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‘Our Dream’: K-pop boy band BtoB to hold fan-con in April
The K-pop boy band BtoB, also known as Born to Beat, is poised to come back to Manila on April 7 at the SM Mall of Asia for a fan-con labeled as “2024 BTOB Fan-Con Our Dream.”.....»»
Real-life BFFs Jerald and Nicco fulfill dream of working together on screen
The first time they met was in 2007 through Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Pilipino. ‘Sabay kaming humiga sa carpet ng CCP kahit bawal dun,’ recounted Nicco. ‘We were just dreaming about the things we are doing now (acting). We would eat together in a cafeteria na hati kami ng ulam lang. We really started.’.....»»
Real-life BFFs Jerald and Nicco fulfilln dream of working together on screen
The first time they met was in 2007 through Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Pilipino. ‘Sabay kaming humiga sa carpet ng CCP kahit bawal dun,’ recounted Nicco. ‘We were just dreaming about the things we are doing now (acting). We would eat together in a cafeteria na hati kami ng ulam lang. We really started.’.....»»
Pacific Trustees to host masterclass in Manila, pitches Labuan IBFC for business growth
Labuan IBFC, Asia’s premier international financial hub, is a duty-free island located off the coast of East Malaysia. Labuan IBFC provides a safe and holistic ecosystem for businesses, acting as a gateway for companies to Southeast Asia while implementing an efficient and flexible tax system. .....»»
Xinhua Asia-Pacific news summary at 1605 GMT, Dec. 5
JAKARTA -- The number of climbers who died in the eruption of the Marapi volcano on Indonesia's Sumatra Island has reached 23, according to the West Sumatra Natural Resources Conservation Agency on Tuesday. "Twenty bodies have been taken to hospital. Three others are in the process of being evacuated," said the agency's acting head Dian Indriati. (Indonesia-Volcanic Eruption-Deaths) - - - - MANILA.....»»
Delightful discovery: Wilbert Rossas a sensitive singer-songwriter
If you need (or want) to balance off JK Labajo’s roaring, moaning, shrieking, cussing singing in his latest blockbuster single “Ere”, go for Wilbert Ross’ EP album Lampara, recently released by Viva Music on major music platforms. An actor just like Labajo, Ross emotes pain, loss and acceptance of one’s dire straits with restrained anger and without cursing. Ross wrote four of the six songs in the album — none of which, by the way, is titled Lampara. The album’s title is really an announcement of Ross’ intention for his music and lyrics to be a guiding light for the multitude, so to speak. The album’s lead song is “Handa Ako,” which he performs serenely with indie singer Mika Salamanca. “Byahe Ng Buhay”, meanwhile, takes listeners on a lyrical journey through life’s ups and downs. “Dramatic Actor” combines melodious vocals with a touch of drama. “Benteng Ukit” could have been rendered in a frenetic, howling style, but, sorry, that’s not Ross’ style of singing. The song is about self-inflicted wounds, and Ross wrote it during a bout with clinical depression at the height of the pandemic. The two other cuts in the album are “Nakangiti” and “Andito Lang Ako.” It was as a contestant at ABS-CBN’s singing contests Tawag ng Tanghalan of It’s Showtime and Pinoy Boyband Superstar that Ross took his first steps into showbiz. He was in his teens, fresh from Davao, and still using the surname “Rosalyn,” which seems to be the surname of his stepfather. Ups and downs At the recent media launch for Lampara, Ross shared that his Chinese biological dad left the family during Ross’ childhood. His mom is Indonesian. His biological dad passed on two years ago, but Ross got to meet him as a grown-up once or twice. The tall, soft-spoken, very articulate (in Tagalog) Wilbert began to use “Ross” as a showbiz surname when he was recruited to join the second batch of the singing and dancing boy group Hashtags for It’s Showtime. Ross said he has been writing songs for years now and recording them as a soundtrack for some of his acting assignments, such as the Puregold supermarket chain’s web series Ang Lalake sa Likod ng Profile which ended last July. He has no love life at this point, he said, which seems to be a requirement in Pinoy showbiz to sustain interest in an actor’s career. And the stars have to write about the ups and downs of their romances on their social media accounts. Labajo’s shrieking songs of pain would have sounded senseless if he and ex-girlfriend beauty queen Maureen Wroblewitz did not publicly hint about the agonies wrought by their soured relationship on their social media accounts. Ross the actor also wants to be known as a singer-songwriter. He has a marked supporting role in Viva Films’ Nokturno, topbilled by Nadine Lustre. Viva submitted the movie for this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival but it failed to make the cut. There’s another singer-songwriter who roars and howls about her angst: Cool Cat Ash, whose real name is Ashley Aunor. She’s the daughter of Lala Aunor, a member of the “Apat na Sikat” group of teen idols in the ‘70s. Perfect timing It’s perfect timing that the QCinema International Film Festival is being held in November. The festival screens a good number of foreign films that were released to critical acclaim sometime this year or last year. The next big showbiz event that comes after it is the Metro Manila Film Festival, during which only Filipino movies are shown all over the country. The MMFF usually presents only eight films, but this year there are 10 official entries. Those who love foreign films can have their fill of world cinema (60 films this year!) before the MMFF fills the theaters with all-Filipino fare for 10 days during the holiday season. The QCinema International Film Festival, now on its 11th year, runs 17-29 November. The opening film is the Golden Lion winner in this year’s Venice Film Festival, Poor Things. The post Delightful discovery: Wilbert Rossas a sensitive singer-songwriter appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Young stars shine at SM Little Stars 2023 Grand Finals
Representatives from SM City San Pablo and SM City Dasmarinas were hailed as boy and girl Grand Prize winners of the recently concluded SM Little Stars 2023 Grand Finals held at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall on 14 October 2023. [caption id="attachment_202093" align="aligncenter" width="935"] Grand Prize winners Aljon Christoff Banaira from SM City San Pablo (2nd from left) and Jourdanne Baldonido from SM City Dasmarinas (center) with, from left to right, 1st runner-up Eduardo Joson II from SM Megacenter Cabanatuan, 3rd runner-up Joachim Gale Olpindo from SM Center Muntinlupa, and 2nd runner-up Mara Hestia Caballero from SM City Cebu. Back row, left to right: National University Senior Director for Admissions Dr. Christina Corpuz, Goldilocks Bakeshop Head of Corporate Communications Ley Laksamana, Goldilocks Bakeshop Public Relations and Partnerships Associate Kyleth Paralejas, GMA Consulting Head for Talent Imaging and Marketing Lawrence Tan, SM Supermalls’ Senior Vice President for Marketing Joaquin San Agustin, SM Supermalls’ Assistant Vice President for Marketing Hanna Carinna Sy, and SM Supermalls’ President Steven Tan[/caption] [caption id="attachment_202094" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] Grand Prize winners Aljon Christoff Banaira from SM City San Pablo (2nd from left) and Jourdanne Baldonido from SM City Dasmarinas (center) with, from left to right, 1st runner-up Eduardo Joson II from SM Megacenter Cabanatuan, 3rd runner-up Joachim Gale Olpindo from SM Center Muntinlupa, and 2nd runner-up Mara Hestia Caballero from SM City Cebu. Back row, left to right: Hosts Xian Lim and 2017 Girl Grand Winner Gaea Mischa, judges Teacher Georcelle Dapat-Sy of G-Force, Direk Joey Reyes, Sam Concepcion, 2013 3rd runner-up Esang de Torres, and 2013 Boy Grand Winner Nhikzy Calma[/caption] It was a night to remember for seven-year-olds Aljon Christoff Banaira and Jourdanne Baldonido, who emerged as winners among the 28 grand finalists in the competition. It was a fierce battle of talent, confidence, and personality, with every participant showcasing their skills in dancing, singing, acting, declaiming and playing instruments. With over P9 Million worth of prizes up for grabs, the two Grand Winners went home with a brand-new Suzuki S-presso Special Edition MT MC worth over P600,000, a one-year talent contract at Sparkle GMA Artist Center, a full college scholarship at National University, and a five-day and four-night trip for two to Hong Kong. Additional prizes include a total of P100,000 in cash and SM gift certificates (P50,000 in cash and P50,000 worth of SM gift certificates), P30,000 worth of Toy Kingdom gift cards, an annual pass certificate for unlimited bowling and skating valid for one year, 30 regular ride tickets at SM by the Bay Amusement Park / Sky Ranch, and gift vouchers for a two-night stay with breakfast for two at Radisson Blu Cebu. Completing the list of winners were SM Megacenter Cabanatuan's Eduardo Joson II (1st runner-up), SM City Cebu's Mara Hestia Caballero (2nd runner-up), SM Center Muntinlupa's Joachim Gale Olpindo (3rd runner-up), SM City Clark's Hayley Cairee Miclat (Top 6), SM City Masinag's Jayson De Paz, Jr. (Top 7), SM City Bicutan's Graciella Zahzih Flojo (Top 8), SM City Cebu's Karlyle Miguel Corbeta (Top 9), and SM City Batangas' Marrem Angel Martinez (Top 10). [caption id="attachment_202095" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] 2013 Boy Grand Winner Nhikzy Calma[/caption] [caption id="attachment_202096" align="aligncenter" width="400"] 2013 3rd runner-up Esang de Torres[/caption] [caption id="attachment_202097" align="aligncenter" width="394"] SM City Clark’s Hayley Cairee Miclat[/caption] [caption id="attachment_202098" align="aligncenter" width="342"] SM City Masinag’s Jayson De Paz Jr.