New York-based artist Tara McPherson returns to Manila on February 8-9, 2012. This second visit is brought to you by Vinyl on Vinyl and Fully Booked.

Born in San Francisco in 1976 and raised in Los Angeles, McPherson received her BFA from the Art Center in Pasadena, California in August 2001. She graduated with honors in Illustration and a minor in Fine Art. She interned at Rough Draft Studios, and worked on Matt Groening’s Futurama during her college days.

McPherson exhibits her paintings and serigraphs in fine art galleries all over the world. Named the crown princess of poster art by ELLE Magazine, she has created numerous gig posters for acts like Beck, Greenday, Faith No More, Rilo Kiley, and the Melvins. She has also created toys for companies like Kidrobot, Dark Horse, and Toy2R; painting comics and covers for DC Vertigo; advertising and editorial illustrations for companies such as Wyden+Kennedy and Spin Magazine. McPherson also teaches at Parsons in New York.

Her work has appeared in the graphic novel Fables: 1001 Nights of Snowfall. She also did the cover of Bridget Jones’s Diary for the Penguin Tattoo series. Soon, Dark Horse took notice and her first book, Lonely Heart: the Art of Tara McPherson, was subsequently published. This was followed by Lost Constellations; The Art of Tara McPherson Vol II.

McPherson believes in creating art inspired by people and their odd ways. Her characters exude an idealized innocence with hard-earned wisdom glinting in their eyes. She draws inspiration from childhood issues from childhood and life experiences. Her images are thought-provoking and seductive. People and their relationships are a central theme in her work.

On her first visit to Manila in 2010, McPherson gave a talk at the International Multimedia Design Conference Graphika Manila. She also auctioned off several poster designs she did for bands, which local musicians performed covers of. This time, McPherson unveils her third book Bunny in the Moon for the very first time.

Fully Booked will prepare two dialog/books signings: one at the De La Salle College of Saint Benilde, which will take place on February 8, 2012 (Wednesday) from 1:00-4:00 p.m. at the SDA Cinema 12/F SDA Campus; the other will be at the University of the Philippines Diliman (U.P.) on February 9, 2012 (Thursday) from 1:00-3:30 p.m. at the U.P. College of Fine Arts Corridor Gallery.

The culminating event will take place during Vinyl on Vinyl’s second anniversary celebration, where McPherson will exhibit her original art and unveil a special Toy release, Lucius and Mountains, inspired by her legendary Melvins poster.

For more information, visit the Fully Booked website: www.fullybookedonline.com and the Vinyl on Vinyl blog – vinylonvinyl.blogspot.com.

UNO Magazine caught up with Tara McPherson 2 years ago, and here’s a 10 Question interview that we did with her.

The 3rd installment of the Boysen KNOxOUT Project: EDSA (Everyone Deserves Safe Air) featured international filmaker, artist and architect Tapio Snellman.

Bown in Finland, Snellman’s films and installations have been previously featured at the Guggenheim Museum in New York City and the Design Museum in London, among other.

But from the enclosed spaces of these museums, Snellman is suddenly thrust right at the heart of Cubao, the Cubao-Aurora Underpass. Just like Jose Tence Ruiz (Bgy. San Lorenzo Wall, EDSA) and B+C Design Inc, (Ortigas-EDSA Interchange), Snellman was commissioned to come up with a 1000 sqm. artwork located along ESDA. all artworks used the air cleaning paint Boysen KNOxOUT as the medium and are expected to clean out the toxic NOx spewed out by at least 8000 vehicles.

And like a true artist, Snellman rose up and more than passed the challenge.

For more information about the Boysen KNOxOUT Project: EDSA (Everyone Deserves Safe Air), the technology behind Boysen KNOxOUT and how you can take part of this urban renewal initiative, please visit www.boysenknoxoutproject.com.

Mark our words, February is going to be epic on AXN. Kick starting the lineup in the beginning of the month is the highly-anticipated return of singing reality competition series The Voice Season 2.

