I recently attended the 2026 MEGA Ball at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel. This year’s theme, Fashion + Film, celebrated the artistry of Philippine cinema and design, with Ma’am Charo Santos receiving the well-deserved Icon Award. What made the evening even…
Read MoreNo one throws a ball like Tatler Philippines and that is all due to the impeccable leadership of Managing Director Irene Martel- Francisco and Editor-in-chief Anton San Diego. The recognition of this year’s Tatler’s Impact Awardees Carlos Yulo (Sports & Culture),…
Read MoreAfter missing last year’s tour-de-force show of Ivarluski Aseron at the Peninsula Manila due to an illness, I made sure no to miss this year’s Red Charity Gala featuring the “Farm To Fashion” collection of Lulu Tan Gan held at…
Read MoreIt has been a while since I last traveled out of the country alone and I had the opportunity to go to Bangkok, Thailand to host and perform at the Tourism Promotions Board of the Philippines “MICE Philippines: We Take Your…
Read MoreThe mega-hit musical of the 90’s RENT makes a comeback to the manila stage in celebration of Nine Works Theatrical’s 15th Anniversary. Director, Robbie Guevara, Producers, Santi and Anna Santamaria along with Musical Director Daniel Bartolome and Choreographer PJ Rebullida…
Read MoreWhen I heard that PETA (Philippine Educational Theater Association) was doing a musical version of the hit movie One More Chance using the music of Ben & Ben, I was both excited and also curious on how this beloved 2007…
Read MoreMeet the cast of the Philippine adaptation of the Korean hit series “What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim” led by Kim Chiu who plays Secretary Kimberly (Kim) Liwanag, and Paulo Avelino who plays my son Brandon Manansala Castillo aka BMC. I…
Read MoreIt has been 24 years since Miss Saigon was last staged in the Philippines. I still remember how excited I was to see the show back in the Cultural Center of the Philippines where Lea Salonga and some of the…
Read MoreI had the pleasure of being invited to the Vernissage of the INTIMATE AUDREY at S Maison where I met the son of Audrey Hepburn, Sean Hepburn Ferrer, and her granddaughter, Emma Hepburn Ferrer. I felt I got to know…
Read MoreWe had our first staycation in three years at Dusit Thani Manila. We had been looking forward to this for quite some time now. The warmth and hospitality of the staff is felt the moment you enter the hotel. We made…
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The year was 1995 and I was in Manila on vacation from my studies in Tokyo when I got a call for a casting for a TVC, I went to the production house and did my VTR. I was with…
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One of the things I enjoy doing as an actor is working on original materials. It gives me the opportunity to create a role and collaborate with the artistic team and my co-actors on something we are all passionate about. …
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The first time I heard about Pio’s Kitchen was through my wife Ayen when she attended an intimate gathering of friends at the establishment last year. She was raving about the food and how beautiful the place was. Now that…
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As an actor I get to play many roles which is fun to do but the role I treasure the most is being a father. I consider it an honor and privilege to be the father of Mariella, Angia, Sofia…
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It’s time to show some love to our Dads as we celebrate Father’s Day this coming June 17. I know it can be a bit difficult to look for a gift for our dads since we think they have almost…
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Out of all the songs in The Lion King, the one that made a major impact on me to this day is the song He Lives In You. It is first sung by Mufasa to his young son Simba and…
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I have a confession to make, can you believe that I have never eaten at the internationally acclaimed and Michelin-starred restaurant Kam’s Roast in Hong Kong, not even at the legendary Yung Kee Restaurant. For the life of me I…
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Have you seen the newest Mother’s Day video from PLDT and Smart? I must admit it got me hooked from the moment it began that my eyes started to sweat by the end of the video. I truly appreciate how…
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Mother’s Day is just around the corner and if you haven’t had the time to buy your Mom a gift or you still don’t know what to give her, then here are some gift ideas that will truly make your…
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As you may know I have four daughters and some of you may have read my earlier post about fatherhood https://francolaurel.com/i-love-being-a-dad/. You will know I became an instant father when I married Ayen in 2001. When Angia was born the…
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