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_202099" align="aligncenter" width="377"] SM City Bicutan’s Graciella Zahzih Flojo[/caption] [caption id="attachment_202100" align="aligncenter" width="367"] SM City Cebu's Karlyle Miguel Corbeta[/caption] [caption id="attachment_202101" align="aligncenter" width="633"] SM City Batangas’ Marrem Angel Martinez[/caption] Now on its 14th year, the SM Little Stars is a celebration of young talent and a testament to the outstanding platform that SM provides for these budding stars. This year alone, the competition saw over 33,000 young individuals who shared their talents from 70 SM malls nationwide. [caption id="attachment_202102" align="aligncenter" width="1430"] The 28 grand finalists showcase their skills and talents.[/caption] To know more about SM Little Stars 2023, visit www.smsupermalls.com or follow SM Supermalls on social media. .....»»
A positive difference
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others,” Mahatma Gandhi once said. Marian Wright Edelman states, “Service is the rent we pay for being. It is the very purpose of life, and not something you do in your spare time.” Two memorable statements capture the essence of Attorney Kelvin Lester Lee, hailed by Dean Antonio La Viña of Ateneo School of Government as “one of the finest and most visionary individuals to have emerged from Ateneo Law School.” It’s no surprise that Atty. Lee became a Commissioner at the Securities and Exchange Commission in 2019. While his position may be formidable, those who have met him in person can attest to his kind-hearted nature and willingness to devote his time generously. When expressing his views, he displays a remarkable level of candor, always taking the time to carefully consider his words before speaking. Aside from his sense of humor, Lee possesses a remarkable ability to engage in meaningful conversations. When he speaks, he has a way of looking directly into your eyes, underscoring the significance of his words. Even in intense situations, he maintains a calm demeanor and is known to offer a comforting smile, lightening the atmosphere. In his role as Commissioner at the SEC, Atty. Lee assumes the responsibility of overseeing various crucial departments and divisions. These include the markets and securities regulation department, the information and communications technology department, the PhiliFintech innovation office dedicated to Philippine financial technology, and the international affairs and protocol division. Moreover, he holds authority over capital markets, sustainable finance, Fintech and information technology, and international affairs, ensuring their effective management and implementation. While the enormity of those tasks might induce vertigo in most individuals, Atty. Lee remains unfazed. “It is perhaps the best job I have ever had,” he admitted. “I enjoy making a positive change in the sector I am handling. I enjoy pushing innovations and encouraging improvements in the financial sector and capital markets.” With great responsibility, Lee adopts a heightened level of caution. Recognizing the potential impact of his words, he expressed the need to exercise carefulness in his public statements, as any statement he makes can influence the stock market. This awareness underscores his commitment to acting with prudence and considering the far-reaching implications of his words. Let’s delve into the life of Lee, who began his journey in the humble city of Davao, his birthplace. He embarked on his educational path at the Ateneo de Davao University for his grade school education, followed by his enrollment at Davao Central High School, then called Davao Chinese High School. After completing his schooling in Davao, he ventured to Beijing, China, where he pursued studies in the Chinese language and gained work experience with a foreign company. However, after two years, he returned to the Philippines and enrolled in Ateneo de Manila University to pursue a law degree. This journey showcases his diverse experiences and the foundation of his educational and cultural background. “The Ateneo de Manila entrance exam was the only one I could take that year when I came back from China,” he said, adding that he never dreamed of becoming a lawyer. “I just wanted to give it a try. And found I was a surprisingly good fit for it.” As a lawyer, he has five ideal lawyers. Only one is a foreigner: Sir Thomas Moore, an English lawyer, social philosopher, author, and statesman whom Roman Catholics venerated as Saint Thomas More. “He stood by his faith and principles,” he said. Fresh from hurdling the Bar exam, he worked at the Siguion-Reyna Montecillo and Ongsiako law firm, where he learned the importance of being enterprising and putting in a diligent effort to succeed. However, despite his professional growth, he decided to quit and return to his hometown of Davao, placing the deeply rooted value on family and prioritizing personal and familial responsibilities above career pursuits. As a father to two daughters, Atty. Lee expressed that fatherhood has had a profound impact on him, bringing about significant changes. He considers it one of the greatest blessings he could ever receive. According to him, the love that his children show him is genuine and unmatched. He believes that the love of young children is unparalleled. Experiencing this level of love is indescribable, knowing someone loves you unconditionally. This extraordinary bond makes fatherhood one of the most precious and fulfilling aspects of his life. “The love your kids show you is real,” he said. “You will never be as loved as you are by your young children. There is no feeling quite like it to know that someone loves you as much as that. That’s what makes it one of the best things.” Working in government “It is an honor to serve. Very few people get an opportunity to help the country and serve the president and the people,” said Lee, who is a former assistant secretary at the Office of the Executive Secretary in Malacañang, where he was also designated to sit on the Board of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority. Atty. Lee’s dedication to public service earned him well-deserved recognition in his field. In March this year, he received two international accolades for his role in driving the advancement of financial technology in the Philippine business sector, highlighting his visionary thinking and influential impact solidifying his reputation as a trailblazer in the field. In the 10th annual Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, Lee was bestowed the Gold Stevie award for his outstanding contributions as a Thought Leader of the Year. These awards celebrate workplace innovation across all 29 countries in the Asia-Pacific region. From a vast pool of over 800 regional nominations, winners were selected in various categories, including the Award for Excellence in Innovation in Products & Services, the Award for Innovative Management, and the Award for Innovation in Corporate Websites, among others. “It feels great. It’s always wonderful to be recognized for all the hard work and changes you pursue at a government agency. And I was quite surprised to get the Gold Stevie Award, the highest level of the award for thought leadership. I feel so honored!” In the next decade, Atty. Lee, now 44, envisions continuing his career in law, possibly incorporating elements of technology, and hopes to stay actively involved in government work and make a significant impact by fostering meaningful transformation. “Working in government can be quite fulfilling. I encourage young lawyers and professionals to enter the arena and work in government to try and make a positive difference.” The post A positive difference appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Why being slapped by Maricel Soriano is a dream for Pinoy actors