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Premiering on February 6, 2012 is Season 2 of The Voice, hosted by Carson Daly, offering aspiring singers the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be mentored by celebrity coaches. Christina Aguilera, Adam Levine, Cee Lo Green and Blake Shelton return with their sizzling chemistry and their trademark red swiveling chairs to judge contestants solely on their vocal talent and not their looks. If more than one coach turns to pick a particular singer, the tide turns and the choice of coach goes to the singer. This season, show producer Mark Burnett has added more rounds of blind auditions and each of the coaches’ teams will be expanded to 12 singers each.

The ante is certainly upped in terms of the diversity and quality of the contestants this season, with Aguilera bagging ‘everything from an opera singer, powerhouse MC to soul singers’ on her team. What is interesting is that savvy contestants who are in demand now know how to play the game, and have taken the opportunity to push the coaches a little further and wrangle for commitment to be kept  for a few rounds.

Season 1’s contestants have done well for themselves so far; winner Javier Colon has released a new album in collaboration with Natasha Bedingfield and his coach, Adam Levine, while first runner-up Dia Frampton has also launched her album with the help of coach Blake Shelton. Other contestants – Beverly McClellan from Team Aguilera and Vicci Martinez from Team Cee Lo have also begun recording after the show ended.

Talent-spotting aside, be sure to keep an eye out for new songs from the coaches themselves! After all, Season 1 was the launchpad for Shelton’s ‘Honey Bee’, a country chart-topper, as well as the Maroon 5-Aguilera single ‘Moves Like Jagger’ which hit No. 1 on the Hot 100 list. And as Aguilera teased, look out for the ‘kickass’ opening performance by the coaches this season!

 The Voice Season 2 premieres on 6 Feb 2012, Mon at 10.55pm

Viewers are invited to visit www.axn-asia.com for the latest update on their broadcast schedules or follow them on Twitter @axnasia for more info

TATTOO, the no. 1 most preferred broadband, unleashed its weapons for greatness in a daring resistance campaign against uniformity, mediocrity and limitations.

The goal is to break barriers and the battle cry is to resist. Thus, the Ayala Museum was transformed into a canvass as Tattoo brought to life the different forms of resistance. This multi-sensorial display featured four fascinating artworks that bore testament to the resistance movement with each artwork meticulously crafted by select individuals renowned in their field and known for their extraordinary vision.

Interpreting Resisting Uniformity through fashion is award winning fashion designer and milliner Mich Dulce with an installation that featured her latest creations. Resisting Mediocrity through multimedia arts is graphic design house Team Manila which presented their design that stood as a mixture of local pop culture. Resisting Limitations through form is the sculptural artwork of Leeroy New that carries his trademark of pushing the boundaries of imagination while Paul Zialcita displayed Resistance through sound as he performed his beats through mix of traditional and unconventional instruments creating a distinct rhythm. “This evening is very important for Tattoo as we bravely lead and share with you this revolution,” says Dong Ronquillo, Tattoo Head of Nomadic Broadband Business. “What is resistance exactly? It is not settling for anything less and always pushing the limits to achieve greatness. This is what Tattoo stands for and this year we continue on living without limits”.

Special performances that translated the Resistance movement through reel to real experiences were interpreted by model Jasmine Maierhofer, the Hot Legs dancers and live poetry reading by Niña Terol and Paul Zialcita. Tattoo’s new faces of greatness were also unveiled: the Filipino Flash Nonito Donaire, Master Model Georgina Wilson and Chicosci lead vocalist and Rock Rebel Miggy Chavez.  Guests were given a chance to get up close and personal with Georgina and Miggy as they shared the significance of this revolution and how they resist and break the norms to become great in their chosen field.

Globe President and Chief Executive Officer Ernest Cu and the trade partners of Globe graced the event hosted by Sarah Meier – Albano.  Tattoo’s brand ambassadors race car champion Marlon Stockinger, cyber superstar Saab Magalona and Ford Supermodel of the World 2010 Danica Magpantay and art diva Sarah Gaugler were also at the event to show their support to the new campaign. Other celebrities spotted during the Tattoo Resistance launch were Raymond Gutierrez, Divine Lee, Angeli Pangilinan, Pia Magalona, Frank Magalona, RJ Ledesma, Borgy Manotoc, Rovilson Fernandez, Rhett Eala and JR Isaac.

