It’s Game On! as internationally renowned contemporary artist Edgar Plans’ NBA-inspired art arrives in Singapore for the first time!

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Presented by Art with Love, in partnership with BLAXK by ActionCity, the Game On Global Tour arrives in Singapore with Plans’ signature sculptures modelled after legendary NBA players as well as highly sought-after exclusive collectibles.

Contemporary art lovers and basketball fans in Singapore are in for a treat this May as one of the hottest ultra-contemporary artists of today, Edgar Plans (Plans), visits Singapore for the very first time as part of the Game On Global Tour! Featuring his signature sculptures inspired by legendary NBA players, along with limited edition collectibles in an exclusive collaboration with the NBA, the Game On Global Tour by Edgar Plans arrives in Singapore after tremendously successful exhibitions in Shanghai, Shen Zhen, and Hong Kong with immediate sold out art collectibles.

Presented by international art creative agency Art with Love, in partnership with BLAXK by ActionCity, co-organised by global creative art studio Coexist (also known as CE Lab) and European contemporary art organisation MishaMade, from 25 May to 16 July 2023, Game On is a one-of-a-kind interactive experience at Funan featuring Plans’ expansive collection of sculptures and paintings. Bringing a concept similar to the K11 Art Mall in Hong Kong, Art with Love brings this novel “Museum-Retail” concept to Singapore, integrating the retail experience with internationally celebrated artist Plans’ art. The Game On exhibition is the first in a series of events and retail experiences lined up under the partnership between Singapore Tourism Board and CapitaLand to deliver new retail concepts and drive global  awareness of Singapore and CapitaLand malls, including Funan, as must-visit lifestyle destinations.

Edgar Plans, I Love This Game, 2022, Mixed media on Canvas, 150cm x 150cm

Plans is known globally for his graffiti style artwork and contemporary take on socio-political issues through his medium of superheroes, married with a palette of vibrant colours and doodle aesthetics. The Spanish-born artist names graffiti, street art, comic books, illustrations and animated films as major influences and his multidisciplinary works recall the styles of a range of artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Paul Klee, Keith Haring, and even Takashi Murakami. A superstar in the global art scene in the last decade, Plans’ artwork has been showcased widely across Europe and Asia in various major museums, galleries and auction houses across the globe, highlighting his ever increasing popularity and cultural relevancy. 

Internationally renowned for his “Animal Heroes” series, Plans draws his audience into a fantastical world filled with distinct, mouse-eared protagonists in irresistibly adorable costumes. With their disproportionately large heads and large expressive eyes, these heroes exude an air of whimsical exuberance and optimism in the face of problems. In recent years, Plans’ works have become incredibly popular, marking a trend which has seen similar rises in popularity among collectors for collectibles such as KAWS. In 2022, Plans’ work accrued USD 12 million in auction sales, across 175 lots; making for a 23% increase in the average price over the year. 

Taking his Animal Heroes characters from the confines of a canvas to an augmented reality setting, and now art toys, Plans’ highly appealing Lil’ Heroes series of work has become incredibly popular in recent years, marking a rising trend among collectors. 

“Game On is a cross-border integration of art, games, sports and music, creating a field where contemporary culture and young generations collide.” said Michelle Yu, Founder of Art with Love. “Bridging the worlds of traditional art and entertainment, Plans’ cute style of art, which is humorous and whimsical, has a magical way of drawing people in. This exhibition was born out of a desire to bring collectible artworks by top international artists to people in Singapore and the region, fostering the growth and appreciation of contemporary art in a fun, accessible and relatable manner.”

Audiences engaging with Edgar Plans’ works at the Game On exhibition in Shenzhen last year. 

Stepping into a street basketball-inspired wonderland, visitors in Singapore can look forward to larger-than-life sculptures and Lil’ Heroes representing the NBA and NBA players across different eras. Snap pictures with Plans’ jaw dropping sculptures as they make their way around Funan, with five giant sculptures and art pieces inspired by basketball superstars such as Michael Jordan, Lebron James, and Kobe Bryant being installed throughout the mall. With installations designed and inspired by the basketball court, the vividly-coloured, visually stunning 2.5-metre-tall ‘Lil’ Heroes’ are modelled in ‘fight-or-flight’ poses, paying tribute to the 

NBA players they are modelled upon and the glorious game of basketball. 

Plans will also be unveiling a Singapore-exclusive collectible inspired by one of the greatest basketball players of all time in the truly iconic Chicago Bulls jersey! This series of collectibles are collected by top celebrities and art toy collectors. Previous collections were sold out within weeks after launching. 

