My column wasn’t run in last Saturday’s issue of Inquirer’s Super! section :( Posting it here so at least I didn’t work for nothing… Haha!

24/7 Super Radar

Saturday, 19 May 2012

From footballs to the Born This Way Ball and everything in between, the next few weeks should keep you busy while the weather takes a windier, darker turn for the rainy season. But have no sphere! The upcoming events will make sure that you end the summer on a roll.

May 11 - 27, Forbidden Broadway 

Off-Broadway smash hit Forbidden Broadway has finally made its way to Manila, just in time to commemorate the revue’s 30th Anniversary. The “gut-bustingly funny” (The New York Post) satirical musical revue, parodying songs from popular and iconic musicals and spoofing their characters, plot, and shorelines, debuted in 1982 to the pleasure of both critics and the general public, earning the title of “the funniest show in New York”, according to The New Yorker. The four-person show has been performed over 9,000 times around the world, 11 cast recordings, and 18 versions of the script, rewritten to adapt to include new material from the latest Broadway shows. Upstart Productions is producing the local version, with Joel Trinidad as director and popular theatre actors Liesl Batucan, Caisa Borromeo, OJ Mariano, and Lorenz Martinez forming the cast of the production. 

The show runs from May 11-27, 2012 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC, Makati. For inquiries, e-mail upstartproductioninc@gmail.com or visit www.upstartproductionsinc.comfor more details.

May 21-22, Lady Gaga: The Born This Way Ball

Multi-Grammy awardee Lady Gagais back in Manila for The Born This Way Ball, the singer’s concert tour for her double-platinum album Born This Way. The pop culture icon, famous for her hit singles off her latest album such as “Born This Way” and “The Edge of Glory”, as well as the memorable chart-toppers from her previous albums like “Poker Face”, “Just Dance”, “Bad Romance”, and “Telephone”, has sold over 15 million albums and 65 million singles worldwide. 

The Born This Way Ball is on May 21 and May 22 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, the first major event to be scheduled at the brand-new concert venue. Ticket prices are Php15,000 for Patron Standing, Php11,000 for Lower Box, Php5,000 for Upper Box, and Php2,000 for General Admission. Visit www.smtickets.com or call (+63 2) 470-222 for tickets.

June 5, Philippines vs. Indonesia FIFA Football Friendly

On Tuesday, 5 June, the Philippine Azkals seek a measure of revenge to erase the stigma of their twin 1-0 losses to Indonesia at the 2010 Suzuki Cup semi-final, when they face the Southeast Asian football powerhouse again in a football friendly sanctioned by FIFA. Europe-based Filipino footballers Etheridge, Schrock, Muller, Lucena, Cagara, Gier, Mulders and others fly home to join hands with local based footballers Phil and James Younghusband, Caligdong, Borromeo, Bahadoran, Guirado, de Murga, Araneta, among others, in a virtual all-star line up to gain important FIFA ranking points and send a strong message to the rest of the region. Since 2010, Philippines has since risen to its highest ever FIFA ranking of 148, surpassing Indonesia’s ranking of 151. 

The match will start at 7 PM at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium, Malate, Manila. Tickets at P150, P300, P750, P1,000 and P2,500 are available at all Ticketworld outlets. For ticket inquiries, call Ticketworld at 891-9999 or check out www.ticketworld.com.ph. 

Popular Japanese brand UNIQLO revealed their four local brand ambassadors to the media and press last May 16, 2012 at the Grand Ballroom of the Intercontinental Manila.

UNIQLO has always been one of my favorite brands because of its uber-comfy basics and wide variety of pieces, so when I found out they were opening it here I was thrilled! What I love about UNIQLO is their “Made for All” philosophy. Even for people who aren’t really shopaholics (myself included), for sure they would find something for them in UNIQLO. Their clothes just fit really well, and don’t wear off as easily as other brands.

Fast Retailing Philippines CEO Katsumi Kobota with hosts RX93.1 Morning Rush’s Chico and Delamar

The company that runs UNIQLO globally, Fast Retailing Co. (FR) is also handling different brands such as Theory, g.u., Comptoir des Cotonniers and Princesse tam.tam. As of fiscal year 2011, FR is the fourth largest apparel retailer in the world with over 1,100 stores across the globe. They are currently the number one specialty retailer in Japan, but have expanded their retail stores to cater to the US, UK, France, Russia, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. Each of the 1,100+ stores are owned and operated by FR. They are not open to franchising.

UNIQLO is going wild with their publicity. They’ve had buses around Metro Manila promoting their current online contest. On an app on their facebook page, you can vote for your favorite UT from a wide array of t-shirt collections, and stand a chance to win the shirt of your choice, or maybe even a trip for two to Japan! The more likes they get on their facebook page, the more plane tickets they’ll be giving out so make sure to tell your friends to like the page as well! Check out their facebook page for more details about the online contest.

Revealing the first brand ambassador through a screen

The four brand ambassadors: (L-R) Nikki Gil, Chris Tiu, Iza Calzado, and Chito Miranda

With hosts Chico and Delamar

UNIQLO Philippines chose singer-actress and stage performer Nikki Gil, basketball star Chris Tiu, award-winning actress Iza Calzado and Parokya ni Edgar frontman Chito Miranda as the local faces of the brand.

Chito Miranda was incredibly funny during the open interviews. When asked, “What was the first thing that popped into your head when they asked you to be an endorser for UNIQLO?”, he replied with an honest, “The first thing I asked my agent was, magkano?”

No surprise there that Chris Tiu was chosen to be a brand ambassador! Personally I think it’s a great choice, everybody just loves that guy. As for the girls, Nikki Gil and Iza Calzado each cater to a different market, so I think they’ve got all bases covered with their four brand ambassadors.

The four brand ambassadors with Mr. Katsumi Kubota

UNIQLO’s first Philippine branch opens at the SM Mall of Asia on June 15, 2012.
For more information about UNIQLO, please visit UNIQLO Philippines Facebook page www.facebook.com/UNIQLO.PH and homepage www.uniqlo.com/ph.