Showbiz buddies explore new universe

The result is Hueniverse and the showbiz buddies say it is ready to take everyone on an exploration through the cosmos.

Pals even in business. Actors (from left) Isabel Oli, Camille Prats, Sam Milby, Angelica Panganiban and John Prats are organizing a music festival this coming weekend. ANALY LABOR

What can friends in show business do apart from hanging out with each other, going on a trip together or, for the most part, becoming movie producers?

For John Prats, his wife Isabel Oli and sister Camille, it is best to ask their best friends Angelica Panganiban and Sam Milby to join them in a new adventure that will allow audiences to build their own reality.

The result is Hueniverse and the showbiz buddies say it is ready to take everyone on an exploration through the cosmos.

In their two years of operations, they have continued to expect an influx of clientele that will create a foundation of working partnerships.

To strengthen their position in the industry, they launched the Hueniverse Music Festival. This is their first big production of the year, bringing together various artists of different genres.

The producers — the Prats couple and sibling (John, wife Isabel, and sister Camille along with Angelica and Sam) are putting up an out-of-this-world music festival. It is anything but a smooth ride for these five friends as they have their own lives going, yet with commitment and perseverance, Hueniverse was conceptualized and created.

The Hueniverse Music Festival will not only benefit the attendees and producers but more importantly the Hueniverse Foundation to which part of the proceeds will go. This foundation aims to give comfort and shelter to the abandoned, neglected and homeless elderly. The willingness to serve the needs and interests of the elderly community is what keeps Bright Bulb Productions grounded and socially responsible.

Hueniverse is a music festival that will take the audience far from the wonders and realities of their mind on a starry night through music, arts and dance.

On Saturday, 28 September, at the Filinvest City Events Grounds, homegrown and international artists will take the crowd to the cosmos as Hueniverse restores the feeling of love and positivity soaring towards the galaxy as one.

This occasion unites diverse genres and artists. Performances from startup bands like Chiquerella and Written in the Stars will breeze through the cosmic journey following rising artists of their generation — Claudia Barretto and Mark Oblea.

Indie bands such as Bita and the Botflies, The Ransom Collective, Agsunta and Autotelic will make the crowd sway with their music. The “Dalagang Pilipina” trend will also be brought on this starry night, while Sponge Cola will keep the night rocking with classic hits.

Local DJs Katsy Lee, Tom Taus, Jennifer Lee and Ron Poe will keep spirits alive throughout. And for the headliner, Hueniverse trains the spotlight on an award-winning international DJ known for his hit single “Tsunami” with DVBBS — BORGEOUS!

Despite being a new player in the production industry, the growth of Bright Bulb Productions as a company has been overwhelming. The team has a strong reach within local influencers and celebrity circles.

Gates to the Hueniverse open at l p.m. on 28 September at the Filinvest City Events Grounds.

The set of performers at the Gathering of Teachers.

Every year, Smart Foundation’s flagship advocacy program for teachers, Gabay Guro, holds a star-studded Grand Gathering.

This year, as it marks a dozen years of supporting the country’s millions of public-school teachers, it is holding again a Teachers’ Tribute. This will also coincide with the launch of the Gabay Guro App.

Everything happens on Saturday, 22 September, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

This year, Gabay Guro is gathering over 20,000 teachers from all over the country for a star-studded show with some of country’s biggest stars including Aegis, Angeline Quinto, Christian Bautista, Eat Bulaga BakClash, Eat Bulaga Broadway Boys, Edward Barbers, Erik Santos, Gabby Concepcion, Ian Veneracion, Jaya, Jay-R, Jayson Dy, Jed Madela, Jona, K Brosas, Klarisse de Guzman, Kyla, Kuh Ledesma, Martin Nievera, Maymay Entrata, Moira dela Torre, Piolo Pascual, Pops Fernandez, Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, Zsa Zsa Padilla and Zephanie Dimaranan.

To show their support of Gabay Guro’s advocacies, talent managements Cornerstone Entertainment Inc. and T.A.P.E. Inc. (producer of Eat Bulaga) allowed their celebrity talents to perform for the Grand Gathering as volunteers.