One of Edgar Plans’ creations that audiences in Singapore will have the opportunity to view Plans said that he started creating a world with these characters as a way to inspire and communicate through art and the response he has received in Asia has been extremely heartening. Seeing audiences relate, connect and interact with his work has been gratifying and he is thankful for the opportunity to share his art with new audiences in Singapore. He looks forward to making new experiences when he comes to Singapore next month.

Singapore-Exclusive Limited Edition Flyman 23

For collectors, grab the opportunity to add Plans’ highly desirable work to one’s collection, as Plans introduces a limited edition Michael Jordan-inspired collectible launching exclusively in Singapore, only available through BLAXK by ActionCity. Specially designed as a stand-out collectible within the Game On series paying tribute to the great basketball icon, this ‘Flyman 23’ sculpture by Plans is limited to only 400 pieces. Art collectors will certainly not want to miss out on this exciting opportunity to own this grail figure, with previous exclusive merchandise selling out immediately upon launch before growing steadily in value in secondary markets. 

His collectors are beyond traditional art enthusiasts, and includes top celebrities, actors and street culture icons - which is evident with the wait list already filling up by collectors for Edgar Plans’ Flyman 23 figure even before official announcements.“BLAXK by ActionCity is thrilled to be able to work with Art With Love to bring the Game On exhibition to Singapore – the only city in the region to feature in this incredibly unique activation where Art meets Basketball!” said Cheong Zhaoyong, Director of BLAXK by ActionCity. “Edgar Plans is one of the most influential artists in the pop culture world, and having his inaugural exhibition here drives the development of the local art and collectibles scene. With Game On Singapore and the launch of our event-exclusive Flyman 23 sculpture, we look forward to celebrating the art of Edgar Plans together with NBA fans as well as art collectors and enthusiasts.”

Beyond the highly-coveted Flyman 23 sculpture, other limited edition Game On merchandises by Plans will also be available at the exhibition, including accessories and apparels, as well as a specially designed Edgar Plans x Wilson basketball which incorporates the artist’s street graffiti style paintings and sketch lines! 

Details about the Game On Global Tour by Edgar Plans Exhibition in SIngapore:

Period: 25 May to 16 July 2023

Venue: Funan, with exclusive collectibles available at BLAXK by ActionCity 

 (#01-03)

Address: 109 North Bridge Rd, Singapore 179097

Organisers and Partners of the Game On Global Tour by Edgar Plans Exhibition in 

SIngapore:

Artwork by: Edgar Plans

Organised & Curated by: Art with Love in partnership with BLAXK by ActionCity

Co-organised by: Coexist and MishaMade 

Supported by: CapitaLand Investment Limited

Singapore Tourism Board

For more information, kindly refer to the Appendix.

Annex A: Quote Sheet

Annex B: Edgar Plan’s Biography

About Edgar Plans

Edgar Plans is a Spanish postwar and contemporary artist that lives in Gijón, Spain whose works have been featured across the world in notable galleries such as the Almine Rech in Brussels, Shanghai, and Paris, the Moscow Museum of Modern Art, the WOAW Gallery in Hong Kong, and the Padre Gallery in New York. His work has also gone under the hammer at various notable auction houses, with his painting Colors being sold for approximately 700,000USD in 2022 at Christie’s Shanghai.

Plans conveys the innocence and hope of children through his raw and playful imagery, creating doodle-like visuals to paint a narrative and tackle grown up issues from a whimsical perspective. By using his expressive and eye-catching cartoon characters known as Animal Heroes set in contrast to urban backdrops using mixed media, Plans draws attention to social issues like racism and gender equality.

Follow Edgar Plans on Instagram at @edgarplans.

About Lil’ Heroes

Lil' Heroes is a branding and entertainment franchise created by Spanish artist Edgar Plans in association with Exile Content Studio.

It debuted in January 2022 as an NFT collection that unites the worlds of traditional art, entertainment, and technology. Beyond the NFTs, the brand also sells merchandise and licenses, and produces an animated show, events, publications, and more.

About Art with Love

ART WITH LOVE (AWL) is an art creative agency that connects top international artist resources to provide integrated art services that drive up the cultural and commercial value of art. Its innovative strategy and approach brings art to a broader audience with accessible and investible artworks.

Based in Singapore and New York, with offices globally, AWL bridges the art and cultural communities between the East and West, filling the gap of global art presentation in the Asian 

market. Find out more at artwithlove.club.

