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World Poetry Day: Here are some notable Cebuano poets
Today, the world celebrates the beauty of poetry as we acknowledge the mighty power of the pen and commemorate the people who notably held it. As we recall Western literary geniuses like William Shakespeare and Edgar Allan Poe, what better way to celebrate this annual holiday as a Cebuano than to recognize some writers of.....»»
Manila International Film Festival winners pinangalanan na
SA pamamagitan ng Facebook posts ni Noel Ferrer, Spokesperson ng Metro Manila Film Festival, nakuha namin kung sinu-sino ang nag-uwi ng tropeo sa katatapos na Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) Awards night ng Biyernes Pebrero 2 (Sabado naan dito) na ginanap sa Directors Guild of America sa Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, California USA. Ang mga.....»»
The joy of eating
There is almost always a restaurant opening in the metropolis — either to excite the taste buds or simply elevate the Filipino dining experience. Yes, from Filipino dishes to American-Italian fare and specialty steakhouse, there will always be something for everyone to discover, relish and enjoy. LOCAVORE AT ESTANCIA MALL A cozy, contemporary space ensconced inside the Estancia Mall in Pasig City, Locavore is given true Filipino touches with its warm woods, rattan chairs, rustic pendant lights and an expansive glass window that provides an exceptional view of the surrounding environs. [caption id="attachment_192645" align="aligncenter" width="771"] OLIVE Garden’s Herb Roasted Chicken.[/caption] Opened last May, Locavore at Estancia Mall is the seventh branch of the restaurant, which catapulted to prominence in the culinary arena in 2014 after it opened its first branch at Brixton Barrio Kapitolyo, also in Pasig City. It then opened at Forbestown in Taguig City, Valero Street in Makati City, S’Maison in Pasay City, Eastwood Mall in Quezon City and SM City Bacoor. With the talented chef Mikel Zaguirre and his team at the helm, Locavore takes the homey heartwarming flavors of Filipino cooking gives a more sophisticated interpretation. And with the newly opened branch comes an expanded menu and new dishes exclusively in the Estancia outlet. For starters, have the crisp BBM or Bagnet, Buro and Mustasa — a platter filled with thinly sliced, crispy pork bagnet chips that you wrap in mustasa leaves (Samgyup style) seasoned with burong (pickled) hipon and burong mangga with gochugaru (Korean chili flakes). Follow it up with Bistek Pintxos, toasted bread decked with bistek-style beef tenderloin, grilled quesong puti, truffle aioli and red onions. [caption id="attachment_192646" align="aligncenter" width="525"] OLIVE Garden’s Purple White Cocktail.[/caption] “The new dishes are presented on slate plates because they are mostly bar chows,” says Alejandro Pahan Jr., operations manager. “That’s our new concept. We were thinking of madaling kainin (easy to eat) and something fun. Because samgyup is trending, we came up with pintxos.” The resto also has Bulalo Pintxos, roasted bone marrow with pickled labanos and pares jam; Yakitori Platter, grilled skewered chicken wings, chicken thigh meat, gizzard and liver served with annatto aioli, tocino butter, miso butter and spiced suka; Bagnet Chips, housemade bagnet chips served with spiced vinegar; and Inasalitos, inasal chicken with salsa, labuyo aioli served in lumpia taco shell. All these dishes are paired with seven new signature cocktail drinks, crafted by its in-house mixologist. Pahan says the new refreshing drinks heavily relies on the food being served at the restaurant. They complement the taste of the meals. Locavore serves alcohol and spirits. The drinks include Hardin, a hybrid between gin tonic and Tom Collins, with tonic water and botanicals and floral notes like blue pea and elderflower (which has a similar taste notes of lychee), garnished with rosemary and black pepper; Kinilig, a combo of Disaronno amaretto, honey, lemon juice and rum, with rice paper art design on top; Diwata, a blend of Bombay Sapphire gin with Giffard Lychee liqueur, sugar syrup and lemon juice, dressed with basil sprig and forget me not flower; and Antibayotiko, a whiskey-based mix of bourbon, ginger liqueur, honey and lemon juice. Locavore at Estancia Mall has a seating capacity of 120 people and targets bar goers in the area. It’s open until 1 a.m. from Wednesday to Saturday. The rest of the week, it follows the mall hours. OLIVE GARDEN AT THE VERVE A visit to the newly opened third branch of Olive Garden at The Verve in BGC, Taguig City, is a journey of discovery into a world of delicious and affordable pasta, bread, salad, chicken and pizza sensibilities. The menu is broad and touches base with all the departments of classic Italian-American fare. Upon arrival, diners are swiftly delivered a basket of freshly baked breadsticks, which are widely popular in all 900 Olive Garden stores all over the world, including the Philippines. They are buttery, a bit garlicky, moist and chewy. The unlimited breadsticks, including the never-ending soups and salads, come free with every order of an entrée. What a treat! [caption id="attachment_192647" align="aligncenter" width="525"] LOCAVORE’S BBM (Bagnet, Buro, Mustasa).[/caption] The refreshing salad is a merry mix of healthy greens, tomatoes and olives with a light house dressing, while the soup selection includes Pasta E Fagioli, Zuppa Toscana, Minestrone and Chicken & Gnocchi. Olive Garden first opened at the Mall of Asia on 12 September 2022 and at Glorietta 3 in Makati City on 9 January 2023. “It is, more or less, the same menu that we have for our first branch in MOA and also the same menu all over the United States,” Rechele Tiongson, chief operating officer of The Bistro Group, the company responsible for bringing in Olive Garden which was founded in 1982 in Orlando, Florida. “We never changed anything aside from modifying some of the portions that would fit the Filipino market, but the taste and flavor are the same. We use the finest ingredients like imported cheeses.” She adds: “Just to be clear, we did not reduce the portions but we introduce the smaller ones like solo version for those will smaller appetites. The big portions remain the same.” Browsing the menu uncovers more inviting dishes, such as the signature item, Tour of Italy (a huge platter of everything good — Chicken Parmigiana, Lasagna Classico and Fettucino Alfredo pasta), Amazing Alfredos (made from scratch using imported cheeses, not just heavy cream) and an Italian classic, Shrimp Scampi. Just recently, four new dishes were introduced — Mediterranean Chicken, Chicken Tuscany, Roasted Herb Chicken and Italian Braised Short Ribs, all served with a choice of mashed potato or steamed rice. “We are happy with the response of the public to Olive Garden,” shares Tiongson. “It was extremely unexpected when we first opened in MOA. We were busy for the next six months of the restaurant. The queue was really long. People had to wait for 30 to 45 minutes, which we felt bad for our customers, but that was how they responded to the first opening of Olive Garden in the Philippines.” Olive Garden’s vibe is casual, light and bright yet it is warm and comforting with olive green accents. The design of the interiors is an allusion to the Italian countryside through earth tones and natural textures. It can accommodate 150 people. Olive Garden at The Verve in BGC is open from Monday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. [caption id="attachment_192648" align="aligncenter" width="525"] LOCAVORE’S Sizzling Sinigang.