Maricel Soriano inevitably became the recipient of tribute-like statements from her costars at the recent media conference for the psychological drama series Linlang, which premiered last Thursday, 5 October, on Prime Video. [caption id="attachment_194585" align="aligncenter" width="788"] MARICEL Soriano[/caption] The 58-year-old actress, called the Diamond Star in recognition of her illustrious career in Philippine movies that began in her childhood, made lasting impressions on younger colleagues Kim Chiu, Paulo Avelino, JM de Guzman and Kaila Estrada, as well as on an older castmate, Ruby Ruiz, while shooting the series. “She’s the Diamond Star for a reason,” Estrada exclaimed. Nodding, De Guzman said, “Naging challenge sa ’kin pagka magka-eksena kami. Nanonood ako sa kanya kasi sobrang galing. Nadadala ako sa scene (It became a challenge to be in a scene with her. She’s so good. I get carried away).” Avelino summed up his feelings for his senior co-star with “napakaraming respeto at paghanga (So much respect and admiration).” Soriano, who’s also called Inay by people close to her, just played it cool, even cracking jokes. “Wala bang cash?’ Puro na lang salita ang natatanggap ko (No cash? I only get good words),” she quipped. Accolades But the accolades kept pouring in, this time about how she can make a slapping scene so realistic that a fellow award-winning actress once said she literally saw stars after being slapped by Soriano. Chiu revealed that she has at least one slapping scene with Soriano in Linlang, which tackles marital infidelity and other forms of deception. “Sobra po akong natigalgal. Siyempre, di ba, pangarap ’yun ng isang artista na masampal ni Inay. Bucket list naming lahat ’yun. Bucket list, check! Ang lala! Baseball! (I was stunned. It’s every actor’s dream to get slapped by Inay. It’s in our bucket list. Mine is so strong, like being hit by a baseball).” Soriano then explained, “Mahirap kasing i-fake ’yun. Kailangang maramdaman ’yung galit ng nanay (It’s difficult to fake the emotions. I have to let out a mother’s anger).” In the story, she’s the mother of both De Guzman and Avelino’s characters. Chiu, on the other hand, plays the woman who comes between the two brothers. Ruiz, who takes on the role of Chiu’s grandmother, noted that Soriano gave “sobrang totoo n’yang emosyon (all-too-real emotions) in that slapping scene. Napakahusay ng pag-arte. Parang hindi umaarte (excellent acting, like not acting at all).” She expressed her fervent wish to work with Soriano again. “Hindi lang sampal ang gusto ko sa kanya. Umaatikabong acting (It’s not just a slap I want to get from her, but also the highest level of acting). Kung meron akong hindi malilimutan, ’yung friendship na nabuo namin ni Miss Maricel Soriano (If there’s one thing I won’t forget, it’s the friendship I’ve made with Miss Maricel Soriano).” Beyond the Diamond Star tag and image, Soriano is loved for her maternally caring ways, hence the pet name Inay. As De Guzman put it, “Parang nanay s’ya po talaga sa set. Inaalagaan n’ya po kami (She’s really like a mom on the set. She takes care of us).” Soriano herself gave examples of how she takes care of her wards, such as putting on baby powder and towel on their backs to avoid getting soaked by sweat. “Masaya ako, kaya looking forward ako na pumunta sa set nang maaga. Inaantay ko sila, ‘Anong latest? Naghahanap ako ng latest (I’m happy, that’s why I look forward to coming to set early. I wait for them, and then ask, ‘What’s the latest news?’).” Generous According to Chiu, “Very generous si Inay. Ang dami n’yang binibigay sa ’min, lalo na ’ko kasi magka-paa kami. So ang dami-dami ko nang sapatos na mamahalin galing kay Inay (She gives us a lot of stuff. I now have so many expensive shoes that were given by Inay).” Also, “Ang dami n’ya parating pagkain sa kuwarto n’ya, so pupunta lang kami do’n, tapos magkukuwentuhan kami and chikahan, gano’n (She has so much food in her room. We just go there and chat).” “Ang galing lang na makatrabaho ang isang (It’s great to work with) Maricel Soriano na ang tagal-tagal na sa industriya pero (who’s been in the business for so long, yet is so) down-to-earth and very accommodating to help ’yung mga artista na katulad namin (other actors like us),” Chiu added. For his part, Avelino said he takes the initiative to remind new actors, when they get the chance to work with Soriano, to a least introduce themselves, say hi and show respect to a much-esteemed pillar of the industry. The post Why being slapped by Maricel Soriano is a dream for Pinoy actors appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Anak Datu’ opens a rush of truth from ripples of trauma
A year after it premiered, Anak Datu is returning to the stage, opening the 37th season of Tanghalang Pilipino, the resident theater company of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. When it debuted, it immediately became a landmark production in several ways. It was one of the first plays to be mounted with a live audience after the lockdowns and restrictions of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 and 2021. And it was the first play to be staged at the newly opened CCP Black Box Theater or Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez. Anak Datu is one of the few plays on the Tausug and Moro people and cultures of Mindanao, portrayed with marked sensitivity and apparent diligence. It was lauded by critics and audiences, with former Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo as one of the prominent people who trooped to CCP to watch the play on 1 October 2022. The play went on to win six awards at the 13th Gawad Buhay and five at the 35th Aliw Awards. [caption id="attachment_192618" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] the tausug pangalay dance is incorporated into the play.[/caption] Fine-tuned production Despite the accolades and being one of the most important theatrical events in 2022, the play was faulted by some for what was seen as its confusing storytelling, its shifts in timeline and milieus, and the cumbersome sets. The second staging afforded the creative team the opportunity to fine-tune these and other aspects of the production. According to director Chris Millado, former CCP vice president and artistic director, they were able to make the storytelling clearer and supply an elevated platform to make the designs of the light projections more visible. For Dennis N. Marasigan, current CCP vice president and artistic director, “[o]n its rerun, Tanghalang Pilipino's Anak Datu is tighter, its storytelling and technical aspects clearer and crisper, and its staging even more affecting, effectively overlaying story, myth and history.” The restaging marks another milestone in the journey of the play, which started in 2018 from talks that artist Toym Imao, son of the late National Artist for visual arts Abdulmari Asia Imao, had with Millado and veteran actor and TP artistic director Fernando “Nanding” Josef about making a stage adaptation of the elder Imao’s short story for children, written in 1968, the year Toym was born. The team recruited award-winning playwright Rody Vera to write the script. The plan became more concrete when Josef decided to make the project TP’s first original play after the pandemic lockdowns. By then, the play has evolved into something larger than the original story. Serving as Anak Datu’s set designer, Imao recalled the anxieties they felt during the first stages of production, especially the prospect of one of them getting sick and shutting down the show. “But we were able to tell an essential story that was important, especially for a nation that was coming out of the devastating election of May 2022 for a lot of people. It is something important for us na nakapagkuwento kami (we were able to tell a story),” he said. [caption id="attachment_192619" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Ramli Abdurahim as the pirate Jikiran.