Tattoo continues to push the boundaries in connectivity, delivering unparalleled  service with 4G, better devices, wider reach and faster speeds at unbeatable value.

Resist against the mediocre offers of other brands with the Tattoo 4G Flash at P1245 which runs at a speed of up to 7.2 mbps with free 120 hours valid for 5 days plus free surfing on Facebook for 30 days.

Resisting Limitations, Tattoo subscribers may now enjoy ultimate non-stop surfing for 3 days with SUPERSURF for only P120, avoiding the hassle of daily registration.

Resisting uniformity, the New Tattoo Postpaid Personalized Plan at a baseplan of only P999 a month comes with unlimited surfing at a speed of up to 7.2 mbps.

It’s time to resist. Join the resistance and choose your weapon. Visit www.tattoo.globe.com.ph.

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Late last year, American alternative rock band Death Cab for Cutie announced that they will have a concert in Singapore on March of this year. So here I though they would pass by the opportunity to play here in Manila, but the music gods (and Warner Music Philippines) listened to every Filipino DCFC fans’ prayer so on March 5, 2012 Death Cab for Cutie will have a one night only concert at the NBC tent!

Tickets are already available today at Ticketnet.

Pasay City, Metro Manila – On Tuesday, December 20, the Kaholeros, as the official booster squad of the Philippine National Football Teams, hosted the first Azkals Christmas Party at the SMDC Grand Showroom. The party, which was also graced by the coaching staff of the Azkals, the players of the Under-23 National Football Team (Junior Azkals), the players and coaching staff of the Women’s National Football Team (Malditas) and the officials of the Philippine Football Federation, was primarily organized so that the team may spend some time with fans outside of the football scene.

Kia Motors, the event’s main sponsor, gave commendation in the form of four brand new Kia Picantos to Azkals veterans Ian Araneta, Anton Del Rosario, Roel Gener and Ed Sacapano for their contribution to the team and to Philippine football in general.

The Kaholeros also gave out awards, which results were arrived at via online voting of its members. The winners were Nate Burkey and Lexton Moy (Social Service Award), Alexander “Aly” Borromeo (Fair Play Award), Stephan Schrock (Goal of the Year), Neil Etheridge (Save of the Year), and Emelio “Chieffy” Caligdong (Congeniality Award and Player of the Year).

In the midst of the celebration, the Kaholeros did not ignore the tragedy brought about by tropical storm Sendong; so they brought old clothes and blankets to be donated to the victims. LBC Express graciously picked them up from the venue.

Team Manager Dan Palami, not forgetting the crucial role they play in the success of the team on and off the field, raffled off a few prizes exclusively for the members of the Kaholeros, to the surprise and utter delight of all attendees. He capped the night off with a message of thanks to everyone who has supported and has been instrumental in the promotion of the game in the country. He promised that 2012 will be a bigger year for football in the Philippines.

by Cherrie Billones

More photos from the event:

Secret Fresh’s year opener for 2012 is an exhibit of poster art created by Manila’s top and up and coming graphic designers and artists who also venture into illustration.  The show opening this January 8 Sunday at 6 PM is entitled AGIT POP! Post-Its To The Post Apocalypse and showcases their poster designs which imagines them as message boards to a future world promising utopic  visions in the aftermath of an imagined anticipated holocaust as prodded by the much Mayan calendar footnoting of the year 2012. Reversing the doomdsday prophesies, the posters present instead a possibility beyond such eventuality, speculating on the premise of a promised renewed world or the unfulfillment of such in a rather dystopia.

The line up of artists for this show is composed of JP Cuison,  Dina Gadia, D.O.T. , Folk Superlative, Electrolychee, 27 + 20,  Dee Grayson, AJ Dimarucot, Paulo Reyes, Russell Vergara, Wes Valenzuela, Mimi Tecson, A.lien, Dang Sering, Jackie Millonado and Jay Mitra.

Over 200 Poster Art entries were submitted, showcasing the wealth of local talent in illustration, digital design, conceptual execution and photography. There were also  original entries for the 60-second Digi-Film category, which took Pinoy artistry and creativity to greater heights. Most of the entries submitted truly captured the spirit and character of the brand, which also an important consideration during the judging.

Pony, of course, is an American brand of footwear, founded in Brooklyn, New York in 1972. Pony has since become a top global athletic brand in the ‘80s. By this time, the brand had been worn by champion athletes in the World Cup, Super Bowl, NBA and the likes.

The winners of the Pony Footwear “Show Off” digital film and poster art competition was revealed and awarded last Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011 at 55 Events Place, Sct. Rallos St., Timog, Quezon City. Each winner of the Digi-Film and Poster Art categories received the following: First prize is P40,000 cash plus P10,000 worth of Pony shoes; Second prize is P20,000 cash and P5,000 worth of Pony shoes; and Third price is P10,000 cash and P5,000 worth of Pony shoes.

The winners for the PONY SHOW OFF DIGITAL FILM CATEGORY:

1^st Prize: KEVIN DAYRIT “Soundless Transposition”, 2^nd Prize: Winson Rojo “Bold & wild”, 3^rd PRIZE: Vancleef Emnacen “Pony Tale: Sneaky Sneakers”

The winners for the PONY SHOW OFF POSTER CATEGORY:

1^st Prize: Jesus Genotiva “Rock n Roll”, 2^nd Prize: Reuben Francis Vidanes “Dare:Grafitti Let’s Get It On”, 3^rd PRIZE: Frederick Uy “Hot Dog”

PONY show off awarding ceremony were hosted by Internet sensation, TV personality & film professor, RAMON BAUTISTA together with renowned music video director, NANI NAGUIT.

Major awards were presented by celebrities and music icons such as RENZ FERNANDEZ, DEVON of PBB Teen Clash, CHAMP LUI PIO, BARON GEISLER & BAMBOO. The participants also enjoyed explosive performances from up & coming young band ABSOLUTE PLAY, rock princess, KITCHIE NADAL & the lords of metal rock, WOLFGANG.

Check out the winning entries at www.facebook.com/PONYSHOWOFF. For those who joined, your showing off has hit pay dirt. As Pony would say: “Let’s Get It On!”

I picked the Keratin treatment, which my hair stylist Armando said would tame my unruly and somewhat stubborn curls. Don’t get me wrong–I love my wavy hair. It’s just that it’s so hard to manage sometimes, especially when you’re always in a hurry and you don’t have the time to blow dry your hair. I’m happy, though, with the end result of the treatment. It’s been days, but my hair still feels smooth and not frizzy.

Also on that day, renowned make-up artist Roshar, who has done make-up for popular magazines like Zink, Vogue Russia, Elle, and Glamour, and has also made Katy Perry and Kylie Minogue beautiful in their music videos, had a quick demo for the media. He gave away tips and tricks on proper make-up application.

Visit Jing Monis’ Salon on the 3rd level of Greenbelt 1 Mall, Makati or at the Alabang branch on the 3rd floor of the Main Tower Wing, Bellevue Hotel. Call the salon at 8934098 (Makati) and 5550963 (Alabang).

Overseas, the hottest trend of the Spring/Summer season is color blocking, and although the look is far from new, the trend is back! PENSHOPPE is set to take the trend to all new heights as they launch their Summer 2012 Collection. They launched their latest collection called INVASION at this year’s highly anticipated Philippine Fashion Week; guests in attendance were treated to a visually stunning runway that showcased PENSHOPPE’s four new looks for the season. Kick starting the show was their current Holiday 2011 collection, which is a combination of outdoor comfort and rock star glamour (now modeled in billboards everywhere by Gossip Girl’s Ed Westwick). The second part featured PENSHOPPE’s Pre-Summer 2012. PENSHOPPE creates their denim statement for the season with strong acid washes. With denim line that has a huge following it really is no surprise that the acid wash jeans is the collection’s pièce de résistance. Finally, for their curtain call, the show closed by the introduction of their second international endorser after Ed Westwick, Thai superstar MARIO MAURER.

Photos by Magic Liwanag