[/caption] ASTON’S SPECIALITIES AT ARCOVIA Tron Ng, Astons business development executive based in Singapore, flew to Manila last, 22 September, in time for the opening of the third branch of Astons Specialities, a Singapore-based restaurant chain renowned for serving affordable steaks and Western cuisine, at Arcovia City in Pasig City. Astons is a casual steakhouse which first opened in the Philippines last year on the 4/F of Mega Atrium in SM Megamall. The second branch was at Trinoma Mall in Quezon City early this year. Silver Lush Food Corporation brought in the Singapore brand to satisfy the cravings of steak lovers and those who enjoy more seafood, chicken, sausages, burgers and pasta dishes. “This is our third outlet in the Philippines in a span of 16 months,” says Ng. “We have been around since 2005 when it was founded by Aston Soon. We started as a very small coffeeshop in Singapore. Eventually, we managed to draw a lot of attention because we offer quality food at affordable prices.” He adds: “Within a year, we opened our own restaurant and we continue to grow and expand. We have introduced many different brands under Astons and we have over 40 restaurants only in Singapore alone.” [caption id="attachment_192649" align="aligncenter" width="525"] OLIVE Garden Pasta Twirl. (From left) Zachary Reams of Darden Int’l Learning and Development partner; Marc Buencamino, Fort Bonifacio Development Corporation operations director; RC Tiongson, The Bistro Group chief operating officer; Lourdes Reyes, FBDC chief financial officer; and Lisa Ronquillo-Along, The Bistro Group chief marketing officer.[/caption] Aside from the Philippines, Aston Specialities can also be found in Myanmar and Malaysia. It was also recognized by the AsiaOne’s People Choice Awards and Asian Enterprise Brand Awards for its service and offerings. “I believe Astons will do well in the Philippines because the locals lean more on western food,” Ng says. Of course, the piece de resistance of Astons revolves around its steaks and meat, as it should be. The different cuts of meat from prime sirloin and New York strip to prime ribeye steak do not disappoint. Each has wonderful marbling with the juiciness of the meat, coating your tongue with every bite. The perfect grill marks immediately excite one’s appetite and invite you to dig in with your own side dishes — potatoes (baked, mashed, wedges or fries), Mexican nachos (chicken or beef) or Mac & Cheese. Other items on the menu are also a treat, such as Surf & Turf and Chargrilled Salmon Fillet, Grilled Porkchops and Honey Bourbon Ribs. Cocktail drinks are also aplenty — Piña Colada, Tequila Sunrise, Daiquiri, Orange Margarita and Sangria, to name some. With its industrial chandelier, brick accents and dark wood touches, the place takes on the air of an upscale roadhouse, but softened by the muted walls and expansive glass windows. Astons Specialities at Arcovia City is open daily, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. All told, a trip to any of these newly opened restaurants guarantees a truly gratifying dining experience. The post The joy of eating appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Tanduay optimistic about entry into competitive Taiwan rum market
Tanduay has a positive outlook about its entry into Taiwan amid stiff competition from other rum brands. “Based on early reviews, we think that the brand will perform well since the Taiwanese market already has a sophisticated taste and is very accepting of brands that offer them something new and unique,” said Marc Ngo, Tanduay International Business Development manager and senior brand manager. He compared the Taiwanese rum market to that of Singapore where people are willing to spend on quality spirits and cocktails. In entering Taiwan, Tanduay partnered with the distributor, Mr. Mixer, Ltd., one of the leading spirits and other liquor distributors in the country. “They believe in the brands and they share our passion for bringing our world-class rums to the Taiwan market,” Ngo said. Mr. Mixer, Ltd recently held a grand launch of Tanduay at Driftwood Bar in Ximending District and invited Taiwan’s premier mixologists Mars Chang and the members of “To Infinity and Beyond Team”, the 2021 World Class competition Taiwan champions, to showcase their outstanding mixology skills as they infused Tanduay rums into unique signature cocktails. Seven world-class rums Tanduay is making its award-winning and best-selling rums available in Taiwan. These include the Tanduay Asian Rum Gold, Tanduay Asian Rum Silver, Tanduay Double Rum, Boracay Rum Coconut, Boracay Rum Cappuccino, Tanduay Dark and Tanduay White. Ngo said they are currently focused on opening and partnering with on-trade accounts to feature their brands and for consumers to try. “At the same time, we are having discussions with big chain accounts for them to carry Tanduay rums in their stores. We are also planning to join the Tainan Cocktail Event on 20-21 October to feature our brands more to local consumers,” he said. The brand’s international business has been on a steady growth trajectory in recent years. Taiwan is the 19th country where Tanduay rums are being sold. In Asia, it is already available in China, Singapore, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. In Europe it is being distributed in France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, the United Kingdom, Austria, Poland, Georgia, Armenia and the Czech Republic. It is also available in the United States and Canada in Northern America and Costa Rica in Central America. Apart from its increasing global footprint, Tanduay has received numerous accolades from international competitions, such as the World’s Number 1 Rum recognition from Drinks International Magazine for six consecutive years, and Brand of the Year from the World Branding Awards. Not one to rest on its laurels, Tanduay is eyeing further international expansion in the coming months. The post Tanduay optimistic about entry into competitive Taiwan rum market appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Strike deal only first step in resolving film industry crisis
A tentative deal to end a long-running writers' strike that has paralyzed Hollywood is only a first step in resolving a film industry crisis, as an equally bitter studio stand-off with the actors' union stretches on. The Writers Guild of America, which walked out back in May over demands including better pay and safeguards against the use of artificial intelligence, finally thrashed out a deal with studios including Netflix and Disney on Sunday night. Ratification of that agreement -- first by the WGA board, then by its 11,500 members -- is widely expected to be waved through without any obstacles in the coming weeks. Picketing for writers has been suspended and the guild has indicated that it could allow members to return to work even before the final vote is counted. Late-night TV shows could return to air "within the next two to three weeks," according to Variety, citing industry insiders. But a far thornier issue is the still ongoing strike by Hollywood actors, represented by the SAG-AFTRA union, which is likely to take weeks to resolve and will prevent any return to production in the immediate future. Even after that, with hundreds of film and television shoots backed up, it could take months for Hollywood to clear the logistical logjam and get fully back to work. "There are presumably upwards of 1,500 productions that all want to start as soon as they can," said entertainment lawyer Jonathan Handel. "And so when SAG gives the word, they're all going to be competing simultaneously... it's absolute chaos. "I don't think we're going to see normalcy in the production process until sometime after January or February." 'Huge roadblock' The WGA's deal with studios achieved compromises on minimum wage increases, bonus payments for writers participating in hit shows, and guarantees that scripts using AI will not undercut human writers and their paychecks. Many of these issues overlap with the actors' demands, and SAG-AFTRA negotiators will be poring over the fine details this week, ahead of their own talks with studios. But, Handel warned, many SAG-AFTRA demands go further than those of the writers. These include steeper pay rises to counter rampant inflation, and an actual share of revenue for hit streaming shows. Studios will be wary that whatever they offer to actors is likely to be demanded by other Hollywood professions such as movie set crews and technicians, who have their own contract renewals due next year. "I think basic wages going are going to be a huge roadblock towards the SAG deal in the next few weeks, because of pattern bargaining," said Handel. SAG-AFTRA also has its own specific demands, such as restrictions on the use of remote, self-taped auditions, which became ubiquitous during the pandemic but are disliked by many actors. 'Fool's assumption' Still, Sunday's deal means SAG-AFTRA negotiators could meet with unions as soon as next week, for the first time since actors went on strike in July. "The end of the WGA strike will hasten the end of SAG-AFTRA's walkout," predicted Variety. But even "if things go smoothly -- which is a fool's assumption -- I still think it would take two to three weeks to get a SAG deal done... which takes you into October," said Handel. "Then there's the ratification process, which takes another month." That means the clock is ticking for actors to be able to promote big year-end movie releases, such as Disney's superhero sequel "The Marvels." And publicists are desperate for their stars to start campaigning for some of the industry's biggest events -- television's Emmy Awards, and the film industry's Oscars, which take place in January and March respectively. The post Strike deal only first step in resolving film industry crisis appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