[/caption] Three stories Anak Datu tells three stories — Toym’s childhood with his father (Paul Jake Paule) and mother, Grace de Leon (Toni Go-Yadao); his father’s short story; and the recent history of his father’s people, the Muslim Tausug in Sulu Archipelago and the Moro, the collective Muslim ethnic groups, of Mindanao. The Imao family portion shows Toymie (Carlos Dala) growing up with Voltes V and other preoccupations of middle-class children in Metro Manila. Then there is the story of the disputed 1968 Jabidah Massacre, told through Jibin Arula (Gie Onida), the lone survivor — how young Tausug men, mostly illiterate, were recruited by the military, transferred to Corregidor and then massacred upon the discovery of a suspicious plot. Also dramatized is the 1974 Palimbang Massacre, in which the military allegedly murdered more a thousand Moro men inside the Malisbong masjid in the province of Sultan Kudarat, while 3,000 women and children were detained and about 300 homes were burned down. These incidents were said to have sparked the conflicts and armed struggle in Mindanao that would scar the region for decades. Along with the contemporary scenes is the retelling of the short story Anak Datu, set in a pre-colonial time and rendered in mythical mode, combining both the familial and the tragic. The Tausug village of datu Karim (Hassanain Magarang) and his wife Putli Loling (Tex Ordoñez-De Leon and Lhorvie Nuevo) is attacked by pirates, led by Jikiran (Ramli Abdurahim), who kidnaps the pregnant Putli Loling. She gives birth to Karim, who grows up knowing Jikiran as his father but later learns the truth. [caption id="attachment_192620" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] Artist Toym Imao taking a picture with the cast and creative team.[/caption] Graceful movements All throughout, the play shifts among these threads of stories, each one compelling and multi-layered. Counterbalancing the oral storytelling is the dramatization through graceful movements, choregraphed by Magarang using the pangalay or Tausug traditional dance, a shared art form with the Yakan (pamansak) and Sama (igal) peoples, thus rendering the stories more visual and adding allure and distinctive cultural flavor to the play. The dances are accompanied by a live kulintangan or gong ensemble. The stark interiors of the theater come alive and burst with colors courtesy of the lighting by Katsch Catoy and projection design of GA Fallarme, who uses Abdulmari Imao’s paintings and traditional Tausug and Meranaw motifs such as the okir as inspirations. Toym’s set pieces are highly movable to keep up with the constant shifts in storytelling, and the bigger ones are like art installations, contributing to the visual richness of the production. Harnessing memory, myth and history, Anak Datu is able to weave its stories into an enthralling whole, establishing interconnectedness and consolidating the story of a person, a family and a community into the very story of a nation, like three or more streams converging into a great river. Tanghalang Pilipino’s Anak Datu runs 29 September to 15 October at Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (CCP Black Box Theater). The post ‘Anak Datu’ opens a rush of truth from ripples of trauma appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
S. Korean migrant’s tale to open Asia’s biggest film festival
The world premiere of Jang Kun-jae's "Because I Hate Korea" will open Asia's largest film festival Wednesday night as it looks to rally from a year marked by scandal and budget cutbacks. The South Korean director's tale of a disillusioned young woman who relocates to New Zealand is among 209 official entries from 69 countries set to unspool at the Busan International Film Festival, which runs until 13 October. Eighty will be making their world premieres in the southern port city. This year's edition comes as organizers grapple with the fallout from former festival director Huh Moon-yung's resignation in May amid accusations of sexual misconduct. The scandal saw BIFF's 2023 budget reduced by about 10 percent as sponsors withdrew in the wake of the allegations, according to organizers. Kang Seung-ah, now serving as acting deputy director, acknowledged they had endured a "difficult phase" before assembling a lineup she said was "more substantial than ever before". Opening night director Jang, who noted he'd attended BIFF far more as an audience member than a filmmaker, told a late afternoon news conference he had sought to address serious questions with his film. "I believe it's necessary to pay attention to the fact that many young people are finding it difficult to navigate through Korean society. I started questioning whether our society is providing a fair and equitable foundation for young people to pursue their dreams," he told reporters after a preview screening. Based on the best-selling Chang Kang-myoung novel, "Because I Hate Korea" received support from BIFF's Asia Project Market back in 2016. South Korea has transformed itself into a cultural powerhouse since then thanks to the explosive success of the Oscar-winning "Parasite" and the Netflix series "Squid Game". "Many people are now showing great interest in Korean content such as K-pop, K-movies, and K-dramas. Living in such an era, they might develop a certain fantasy about South Korea, I think," Nam Dong-chul, the festival's acting interim director, told reporters. But "I thought it might be good to consider these views from the perspective of people living in Korea and especially the youth in South Korea", he said of the opening night choice. "They might have different thoughts and experiences." Frequent Bong Joon-ho collaborator Go Ah-sung, who delivered a memorable performance as the protagonist of "Because I Hate Korea", was unable to attend the festival due to a back injury. 'Dear Jinri' Despite Go's absence, the festival will still feature serious star power, with acclaimed Hong Kong actor Chow Yun Fat scheduled to receive the Asian Filmmaker of the Year award. Three of Chow's films -- "A Better Tomorrow" (1986), "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" (2000) and 2023's "One More Chance" -- will be screened in his honour. Other highly anticipated screenings include "Dear Jinri", a documentary that features late K-pop star Sulli's last and incomplete project. Sulli, born Choi Jin-ri, took her own life in 2019 after a long struggle with online bullying. The film includes her final media interview, which has not been disclosed previously. Korea's filmmaking diaspora will also be showcased with a special series of screenings that includes "Searching" (2018), starring John Cho, and director Celine Song's Sundance favorite "Past Lives". Netflix's highly anticipated "Yellow Door: 90s Lo-fi Film Club" will also have its world premiere at BIFF. The documentary spotlights South Korea's renowned cinephile generation of the 1990s, acclaimed "Parasite" director Bong among them. "The Movie Emperor", director Ning Hao's satirical take on the Chinese film industry starring Hong Kong actor Andy Lau, is set to close the festival. Ning's comedy "deftly captures the fine line between the film industries in Hong Kong and mainland China", as well as the "delicate relationship between Western film festivals and Asian filmmakers", according to the program notes. The post S. Korean migrant’s tale to open Asia’s biggest film festival appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Times Education picks Pacquiao as ambassador
STRENGTHENING their presence in Southeast Asia and appealing directly to prospective students in the Philippines, Education and Training provider Times Education Group Australia announced its partnership with Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao as their brand ambassador and investor, to collaborate on several education-related projects in both the Philippines and Australia. The plan is to expand Times Education – an Australia-based education and training provider – worldwide in 2024, with the goal of making it a premier institution for education. In addition to a variety of courses, including English, Hospitality, Accounting, Information Technology, Cookery, Travel and Tourism, Real Estate, Digital Marketing, Human Resource Management, Social Media Marketing, Business and Management, Leadership and Management, Marketing and Communication, Aged Care and Community Services, Early Childhood Education and Care, and Higher Education Diploma and Graduate Diploma, Times Education will grow their curriculum to include Sport Coaching and Exercise Management with the creation a new Sports Institute. Additional expansion into residential aged care and employment recruitment services is slated. In a statement welcoming the eight-division world champion to the team, Times Education founder and CEO Charles Shiao explained, through their partnership