Today Fyi: The doctor is in

MANILA, Philippines - For over five decades, Dr. Martens boots have been worn by workers, rebels, and celebrities alike. From the classic black leather boots to the cherry red ones, its working class appeals has endured.

And now today, Dec. 9, Dr. Martens is back in Manila as it launches its official concept store with an open party at The Plaza, The Fort Strip, Bonifacio Global City.

“Dr. Martens is an iconic brand with deep heritage and real credibility with its fans,” says owner Andrew Garcia. “Recently, we’ve noticed an upswing in interest in DMs over the past year in several markets as the brand that reemerged as a fashion staple. We felt that bringing DMs back would be an exciting opportunity.”

The actual store is something you can’t miss mainly because of how it’s put up: a fabricated container van at the center of the plaza, next to Puccini. Expect the likes of Saab Magalona and Mei Bastes to stop by. Jazz-punk outfit Radioactive Sago Project and Flippin Soul Stompers will also supply the sounds.

Co-owner Borgy Manotoc and Garcia actually have pretty long histories with the brand, dating back to the early ‘90s. “From school days to senior proms all the way to picking up new styles just this year, DM’s played a pretty big role in our lifestyle ever since,” recalls Garcia. Now with a DM shop of their own, they only hope to impart this lifestyle to all.

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Doors open at 1 p.m. with festivities starting at around 8 p.m. Don’t forget to join the swag bag draw by logging on to drmartensph.eventbrite.com.

Excavations from the End of the World

Artist, writer and Greater Good Apparel graphic designer Carina Santos has finally launched her first solo exhibit, entitled “Excavations from the End of the World.” It was held last Wednesday, Dec. 6 at West Gallery (48 West Avenue, Quezon City). The exhibit runs until the end of the month so that leaves art fans more than enough time to drop by.

Regarding the work itself, Santos hasn’t shied away from specifying its look and feel. “I wanted to make (viewers) feel like they’re rifling through the remnants of an apocalyptic event, like the last remaining archaeologist,” describes Santos.

Aside from her work, you’ll also get to see new work by her brother Luis Santos, Frederick Sausa, and Kaloy Sanchez.

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Gallery hours are Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. You can give them a call at 411-0336

Time Out: Is social media changing the online playground?

Ateneo’s ACOMM partners with Yahoo! Philippines to present a Social Media Summit, aptly called Time Out. The event will be held tomorrow, Dec. 10, from 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Ateneo (Escaler Hall in the morning and MVP basement, CTC 102 and 105 in the afternoon).

Posing the question “Is social media changing the online playground?” the whole-day event features a series of talks and workshops that center on the idea that the Internet is like an online playground where rules of social media etiquette are simultaneously broken and built by the citizens who play around and experiment in it. These talks will be conducted by prominent media practitioners and social media experts.

Hear from former ABS-CBN Senior VP Maria Ressa, Yahoo! Philippines South East Asia Head of Social & Community Joey Alarilla, APO Hiking Society’s Jim Paredes, GMA News Online’s Candice Montenegro, Ateneo Philosophy professor Rowena Azada-Palacios, bloggers Pilar Pedrosa Pilar and Ivan Henares, and more.

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It’s best if you apply soonest since there are limited slots per school. Application Fee: P350. (Inclusive of food & kits)