ICTSI’s Mexico unit shows capability
International Container Terminal Services Inc. in Mexico and Columbia have recently received two large box ships of shipping giant CMA-CGM. The vessel calls underscored the capabilities of the two container terminals to efficiently handle larger ships and stimulate economies of scale. In a statement, ICTSI said it marked a new operational milestone in Latin America with the arrival of CMA CGM Alexander Von Humboldt at Contecon Manzanillo S.A., or CMSA, in Mexico and Sociedad Puerto Industrial Aguadulce, or SPIA, in Colombia. The 396-meter-long vessel is the first of its size to operate a regular service in Latin America. CMA CGM Alexander Von Humboldt operates the Asia Central South America 1 service, which connects Asia and Latin America. “With the historic arrival of the CMA CGM Alexander Von Humboldt, Mexico is at the gates of a new era in maritime transport, increasingly larger ships that enhance economies of scale and cost optimization. We have prepared for this moment in recent years, designing and sizing our terminal to be able to serve these ships. It is our obligation to ensure that Mexican foreign trade has competitive and efficient maritime logistics,” José Antonio Contreras, CMSA chief executive officer, said. Significant impact The vessel’s arrival at the Port of Manzanillo highlights Mexico’s position and impact on global trade and reflects CMSA’s commitment to contribute significantly to the national economy. “As a strategic partner in the history of growth in Mexico, Contecon Manzanillo recognized the importance of its role as an engine of economic progress,” Contreras added. On the other hand, the vessel’s arrival in SPIA reaffirms the terminal’s position as the preferred terminal in the Colombian Pacific. SPIA’s capacity and the confidence of shipping lines in its infrastructure and service has made the terminal the primary destination for the most important ships that arrive in Colombia. “The arrival of this vessel represents an important step forward for SPIA in Buenaventura, Colombia, and in general, for Latin America. It demonstrates that SPIA has the experience, talent and optimal conditions that allow it to adapt to a new port and maritime dynamics of the world, making our terminal visible for the arrival of future larger vessels,” Álvaro Otero, SPIA general manager, explained. In June 2010, ICTSI signed a 34-year concession for developing and operating the Second Specialized Container Terminal at the Port of Manzanillo in Mexico. ICTSI established a subsidiary, Contecon Manzanillo SA de CV to operate the Port of Manzanillo. Ideally located to serve the growing Asian trade, CMSA is Mexico’s gateway to the Pacific coast and is close to major consumer markets, such as Mexico City and the country’s largest industrial areas. The post ICTSI’s Mexico unit shows capability appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Nina Lim-Yuson — A lifetime of girl scouting
The president of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines, Nina Lim-Yuson, grew up in a family and home of Girl Scouts. Her grandmother, Pilar Hidalgo-Lim, was one of the co-founders of the GSP. “It was actually my Lola Pilar who suggested to Josefa Llanes Escoda, the GSP founder, to go to America to learn about girl scouting.” This tidbit of history, Nina shared in an online interview with the DAILY TRIBUNE. Pilar Hidalgo-Lim became GSP president, and so did Nina’s mother, Estefania Aldaba-Lim, who served as secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Nina’s sister too, the eminent broadcast journalist, Cheche Lazaro, was a Girl Scout. Coming from a lineage of women achievers, Nina could not have chosen a different path. It was scouting that formally introduced the family to social responsibility, skills development and citizenship. Her brothers were also Boy Scouts. “I started when I was six years old and it was my Lola Pilar who inducted me as a Brownie. It used to be called Brownie because we were still using the American pattern,” she related. She belonged to Troop Number One, the first to be organized by the GSP national headquarters. In high school at the Jose Abad Santos Memorial School of the Philippine Women’s University, she became a junior and later a senior Girl Scout. College would briefly end her Girl Scouting as she focused on her studies. Along the way, she also danced with the Bayanihan Folk Dance Company. It was not unexpected that she would return to scouting, her first love, and her first extra-curricular activity. For the last 36 years, she has been active in various organizations and volunteer work. She founded the Museong Pambata. She is a recipient of The Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service and is active in its various social development efforts. What Nina brings to her post is the legacy of leadership that had been passed on to her through generations of women leaders in the family. “My Lola Pilar was my idol. She was such a nice person and I never knew her totally as a president. I knew her more as a loving lola from all the stories she related when we rode up to Baguio. “My mother, on the other hand, was the opposite. She was very career-minded. I learned naman from her a lot of things, like being thrifty and having a list of things to do. In terms of organization, she was like that. Because she was in government. And, you know, when we started Museo, while it was actually my concept, I learned a lot from her. She would call me up at 5 o’clock in the morning and she would rattle off what needed to be done, like ‘number one, number two and so on.’ That was her. And I’m glad that I worked with her for six years in Museo. She was the president and I was the executive director for six years. I took over in 2000 as president and chief executive officer. And then, I stepped down in 2017.” Girl Scouts who read and tell stories Nina was elected president of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines for the term 2021-2024 during its 2021 national convention. From day one, she shared, “My purpose was to reach out to the community-based troops because we have always been school-based. Many young women now have social problems so we need to reach out to the communities through our community-based troops.” Also on top of her priorities is literacy development, a cause that she addressed even in the Museo Pambata. She explained, “My advocacy has always been education. So, I was very concerned because the Asian Development Bank reported in 2022 that the World Bank found out that our Filipino children at ages 9 and 10 cannot read. So, I felt that because girl scouting is all over the country, with 96 local councils, the organization could serve as a vehicle for improving literacy in our country. “We started the Girl Scout Storyteller project because storytelling affects the heart first before the mind. When young people start with storytelling, they will love the stories and then the written word. They would then want to read. “We now have storytelling in economically challenged communities and we have partners. We sent out 2,500 books throughout the country with the help of our partner couriers.” Initially, she sought the help of her