with Manny Pacquiao and planned collaborations with Philippines colleges, lifelong scholarships will be provided to aspiring students. "Manny is a proven winner in life, and we couldn't be more enthusiastic to have him onboard as an investor and brand ambassador. His ring exploits continue to inspire the youth to keep persevering in life, and his passion for education, as proven by his efforts to pursue his studies, is perfectly in line with our ideals," Shiao said. Pacquiao — himself a holder of a master's degree in management Major in Public Education — emphasized the importance of education, even as he encouraged prospective investors to join him in helping Times Education in its expansion efforts. “Education is not merely a process of acquiring knowledge; it is a catalyst for personal growth, social progress, and economic development. It empowers individuals, enhances critical thinking, and equips us to face the challenges of an ever-evolving world,” the former eight-division world champion said. “My journey from humble beginnings to global stardom is a testament to the transformative power of education. Despite facing numerous challenges, my unwavering determination and commitment to self-improvement led me to become not only a sporting icon but also a respected leader and advocate for education. My story inspires countless individuals around the world, proving that education is the great equalizer that transcends social and economic barriers,” he added. One of Australia’s largest institutions offering vocational education and training, and higher learning among others, Times Education has delivered training to over 35,000 students across seven colleges and 12 campuses in key Australian cities. The company has set its sights on a global expansion, and Pacquiao is keen on helping them achieve the goal. “The partnership between Times Education Group Australia and Manny Pacquiao symbolizes the transformative power of education,” Pacquiao said. The post Times Education picks Pacquiao as ambassador appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Sinag’ and ‘Lupa’: Light that guides and land that nourishes
In late September 2019, the Cultural Center of the Philippines mounted the son et lumiere titled “Sinag: Festival of Radiance,” accompanied by a video projected on the façade of its iconic Brutalist Main Building, dancing fountain, performances and installations, as part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of one of the Philippines’ revered cultural institutions. The light show was staged again in the following years with different themes even during the imposed lockdowns in the first years of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 and 2021, serving as beacon of hope during one of the most challenging times for the arts and culture sector. The “Sinag” light-and-sound show continued to be mounted this year, fast becoming a tradition for CCP, as it commemorated its 54th founding anniversary and signaled the sector’s embarking on the road to recovery. It also recognized the sector’s perseverance and determination to continue creating and healing with its theme, “Tuloy Ang Palabas”(The Show Continues).” This year, the Main Building has remained dark and silent as it closed down in January for a three-year rehabilitation and renovation, but it came alive again from 28 September to 1 October for “Sinag 2023: Tuloy Ang Palabas.” A short video was projected on the façade, showing snippets of productions, projects and performances in the past nine months, all held in different venues outside the Main Building. The main part was a spectacle of colors and moving patterns, conceptualized by CCP light designers Camille Balistoy, Danilo Villanueva, Louie Alcoran and Shantie De Roca. This was accompanied by music by Soundridemusic and Makai-symphony, spliced by Jerry Tria. Capping the show was a video showing CCP’s reach in the country, through a map created by Reily Villaruz, as well as glimpses of performances and projects in the planning, accompanied by Jed Balsamo’s “Rurok.” As the CCP Main Building highlighted art’s role as light giver, the park beside it, CCP Liwasang KaLIKHAsan, is venue for an exhibit of installations depicting popular creatures of Philippine folklore. [caption id="attachment_191675" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Kapre. | PhotoGRAPHS by Roel Hoang Manipon FOR THE DAILY TRIBUNE[/caption] The kapre, aswang and tikbalang often figure in horror stories told to children, but acclaimed artist Abdulmari “Toym” de Leon Imao, son of the late National Artist for visual arts Abdulmari Asia Imao, regarded them as nature guardians, thus the title “Tanod-Lupa.” “Tanod-Lupa” was first mounted in celebration of Earth Day on 22 April, but was brought back for the anniversary celebration, and it seems fitting for the Halloween and Christmas seasons. Imao was inspired by stories about these creatures, many of which most likely can be traced from pre-colonial times, during his childhood. “My mom is Kapampangan, and they have wonderful stories of mythology such as Apo Mallari god of Mount Pinatubo. My dad came from the South. He was a Tausug. Mindanao is also rich in stories. The Sarimanok itself is a mythical creature. My appreciation comes from a fascination from childhood and growing up with these stories and narratives from my parents,” he said. “I am very fascinated with tikbalang. There are some stories that tell that it is actually a friend. The tikbalang also has a masculine appearance, very heroic,” he added. Working together with lantern makers from San Fernando City, Pampanga, headed by Arvin Bondoc Quiwa, and using materials such welded steel, fiberglass, ropes and lanterns with LED lights, Imao reimagined the creatures to be cartoonish but still retaining some scary and mysterious qualities. [caption id="attachment_191676" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Manananggal.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_191674" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Duwende.[/caption] The bright installations of kapre, duwende, manananggal, aswang, nuno sa punso and tikbalang are scattered around the park — under a balete, in between coconut trees, among overgrown weeds and unkempt bushes — and accompanied by eerie sounds designed by TJ Ramos. The most prominent among Imao’s works is his large installation in the shape of the panolong, a decorative detail of the traditional house of the Meranaw people, and the sarimanok, a popular design motif of several Moro ethnic groups, frequently used by his father in his works. [caption id="attachment_191677" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Nuno sa punso.[/caption] “Tanod-Lupa” is a work in progress, and more installations are being planned to be added to the collection. “With themes like climate change and cultural promotion, it’s perfect for us to bring these creatures from folklore and mythologies to the forefront. We are not the only inhabitants of our environment. We share it with other beings and creatures. Our ancestors remind us that we take good care of our environment lest these ‘tanod-lupa’ come out to remind us of our shortcomings,” Imao said. The post ‘Sinag’ and ‘Lupa’: Light that guides and land that nourishes appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Creative Industries Month to witness ‘the grandest battle of creativity’
