilo as perfect example.
The Pintados, according to her, were terrified people who escaped to higher grounds away from the coastlines, when marauders plundered their villages and carried off entire families for sale in the slave markets of Asia.
For Radaic, Le Corasire is not just entertainment, but also an educational presentation, which will take us into the history of the Balkans and the Middle East. “Yes, the dances look exotic, like the Middle East, surroundings are strange by our more modern experiences, a page different from the fairytale classics, yes, and romantic, too. For romance is always appealing and so human,” she averred.
Asked if the PBT is “intimidated” when it comes to its rival ballet companies that already performed Le Corsaire, Radaic stressed: “We are artists, and we are interested in what other groups are doing. We are happy that the other groups have done it, and hopefully we are doing it successfully in our own way... The appreciation of the arts is not limited, so if there are three or four or five companies that already performed Le Corsaire, we will do it for the first time with our very own interpretation.”
She encourages everyone to support this PBT performance. “Experience the magic of suspended belief for at least two hours... away from the more common and chaotic realities of our milieu. A healthy exercise in a world of dream. A momentary isolation from pedestrian noise,” Radaic, a ballerina herself, concluded.
Directed by Ronilo Jaynario, Le Corsaire runs on April 5 (gala night; 8 p.m), April 6 (3 p.m. and 8 p.m.) and April 7 (3 p.m) at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (Main Theatre). For tickets, call/text PBT at 632-8848/893-1369/0917-9221515/09292482554; or CCP at 834-3704; or Ticketworld at 891-9999.

From left: Julie Borromeo, Joanna Galeste, Lobreza Pimentel, Veronica Ylagan, director Ronilo Jaynario, Regine Magbintang, Lemuel Cap and Nordic Caraig

A ‘so-lotion’ for summer heat

Banana Boat Great Outdoor Fun at the QC Memorial Circle

Jaimes R. C. Sumbilon

One sizzling Sunday recently, summer enthusiasts were unmoved by the solar rays as they took part in Banana Boat Great Outdoor Fun activity held last March 17 at the Quezon City Memorial Circle (QCMC) spearheaded by a sunscreen lotion brand.
Young and young-at-heart welcomed the hot season through this outdoor activity filled with exciting games and surprises. Families and barkadas were treated with different rides such as go-karts, bikes, pedal boats and bump cars. Others who had no fear in heights adventured in the heart-stopping and exhilarating zip line over the QCMC expanse.
And since the QCMC is where Circle of Fun is sheltered, summer revelers made most of the experience by spending the day and made this theme park as their fun and recreation hub, where they got to enjoy exciting rides, including carousels, roller coaster, ferris wheel, balloon ride, space shuttle, among others.

Bubble activities

The "futkal" (street football) game

Participants with Paolo Abrera (leftmost) and Suzi Entrata-Abrera (rightmost)

 Some attendees, especially the kids, were taught how to play futkal or "futbol sa kalye (street football)," a local adaptation to the football, from the experts led by the sport's founder Peter Amores. Organizers claimed that futkal game was done to help the sport grow and for children to appreciate the values and benefits that come with it.
A mini program and tickets raffles were also held, which was hosted by the celebrity couple Paolo Abrera and Suzi Entrata-Abrera.
"Summer is all about embracing the outdoors... Banana Boat encourages everyone to go out and have fun under the sun, and this event merely marks the beginning," enthused Claire Guevarra, Banana Boat senior brand manager.

‘We’ve got you covered’
As they bravely faced the scorching heat by the sun, the attendees were confident that they were protected from the harmful ultra-violet rays as they applied Banana Boat Sunscreen Lotion that given to them.
According to Guevarra, Banana Boat allows kids and adults alike to perform better under the sun with the help of its new line of sunscreen products. "The Sport Performance Coolzone Continuous Spray Sunscreen SPF 50 offers a refreshing sensation to go along with active protection sunscreen that instantly cools skin on contact, for a clean, refreshed feeling. The Natural Reflect Sunscreen Lotion, on the other hand, effectively protects sensitive and delicate skin using 100 percent naturally sourced mineral sunscreen. This natural sunscreen lotion deflects harmful UVA and UVB rays without worrying about harsh chemicals," she explained.

Banana Boat lotion for kids

Its line of sunscreen lotions also include the Banana Boat Sport SPF-50, SPF-110 and Kids SPF-50 for the little ones.
Aside from the outdoor fun, there were also plenty of indoor on-stage fun and learning activities that included kite-making sessions and interactive bubble and magic shows.
The organizers also set up free photo booths where families and friends captured their experience with group pictures wearing various colorful and amusing props.
Above of all, this summer activity made the day even more worthwhile when some skin care experts, headed by Dr. Enrizza Pua-Factor of the Dermatological Society of the Philippines, shared valuable information with parents on how to keep their family's skin healthy for the summer and the entire year as well.