About BLAXK by ActionCity

BLAXK by ActionCity (BLAXK) is a space for all things pop culture, design and art. Set up by ActionCity in September 2021, BLAXK marks the 21st anniversary and growth milestone of the brand as the industry thought-leader spearheading the convergence of pop culture, art and collectibles in Singapore.

Beyond curating pop art collections through partnerships with world-class artists & brands, BLAXK inspires meaningful and deep connections between all who share a common love for pop art and collectibles through serving as a creative and interactive hub celebrating the vibrant growth of pop culture and community.

Follow BLAXK by ActionCity on Instagram at @theblaxkspace.

About CapitaLand Investment Limited

Headquartered and listed in Singapore, CapitaLand Investment Limited (CLI) is a leading 

global real estate investment manager (REIM) with a strong Asia foothold. As at 31 December 2022, CLI had S$132 billion of real estate assets under management, and S$88 billion of real estate funds under management (FUM) held via six listed real estate investment trusts and 

business trusts, and more than 30 private vehicles across Asia Pacific, Europe and USA. Its diversified real estate asset classes cover retail, office, lodging, business parks, industrial, logistics and data centres.

CLI aims to scale its FUM and fee-related earnings through fund management, lodging management and its full stack of operating capabilities, and maintain effective capital management. As the investment management arm of CapitaLand Group, CLI has access to the development capabilities of and pipeline investment opportunities from CapitaLand’s development arm.

As a responsible company, CLI places sustainability at the core of what it does and has committed to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. CLI contributes to the environmental and social well-being of the communities where it operates, as it delivers long-term economic value to its stakeholders.

For more information, visit www.capitalandinvest.com.

About the Singapore Tourism Board

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is the lead development agency for tourism, one of Singapore’s key economic sectors. Together with industry partners and the community, we shape a dynamic Singapore tourism landscape. We bring the Passion Made Possible brand to life by differentiating Singapore as a vibrant destination that inspires people to share and deepen their passions.

For more information, visit www.stb.gov.sg or www.visitsingapore.com.

Follow STB on Facebook @STBsingapore or on LinkedIn at

https://www.linkedin.com/company/singapore-tourism-board/mycompany/

Adopting a "Deserve ko to!" mindset without breaking the bank

Wazzup Pilipinas!?


Through proactive saving and personal budgeting, Lista PH makes it easier to take care of what you need and buy what you want



When it comes to what we spend money on, there are things we need, and there are things we want. With regards to the latter, whether you’re treating yourself to a good cup of coffee, a limited-edition pair of sneakers, or a big-ticket item like a laptop or phone, it’s always easy to tell ourselves “Deserve ko ‘to!”.

We’ve all been there. There’s no denying that instant gratification feels good. There are a few things in life like the inexplicable rush of dopamine that comes from checking out at a store counter or seeing online purchases delivered straight to our doors. However, if you’re not careful with how you manage your money, chasing after your wants can compromise your ability to take care of the things you need.

To help more Filipinos take better care of their finances, Lista, the fastest-growing financial management app in the country, aims to help more people across the country gain financial clarity through the help of technology. From personal budgeting to cutting expenses, Lista shares tips to help you stay on top of your needs and to make financial room for the things you want:

 



#1 Check Yourself… And Your Spending

Keeping track of what you spend on is the first step to saving money. From your morning coffee to your monthly bills, there are many ways to record your expenses. To monitor the money coming in and out of your pocket with ease, Lista PH houses an expense tracker that’s simple, powerful, and accessible from your smartphone. This makes it easier to keep track of your spending and stay informed on what eats up too much of your finances.



#2 Take Control of Your Budget

Once you know how much you spend, it becomes much easier to create a budget. Setting a budget should show your expenses in relation to your income which helps in making it easier to plan your spending and limit overspending.

To easily set a budget according to your preferences, Lista’s Personal Budgeting feature helps users achieve their financial goals – whether you’re paying off debt or saving money for the long term. The app allows users to set a preferred budgeting cycle, make it easy to list expenses, and share additional insights to help you with your budgeting needs.



#3 Cut Out Non-Essential Spending

Looking at your budget and your expenses, it becomes easier to identify non-essential spending like eating at restaurants or going out. Other ways to save on everyday expenses include reviewing any recurring charges for seldom-used subscriptions or services, researching for promos in restaurants, or waiting on sales on things you want.