The event will be hosted by Jose Manalo, Wally Bayola and Dimples Romana.

At the Grand Gathering, teachers get a chance to win exciting prizes from Gabay Guro’s partners, such as Accident Insurance Policies for a year from Inlife Sheroes, gift certificates from Don Henrico’s, Fitness First, Jollibee and Penshoppe. Gift packs from Colgate and Palmolive, Pilipinas Alibaba and Unilab Consumer Health; gadgets and free subscriptions from PLDT Home; gadgets and mobile phones from Smart, Sun and TNT; travel and leisure escape by First United Travel, Inc. and Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar; and free entrance tickets to Enchanted Kingdom; cash vouchers from Aveda, Shopee and Lazada; Devant television sets; cash prizes from PLDT-Smart Foundation, Pecci and Telescoop; livelihood packages from Reyes Haircutters; motorcycle from Motorlandia; a Gratour van from Foton; and a brand new house and lot as the major prize. The event is exclusive to teachers and admission is free. Teachers can get their tickets from local Department of Education units.

JOSE and Wally will be joined by TV’s hottest kontrabida, Dimples Romana, in hosting the event.

“Gabay Guro continues to develop innovative programs for our teachers and our partners in nation-building,” Gabay Guro chairperson Chaye Cabal-Revilla said. “Every year, it is our great honor to be able to give back to our teachers through a grand tribute and we always look forward to continuing this mission and empowering them through Gabay Guro’s previously six and now seven core pillars of learning.”

Since 2007, Gabay Guro has been empowering teachers across the country through its seven key pillars: housing and educational facilities; scholarships; trainings; livelihood programs; broadbanding and computerization; annual Teacher’s Tribute; and the newly launched innovations pillar.

The latest pillar aims to reinforce the digital transformation for Filipino teachers, school leaders and stakeholders by equipping them with new modes of teaching and the latest technology that will enable them to create, grow, and evolve their craft for the benefit of their students.

Backed by this new learning pillar, Gabay Guro introduces an exclusive application for teachers that will provide e-learning content and interactive technology and ready-to-use on-line tools that are aligned with the DepEd and CHEd curriculum. This will provide teachers with the latest and easily accessible educational resources right at their fingertips. The new Gabay Guro app will be launched at the Gabay Guro Grand Gathering event at the Mall of Asia Arena on 22 September.

Gabay Guro has built and donated 47 classrooms nationwide and provided over 1,770 scholarship grants through its 57 partner schools, which have been equipped with new computers and broadband connectivity. Of its scholars, 1,013 have graduated, 343 of them with honors. About 680 graduates have also passed the Licensure Examination for Teachers.

Over the years, more than 60,000 educators have also benefitted from Gabay Guro’s nine regular training programs including: Teacher’s Treasure Chest; English Proficiency Program; Personality Development; Emotional Intelligence; Teachers’ Armor; LeadershipTraining; IT Sustainability and literacy; Teaching in the Digital Age; and Unleashing Creativity in Teaching.

Gabay Guro also links schools to communities and industries through workshops and seminars. This helps promote an innovative mindset and unlocks opportunities for teachers, school leaders and staff.

It also holds Teachers’ Tribute in different provinces in the Philippines. Through “Teacherfest,” Gabay Guro’s satellite and localized tribute celebration with teachers in key cities around the country, more teachers from remote areas are able to share in the fun and frivolity.

The group has successfully mounted Teacherfests in the provinces including Metro Cauayan in Isabela, Santa Rosa,Laguna, Bataen, Butuan, Bulacan, Navotas and Davao.

Gabay Guro’ s efforts have also been recognized by various award-giving bodies in the Philippines and abroad, including Gawad Tanglaw, AnviI Awards, Philippine Quill Awards, Philippine Association of National Advertisers Awards and the CMO Asia Awards in Singapore.

To secure passes to the Grand Gathering, teachers may visit Gabay Guro’s official Facebook account, and follow its official Twitter and Instagram accounts @PLDTGabayGuro for updates.