"Apart from promoting fun, it's also our mission to keep families protected from the harsh elements of the outdoors. By enlisting the help of skin care professionals, we can present a fun and friendly way of knowing more about skin care for the benefit of the entire family," Guevarra noted.
"Summer is here, and all that's keeping you from making most of the season is having the right defense from the elements. Let Banana Boat Sunscreen lotion be your trusted protection as you enjoy the thrill of the outdoors, because Banana Boat assures all that 'We've got you covered!'" the brand manager expressed.
Banana Boat Sunscreen products are available at all Watson's, health and beauty supermarkets and drugstores nationwide. For more information, visit www.bananaboat.com.ph or like its Facebook fan page at www.facebook.com/BananaBoatPhilippines. -- Jaimes R. C. Sumbilon

The author with his friends Aizel and Jan Milo immortalize their experience through picture-taking in a photo booth

Aizel and Jan Milo ride a pedal swan boat

While the author takes the heart-stopping zip line

Where arts and technology come together

By Jaimes R. C. Sumbilon

“To be able to produce the best, you have to provide the best.”
With this academic philosophy, the Information and Communications Technology Academy (iAcademy) believes that the rising demand of competitive professionals here and abroad makes it important to choose the right school that provides world-class learning and character-building.
The school also claims that companies today continuously innovate and set new standards to achieve market leadership. However, iAcademy notes that some schools that still stick to theories and books are unable to cope with changes, thus, the result is a mismatch between the skills of graduates and the needs of the industry.
The iAcademy, said to be the only college on Ayala Avenue in Makati, is now offering IT, business and arts courses for students who want to bring their talents to the next level.
In an interview, Christian Timothy Sia, iAcademy division head for Marketing and Admissions, said students never regret enrolling in the school because of the quality of instruction they receive there.   
“Our school, which is 11 years old now, promises excellent teaching. iAcademy has various programs fitted to the skills of today’s youth. Every course has a 30:1 ratio, which is complemented by state-of-the-art facilities and high-caliber teachers. The school will provide them a world-class training that they can only find right here in the country,” shared Sia.
The official stressed that one of the school’s advantages is its good location.
“Strategically located at the center of the Makati Business District, iAcademy puts its students in the environment of some of the leading businesses here in the country. The school will let them mingle with industry professionals and partners, who will train them, and eventually they have the chance to get hired,” explained Sia.

A graphic artist draws using Wacom's pen and tablet

He also discussed the courses the school will be offering this coming school year such as marketing and advertising, which focuses on the intricacies of creating and managing marketing campaigns; software engineering, which deals with the application of engineering concepts and methods in the development and improvement of software systems; Web development, which prepares students to design, implement and manage information systems; multi-media arts and design, which explores an alternate approach to new media as an educational platform; and game programming and design, which integrates fundamental computer science with design and storytelling and is considered as first of its kind in the country. Other courses include financial management, fashion design and technology, animation and e-management.

According to Sia, among these courses animation is the most preferred by enrollees, citing the big influence students got from the global animation industry.
“The iAcademy is the first school that offers an animation course here in the Philippines. Our students are fully trained from basic drawing to digital animation, using the most innovative equipment for the better result of their creation,” Sia said, adding that the school is also a member of the Animation Council of the Philippines (ACPI).

Arts invasion
To be able to attract more enrollees this year, the iAcademy, in partnership with Wacom Singapore Pte Ltd. and in cooperation with the Las Piñas Private Schools Association (LAPRISSA), successfully launched the Wacom Art Attack at the SM Center Las Piñas last March 1.
The event had the primary goal of introducing iAcademy as the best educational institution to its main target audience — secondary level students from different Las Piñas high schools.
Participated in by about 100 students and officials of LAPRISSA, which consists of 65 private high schools-members, the Wacom Art Attack was conducted through a series of activities, games, seminars and workshops.