The buzzwords this month and until November are "creativity" and "creative industries." September has been declared the "Creative Industries Month" by the Philippine government, and one reason for such declaration is the activation of the law known as Philippine Creative Industries Development Act, or Republic Act 11904. Pangasinan 4th District Representative Toff de Venecia is the principal author of the law, the chairman of the House Special Committee on Creative Industry and Performing Arts. De Venecia's clan on his mother's side used to be entrenched in film production. He is a son of Gina Vera-Perez De Venecia, daughter of Dr. Jose Vera Perez, the patriarch of pioneering film companies Sampaguita Pictures and Vera Perez Productions. Before he joined Pangasinan politics as son of former senator Jose De Venecia, Toff was active in theater, all the way back to his schooldays at the Ateneo de Manila. Sen. Loren Legarda, aside from being Senate President Pro-Tempore, is chair of the Senate committee on culture and the arts. For years a top broadcast journalist at ABS-CBN, Legarda is the principal author of Republic Act 11961, also known as the Cultural Mapping Law. [caption id="attachment_186378" align="aligncenter" width="511"] ODANG Putik Pottery held workshops on basic pottery. | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF IG/ ODANGPUTIKPOTTERY[/caption] National competition DTI has announced that it will launch on 24 September a national competition, Young Creatives Challenge (YC2) "through the support of Sen. Imee Marcos." The competition -- described as "the grandest battle of creativity" in the country with a grand prize of P1 million per category -- "aspires to ignite, acknowledge, and spotlight the brilliance of creative minds... in the fields of Songwriting, Screenwriting, Playwriting, Graphic Novel, Animation, Game Development, and Online Content Creation." The semi-finals are set for October 2023, when the Top 30 creators and the Top 10 Grand Finalists will be revealed. At the grand finals on November 2023, cash prizes will be awarded along with millions’ worth of promotions, incentives, registration of intellectual property and possible production or commercialization of creative works. The competition has an Online Content Challenge with distinct mechanics and a separate prize pool. It offers a platform for content creators to showcase their talents and make a significant impact by raising awareness about the vibrant and dynamic Philippine creative industries. The special category will have TikTok as its main channel for entry submission. The DTI invites all natural-born Filipino citizens aged 18-35, regardless of their level of experience, to participate as either individuals or teams. Entrants are required to submit "entirely original creations." The competition theme is deliberately broad, embracing an "open" and "free subject" approach to allow the participants the creative freedom to delve into any topic or subject matter of their choosing. For more information about the competition, visit www.youngcreativeschallenge.com. Capsule workshops On 17 September, the NCCA launched the Creative Industries Month at the Rizal Park Open Air Auditorium in Manila with creative capsule workshops in the afternoon and a grand concert of songs, dances and puppetry in the evening. The festivities had the full support of the National Parks Development Committee and Concert at the Park. The workshops were anchored on various creative industries in the country. For instance, for the audiovisual media domain, the Knowledge Channel Foundation Inc. conducted an introductory workshop on Learning Filipino through Wikaharian. For the digital interactive media domain, Dr. Albert Mulles of METATOKYO tackled “How to Start Your Own Blockchain Game Project” while the Department of Science and Technology presented “Learning Through Minecraft Exhibit.” Under the Design domain, there were workshops on shoemaking, parol and jewelry-making and T-shirt printing Workshop. Under publishing and printed media, Rustico Limosinero offered a basic comics workshop, while the Barasoain Kalinangan Foundation, Inc. discussed book- selling and exhibits. Composer-singer Joey Ayala, meanwhile, held a Songwriting Workshop under the Performing Arts domain and later, at the concert, performed the finale solo vocal numbers. Nanding Josef, artistic director of the Cultural Center of the Philippines' Tanghalang Pilipino, conducted a capsule workshop on Theater Acting. Also within the Performing Arts domain were the dance and puppetry workshops facilitated by the Samahan ng mga Papetir ng Pilipinas. The other domains that presented workshops included the visual arts, traditional cultural expression and cultural sites. Aside from Ayala, the evening concert featured Noel Cabangon, the revived band Color It Red with Cookie Chua still its lead vocalist, Bayang Barrios and her band, the Sindaw Philippines dance troupe, Halili Cruz Dance Company, Teatro ni Juan and a puppetry group. [caption id="attachment_186377" align="aligncenter" width="1440"] HALILI Cruz Dance Company at the evening concert. | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF FB.COM/ HALILI CRUZ DANCE COMPANY[/caption] In his remarks, De Venecia pointed out that there are more than 7 million people in the Philippines employed in the creative industries, and the industries' contribution to Gross Domestic Product in 2022 was 7.3 percent percent or P1. 6 trillion, representing an increase of 12.1 percent from P1. 43 trillion in 2021. "This is a sector that has managed to survive and even thrive on its own, but with institutionalized support from the state, it will really help the creative industry sector grow and accelerate to the point where we want it to be — which is by 2030, the Philippines will be the number one creative economy in all of Asia,” said De Venecia. May we be really number 1 just seven years from today! The post Creative Industries Month to witness ‘the grandest battle of creativity’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Chavez vows greater role for NDCPAAI
Led by Transportation Undersecretary Cesar B. Chavez, the newly elected officers of the National Defense College of the Philippines Alumni Association Inc. took their oath before Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin on Monday. Chavez, a consistent appointee to various government agencies by seven successive presidents, was elected president of the NDCPAAI for 2023-2025. He is currently Undersecretary for Railways under the Department of Transportation. “Grateful to Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin for administering our oath in Malacañang this morning as the newly elected officers of the National Defense College of the Philippines Alumni Association Inc.,” Chavez said. “Our association will strive to be more meaningful and relevant for its members and the country. We will actively foster a platform that encourages greater collaboration between the NDCP, its alumni, and stakeholders, contributing to the national discourse and policy development on all aspects of national security,” he added. Chavez pursued a military and national security education, completing courses such as basic and advance intelligence, psychological warfare, and command and general staff management. He earned a Master’s degree in National Security Administration at NDCP, a Ph.D. in Peace and Security Administration from Bicol University, and a Senior Executive certificate on national and international security from Harvard Kennedy School. He also finished the Strategic Management Program at the National University of Singapore. Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Affairs Jesus “Gary” Domingo was elected vice president. Domingo has served as ambassador to New Zealand and held positions in the Philippine Missions to the UN, in New York and Geneva, as well as the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh. NDCP executive vice president Aldrin Cuña was elected secretary general of the association. Captain Luidegar “Lloyd” Casis will head the committee on military affairs. He graduated from the United States Coast Guard Academy. Casis is a member of the Philippine Military Academy’s Tanglaw-Diwa Class of 1992. He is currently chief of the capabilities and weapons systems division of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans, OJ5, of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Aboitiz InfraCapital first vice president Christopher Camba will chair the Committee on Ways and Means. With over 20 years of corporate experience within the Aboitiz Group, he has had diverse roles spanning audit, finance, operations, marketing, risk management, and government relations. Commission on Appointments director and NDCP professor Vladimir Mata was elected head of the Homecoming Committee. He is a lieutenant colonel and currently acting commander of the Marine Reserve Brigade in Northern Luzon. Zamboanga del Sur First District Rep. Divina Grace Yu will serve as chairperson of the Committee on Chairmanship. She has been serving as Deputy House Speaker since 2020. Morong, Rizal RTC Branch 79 Judge Maria Josefina San Juan-Torres was chosen to chair the Committee on Awards. She is vice president of the International Association of Refugee and Migration Judges (Asia Pacific Chapter). Valenzuela City Administrator Atty. Jaime De Veyra will join Judge San Juan-Torres in the Awards Committee. He has held roles in the Public Estates Authority and the Philippine Mining Development Corporation as chief legal counsel and CEO. CGA Capt. Jeremias “Jerry” Simon will chair the Committee on Membership. The post Chavez vows greater role for NDCPAAI appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Commuters’ group asks Makati Business Club to mind own business