#4 Level Up Your Spending Game

After expenses and income, financial goals are the most likely factors to influence how you allocate your savings. Start by thinking about the things you want to save for, and from there, you can estimate how much money you’ll need, and how long it would take you to reach those amounts.

Lista PH’s Savings feature aims to empower Filipinos to meet savings goals and set financial targets for the things they want to buy. Whether you’re aiming to save five hundred Pesos to buy what’s in your online cart or to put away the funds for a down payment on a car, making the act of saving a habit, with the help of Lista, can help make it easier for Filipinos to stick to their short-term and long-term financial goals.

At the end of the day, responsible budgeting and spending on yourself shouldn’t feel impossible to balance. These four steps can help ensure you get to treat yourself to what you want without biting you back in the long run. Having a responsible way to keep track of your spending and your budget can lessen worries and remove the “guilty” from guilty pleasures.

Lista PH is available to download from The App Store and Google Play Store.

Celebrating our Everyday Heroes

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In celebration of Farmers and Fisherfolks Month, East-West Seed shines a spotlight on its three outstanding farmer-heroes by showcasing their stories of hard work and dedication in making a difference and shaping the landscape of vegetable farming in the Philippines.

Join us as we walk you through their journey and their secrets in becoming the successful farmers they are today. It is East-West Seed’s hope that these stories will ignite your interest to learn more about the field and inspire more people into taking action towards building a sustainable future through farming. 

Cultivating the love of farming from childhood

The love for farming came naturally for Albert Rosillo, a 46-year-old farmer from Sitio Tab-ang, Brgy. Kilim, Baybay City, Leyte. At an early age, he learned the importance of farming through his father, who worked as an agriculture professor at the Visayas State University.

“Unlike kids my age, I usually spent weekends waking up early and going to our rice farm with my father. There, I appreciate the hard work that our farmers are putting in to produce food," he recalls.

Moved by the farmers' passion, he took a course in agribusiness and worked as a farm technician in private and government entities. Years later, his experience and knowledge as a farm technician came into hand as he took over his family’s 9,000sqm farm, which he turned into a vegetable farm and named after his first son, Basti.

Fast forward to 2023, Basti’s farm simultaneously grows East-West Seed’s Jackson cucumber, Mayumi bottle gourd, Macho corn, Galaxy ampalaya, Bongga sitaw, and Makisig sitaw. “Multicropping offers multiple streams of income and it is where farming can become sustainable in the long run,” he shares.

While each crop is sold at different prices, Albert estimates earnings of approximately 200%-300% where most are spent to further improve and expand his plantation. Throughout the years, he has added farm structures like greenhouse tunnels to protect his vegetables from pests, soil diseases, and disasters which are frequent in his area.

Because of his good practices in farming, he was recognized by the Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Training Institute, Visayas State University, and Leyte’s Local Government Unit as an outstanding vegetable farmer.

Soon, he plans to venture into hydroponics, yet in the meantime, he makes sure to give back to the community by helping his fellow farmers understand the right seeds, fertilizers, and technologies they can use to grow their crops. He also opens his farm as a learning site for students and other farmers from neighboring provinces who want to visit and learn from him.

Like his father, he trains his three children in farming. “Food is a basic necessity and we have no food if we do not farm. As a father, I would like to cultivate my children’s passion for farming, just like how my father planted a seed in me,” he shares.



Inspiring other women to take action

At the age of 63, there is no stopping Carmen Lumahang Paredo from planting vegetables and inspiring other women in Brgy. Pagatpat, Cagayan de Oro City to grow their own food.

“It is my happiness to produce clean and fresh food for my family and this is why I encourage a lot of women and mothers to start by planting in containers and gardens if they have little or no land at all,” she explains.

Apart from taking care of her six children and four grandchildren, she leads a busy life as a farmer. She tends her one-hectare vegetable farm, which she normally plants with East-West Seeds’ tomatoes, cucumbers, pumpkins, eggplants, and corn varieties.

On the side, she produces compost and other organic fertilizers for her farm's consumption and as another product that she sells for Php200 per sack to other farmers and gardeners. By efficiently utilizing organic and non-organic fertilizers for her farm, the Department of Agriculture has awarded a Good Agricultural Practice certificate to her and her farm.

But not only does she is recognized as an experienced farmer, she is also a constant farmer leader in her town. In 2015, she actively participated in the formation of a farmers’ market where women farmers like her can sell their produce every time they harvest. At the same time, she has served as a farmers’ coordinator in a local agricultural and fisheries council for several years.