Art Attack was participated by almost 65 Las Piñas high schools

Students are given free workshop during the event

The LAPRISSA member high schools that joined the said event were Alphastar Educational Centre Inc., Angelus Academy Inc., Augustinian Abbey School, Bethany School, BF Homes School Inc., Blessed Scubillion Learning Center,  Blessed Trinity School, Bloomfield Academy, Brentvill Southwoods School Inc. Camella School Inc., Child’s Joy Preschool and Learning Center, Christ the King Academy, Church of God’s Miracle Christian Academy, Copel School, Creative Middle School, Divine Light School, Don Carlo Cavina School, Don Steven Institute, Elizabeth Seton School Inc., Fr. Angelico Lipani School, Fr. Donato Gianotti Foundation Inc., GCF South Metro Christian School Inc., Holy Infant Jesus Academy, Holy Rosary Academy, Immaculate Mary Montessori School, Las Piñas Baptist Academy, Las Piñas College, Las Piñas Montesorri School, Little Ones Integrated School, Lord’s Christian Circle Education, Madre Guilla Salzano School Inc., Magnificat School of Mary Inc., Mayflower Academy, Merry Treasure School, Mind Builders Preschool, Montessori de Manila, Mother Mary of Pilar Child Development Center, Neumann’s Academy Inc. Our Lady of Loreto Catholic School, Our Lady of Pilar Montessori Center, Schola de Vita, South Learners Creative School Inc., Step-up Learning Center, St. Isidore Academy, St. Joe Development Academy, St. Mark’s Institute Inc. (Annex and Main), St. Michael School Inc., St. Rose of Lima School Inc., St. Therese School, Sto. Niño de Eucharistia Academy, Sunshine Learning Center, University of Perpetual Help System Dalta, Westfield Science Oriented School, Wishbone Kiddie Camp, Yahweh’s Love Learning Center and Young Achievers International School.

KC Leong, Wacom sales manager, and Julious Rivera Wacom, marketing manager

iACADEMY's Jean and Jem

Marty Tengco plays PS game inside the iACADEMY's "Game Van"

Rowena Lorenzo, president, LAPRISSA, and Chris Sia, iAcademy division

head for Marketing and Admissions, lead the ribbon-cutting ceremony

From left: Rowena Lorenzo, president, LAPRISSA, Christian Timothy Sia, division head, Marketing and Admissions, iACADEMY, KC Leong, sales manager, DCC, Con, Wacom, with LAPRISSA officials Carol Tirona, Ed Yorro, Claire Garcia, Roxy Ado, Nelson Uy, Oscar Tangco

This gathering held a mini career orientation about the courses one can take to hone one’s skills and the possible jobs one can have after completing the chosen course.
Participants learned a lot from various workshops conducted by experts, some of them teaching at the iAcademy. Attendees were taught how to draw using modernized Wacom tablets and pen in an animation workshop, while others walked the isle in a fashion design workshop.
Students also challenged their mental prowess through the question-and-answer portion, where they won exciting prizes from Wacom.
Sia bared that one of the amenities student may experience at the iAcademy is its Game Van, equipped with Wacom’s interactive and customized gaming console. He said students will surely enjoy this mobile van with a state-of-the-art setting complete with lights, sound and air-conditioning.

Sealed partnership
The school official believed that one of the reasons iAcademy has been successful all these years is because of its strong ties with the Japanese company Wacom, which provides up-to-date equipment and technical services to the school.

Team iACADEMY and Team Wacom

Kooky Tuason, KC Leong and Marty Tengco

The author conducts an interview with KC Leong

“They (Wacom officials) said, ‘Let us look for a partner in the Philippines.’ So it just so happened iAcademy launched its BS Animation program. They saw our vision for the Filipinos. Then we sealed our partnership in 2008,” recalled Sia.
Wacom, which was founded on July 12, 1983 and has its headquarters in Otone, Saitama, Japan, is a giant IT company that produces graphics tablets and related products.
KC Leong, sales manager of Wacom, underscored the solid partnership of iAcademy and his company, while highlighting that both have the same motivation.
“Four years ago, Wacom was searching for a very strong education partner, which would   champion Wacom in the education industry and showcase Wacom products in customer relations. We both share a lot of foresight, a lot of future plans together. And I thought maybe we should marry up. When you marry up together, you get stronger,” he shared.
The executive further stated, “iAcademy wanted the best equipment in the schools so that students who enroll will have the best benefit outright... You’ve got to have a good curriculum, good equipment, a good set of teachers and a good atmosphere and learning environment. We share the same vision when we appointed iAcademy as a Wacom-authorized training partner in 2008.”
Leong averred that the tie-up of the two is a perfect combination that will give students the highest chance of getting a job after they finish studying. “If you are trained by Wacom in this school, after you graduate, you move to the society to look job. You have the better chance to secure a job. Because most of the students in this industry use Wacom, meaning to say they (employers) know that you have your skills out and have a proper training from this school,” he expressed. The Wacom sales manager concluded that Art Attack had good results. “The event was a lot of fun. There were interaction and exchanges. Everyone enjoyed and participated well in this educational activity. The great thing about this event is students are learning while having fun at the same time,” Leong ended. --Jaimes R. C. Sumbilon

The article on The Daily Tribune's Lifestyle cover