A commuters' group on Sunday said business groups should mind their own business, instead of dipping their hands into the exclusive affairs of the Office of the Ombudsman. Atty. Ariel Inton, who heads the Lawyers for Commuters Safety and Protection, particularly chided the Makati Business Club (MBC) for criticizing the dismissal order by the Ombudsman leveled against officials of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA). "The Makati Business Club has no personality to the case," Inton, a former official of the LTFRB, said. Inton was reacting to the MBC statement urging Ombudsman Samuel Martires to reconsider the dismissal of MIAA acting general manager Cesar Chiong and acting assistant general manager Irene Montalbo, who were accused of grave abuse of authority. The Office of the Ombudsman earlier this month ordered the two officials dismissed after ruling that they were guilty of grave misconduct and abuse of authority in ordering the reassignments of nearly 300 MIAA employees. Inton said it is Chiong and Montalbo who should be appealing to the Ombudsman by filing a motion for reconsideration on its decision, "rather than the MBC do the talking." Inton also rebuked Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista on how the latter handles the transport system (air, land, and sea) like "hinalong kalamay (mixed rice cake)", adding that the transport chief should have an "iron fist" for his subordinates to focus on their jobs. "As transport commuter advocates, we feel the pressure of his job. He (Bautista) should look to his subordinates to focus on their jobs," Inton said referring to how Bautista should run the DOTr. Critics find Bautista "too soft" in running the DOTr making the NAIA one of the worst airports in Asia, based on passengers' queueing experiences, according to data obtained by property management and hospitality company Casago. The DOTr, they said, should be run by those coming from the land transportation system, not like Bautista who came from the private sector. Inton's group recommended Thomas "Tim" Orbos who was once the general manager of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure of the Department of Transportation under the Duterte administration; former Party-list Congressman Jonathan A. Dela Cruz and Jess Manalo (Angkla Party-list) as Bautista's possible replacements. Meanwhile, Presidential Adviser on Poverty Alleviation Secretary Larry Gadon said he stands by the decision of Martires in his ruling to dismiss former airport GM Chiong and former Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) head Lloyd Christopher Lao from service with perpetual disqualification from holding public office. "I know that OMB Martires is apolitical as his decisions are based on the merits, facts, and evidence and beyond personal biases," Gadon said. He emphasized that it should be noted that decisions on removing public officials are not based solely on criminal intent or the consequences of a criminal act. "It may be based also on incompetence or acts of omission the effect of which resulted in irreparable damage to the public and the government. So even if the official is not criminally charged nor proven guilty as yet, the official may still be removed for utter lack of competence or lack of responsibility and due diligence in performing his functions. More so if the acts or omissions have inflicted great damage to the public," the Malacañang official explained. "OMB Martires does not look at personalities but more on the issues and acts that are proven by mere preponderance of evidence," Gadon added. The post Commuters’ group asks Makati Business Club to mind own business appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Biden widens web of US alliances faced with China, Russia, Trump
With a historic three-way summit with Japan and South Korea, President Joe Biden has further deepened the web of US partnerships in a determined signal to adversaries despite question marks on the political climate at home. Since Biden took office in 2021, NATO has expanded and mostly closed ranks over Russia's invasion of Ukraine -- and, in clear if unstated responses to an assertive China, the United States forged a new three-way defense pact with Australia and Britain and ramped up work through the four-way Quad involving Australia, India and Japan. The United States already has security alliances with Japan and South Korea, together the bases for some 84,500 troops, but will now also plan three-way, multi-year military exercises across all domains along with real-time information-sharing and a crisis hotline. Jon Alterman, a senior vice president at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said that alliances were "baked" into the mindset of Biden, who was a senator at the end of the Cold War. Partnerships can increase other countries' faith in the direction of the United States, Alterman added. "This administration believes deeply in the centrality -- not the importance, the centrality -- of partnerships," he said. "The challenge is, all of our partners remember the previous administration, they look at the polling numbers, and they have absolutely no confidence in where the US is going to be in two years' time, five years' time or 10 years' time," he said. Previous president Donald Trump loudly questioned the value of alliances, insisting that countries such as Germany and South Korea were not paying enough for the US troop presence and scoffing at NATO's commitments of mutual defense to all allies. Trump is again seeking the White House and recent opinion polls have also shown softening support for US military assistance to Ukraine, which has totaled $43 billion since Russia's attack. Asked about Trump at a news conference with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the Camp David presidential retreat, Biden said that his predecessor's "America First policy, walking away from the rest of the world, has made us weaker, not stronger." "America is strong with our allies and our alliances, and that's why we will endure," Biden said. Tougher task in Asia Whereas in Europe the United States has led a common defense for decades under NATO, in Asia -- seen by Biden as the critical region -- Washington has navigated individual alliances with Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Australia and Thailand. One reason for the hodgepodge has been historical animosity between Japan and South Korea, with the Camp David summit until recently unthinkable. Yoon has turned the page by resolving a dispute over Japan's wartime forced labor of Koreans. Yoon, Kishida and Biden said they shared the same vision of a "rules-based international order" -- a nod to China's muscle-flexing in Asia but also to Ukraine, of which Japan and South Korea have been prominent non-Western supporters. China denounced the Camp David initiative, with state media saying the United States was raising tensions by creating a "mini-NATO," although there was no three-way mutual defense promise. Shihoko Goto, acting director of the Asia program at the Wilson Center, doubted that the three countries were even aspiring to collective self-defense but said their new cooperation was part of an "interweaving" with existing alliance arrangements. "As a single thread it may be weak, but because it is going to be part of that fabric and making it into a multi-layered approach, it would actually be really strong," she said. Risks await Biden has also moved bilaterally with countries concerned about Russia and China. He has said he plans to travel shortly to boost ties with Vietnam, whose tensions with Beijing run deep. But one of his big bets, India, has stood firm on its historic refusal to join alliances and is also taking part this week in a summit with Russia and China of the BRICS bloc of emerging economies. Trump is not the only wild card for the future. In South Korea, Yoon is only allowed a single term, which ends in 2027. "If an ultra-leftist South Korean president and an ultra-right wing Japanese leader are elected in their next cycles, or even if Trump or someone like him wins in the US, then any one of them could derail all the meaningful, hard work the three countries are putting in right now," said Duyeon Kim, an adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security. The post Biden widens web of US alliances faced with China, Russia, Trump appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DA, DSWD accept 300MT rice donation from Japan for Mayon evacuees