During and post-pandemic, she found online selling as another viable way of marketing her vegetables. Through time, she was able to build her online network and help other women farmers’ sell their vegetables.

“I cannot and will never stop farming as long as I live. It is my dream that everyone – be it men, women, and children will be able to grow their own food and sustain their needs through vegetable farming,” she shares.

As a result of her dedication and willingness to help other farmers, Carmen and members of the women’s group in their community are granted by the Mindanao University of Science and Technology with the special project of starting a hydroponics farm in their village.




Rekindling his passion for farming

A professional seaman, 39-year-old Eliasar Espinas, decided to leave his prestigious career to become a farmer. His dream of becoming a vegetable farmer stems from his desire to follow his parents’ path.

"In high school, I planted lettuce in a small portion of my parent's farm and I was so happy to see that they have grown. Since then, I knew that I will always get back to farming whatever happens," he shares.

True enough, he used his profession as a stepping stone to reach his dream. After working as a seaman for six years, he was able to plant 5,000 hills of Diamante Max tomatoes within his 10-hectare land at Sitio Sap-ak, Brgy. Sudlon 1, Cebu City.

His first harvest gave him huge returns, which he used to diversify into other crops such as Emperor sweet pepper, Vulcan hot pepper, Lava hot pepper, Lega C cucumber, Mestisa bitter gourd, and Galaxy Max bitter gourd, all of which were grown using East-West Seed's quality seeds.

But like most farmers, he was not exempt from experiencing struggles and losses. In 2021, Typhoon Odette hit Cebu City, leaving him with no crops for sale or consumption. Despite feeling devastated, he chose to plant again. This time, he formed a sturdy trellis on which his vegetable plants can anchor.

“You cannot be called a farmer if you give in to problems in farming. A farmer suffers losses, yet he continues because it is only through planting that he can regain what was lost,” he explains.

His vegetables are distributed in the wet market and grocery stores of mainland Cebu and other neighboring towns and provinces. At the same time, he established an agricultural supply store where he also provides free assistance and consultation for other farmers.

In the future, he dreams of becoming more sustainable and efficient by converting his farm into an integrated one. In the meantime, he is contented with what he has achieved and for a happy life together with his wife and kid -- dreams that would not be possible if not because of farming.


Albert, Carmen, and Eli are among East-West Seed’s Top 100 Farmer-Heroes who were recognized for their successes in the field of vegetable farming.

For over 40 years, East-West Seed Philippines continues to empower Filipino farmers gain better yields and income by providing high-quality vegetables seeds and imparting knowledge in better farming practices. It is the company’s pride to support these successful farmers in continuing their journey and inspiring more people in choosing vegetable farming for their career and livelihood.

Together, they constitute the backbone of a healthy and sustainable Philippines!





About East-West Seed

East-West Seed introduced market-oriented plant breeding in Southeast Asia in 1982. Smallholder farmers, who ensure 85% of the world’s food production, are the company’s main clients. When Dutch seedsman Simon N. Groot and Filipino seed trader Benito M. Domingo founded the company in Lipa City, Batangas, Philippines, they set out to improve the income of smallholder farmers in the tropics through high-quality vegetable seeds.

East-West Seed is also actively involved in farmer training and extension to equip farmers with knowledge and skills in profitable and sustainable vegetable production.

In 2016, East-West Seed was ranked #1 in the “Global Index for Vegetable Seed Companies” and “Regional Index for Eastern Africa” by Access to Seeds Index (ATSI), a part of the World Benchmarking Alliance. The company maintained its #1 ranking in the 2019 Global and South and Southeast Asia Indices. ATSI measures the efforts of global seed companies in enhancing smallholder farmers' productivity.

In recognition of his efforts in bringing vegetables to the forefront of the fight to improve global nutrition and health through his company, Simon Groot was awarded the World Food Prize in 2019. East-West Seed was also ranked at number 28 in Fortune’s 2020 "Change the World" list of global companies that are “doing well by doing good”.

East-West Seed is currently one of the ten largest vegetable seed companies in the world, with a leading position in most Southeast Asian countries and rapidly expanding in India, Africa, and Latin America.

East-West Seed, headquartered in Thailand, is a fast-growing, multicultural organization with around 3,500 employees worldwide. It has 19 R&D establishments in nine countries and exports to over 75 countries. In the Philippines, East-West Seed has three R&D establishments in Batangas and Bukidnon, and its main office is located in San Rafael, Bulacan.

Learn more about us at www.eastwestseed.com.