family foundation “to give a donation. I also sought the help of Ging Montinola, who is into literacy development. Together, we founded the literacy program. We are building this fund to cover the cost of buying children’s books. We will have a storytelling contest next year.” Raising funds for Camp Escoda Nina then shifted the conversation to another major endeavor that she is spearheading as GSP president — fundraising for the 27-hectare Camp Josefa Llanes Escoda in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija, which was donated by the provincial government during the term of Governor Amado Aleta, the father of consul and civic leader Fortune Ledesma. “Palayan is beautiful because it has rolling hills, but it doesn’t have electrical and water facilities and roadworks. It doesn’t have a swimming pool, and it’s so hot in Nueva Ecija. It also does not have a conference hall. This is a big one-time fundraising project because it’s for the future of the girls who are going to the camp. Because as of now, if you go camping there, you have to walk up the hills to get your drinking water. You have to make buhos to take a bath.” She recalled, “In my time as a young Girl Scout, which was of another era, we had to walk in the dark to fetch water to fill up two drums. I was so scared because there were tuko in Los Baños. That taught me to be courageous. Camps really build up your lifetime skills and attitude. Camping is very integral in girl scouting and boy scouting. So, this camp will serve a purpose. It just needs various basic facilities to make it world-class and convenient with the proper amenities, but the girls will continue to learn all those survival techniques and appreciate nature right on the camp.” She praised architect Pippo Carunungan, “who is an environmental planner. He surveyed the site and drew up everything. It will be a beautiful camp, he said, because it’s a gift of nature.” First Lady as Chief Girl Scout Nina recently led the Girl Scouts in a fundraising ball attended by the “First Lady, Liza Araneta-Marcos, who is our Chief Girl Scout. It’s mandated in the GSP constitution that whoever is the female president of the country or the First Lady is the Chief Girl Scout. In the past, we had Imelda Marcos, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. All the first ladies were all Chief Girl Scouts. “Mrs. Liza Marcos spoke before us and she promised to help. She said, ‘We will make it the best campsite.’ Everyone was excited to see her and she obliged everyone who asked to have selfie with her. She is very friendly. She is really a Girl Scout.” Nina shared, “A generous couple is sponsoring the swimming pool at P6 million, while a gentleman entrepreneur is sponsoring the perimeter fence at P1.5 million. Many other businessmen and leaders have pledged to help build this dream GSP project. “We really need to raise about 50 million to have a very good camp. But when the First Lady heard about it, she said, ‘It has to be P250 million.’ But, really, when we have the funds, we can have deep toilets that have running water instead of tabo-tabo. Since we have a little Pampanga river that runs across the camp, we can build a bridge that crosses it and then the girls can have white-water rafting there in the Pampanga river. “Camp Escoda will be a very important and significant venue for our Girl Scouts to gather, bond, learn new skills and develop as morally upright citizens of the country and the world. It is especially so because camping is integral in any Girl Scout’s life. If you don’t have camping, it’s like half of your scouting life is missing. Every Girl Scout remembers that time of her youth. And being the national camp, it will welcome Girl Scouts representing the 96 councils from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao who will participate in various events and trainings.” Girl Scouts of all ages As GSP president, Nina travels to various parts of the country. “We have regional conferences aside from the meeting of the Central Board when regional heads and executives come to Manila. “I had just come from Baguio where I stayed for two-and-a-half days. I met our young Girl Scout representatives from ages 14 to 18. I enjoyed listening to them and exchanging ideas with them. I am so happy that we have a wealth of intelligent girls who want to serve the country. They are the ones who are going to take over. “It’s amazing that GSP is no longer limited to old people on the board. We finally have young ones on the board. Our Escoda committee is headed by Jade Delgado from Iloilo. Then we have Justine Bautista. She’s a psychometrician. She heads the Program Committee, which is a big committee because when we were in Baguio, we had 86 girls from all the councils throughout the country. Many of them are running for SK. “So, in my 70s now, which I don’t feel at all, I don’t take any medicines or something like that. Being with young people is what inspires me. Because at 15, 16 or 17, they already know that they have some kind of a mission.” Nina proudly shared that the venue of the Baguio conference, 'Ating Tahanan' on the South Drive was bought during the tenure of my Lola Pilar. We have four buildings there, including the houses of Senator and actor Rogelio de la Rosa and Carlos Valdes, the accountant. Lola Pilar, according to Carlos Valdes, twisted his arm to get a low price. I’m so thankful for all those who preceded me because they bought these places. It’s on South Drive which is so valuable. We even have a reserved forest behind us.” As she looks forward to the next camping and gets even busier raising funds for Camp Escoda, Nina feels elated that “every one of us in the Girl Scouts has been together in our various undertakings. The nice thing is we are now intergenerational because we try to bring in the old with experience, institutional memory and their wisdom born of their long life, and the young who are full of enthusiasm, energy and new ideas.” A star scout for a granddaughter While Nina does her part for the bright future of girl scouting in the country, her personal family too has not stopped contributing to the roster of members to this worldwide organization. Today, a granddaughter of hers, seven-year-old Rocio Yuson de Guzman, is a Star Scout. She is the daughter of Nina’s daughter, Nicky. No grandmother could have been prouder. Nina said, “Rufio loves being a star scout. When I arrived from the recent world conference in Cyprus, I came back with some badges and I gave some to Rufio who is very proud of the little badges that I got for her.” For sure, Nina will pass on not just the badges to Rufio. More importantly, she will give her granddaughter the once-in-one’s-childhood experience of being a Girl Scout and learning “the values that are identified in the Girl Scout Promise and Laws. I think that while there is so much to enjoy and learn, it is the inculcation of these values that would mold her into a well-rounded human being. As we all know, a Girl Scout’s honor is to be trusted. A Girl Scout is loyal, thrifty, courteous… and so on. It’s like a mantra -- the values that one lives by. “I have reached that point when it is not about success or what one accumulates in life, whether awards or accomplishments or material things. It is more about what I can share and scouting gives me that honor and privilege — to do my part in helping mold our young girls and making them aware even at an early age that they have a mission and worthy purpose in life. It is not just about being good and outstanding on your own but it is also about helping others to become better in what they’re doing and live better lives. “And I need not look far. As a grandmother, I dote on my Star Scout granddaughter, Rufio. There’s a world out there for her to discover and in which she has a role to play and use the skills and values she will learn from scouting.” The post Nina Lim-Yuson — A lifetime of girl scouting appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
R Bonney Gabriel, Here Lies Love producers hailed Outstanding Filipinos in America
Miss Universe 2022 R'Bonney Gabriel and the producers of Broadway musical "Here Lies Love" were among the award recipients of The Outstanding Filipinos in America (TOFA) Awards. .....»»
