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Merry, stylish Christmas with limited edition vivo V29 5G in Rose Pink
Experience a Merry, Stylish Christmas with the Limited Edition vivo V29 5G in Rose Pink vivo is spreading holiday cheer with the launch of the limited edition Rose Pink variant of the vivo V29 5G, set to add a touch of warmth and romance to your Christmas celebrations. Available from December 1, this enchanting device boasts a unique visual allure and a host of features designed to elevate your holiday moments. The Christmas limited edition vivo V29 5G in Rose Pink is a stunning embodiment of elegance, capturing the essence of the season with its delicate pink hue, gradient hues, and textured ripples. The 6.78-inch AMOLED screen with a 2800×1260 resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and 2160Hz PWM dimming support ensures a smooth and clear visual experience, while its slim 7.46mm profile and lightweight 186g design offer a perfect fusion of style and portability. Fear not as you dive into the holiday hustle, as the V29 5G's 4600mAh all-day battery and 80W fast charge technology ensure swift and efficient charging to keep up with your festive activities. Capture the magic with the advanced camera setup, including a 50MP OIS main camera, 8MP ultra wide-angle lens, 2MP depth sensor, and a 50MP front camera, allowing you to cherish every festive moment. What's more, the Make A Wish campaign by vivo offers the chance to win exclusive gifts, including the Christmas limited edition vivo V29 5G in Rose Pink. Visit vivoglobal.ph/what-is-your-christmas-wish to join the festivities and embrace a Christmas filled with surprises and warmth. The Christmas limited edition vivo V29 5G in Rose Pink will be available from December 1. If Rose Pink isn't your hue, the V29 5G is also available in Starry Purple and Magic Maroon at 12GB + 256GB for Php 24,999 and 12GB + 512GB for Php 26,999. Additionally, the more affordable vivo V29e 5G in Crystal Blue and Forest Black at 12GB + 256GB is now available for only Php 18,999. Spread the festive cheer and unwrap the perfect holiday companion by visiting vivo's official website, Shopee, Lazada, TikTok, and physical stores nationwide. (SPONSORED CONTENT).....»»
Keeping the light alive
For the Tantocos of Rustan’s, it has always been about “family, tradition and togetherness” come Christmas time. This season, Rustan’s is elevating its commitment with the introduction of “Light Up This Christmas with Rustan’s,” an initiative that focuses on renewal and celebration. For over seven decades, Rustan’s has treasured Christmas as a time of hope, light, love and peace. This joy–which Rustan’s aims to share not only with shoppers but with every father, mother, adult and child–is encapsulated and remembered through the sparkle of lights and evergreen trees. It is symbolized by the festive tunes and solemn hymns, as well as the decorations like tinsels, bells, nutcrackers and snowglobes, along with the reds, greens and various ornaments. The cheer of the season points to the magnificent hope brought by the humble birth of Jesus Christ. Pablo (Left): Black Shirt and Pants both by Knickerbocker, Modern Barong by Randolf, Shoes by Scalpers; Alexia (Right): Headband by Simply Carols, Dress by Fancy Littlle Designs, Shoes by Mini Melissa; Ornaments by Rustan’s Christmas Shop. Rustan’s reminds everyone of the magic of Christmas with a meaningful and lively celebration. From the return of the anticipated Christmas Shop, to a grand day-long festivity packed with activities and interactive attractions, to bedazzling promos and heart-pumping markdowns, there are many to discover, explore and indulge. You are invited to witness this year’s iconic Rustan’s Christmas. Bring your family and friends, and, together, Light Up this Christmas with Rustan’s! The post Keeping the light alive appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Spooktacular cocktails to amp the fun
It’s that time of the year when people of all ages love to celebrate, donning the scariest Halloween costumes and dressing up the room with all things spooky, eerie and creepy. But what about the Halloween drinks to complete the spine-chilling experience? DAILY TRIBUNE scoured the metropolis to look for that ominous, forbidding drinks that add thrill and spectacle to the occasion. Here are just some of the wicked cocktail drinks that we spotted that are not necessarily disgusting in taste. The haunting booze can be pretty tasty, blended either with chocolate or fruit juices and infused with wine and spirits. INTRAMUROS MASSACRE Teaser: A tempting hot chocolate treat laced with Irish whiskey and cognac, topped with a heaping of whipped cream and ghoulish tiny mallows. Where: Ilustrado Restaurant, Cabildo Street, Intramuros, Manila. STRAWBERRY FIELDS ICED VELVET Teaser: A velvety blend drizzled with strawberry syrup, crowned with whipped cream and fresh strawberry bits. Finished off with a hauntingly delicious Mummy Macaron chocolate truffle— perfect for Halloween indulgence. Where: Bizu Patisserie and Café. Branches: Mitsukoshi Mall, Taguig City; Greenhills Promenade; Greenbelt 2, Makati City; all MiraNila branches or visitwww.bizu.ph. Available until 2 November. Bloody Mary Shot. BLOODY MARY SHOT Teaser: This drink will certainly put you in the Halloween spirit — a bloody blend of tomato juice, vodka, fresh lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, fresh ground black pepper and Kosher salt. Where: Cerveseria Spanish Restaurant and Cocktail Bar at Parklane, Forbestown Road, Taguig City. Bewitching Sangria. BEWITCHING HALLOWEEN SANGRIA Teaser: The invigorating flavors of orange juice with chunks of apple and orange will refresh and revitalize but the addition of red wine and brandy amps up the drinking experience. Where: Cerveseria Spanish Restaurant and Cocktail Bar at Parklane, Forbestown Road, Taguig City. Black Magic Margarita. BLACK MAGIC MARGARITA Teaser: Who can say no to this drink fused with all things lovely— silver tequila, grenadine, blue curacao, triple sec and sour mix. Garnished with sliced lime. Where: Cerveseria Spanish Restaurant and Cocktail Bar at Parklane, Forbestown Road, Taguig City. Red Magic Margarita. RED MAGIC MARGARITAS Teaser: This will surely lend lip-smacking magic to each and every spooky sip — a mix of red sanding, mojito, triple sec and lime juice, garnished with sliced lime. Where: Gumbo is on the second floor of Megamall Atrium, Mandaluyong City Cookies ‘N Screaaaam! COOKIES ‘N SCREAAAM! Teaser: Don’t you just love the taste of vanilla ice cream exquisitely enhanced with fresh milk, Oreo cookies and decked with crushed Oreo and drizzled with choco syrup? Where: Burgoo American Bar and Restaurant. Branches: U/G B Gateway Mall 2, Araneta City, Quezon City; G/F SM City, Southmall, Las Piñas; G/F Vista Mall, Taguig City; and 2/F The District, