Manila, Philippines - "V-Day Manila 2012," a benefit performance of the award-winning play "Vagina Monologues," will be staged tonight at the Music Museum. Making it interesting is the presence of Boots Anson-Roa and Kuh Ledesma in the list of featured performers, all empowered women.

Now on its 12th year in the Philippines, V-Day Manila 2012 is produced by the socially engaged and provocative theater group, The New Voice Company (NVC) to raise funds for Lila Pilipina, an organization of Filipino Comfort Women, survivors of rape and military sexual slavery advocating justice and freedom for victims of violence in war and armed conflict situations.

Joining Boots and Kuh is NVC’s artistic director Monique Wilson (who directs along with associate artistic director Rito Asilo), Joy Virata, Pinky Amador, Tami Monsod, Juno Henares, Sheila Francisco, Roselyn Perez, Madeleine Nicolas, Gina Wilson, Mae Paner, Cynthia Alexander, Leah Navarro, Aiza Seguerra, and Giselle Toengi.

Also featured are rising theater actresses Angelina Kanapi, Ampy Sietereales, Christine Escudero and Angela Padilla as well as NVC resident actresses Denise Bontogan, April Celma, Rona Lou San Pedro and Nikki Ventosa. Special guests are Bibeth Ortez, Ces Drilon, Dolly Anne Carvajal, Cez Nunez, Christine Carlos, Jamie Tapales Oaskes, NVC executive producer Rosanna Abueva, Anna Leah Sarabia, Edna Aquino, Rep. Emmi de Jesus and Rep. Liza Maza, Dr. Marlyn Ruaro and Gabriela’s cultural group Singing Lila.

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Everyday Bag As Survival Kit

These days, Enchong Dee has been given a new role to play – as the official brand ambassador of Technopack, an alternative line of bags for the urban adventurer.

"I am happy to endorse Technopack because now there’s a line of bag that’s both affordable and trendy. You know of course that I don’t endorse something that I haven’t tried," shared Enchong during the Technopack’s recent contract signing ceremony.

Ernest Lorenzo Velasquez Dee in real life, this La Salle graduate hails from Naga City, Camarines Sur.

Enchong put together tips in organizing one’s everyday bag into a 24-hour survival kit. "These days of climate change when summer is at times rainy and the rainy season is often dry and summer-ish, you never know what will get you when you step out of your home – oppressive heat, or sudden heavy downpours, flooded streets and monstrous traffic jams that leave you stranded on the road for hours. Think of your everyday bag as a 24-hour survival kit like a mini-mobile home just in case you’re faced with an emergency, especially if home is far from your place of study or work. Technopack Drypak 30 is ideal for this – it’s waterproof and can serve as lifesaving floater when sealed tight and filled with sufficient amount of your stuff," he says.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, March 31, go to Johnny "Midnight" Joseph, Maritoni Fernandez, Charisse Garcia Chuidian, Ben Q. Avancena, Victor Levi Valenciano, Alma Maceda Calleja, Ben Asuncion, Fredie Payawan, NJ Torres, and Christine S. Dayrit, chairman of Cinema Evaluation Board…