Nike Launches House of Rise

Last week, Nike Philippines finally launched the House of Rise. The training grounds where the 24 young local talented (but untrained professionally) players from around the Philippines will train and hone their basketball skills with coach Chot Reyes and his team of topnotch trainers. The launch included the introduction of the 24 players and a showcase of their skills through drills. Nike's Paul George was also there to celebrate the launch and become a quick mentor for the players. He did drills and played with them, while keeping them motivated and inspired the whole time. Catch the episode featuring the launch and the introduction of all the 24 basketball-passionate kids on Sunday afternoon, August 2, 2015. Follow their Rise journey as basketball talents from the streets unfold to become a refined players on the court.

Photos by Marvin Conanan

Bunk Rooftop Bar

Bunk is located on the 8th floor of Jovan Bldg. along Shaw Blvd. in Mandaluyong. It is the perfect place to unwind and relax in, after a long day's work. It’s an open space and it’s pretty chill up there even though it’s amidst the bustling city. It has a very nice ambience with the city traffic's noises far in the background. Bunk has the kind of hidden treasure vibe in it because it is pretty hard to find. There aren't any signs nor posters indicating which building is Jovan Building. This actually adds to the appeal of the Bunk because of the essence of secrecy and exclusivity of the place. The owner of Bunk, Francine Delos Reyes, is an HRIM graduate of De La Salle – College of St. Benilde but ever since, she has been very fond of art and music. They just opened the place last April 2015 and since then a lot of young people and young artists have been visiting the place. The usual crowd ranges from college students to professionals. People from all over metro have been coming to Bunk, artists and young people from north to south. The concept of Bunk was inspired from Francine's trips to Germany. She fell in love with the ambiance of the place. She wanted a change in scenery – from the usual crowded bars and noisy, chaotic surroundings to a chill, open space that's good for catching up or even for dates.

Bunk also holds events and activities for art and music enthusiasts. They have poetry readings, acoustic band nights, independent film nights, and even art battles. Some artists even contributed to the artworks and murals in Bunk. Anyone who is interested to contribute his or her work is actually welcome to paint on their walls. The place can also be rented for private events – like hosting art workshops or gallery shows. Their menu is also Germany-inspired. They offer Bratkartoffeln, a German dish of cottage potatoes with bits of bacon and slices of onion, as well as delicious, juicy burgers. They also have other dishes like sisig and nachos. Their food and beverages are very affordable. You can get a bucket of beer for only 250php. What more can you ask for? It’s affordable, it’s secluded, and it has a certain vibe to it. So if you're looking for a nice place to take away the stress, head over to Bunk.

Gnarly! Pomade In Lemon x Orange Scent

If you're still confused as to what pomade actually is, it's a styling product that leaves your hair looking neat, slick, and shiny. Being very favored back in the 40's to 60's to have hairstyles like The King of Rock and Roll himself, the trend returned a few years ago and is now more popular than ever. If you're a pomade enthusiast or even a newbie, this is the thing for you. Gnarly! recently came out with their new line of pomade that comes in two scents: Lemon and Orange. Their all-organic Fudge Lemon Scent is both high in quality, sweet in smell, and has a reliable hold so you won't have to worry of fixing your hair every 2 hours. While the organically-made Gremgnar Orange Scent smells like fresh oranges and has an amazing hold as well so styling your hair won't ever have to be a struggle ever again.

Team Manila Gives Back

Homegrown brand Team Manila gave our unsung, daily heroes a well-deserved make over. Our city workers and vendors are often under-appreciated and unrecognized for the little things they do for us every day. But for TM’s 10th year anniversary, they looked far and wide for our deserving “Mr. Street Vendor”, “Kuya Kalesa Driver”, “Ate Candy and Yosi”, and plenty more, and dressed them in their signature vibrant statement shirts. See some photos below or watch the video above to see what happened.

Source: Team Manila Lifestyle

Bambike Eco Tour in Intramuros

Ever heard of bicycles that are made mostly out of bamboo? There is one Filipino company who makes these bikes and is based in Intramuros. Bambike produces the handmade bikes in a very pro-environmental way. Their bike builders are called "Bambuilders"—they come from the community Gawad Kalinga—who produce the durable and sturdy bamboo bikes. The company puts forward communities, sustainability, and the new green economy. You can either buy one for yourself or rent them for a stroll around the magnificent places of Intramuros. Catch the Bambike Eco Tour where they discover the beauty of the old walled city by watching the video above.

Source: Jigz Vicente | Photo from Visit Tarlac

The Purplechickens - Casanova (Music Video)

Local indie band The Purplechickens broke new ground with their 2014 album, Halang. This time, they released a music video for one of the tracks off that record, Casanova. Let the soothing yet harrowing chords take your hand and guide you in this journey. Lead man Aldus Santos pieces words about a man's hesitations to the serious stages of a romantic relationship. After all the whispers and caress, all four members amplify the lulling to embed the chorus in your mind. The music video takes clips from the movie Tila by Rob Jara, which actually includes this song in its soundtrack. The scenes bode well, as they depict a love story between a flood control worker and a call center agent in a place and time of seemingly eternal rain.

The Crowdfunding Sessions: Imelda Photo Recap

Here's a photo recap of what happened in last week's The Crowdfunding Sessions by The Polaris Project featuring the band Imelda. Let the photos bring you to a night of genuine passion for music and rock, specifically. For more information, visit the official page of The Polaris Project.

Photos by Maphie Bolalin

Air Jordan 7 "Bordeaux"

Just like a fine wine, the Air Jordan 7 "Bordeaux" gets better with age. Following an initial re-release back in 2011, the 2015 version of the sneakers Michael Jordan wore in the 1992 NBA All-Star Game are as close to the originals as the originals themselves. With the retro Jordan market not expected to slow down any time soon, expect these won't last long on shelves having dropped last weekend. If you're thinking of copping, check out Titan and other select Jordan Brand retailers.

Beetroot Summer '15 Lookbook

Looks like the sunny season isn't over at Beetroot as they release their Summer '15 lookbook, which features a wide selection of bralettes and other pieces that will make you wish it was a hot day in May. Designed and crafted in the Philippines, Beetroot provides us with products so well put together that you'll instantly feel sexy yet spunky as you put one on. Beautifully photographed by Artu Nepomuceno, the Beetroot Summer '15 Lookbook will surely make you crave for the hot sun on your skin, salt in your hair and sand on your toes.

The Strange Creatures - Despite Everything (Music Video)

The Strange Creatures have released their first music video for the single, Despite Everything, and have given the morning people of the world something new to listen to with a cup of coffee and a great day ahead. Directed by Christian Abuel, the video gives an enlightening tale on antiques, friendship, adventure, and loads of eye candy. Dive into the music and set sail for great moments ahead with The Strange Creatures' happy vibe.

Photo from The Strange Creatures Facebook