Every year for the past 15 years, Cebuanos celebrate women empowerment by uttering the word vagina on stage in front of hundreds of people, as a protest against violence towards women and girls.
This year, over 30 women will lend to their voices to the marginalized, abused, and exploited in a benefit performance of The Vagina Monologues, on Sunday, February 26, 7:30 p.m. at the Santa Maria Ballroom of the Radisson Blu Cebu.
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Elaine Bathan, Sarah Mae Enclona-Henderson, Candice Hintz, Regal Oliva, Anya Lim, Ching Pelayo-Dacua, and Laurie Boquiren (Photography: Candice Hintz)
With humor and grace that celebrates women’s sexuality and strength, the award-winning play is based on V-Day founder and playwright Eve Ensler’s interviews with more than 100 women.
Here are the reasons you should watch The Vagina Monologues at least once:
It’s for a good cause
Maxi Bolongaita, Charlene Virlouvet, Cheryl David-Ibay, Sarah Mae Enclona-Henderson, Jet Cantal-Bacaltos, Jo-Ann Zaldumbide, and Patty Taboada (Photography: Candice Hintz)
V-Day Cebu and its current campaign ONE BILLION RISING: REVOLUTION is just one of the thousands of benefits held around the globe to raise funds and awareness toward the empowerment of women. Through the performances of The Vagina Monologues, these events help spread the message of equality, dignity, and freedom for all.
V-Day Cebu’s beneficiary is Bidlisiw Foundation Inc., a Filipino-managed NGO focused on helping the urban poor families, particularly the informal settlers in the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, and Talisay. Proceeds of the show go a long way in providing access, opportunities, and hope for the marginalized women and children, families, and the communities in Cebu.
It stars people you know
Shifrah Enclona, Ivy Gallur, Margo Frasco, Sarah Mae Enclona-Henderson, Maki Gingoyon, and Chiqui Canete (Photography: Candice Hintz)
Produced in Cebu by 2TinCans Philippines, The Vagina Monologues doesn’t just feature theater actresses, although some of them are well-known in the industry. The performers are women coming from various industries such as law, government, media, medicine, dining, furniture, music, photography, fashion, and more.
This year’s show, directed by Sarah Mae Enclona-Henderson, stars Aleah Alerre Lim, Anya Lim, April Rama, Bea Alfar Evardone, Brazzy Valdez, Candice Hintz, Charlene Virlouvet, Cheryl David-Ibay, Ching Pelayo-Dacua, Chiqui Cañete, Christina Santos, Daryl Bihag, Dianne Rallon, Elaine Bathan, Eyre Hyamze, Gembelyne Icamen, Gingging Navarro-Laude, Ivy Gallur, Jean Altavas, Jessica Ouano, Jet Cantal-Bacaltos, Joan Saniel-Amit, Jo-Ann Abesamis Zaldumbide, Laurie Boquiren, Lourdes May Maglinte, Margo Frasco, Marini Esguerra, Maki Gingoyon, Maxi Bolongaita, Pami Estalilla, Regal Oliva, Shiella Pestano Gemperoa, Shifrah Bouchikhi-Enclona, and Stephanie Tiro-Sitoy.
Shifrah, the daughter of director Sarah, is the youngest ever vagina warrior at 11 years old, taking the title from theater actress Charlene, who first performed on the show years ago at the age of 13. Zee Lifestyle‘s features editor Patty Taboada and creative director Ehds Javier will also be performing on the one-night-only show.
It’s not just for women
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Christina Santos, Lourdes May Maglinte, Aleah Lim, Sarah Mae Enclona-Henderson, Shiella Gemperoa, and Gembelyne Icamen (Photography: Candice Hintz)
According to Enclona-Henderson, the audience for The Vagina Monologues has grown over the years, with the audiences for the shows in recent years showing that 40% of them are actually men.
For the first time in Cebu, V-Day is making a special feature on the men who have been supportive of the global campaign. Fathers, brothers, sons, boyfriends, and friends were brought in and were enthusiastic in showing solidarity with the ladies and the V-Day movement. This is set to be one of the highlights of the show on Sunday.
It will make you laugh and cry
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Marini Esguerra, Brazzy Valdez, Ehds Javier, Sarah Mae Enclona-Henderson, Pami Estalilla, Eyre Hyamze, Daryl Bihag, and Stephanie Sitoy (Photography: Candice Hintz)
Playwright Eve Ensler has gone around the world interviewing over 200 women about their experiences. You would be amazed at the answers, from a six-year-old girl to single women, married women, sex workers, corporate professionals, transgender women, lesbians, and old ladies. Some are hilarious, some are downright depressing… it’s a roller coaster of a show, one that you will enjoy while at the same time you can do your share to help end violence against women and girls.