Taylor Swift joins BFF Selena Gomez at 2023 MTV Video Music Awards
Some of the biggest celebrities in the music world descended upon the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on Tuesday night, 12 September, for the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards. The arrival of American pop stars Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez added glamor to the star-studded occasion. Swift flashed her toned legs in a form-fitting black gown with a high-low neckline, which she accessorized with layers of diamond and gold necklaces. Her best friend Gomez teased the audience in her stunning high-thigh slit red floral gown, featuring flashes of her flesh in the intricate cut-out design, which marked her return to the prestigious event for the first time since 2015. The two artists hugged each other and posed for photos during the event. (AFP Photos) The post Taylor Swift joins BFF Selena Gomez at 2023 MTV Video Music Awards appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
UK marks first anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s death
King Charles III on Friday thanked the public for their support in his first year as monarch, as he marked the one-year anniversary of the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. In a short statement, the 74-year-old British head of state recalled the "great affection" for his mother, her life and public service. "I am deeply grateful, too, for the love and support that has been shown to my wife and myself during this year as we do our utmost to be of service to you all," he added. Commemorations will be low-key on Friday, with the king -- who is at his sprawling Scottish Highland estate of Balmoral -- not expected at any official engagement. His mother, who was on the throne for a record-breaking 70 years, died at Balmoral aged 96 after a period of declining health. Throughout her reign, she did not publicly mark her accession, as it was also the anniversary of her own father King George VI's death in 1952. Last year, when she began her Platinum Jubilee year on February 6, she spent the day in private at her Sandringham estate in Norfolk, eastern England. Gun salute In London, the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery will mark Charles's accession by firing a 41-gun ceremonial salute in Hyde Park from 12:00 pm (1100 GMT). Members of the Honourable Artillery Company -- the oldest regiment in the British Army -- will fire a 62-gun salute from the Tower of London from 1:00 pm. Both regiments were involved in firing the Death Gun salutes to mark the queen's death, and the Proclamation salutes to mark Charles's new reign. The king's eldest son and heir, Prince William, and his wife, Catherine, are expected to carry out royal duties and deliver a message in honor of the late queen. William's estranged younger brother, Prince Harry, was in the UK for a charity event on Thursday but was not expected to meet members of his family. "As you know, I was unable to attend the awards last year as my grandmother passed away," Harry told the charity event. "She would have been the first person to insist that I still come to be with you all instead of going to her, and that's precisely why I know exactly one year on that she is looking down on all of us tonight, happy we're together." Relations between Harry and his father and brother have been strained since he and his wife, Meghan, quit royal life and moved to North America in 2020. Ties have been frayed further by their criticisms of the family in television interviews, a docuseries, and Harry's autobiography. Memorial Elizabeth II's death was a seismic event in British life. For most Britons alive, the queen was the only monarch and head of state they had ever known. During the 10-day official mourning period, tens of thousands of people queued for up to 25 hours to file past her flag-shrouded coffin as it lay in state in Westminster Hall at the Houses of Parliament. Even more packed the streets of London and the route west to Windsor Castle for the state funeral, which was beamed around the world to a television audience of millions. The queen was interred in the King George VI Memorial Chapel, Windsor, alongside her late husband, Prince Philip, who died in 2021, her father and mother, and the ashes of her younger sister, Princess Margaret. Earlier this week, the government announced that a national memorial to the late monarch will be commissioned "in due course". In London on Thursday, there were mixed views about Charles's first year. Some felt he had been right not to introduce sweeping reform too early. "He's got a hard act to follow but he will I think change things," Joanne Hughes, 61, told AFP outside Buckingham Palace. But despite 161 official engagements and tours of all four nations of the United Kingdom, others were indifferent about the new king -- and the monarchy in general. "The monarchy is dying," said nursing student Mimi Jaffer-Clarke. "If he wants it to not die, then he needs to try to The post UK marks first anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s death appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Hamilton’ ticket lottery confirmed for Phl
Producers Jeffrey Seller and Michael Cassel have confirmed the Hamilton digital ticket lottery for the Metro Manila season of the international tour playing at The Theatre at Solaire from 17 September. The digital ticket lottery, known in North America as Ham4Ham, is run exclusively through TicketWorld in the Philippines. The Hamilton Lottery will have a limited number of tickets available throughout the season at a special price. Winners will have the opportunity to purchase two orchestra tickets at P800 each. The lottery will be open from 10 a.m. on 11 September through 11:59 p.m. on 13 September for tickets to performances on the week of 17 to 24 September. Subsequent Hamilton lotteries will begin on each Monday and close the following Wednesday for the upcoming week’s performances. [caption id="attachment_178871" align="aligncenter" width="735"] THE Broadway cast of ‘Hamilton’ (from left) Daveed Diggs, Okieriete Onaodowan, Anthony Ramos and Lin-Manuel Miranda.[/caption] To enter the lottery, sign up at TicketWorld to receive Hamilton Lottery entry access. Those who sign up must use the email address associated with their active TicketWorld account. The lottery will open at 10 a.m. every Monday and will close for entry at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday prior to the following week’s performances. Participants can enter to win the chance to purchase two tickets for the upcoming week’s performances at P800 per ticket. A one-entry-per-week limit will be applied. Winners will be notified every Thursday at 12 p.m. for the upcoming week’s performances via email from TicketWorld. The confirmation email will include a one-time-use promo code and a purchase link that will expire at 12 p.m. the following day of the receipt of the email. Winners may claim and pay for their tickets online or over the counter at TicketWorld outlets before the promo code expires. Additional rules and full terms and conditions can be found on TicketWorld site. “The digital ticket lottery, created for Hamilton fans on Broadway has been embraced with tremendous enthusiasm wherever the show has played all over the world and we know fans in Manila will be exactly the same,“ Cassel said. “It’s important that theatre is accessible for anyone who wants to see it and the digital ticket lottery allows us to introduce this transformative experience to people who may not have been able to see it otherwise.” Hamilton’s first ever international tour will premiere in Manila at The Theatre at Solaire on 17 September ahead of making its Middle East premiere at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi in January 2024. More cities are expected to be announced in coming months. Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway, Hamilton has taken the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton and created a revolutionary moment in theatre — a musical that has had a profound impact on culture, politics and education. It premiered on Broadway in August 2015 to wide critical and audience acclaim. The show has won Tony, Grammy and Olivier awards and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. With book, music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, direction by Thomas Kail, choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler and musical supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire, Hamilton is based on Ron Chernow’s acclaimed biography. The Hamilton creative team previously collaborated on the 2008 Tony Award-winning Best Musical In the Heights. Scenic design is by David Korins, costume design by Paul Tazewell, lighting design by Howell Binkley, sound design by Nevin Steinberg, hair and wig design by Charles G. LaPointe. The international tour of Hamilton is produced by Seller, Sander Jacobs, Jill Furman, The Public Theater and Cassel. The Manila season is presented by Michael Cassel Group and GMG Productions. Tickets to the Manila and Abu Dhabi seasons are available now at hamiltonmusical.com/international-tour. To be notified when the Hamilton lottery opens and get more updates on the ticket promo news, sign up for the Hamilton Lottery Newsletter at TicketWorld. For more information on tickets and Hamilton Lottery details, visit gmg-productions.com/hamilton/lottery. For news and updates, fans can visit hamiltonmusical.com/international-tour, instagram.com/hamiltoninternationaltour or www.facebook.com/hamiltonintltour. The post ‘Hamilton’ ticket lottery confirmed for Phl appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