Department of Agriculture Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban on Saturday said the department has formally accepted the 300-metric ton milled rice donation by Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries under the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR) Tier 3 Program on 17 August 2023 in Camalig, Albay. Panganiban said the donated rice is intended for the families affected by the Mayon Volcano eruption and was turned over by the Japanese Embassy in the Philippines Minister for Economic Affairs Nihei Daisuke to APTERR Secretariat General Manager Choomjet Kernjanakesorn. It was then accepted by Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Director Michael Christopher Mathay, and DA - National Food Authority (NFA) Special Assistant to the Administrator Roger Navarro. The officials also launched the distribution of the 300-MT milled rice stocks equivalent to 10,000 30-kilogram bags to the affected families identified by the DSWD. “We are not merely witnessing the ceremonial exchange of rice donation but more so the exchange of hope and support from our dependable partners in the ASEAN Region. This contribution is a testament to the unbreakable bond that binds us together as a global community,” Panganiban said. On behalf of the Philippine government, the DA official thanked the Government of Japan and the APTERR Secretariat for the donation that will benefit 10,000 families displaced by the calamity. The family beneficiaries in Daraga, Camalig, Guinobatan, Tabaco City, Malilipot, Sto. Domingo, and Ligao City will receive 30-kilogram bags of rice. From the 10,000 beneficiaries, at least 1,441 shall be granted rice assistance through the DSWD’s Food for Work Program in the affected areas. The APTERR is a regional cooperation scheme among 10 ASEAN member states plus three countries that include China, Japan, and South Korea. The cooperation aims at strengthening food security and reducing poverty in East Asia. Other officials present during the activity include APTERR Secretariat Japanese Expert and MAFF-Japan Representative Akinori Ando, Albay Governor Edcel Greco Lagman, Camalig Mayor Carlos Irwin Baldo Jr., and NFA Acting Assistant Regional Manager Gerard Lim. The post DA, DSWD accept 300MT rice donation from Japan for Mayon evacuees appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Intimate Audrey:’ An up-close and personal look at a Hollywood and fashion icon
First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos led the ribbon cutting ceremony on 31 July to formally open the first Asian stop of Intimate Audrey, the bespoke exhibition on the life of the late Hollywood and fashion icon Audrey Hepburn that was created by her son Sean Hepburn Ferrer. Ferrer himself attended the ceremony, with his daughter Emma in tow, held at The Museum at S Maison, located at the Mall of Asia complex in Pasay City, where the exhibition will run until 29 October 2023. The exhibition was brought to the Philippines through the partnership of FashX, a fashion trade and licensing company, and SM Supermalls, as represented at the opening by Hans Sy and Teresita Sy-Coson. [caption id="attachment_169574" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] Hans Sy, chairman of the executive committee of SM Prime.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_169575" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos with SM Investments Corporation vice chairperson Teresita Sy-Coson.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_169573" align="aligncenter" width="730"] Irene Marcos-Araneta, Joanne De Asis-Benitez and Anna Sobrepeña. | Photographs Courtesy of Sm Supermalls[/caption] Intimate Audrey is the third exhibition Ferrer has created for his mother in the last 30 years. It first opened on 4 May 2019 in time for Hepburn’s 90th birth anniversary and held in her birthplace in Brussels, the capital city of Belgium. It then made a stop in what she considered her home country, Netherlands, specifically in its capital, Amsterdam, where she spent much of her youth during the war years. The exhibition features over 800 photographs, memorabilia, fashion items, drawings, writings, movie posters and trophies that were thoughtfully curated and laid out around the 730-square meter space at The Museum at S Maison. There are also videos playing in strategic spots to highlight specific chapters in her life and at the screening room to show clips from her timeless movies Roman Holiday, Sabrina, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, to name a few. At the end of the exhibition — which covers Hepburn’s life from childhood to ballet training to conquering Hollywood, getting married, becoming a mother and finally doing humanitarian work as UNICEF ambassador — there’s a fashion tribute put up especially for the Manila stop. Titled Audrey: An Homage from Filipino Fashion, this section highlights the works of celebrated Filipino designers who got inspiration from Hepburn’s films and documentaries on her life. The participating designers include Pepito Albert, Ivar Aseron, Vic Barba, Mike Dela Rosa, JC Buendia, Len Cabili, Auggie Cordero, Rhett Eala, Jun Escario, Ben Farrales, Cesar Gaupo, Rajo Laurel, Jojie Lloren, Dennis Lustico, Randy Ortiz, Frederick Peralta, Puey Quiñones, Patrice Ramos-Diaz, Philip Rodriguez, Cary Santiago and National Artists Salvacion Lim-Higgins and Ramon Valera. Tickets to Intimate Audrey are available online via SM Tickets and at all SM Tickets offline locations, such as SM Department Stores and SM Cinemas. Regular price is P850. There’s a special rate of P450 for students, senior citizens, PWDs, national athletes and medal of valor awardees. The post ‘Intimate Audrey:’ An up-close and personal look at a Hollywood and fashion icon appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘BLINK x BLACKPINK forever’: 7 years of the K-pop megagroup
BLACKPINK turned seven this year, and the girl group’s members Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé and Lisa commemorated the event with heartfelt messages to their fans and personal photos through the years on their Instagram accounts. Jisoo shared an adorable photo booth snap of the quartet with the caption: “Blink Blackpink forever.” The 28-year-old superstar also went live on Weverse to celebrate the anniversary and talk to fellow BLINKs. Jennie, meanwhile, said in a post accompanying a mini-album of the group: “7 years with @blackpinkofficial. I love us, I love Blackpink, I love Blinks.” Lisa also shared personal photos of her bandmates, noting how the number seven is one of her favorite numbers and now they’ve reached seven years in the industry: “Happy 7th anniversary to me and my 3 amazing girls @blackpinkofficial… I hope this year will be a lucky one for us! Love you girls and blinks so so much.” Not to be left out, Rosé penned a long and emotional tribute to the girls and all their fans along with childhood photos. [caption id="attachment_168666" align="aligncenter" width="525"] PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF IG/LALISA MANOBAN[/caption] “Thank you, Blackpink for being such a blessing in my life. I have really been able to experience everything and more than what I have ever dreamed of growing up as an aspiring artist. Thank you, thank you and thank you a thousand times. Blackpink, Blinks, Teddy, YG entertainment and everyone else who believed in @blackpinkofficial for the past seven years,” she wrote. “My heart is so full. I cannot express my gratitude for every single person who has been a part of this seven year journey with us four. 7…..!!! @blackpinkofficial is officially seven years old today.! And I am immensely proud of every single one of us. For making history. For always having so much fun and pride with what we do. Thank you to our blinks for trusting each and every one of us, all along,” she added. BLACKPINK was the first girl group from YG Entertainment in seven years, debuting in 2016 with their hit songs “Boombayah” and “Whistle.” The K-pop megagroup rose to global stardom and became one of the most successful girl groups in the world. The BLACKPINK girls are also shining brightly in their solo endeavors. Aside from the successful solo music they released, they also became global ambassadors of several luxury brands like Dior Beauty, Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Bulgari and more. Jisoo and Jennie have also ventured into acting. Jisoo bagged her first lead role in the successful 2022 drama Snowdrop while Jennie made her Hollywood debut alongside Lily-Rose Depp in the recently concluded television series The Idol. BLACKPINK has been headlining its second worldwide concert tour “Born Pink World Tour” since 2022, which will conclude on 26 August in Los Angeles, California. The post ‘BLINK x BLACKPINK forever’: 7 years of the K-pop megagroup appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»