Tickets are priced at Php 650, Php 1,000, and Php 1,500, and are available at YogaHub, ANTHILL, Isidra Comfort Cantina, and Handuraw Pizza in Gorordo and White Gold. For online purchases, email plays@2tincans.ph or click here. You may also call 2TinCans at +63 32 512 3134 and +63 933 188 0999, and check them out on Facebook
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Traveling around the world had exposed them to other countries’ deep appreciation of their cultural fabrics, and the Philippines’ own undervalued variations. “Cultural degradation was a social issue that deeply disturbed us. There was a lack of availability of wearable weaves in the market, which led to it not being worn or used as often—it would only be used as home accents, or labeled as costume-y rather than being our traditional wear.”
An acronym for Alternative Nest and Trading/Training Hub for Indigenous/Ingenious Little Livelihood seekers, ANTHILL was created to give its weaving partners a sense of ownership, something that Anya and her mom felt was integral into making the company sustainable. “We were inspired by the model of BeeHive, a cooperative in the US that works with different local artisans in the community,” Anya says. It was only in August 2013 that ANTHILL embraced its core business of promoting and preserving indigenous weaves by creating products that used their locally loomed fabrics and giving it a modern and fashionable twist.
Anya Lim
“I wanted to launch a campaign that elicits a communal spirit and promotes Filipino pride,” Anya explains. “The insight behind our campaign slogan ‘Wear Your Tribe With Pride’ is really drawn from the desire to plant seeds of cultural continuity among the younger generation. We want to make wearing weaves cool and sexy. We wanted a campaign that will support our brand essence—where culture meets style. At the same time, we wanted more Filipinos to get to know their weaves and feel connected to our culture.”
Minaudières with ANTHILL’s signature fabric
Ligaya dress in kalachuchi leaves print, a product of a collaboration with Hocus Manila using limited cuts of printed fabrics
The brand’s latest collections feature shift dresses, matching sets of crop tops and high-waisted skirts, as well as accessories such as clutches, bowties and neckties, and scarves. “We transitioned to everyday apparel because we want to reach out to more weave wearers,” Anya shares about their decision to veer away from the cocktail and party dresses that ANTHILL had previously been producing. “We are blessed with two young and talented Cebuano designers—Stephen Ferolino for apparel and Cherame Lopez for the non-apparel lines. For the cycles of summer, holiday and capsule collections, we try to use a different fabric application to showcase innovative ways on how to use our weaves. We fall in love with them every time, because it stretches our thread of creativity.”
“We also work with a lot of Design Collaborators to showcase the many possibilities of hand-loomed fabric application,” Anya adds, naming the brands that they’ve partnered with for various collections—Suelas, Ylla Shoes, Risque Designs for shoes; Rags2Riches, Vesti for bags; Sidlan, Mothering Earthlings, LifeAfterBreakfast for lifestyle products; Heads of State Millinery Singapore for hats; and a lot more. “Design isn’t our core strength, but I’d like to think collaboration is.”
The real collaboration, of course, is in ANTHILL’s weaving communities—their three direct partner communities being Mang Abel Ti Abra, the Daraghuyan Bukidnon Tribe and The Handcrafters of Mary Enterprise in Cebu. “We’ve focused on deepening our engagement in the three communities first. We want to be able to ensure sustainable positive impact in the community we work with before expanding to other communities,” Anya elaborates. This relationship involves doing assessments and dialogues with the community on ANTHILL’s business and philosophy. “We then work on cultural appreciation through product design and innovation. We introduce new colors to them that they can apply in their traditional patterns. We then build their business capacity by transferring basic management and accounting skills, before facilitating the Master and Apprentice Skills Program, and a Financial Literacy and Saving Program.”
The geographical locations of the communities do produce some challenges. “We cannot be more present in the community as much as we want,” Anya explains. “The far distances also cause supply chain challenges in deliveries, and sometimes cause delays in achieving production timelines.”
Despite that, ANTHILL’s positive impact in the communities it has approached and the collective view of traditional weaves is undeniable. Personalities like host Tim Yap, newscaster Lia Cruz, singer Rachael Yamagata, and Save the Philippine Seas’ chief mermaid Anna Oposa have worn Anthill to show solidarity with this tribe. “We gain a lot of weave wearers from those working in the government, as well as mothers, and change and culture advocates. Most, if not all, of our weave wearers are active players in effecting change in society,” Anya says proudly. “It’s really inspiring that these are what make our tribe.”
- photography Toni Marie Despojo
- makeup Lyssa Amor
- hair Nicko dela Peña
For this year’s show entitled ‘Bling It On’, Cary Santiago came back for the second time with an exclusive collection called Pacifique which were worn by male and female pageant winners and title holders, including: Bb. Pilipinas Supranational 2014 Yvethe Santiago and Mr. World Philippines 2016 Sam Ajdani. A few of Cebu’s very own were also present, including Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental 2014 Kris Janson and Miss Cebu 2015 Wynonah Buot, along with the face of the campaign, Miss Cebu 2016 Raine Baljak.