ICTSI Argentine unit gets more port calls
TecPlata, International Container Terminal Services Inc. or ICTSI’s cargo handling operations at the La Plata Port adjacent to Buenos Aires in Argentina, received the inaugural call of Zim Integrated Shipping Services’ Patagonia Express Service. The vessel connects Argentinian trade to the United States and the Caribbean Gulf, among other destinations. ZIM’s newly launched service links Argentina to the Caribbean and the US Gulf Coast through the ports of Kingston, a major Caribbean hub, and Houston in the Gulf of Mexico. Visits every 45 days The service marked its inaugural call at TecPlata with the arrival of the 1,000- twenty-foot equivalent unit or TEU boxship Contship Key, and with its present network set up, is expected to call TecPlata every 45 days. The maritime service from La Plata to Kingston and Houston provided a reliable and efficient connection for Argentinian foreign trade, offering commercial opportunities that promote economic growth in the region. “We are pleased to receive the Contship Key at TecPlata and start this new connection with the North American gulf coast,” Juan Pablo Trujillo, TecPlata chief executive officer, said. This strategic alliance with ZIM enables us to offer new services and logistics distribution to our clients. We are confident that this service will strengthen TecPlata’s position as a strategic trade port on the East Coast of South America,” Trujillo added. TecPlata takes great pride in delivering new opportunities to clients through this service, which takes advantage of the terminal’s modern port infrastructure and world-class standard of operation. ZIM’s arrival in TecPlata further expands the connectivity of La Plata beyond the Latin America region. The post ICTSI Argentine unit gets more port calls appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Lionel Messi signs contract with Inter Miami through 2025
Argentine superstar Lionel Messi has signed a contract until 2025 with Inter Miami, the Major League Soccer team announced on Saturday. The 36-year-old striker who sparked Argentina to a World Cup title last year in Qatar, is set to be unveiled by the team in a Sunday ceremony and expected to join Inter Miami on the pitch as early as Friday. "I'm very excited to start this next step in my career with Inter Miami and in the United States," Messi, who moves from Paris Saint-Germain, said in a statement. The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner's arrival in Miami has already caused a sensation and is expected to spark greater interest in the game and MLS across the United States. It's also hoped he'll revive the fortunes of a Miami squad at the bottom of the MLS Eastern Conference at 5-13 with three drawn. "This is a fantastic opportunity and together we will continue to build this beautiful project," Messi said. "The idea is to work together to achieve the objectives we set and I'm very eager to start helping here in my new home." Messi's debut match is planned for Friday when Inter Miami will host Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup, a revamped competition between MLS and Mexican league squads. It's the biggest boost for the North American league since English star David Beckham, now a co-owner of Inter Miami, joined the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007. He launched the MLS Miami squad in 2020 after years of trying to find a stadium site. "Ten years ago, when I started my journey to build a new team in Miami, I said that I dreamt of bringing the greatest players in the world to this amazing city, players who shared the ambition I had when I joined LA Galaxy to help grow football in the USA and to build a legacy for the next generation in this sport that we love so much," Beckham said in a statement. "Today that dream came true. "I couldn't be prouder that a player of Leo's caliber is joining our club, but I am also delighted to welcome a good friend, an amazing person, and his beautiful family to join our Inter Miami community. "The next phase of our adventure starts here and I can't wait to see Leo take to the pitch." World's greatest Inter Miami head coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino has managed Messi in two separate prior stints –- with FC Barcelona in the 2013-14 campaign, winning the 2013 Spanish SuperCup, and from 2014-2016 with the Argentine national team. Messi captained the Albiceleste to victory at the 2021 Copa America as well as the Qatar World Cup and has 103 goals in 175 appearances for Argentina. "We're overjoyed that the greatest player in the world chose Inter Miami and Major League Soccer," MLS commissioner Don Garber said. "His decision is a testament to the momentum and energy behind our league and our sport in North America. We have no doubt that Lionel will show the world that MLS can be a league of choice for the best players in the game." Messi is set for a glitzy arrival ceremony on Sunday at "The Unveil" with 18,000 expected to watch his first public event with his new club, followed by his first news conference with Inter on Monday and first training session with the club on Tuesday. "I'm honored to welcome Leo Messi and his family to their new home," Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas said. "We made a promise to build an ambitious club that would attract the world's elite players... a heartfelt thank you to our fans that never stopped believing. Together we will continue to turn dreams into reality." The post Lionel Messi signs contract with Inter Miami through 2025 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Cormac McCarthy, revered American novelist, dies at 89
Celebrated author Cormac McCarthy, an unflinching chronicler of America's bleak frontiers and grim underbelly, died on Tuesday aged 89, his publisher said. The Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist who wrote "The Road" and "No Country for Old Men" -- both of which became feature films -- passed away at his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Over his nearly six-decade-long career, McCarthy won major literary awards and gained international acclaim for a dozen sparsely written, soul-wrenching novels. Considered a demanding but honest writer, his clinical descriptions of inner torment and the backwoods of America won him a fiercely loyal following. Born on July 20, 1933, in Providence, Rhode Island, McCarthy's family moved to Tennessee when he was four years old. His father worked as a lawyer there. His given name was Charles, but he changed it to Cormac (after an Irish king) as he opted not to finish university and instead embark on a full-time career in writing. McCarthy wrote his first novel, "The Orchard Keeper," while working at a car parts shop in Chicago in the 1960s -- it was published by Random House. His editor at the time, Albert Erskine, had also worked for William Faulkner, a writer who McCarthy admired and with whom he is sometimes compared. The raw and violent book is an ode to the savage natural environment of the mountains of Tennessee, the southern US state where McCarthy grew up. McCarthy's focus on the dark contours of humanity remained the through line of his work, gaining him an ardent fan base and critical success. Following "The Orchard Keeper," McCarthy received multiple writing fellowships, including one from the Rockefeller Foundation. In 1968, he published "Outer Dark," the story of the fallout from an incestuous relationship. His next book, "Child of God," published in 1973, is about a man who heads into the Appalachian mountains to live apart from society. It contains descriptions of murder and necrophilia. By contrast, McCarthy's "Suttree," published six years later, is often described as his most humorous novel. He worked on the book, which depicts an outcast community living on the Tennessee River, on and off for some 20 years. The road In 1981, McCarthy received one of the MacArthur Foundation's so-called genius grants, and he spent the next part of his life living in El Paso, Texas on the border with Mexico -- a time that had a profound impact on his work. His next book, "Blood Meridian," was published in 1985 and marked a turning point in his career. Set in Texas and Mexico during the 1840s, it was a post-apocalyptic Western. The 1990s brought the publication of The Border Trilogy -- "All the Pretty Horses," "The Crossing," and "Cities of the Plain" -- all set in the American West. Despite Erskine's lament that "we never sold any of his books," "All the Pretty Horses" became a surprise hit, garnering a spot on the New York Times bestseller list. Hollywood took notice, and the film version was released in 2000, starring Matt Damon and Penelope Cruz. In 2008, an adaptation of his novel "No Country for Old Men" by directors Joel and Ethan Coen won four Oscars, including one for Spanish actor Javier Bardem. A year earlier, McCarthy was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for "The Road" -- the story of a father and son making their way across a post-apocalyptic landscape. Oprah Winfrey earlier named the novel one of her book club selections, giving McCarthy a massive publicity boost, and it was made into a film starring Viggo Mortensen. Sixteen years after "The Road," McCarthy's final works were a pair of companion novels -- "The Passenger" and its prequel "Stella Maris" -- both published in 2022 and tackling complex issues of grief and the nature of knowledge. Reclusive and known for living a life with few material pleasures -- for years, he lived in motels -- McCarthy was married three times and had two sons. The post Cormac McCarthy, revered American novelist, dies at 89 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Leopoldstadt’, ‘Kimberly Akimbo’ top Tony Awards
