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The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf’s Single Serve Beverage System

To call it a ‘coffee maker’ would be an affront to what the machine can actually do—especially since it’s a machine that has been fated to set off a coffee and tea revolution.

To call it a ‘coffee maker’ would be an affront to what the machine can actually do—especially since it’s a machine that has been fated to set off a coffee and tea revolution.

Meet the CBTL—the iconic, single-serve beverage platform du jour that is taking the world by storm. This is where Italian design and espresso-making expertise meets The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf’s distinct specialty coffee experience in one sleek and reassuringly simple package.

The question is, which CBTL is the right one for you?

The Contata

The draw of all things simple and sleek is hard to ignore. This makes the classic CBTL Contata’s contours a premium choice. Its inherent sleekness mirrors the kind of ease that the confident and well-travelled set carries. The Contata comes in classic colors (black and gray) typifying the machine’s elegant appeal, where the accomplished jet-setter’s eye for aesthetics, global ideals and effortless class is reflected. In the simplest terms—it’s globally sleek—two words that completely sum up the Contata owner.

The Kaldi

A more vibrant incarnation of the classic style, the Kaldi stands out with its dynamic colors and design that bears its own distinct personality.

The Kaldi

Kaldi Blue

Still rooted in the ease and simplicity that is essential to the CBTL, Kaldi in blue celebrates the sporty and masculine appeal of its vibrant hue. It’s a seamless fusion of sport and luxury—the compact look of the machine mirroring the active effortlessness that everyone from young dads to sports enthusiasts exhibit.

Kaldi Red

The deceptively simple yet distinctly individual look of the Kaldi in red is laced with an inherent sexiness that defines a feminine and bohemian vibe. While most machines will succumb to abstract references of art to convey its artistic sensibilities, this one makes an impression through sheer looks—much like a siren—whose energy is heightened by a certain je ne sais quoi.

Kaldi Gold

It’s a machine that is as eye-catching as it is unassuming—displaying an innate sense of earthiness that allows it to tread the fine line between prominence and subtlety for anyone making room for the Kaldi in gold in their homes. The auspicious hue makes it an ideal choice for anyone who values the unpretentious vibe of a must-have item that celebrates its practicality as much as it does its exceptional design.

Kaldi Silver

It’s a fusion of European design with edgy aesthetics that break convention that appeals to urban denizens who are constantly on-the-go. Kaldi in silver promises quick and effortless interaction with those who value efficiency in a modern and compact design. The machine reflects an inbuilt functionality highly valued by those whose schedules permit mere minutes of downtime, best spent with a gourmet cup of coffee or tea, served fast, fresh and piping-hot.

“Quite simply, CBTL is redefining the idea of instant coffee and tea, as we know it. No longer do we have to settle for watered down cups of morning brews; because now, a single push of a button can create a cup of café-quality coffee or tea—one that will not disappoint even the most discerning connoisseurs”, explains Walden Chu, President of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Philippines.

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7 Things You Need To Know Before Watching Balangiga: Howling Wilderness

Following its premiere in October 2017, controversies still creep on “Balangiga: Howling Wilderness”.

This one-of-a-kind film with surreal takes on one of the Philippines’ dark times surely deserves our time. The story is seen through the eyes of a boy that uniquely shows humanity’s cry for help.

Before its screening at your nearest cinema weeks from now, here are seven things you need to know about this morbid film about a portion of our history.

It revolves around the Balangiga Massacre in 1901.

During the American occupation in the Philippines, Company C of the 9^th Infantry Regiment arrived on the south coast of Samar Island, Balangiga in 1901. Their arrival was to cut the contacts of Filipino guerrillas to the people.

According to sources, the Americans confiscated all the weapons of the residents in Balangiga, men were detained and were treated badly. They burned down a church and its bells were taken which are still not returned to date.

Under General Jacob H. Smith’s orders, his officers burned towns and killed all who aged ten and above. For historians and people who lived there, the massacre came after the events of Smith’s orders. Americans practiced scorched earth policy and took food and killed people.

The film revolves around the journey of 8-year-old boy Kulas and his grandfather as they fled the town after Smith’s order to kill everyone over ten years old as revenge for the “rebellion” of the people in Balangiga.

Some scenes were limited especially violence on animals.

The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) mentioned that actual scenes of the film were limited.

The sickening scenes of animal slaughter, corpses and deaths will shock or excite us more.

Its tone will keep you interested

Even with gruesome scenes, the dreamy-feels tone with a mood that will continuously haunt you will surely keep you seating on your chair.

The film has minimal dialogues it will also show beautiful shots in the countryside.

It won awards in QCinema International Film Festival 2017

The film won Best Picture during the 2017 QCinema International Film Festival.

Following its back-to-back awards, it also bagged trophies in the 66^th Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) and Urian.

It will be a part of Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino 2018

Because of its numerous awards in different film festivals, “Balangiga” will be part of the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino 2018 as a guest entry under Special Features Section.

Under this section are best picture awardees in different independent festivals from 2017 to be shown as exhibition films.

The director of the film is also a musician

“Balangiga” was one of the masterpieces of director Khavn dela Cruz. Surprisingly, dela Cruz’s composition “Katurog Na” sang by folk-rock artist Lolita Carbon won Best Original Song in 66^th FAMAS.

It was intended to be a historical film for children

According to dela Cruz, the film is an unfinished project.

In his interview with ABS-CBN, he mentioned that he focused on adding and re-shooting the film to make it more accessible to a wider audience, especially for children.

History films show us more. “Balangiga” explained and portrayed more on the horrors of the armed conflict between the American forces and Filipino people.

More importantly, it showed that there is no good outcome from colonialism.

The film will be shown starting on August 15, 2018 in selected cinemas nationwide including Robinsons Galleria.

See you there!

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Scenes From the Manila Art Fair 2026

photography by Doro Barandino

“Art is unpredictable and goes in different directions. I have no idea. I would rather live the present moment.” —Bencab, National artist of the Philippines.

Q&A with interior decorator and jewellery designer Doro Barandino

Which of the participating art galleries had the most unified and exciting theme?
Leon Gallery had the most amazingly put-together collection. Though the gallery engaged various artists, the overall visual effect felt like one unified theme. Leon Gallery used a sack-like cloth (most likely raw linen) as the background for the booth, and it brought the collection together. It had an old-world feel in a chaotic setting.

Who were the artists that were the most visually engaging?
The works of Carlo Tanseco were definitely my favorite. The artist used an eye chart (Snellen chart) as the background for the image of Dr. Jose Rizal giving us the middle finger—such an “in your face” message. The concept of our national hero as a modern-day provocateur was a wake-up call to everyone. Very subversive and underground material. I was also attracted to the works of Japanese artist Tadashi Kogure; they’re very architectural.

Was the choice of venue and its layout helpful in engaging the whole art vibe?
What I noticed was that the masters like Juan Luna, Fernando Amorsolo, and Fernando Zóbel still attracted the most viewers at the art fair. People are naturally drawn to their masterful strokes and historical significance, or perhaps these artworks are not readily accessible for public viewing. Or maybe those booths that carried the masters’ works were strategically positioned right after the registrar.

The choice of venue at Center One was a good move—it created a total art vibe. Manila Art Fair remains the premier art fair in the country today, showcasing the finest modern and contemporary art while offering curated projects and immersive installations.

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Butch Carungay’s 50th in Neverland

By Emmanuel Hamoy

Cebu’s glitterati came out in full force for Butch Carungay’s 50th birthday bash at EdenClub. It was a fun-filled night overflowing with Pol Roger, trivia games whilst traipsing the light fantastic.