The show featured local personalities including young entrepreneurs, Cebu’s most creative set, as well as social media sensations, Medyo Maldito and Snake Princess. This year, Islands Souvenirs also collaborated with ANTHILL Fabric Gallery, a social enterprise which supports Filipino weaving communities with their pieces.
Adorable 2-8 year olds also modeled shirts specially designed for the show by internationally-renowned creative studio Happy Garaje.
See highlights from the fashion show below.
[unitegallery islands2017]
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The Honest Henry at the lobby of The Henry Hotel Cebu
Inspired by the Honesty Coffee Shop in Batanes, The Honest Henry is a retail outlet that banks on the basic concept of honest purchasing. You just take what you need and then pay “honestly”. This plays in line with the hotel brand’s support for Philippine-made products.
The first ever The Honest Henry opened at The Henry Hotel Manila earlier this year, partnering with Gifts & Graces. For its branch in Cebu, the Alternative Nest and Trading/Training Hub for Indigenous/Ingenious Little Livelihood seekers (ANTHILL) serves as its partner. ANTHILL aims to preserve and promote Philippine weaving traditions by applying contemporary design to attract younger generation of weavers and weave wearers and provide sustainable livelihood to partner communities. It sells fabrics, apparel, accessories and dolls.
Dolls by ANTHILL
“We could have opted to put a convenient store in our lobby but that’s not who we are,” says The Henry Hotel Cebu’s general manager Joan Osabel. “As a lifestyle and creative boutique hotel, we work on continually introducing new and exciting things to our guests. We always want to keep it quirky so they do not only take souvenirs when they leave but also memorable experiences to share.”
The Henry Hotel has long partnered with social enterprises like ANTHILL ensuring inclusive business practices in their supply chain. ANTHILL has supplied beam cover installations and one of a kind bed runners for all of the rooms of The Henry Hotel. ANTHILL and The Henry Hotel share common values of celebrating authenticity and creativity. The Honest Henry was the perfect venue to mesh both brands.
Minaudières with ANTHILL’s signature hand loomed fabric
“ANTHILL loves innovations and so as risky as it may sound to leave our valuable weaves and inventory unattended, we were more excited to the surprises The Honest Henry Store will give us. We are very grateful to The Henry Hotel for weaving quirky and exciting dreams with us.” shares co-founder/managing and creative director Anya Lim.
THE HENRY HOTEL
Maria Luisa Road, Banilad
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Zee Lifestyle’s August-September Fashion Issue: Amanda Booth & Izzara Ugarte (Sittings Editor: Shari Quimbo/Photography by Dan Douglas Ong/Styled by Blaq Mafia/Makeup by Arnauld/Hair by Carlos Conde/All accessories from SM Accessories)
Looking chic in SM Accessories, Amanda Booth and Izzara Ugarte grace the cover, and talk about taking on the world together in style.
Alongside Amanda and Izzara are fashionable personalities paired together to create interesting dynamics. Kryz Uy and Doyzkie Buenaviaje, Mia Arcenas and Neil San Pedro, Kaye Luym-Sala and Vanessa Deen, Chip Lopez and Jan Rodriguez, Leslie Ann Reyes and Golda King, and Pia Mercado and Ryan Tanchan share their individual lifestyle preferences with each other to find out how they contrast and where they find mutual ground.
The theme of conversations continue with Oj Hofer’s fashion dinner, gathering together more of Cebu’s stylish characters. Michel and Amparito Lhuillier, Ria Augousti, Yong Larrazabal, Christina Garcia-Frasco, Mikel Rama, Joy Onglatco and Joevince Canizares discuss their personal perceptions of style, fashion icons, and the things that make life pleasurable.
Ixa Escario’s pieces featured in one of the fashion spreads for Zee Lifestyle‘s August-September issue (Sittings editor: Patty Taboada/Photography by Dan Douglas Ong/Styling by Blaq Mafia/Hair and makeup by Arnauld/Shot on location at Kandaya Resort)
Get exclusive passes to the runway shows showcasing this year’s haute couture fall/winter collections, find out how Francis Sollano and Anya Lim literally start their creations from scratch, and see the impeccable works of homegrown fashion designers Cary Santiago, Philip Rodriguez, Ixa Escario, Monching Ceballos, and more.
Read more in Zee Lifestyle’s Fashion Issue, out on stands this month. Grab your copies at National Bookstore and Fully Booked. For subscriptions, click here, or download the Magzter app on your device and search for ‘Zee Lifestyle’.
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