Tom Stoppard's play "Leopoldstadt," a look at how one Jewish family confronts anti-Semitism and loss, and intimate tragicomic musical "Kimberly Akimbo" earned the top prizes Sunday at the Tony Awards, the highest honors in American theater. Inclusion and identity were key themes on a night at which history was made -- J. Harrison Ghee in "Some Like It Hot" and Alex Newell in "Shucked" became the first openly nonbinary actors to win trophies for their work on Broadway. Winners, performers and presenters alike at the United Palace theater in Manhattan's Washington Heights neighborhood also offered their full support to striking writers in Hollywood. The 85-year-old Stoppard, who won his fifth Tony for best play with "Leopoldstadt," a work inspired in part by his own family history, called out artificial intelligence, saying he was "teeming with emotions a chat box wouldn't begin to understand." In the 55 years since his first Tony for best play for "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead," Stoppard said, "I have witnessed the theater writer getting progressively devalued in the food chain. It's just something I thought I'd mention." The play won four awards overall, including best director and best featured actor. "Kimberly Akimbo" -- about a high school student suffering from a genetic disorder that causes her to age prematurely -- won five Tonys including best musical and best lead actress for Victoria Clark. Ghee and Newell gave emotional speeches, with Ghee telling the audience: "For every trans, nonbinary, gender-nonconforming human who ever was told... you couldn't be seen, this is for you." Britain's Jodie Comer, known to TV fans as the assassin Villanelle on "Killing Eve," won for best actress in a play for her searing one-woman show "Prima Facie," about a lawyer who defends men accused of sexual assault, until she herself is attacked. Sean Hayes, who starred on TV's "Will and Grace," won for best actor in a play for "Good Night, Oscar." Industry woes The Tonys almost didn't happen, as a strike by the Writers Guild of America, which began in early May, called into question how to produce the live nationally televised event. Eventually, the union said it would not picket the ceremony, after Tonys organizers made some concessions about the show's format -- the show was unscripted, a fact made clear by host Ariana DeBose, who opened the show by looking at blank pages. "Our siblings over at the WGA are currently on strike in pursuit of a fair deal," she said after an elaborate opening dance number. "I'm live and unscripted... buckle up." Staging the Tonys gala was seen as key for Broadway productions. The event serves as an annual showcase for American theater -- and a live ad to encourage tourists to buy tickets. Broadway took a serious hit during the Covid-19 lockdown, which shuttered theaters and left travelers skittish about returning to crowded venues. But the Broadway League, the industry's national trade association, released data last month indicating that theatergoers were coming back to Manhattan. During the 2022-23 season, the first full one since the pandemic, 88.4 percent of seats were filled - "comparable to pre-pandemic levels," the league said in a statement. Total attendance was at more than 12.2 million. But the season was not without its victims, including some of the shows up for awards on Sunday. In addition, "Phantom of the Opera," the longest-running show in Broadway history, closed in April after 35 years, in part because it struggled to rebound from Broadway's 18-month closure. The post ‘Leopoldstadt’, ‘Kimberly Akimbo’ top Tony Awards appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Marina Summers appears in NY Times Square billboard
Filipino drag queen and Tarsier Records artist Marina Summers represents the Philippines and Southeast Asia in Swedish audio streaming and media services provider Spotify’s Glow campaign this LGBTQ+ Pride Month as she lands on a digital billboard in Times Square in New York City. Spotify Glow aims to empower and amplify LGBTQ+ artists and creators from all over the world by honoring their craft and contribution to music. Aside from her Times Square feature, Marina also graces the billboard in EDSA Guadalupe bridge and EDSA Orense this June. She was also included in the campaign video for Spotify Glow along with other queer artists from other countries. Prior to this latest achievement, she was featured on the cover of Spotify’s Pride Bahaghari playlist with her newest single, “ride 4 me,” landing the top spot. “WE MADE IT TO NEW YORK TIMESQUARE!!!!!!” the drag performer gushed on her Twitter account (@marinaxsummers). “Who would have thought that this little Filipina would grace this iconic screen?!? Thank you @Spotify for this opportunity! Happy Pride indeed! Asia to America, next the world, the universe rather!” The Drag Race Philippines runner-up was recently named Wowlebrity on the Rise at the 2023 WOWIE Awards which was held during RuPaul’s DragCon in Los Angeles, California. Fans can follow Marina Summers’ artist page on Spotify. The post Marina Summers appears in NY Times Square billboard appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bohol, primus inter pares among tourism gems
This country’s stunning natural wonders never fail to amaze with Bohol, at this juncture, getting the world to beam a spotlight on us after the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization designated the island province the Philippines’ first UNESCO Global Geopark. Created in 2015, the UNESCO Global Geopark label recognizes the geological heritage of international significance. Seventeen other new sites, other than Bohol, were likewise declared global geoparks by UNESCO during its 216th Executive Board Session in Paris, France on 24 May. These are Cacapava and Quarta Colonia in Brazil; Lavreotiki in Greece; Ijen, Maros Pangkep, Merangin Jambi, and Raja Ampat in Indonesia; Aras and Tabas in Iran; Hakusan Tedorigawa in Japan; Kinabalu in Malaysia; Waitaki Whitestone in New Zealand; Sunnhordland in Norway; Jeonbuk West Coast in South Korean; Cabo Ortegal in Spain; Khorat in Thailand; and Mourne Gullion Strangford in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. Altogether, the 18 new sites bring the total number of UNESCO Global Geoparks to 195 in 48 countries. What qualifies an area to become a UNESCO Global Geopark? Basically, there must exist in the area discernibly significant geological heritage of international value, as determined by an independent evaluation team of scientific professionals. UNESCO took note of Bohol’s growing fame as a “prime eco-cultural destination with its pristine beaches, diving spots, magnificent geological formations, rich biodiversity, and cultural heritage.” Bohol’s Global Geopark journey started in 2013 with the arrival of a research team from the UP — School of Urban and Regional Planning in the province. The researchers were going around the country looking for an area with a range of geological heritage significant enough to be submitted for UNESCO’s consideration as a Global Geopark candidate. Partnering with the Bohol provincial government and guided by the Philippine National Commission for UNESCO, the UP-SURP researchers conducted extensive studies and investigations, and, in 2015, the island was deemed possessed with the best possible qualifications as a global geopark, for UNESCO’s consideration. Eight years later, UNESCO included Bohol in its new list of sites labeled a Global Geopark. Predictably cited by UNESCO were Bohol’s Chocolate Hills, that is, conical karst hills made of grass-covered limestone formed ages ago by the uplift of coral deposits, and Danajon Bank or Double Barrier Reef. Consisting of three large sets of offshore coral