A Trip to Toym Imao’s Vibrant Expressions at Lucky Chinatown

am a history buff,” he added.

Lastly, with a successful career spanning 30 years, Imao plans to build a place where he can showcase all his creative works and where he can host art residencies, give workshops with friends and fellow artists, and build a vibrant artist community outside Metro Manila. “I saw many talented and passionate young people who unfortunately did not make the cut because they lacked proper skills and training,” Imao said.

As for Megaworld Lifestyle Malls, its goal is to develop this partnership with Imao and other local artists, thus continuing the promise to create platforms for more local products, businesses, and artists to be featured on their premises.

MEGAWORLD Lifestyle Malls’

Lucky Chinatown in Binondo, Manila will feature a giant jeepney installation from acclaimed Filipino artist Toym Imao at its heart as part of its tribute to the 125th Independence Day of the Philippines.

Originally intended as a heartfelt tribute to the resilient jeepney drivers impacted by the pandemic, the country’s biggest jeepney installation made out of yarn returns as a symbol of Philippine culture and perseverance, the perfect centerpiece for the mall’s grand Independence Day exhibit.

The iconic jeepney will be joined by more nostalgia-driven art pieces from Project Hulmahan’s exhibit to highlight Imao’s giant jeepney installation at Megaworld Lifestyle Malls, which will run until June 18.

“I have worked with Megaworld and its owners in the past, and I am a frequent visitor here so it was an easy decision to make. It also helped that the mall already has a specific artwork in mind to feature,” shared Imao in a brief media event for the installation.

The partnership demonstrates Megaworld’s mall operating arm’s commitment to showcase Filipino culture through products and art across its properties. Imao’s work combines spectacle and intimacy, depicting images and symbols that highlight the familiar elements of Filipino childhood and culture.

“It’s a public art installation meant to be seen by the public so Lucky Chinatown Mall is a good venue. “Celebrating Freedom” also appealed to me because I

ARANETA HOTELS INC. IS NAMED DREAM EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR

AT 18TH EMPLOYER BRANDING AWARDS™. The Philippines’ Best Employer Brand Awards 2023 has awarded Araneta Hotels Inc., doing business as Novotel Manila Araneta City with the support of Araneta Group and Accor Hotels, the award “Dream Employer of the Year” at the 18th Employer Branding Awards™ which happened on June 7, 2023. The selection process for Dream Employer follows an evaluation by a panel of judges. In an initial screening, nominees were evaluated based on five categories: (1) Employee Satisfaction; (2) Talent Development; (3) WorkLife Balance; (4) Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR); and (5) Measurable Results. Novotel Manila Araneta City dedicated this victory to their own Heartists® whose mission is to create meaningful experiences for our community of travelers and nomads all around the globe to keep us all aligned and connected. Receiving this recognition on behalf of the Novotel Manila Heartists® were from left to right, Erwin Doña (Director of Marketing Communications), Maria Manlulu-Garcia (General Manager), Kristine Alba (Director of Talent & Culture), and Darwin Labayandoy (Hotel Manager).

“We are striving to give our local artists the proper platform amplification assistance we can provide for them as Megaworld Lifestyle Malls wants to be at the forefront of such a movement, to be recognized as a company that supports the arts and culture in all its endeavors year round. We hope that this will be a start of something bigger for us and Toym down the road,” shared Lucky Chinatown general manager Norico Mizoguchi.

Get to see Toym Imao’s iconic jeepney made out of yarn along with Project Hulmahan’s exhibit of art pieces depicting Filipino traditional games at the atrium of Lucky Chinatown on Independence Day, and will remain available to the public until June 18, and have a blast with the rest of the day’s festivities.

Road to 30 Years: Empire East ReimAGIning the Path to Innovative and Sustainable Living

AS it approaches its 30th year in the real estate industry, Empire East, a pioneering property developer in the Philippines, has consistently led the way in sustainable development.

“Sustainability is our transformative opportunity. It’s our responsibility to build communities that thrive for generations. Embracing green technologies, renewable energy, and conscious design is a strategic advantage and a moral imperative. Let’s create a future where real estate harmonizes with nature and sustainability is the cornerstone of progress.” said Empire East President and CEO Atty. Anthony Charlemagne C. Yu.

Empire East embraces sustainability across its residential developments and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs, aligning with various UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For instance, they lead SDG 11 by establishing transit-oriented communities, encouraging residents to utilize public transportation, and reducing their carbon footprint. SDG 8 is also addressed through its dedication to creating abundant lifestyles and authentic environments that support economic growth. Additionally, the company contributes to SDGs 1 and 2 by implementing programs that enhance the well-being of neighboring communities, such as organizing feeding programs and donation drives.