reefs stretching across 130 kilometers, it is the only double barrier reef in the Philippines, one of only three such sites in the Indo-Pacific region, and one of only six documented barrier reefs on Earth. Also highlighted by UNESCO is the highest waterfall in Bohol, the stunning 60-meter three-tiered Can-umantad waterfalls, as well as the otherworldly phenomenal Loon Coastal Geomorphic Conservation Park. Covering 417 hectares, the area’s shoreline areas were raised during the catastrophic 7.2-magnitude earthquake that devastated Bohol in 2013. Locals now refer to it as Coral Gardens; when the 2013 quake struck, the former inter-tidal zone where the tide submerges or exposes the land was heaved up 1.5 meters, even as the shoreline shifted 50 meters towards the sea. Today, the entire area is an uplifted marine terrace completely on dry land, teeming with sea purslane, that is, creeping succulent seagrass whose color is red and orange on sunlit days, and changes to green when it rains. Other amazing natural features in Bohol are blue-water cave pools, including the Cabagnow cave pool in Anda which is the deepest — some 25 feet — among cave pools in the province and are similar to Central America’s cenotes, which are natural pits of sinkholes connected to the sea. Visitors to Bohol have invariably been bowled over by its pristine clear waters and its lush, breathtaking landscapes — a manifestation of its geologic history as evidenced by its varied, unique landforms and structural features. Divers worldwide know of Bohol’s famed dazzling dive spots such as the one off Pamilacan island, teeming with marine life, including dolphins and pilot whales, and the crystal clear waters off Balicasag, with its spectacular marine sanctuary brimming with diverse coral and pelagic species, its vertical coral walls plunging deep into the depths. The waters surrounding Panglao Island contain more marine biodiversity than Japan and the Mediterranean Sea combined. Bohol, replete as it is with marine and geologic gems, is a class apart from all other tourist draws this country has to offer; its natural wonders are more than enough to seal its reputation many times over as among the most stunning spots on this planet to travel to and see before one breaths his (or her) last. It is totally easy to see and understand how and why Bohol was recognized by UNESCO as a Global Geopark. The question is, what took the UN agency so long? The post Bohol, primus inter pares among tourism gems appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
ICTSI Ecuador arm handles weekly cargo tour
International Container Terminal Services Inc.’s or ICTSI Ecuadorian unit Contecon Guayaquil S.A., recently handled the inaugural call of Zim Shipping Line at the port of Guayaquil. ZIM recently launched their ZIM Colibri Express Service, an independent weekly service from South America West Coast to the US East Coast. The ZCX Service places emphasis on refrigerated cargoes from Chile, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia with six 1,700-TEU capacity vessels with increased reefer capacities. The EM SPETSES is the first ZIM vessel to arrive at the terminal. The vessels will call Contecon twice a week, approximately 42 days after departing from the port of origin. ZCX Service will follow the rotation: San Antonio (Chile), Callao (Peru), Guayaquil (Ecuador) — Cartagena (Colombia) — Kingston (Jamaica) — Philadelphia — Miami, Kingston (Jamaica) — Buenaventura (Colombia) — Guayaquil (Ecuador) — Callao (Peru) — San Antonio (Chile). ZIM alliance “In this alliance with ZIM, we are part of a route of large and important port terminals. In addition, Ecuador is consolidated within the routes that open the doors to its products,” explained Javier Lancha de Micheo, CGSA chief executive officer. ZIM’s arrival in Ecuador reflects the confidence of international shipping companies in Contecon’s operational efficiency, safety, security, and exceptional business model where all investments are focused on providing integrated logistics services using cutting-edge technology to improve Ecuador’s foreign trade. Since 2007, the year Contecon began operations, the concessionaire has invested more than $400 million. The post ICTSI Ecuador arm handles weekly cargo tour appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Prince Harry, Meghan in ‘near catastrophic’ New York car chase
Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle were involved in a "near catastrophic car chase" involving paparazzi in New York, a spokesperson for the couple said Wednesday. The pair were uninjured in the incident Tuesday night, which came almost 26 years after the Paris car crash that killed Harry's mother, Princess Diana, which Harry blames on paparazzi. The New York chase occurred after Harry, 38, and Meghan, 41, attended an awards ceremony in America's financial capital with Meghan's mother Doria Ragland. "Last night, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Ms. Ragland were involved in a near catastrophic car chase at the hands of a ring of highly aggressive paparazzi," the spokesperson said in a statement emailed to AFP. "This relentless pursuit, lasting over two hours, resulted in multiple near collisions involving other drivers on the road, pedestrians, and two NYPD officers," the spokesperson added. A source close to the couple said Meghan and Harry were pursued by half a dozen blacked out vehicles with "unidentified people driving recklessly and endangering the convoy and everyone around them." "The chase could have been fatal," the source added, claiming a number of possible traffic violations including driving on the sidewalk, running red lights, and reversing down a one-way street, were committed. A spokesperson for the New York Police Department said "numerous photographers" had made the couple's journey "challenging." "The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived at their destination and there were no reported collisions, summonses, injuries, or arrests in regard," deputy commissioner Julian Phillips told AFP. Harry has long had a difficult relationship with the media. He blames press intrusion for causing the death of his mother in a car crash in a tunnel in Paris in 1997 while she was being pursued by paparazzi. In a US television interview earlier this year, he recalled seeing the final photos of her and realizing that the last thing she saw before she died was photographers taking her picture. Harry and Meghan, an American former TV actress, sensationally quit royal family duties in early 2020 and moved from Britain to the United States, in part because of intense media scrutiny. The younger son of King Charles III has been involved in several legal cases against British newspaper publishers since moving to California. 'Dangerous' Last week the publisher of the tabloid The Mirror, which Harry accuses of unlawful information gathering, apologized "unreservedly" and said the prince was entitled to "appropriate compensation." It did not provide further details. Harry is also pursuing claims against the publisher of The Sun and the publisher of the Daily Mail. Those cases will be decided later this year. Harry and Meghan had attended the Ms. Foundation for Women ceremony in New York where Meghan received an award and were staying at a private residence. The couple's spokesperson added that "while being a public figure comes with a level of interest from the public, it should never come at the cost of anyone's safety." "Dissemination of these images, given the ways in which they were obtained, encourages a highly intrusive practice that is dangerous to all in involved," it said. Mayor Eric Adams said he found it "hard to believe that there was a two-hour high speed chase," through the Big Apple but added that even "a 10-minute chase is extremely dangerous in New York City." "We have a lot of traffic, a lot of movement. A lot of people are using our streets. Any type of high-speed chase is inappropriate," he told reporters. Harry carried out several TV interviews this year to promote his best-selling memoir "Spare," which has broken publishing records. In the book and subsequent interviews, Harry aired a barrage of criticism at other royals, including elder brother Prince William. He claimed William physically attacked him during an argument about Meghan and also detailed his strained relationship with his father, King Charles. Harry attended his father's coronation earlier this month without Meghan, who remained in California with the couple's two children. Harry was not given a formal role in the ceremony and was absent from the royal procession through central London. Nor did he join other members of the royal family on the Buckingham Palace balcony. The post Prince Harry, Meghan in ‘near catastrophic’ New York car chase appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
The Tony Awards will not be televised due to the Writers of America strike.
Awards TonyIt is considered Oscar From the stage, this year will not be broadcast before the television Due to the ongoing Writers Guild of America.....»»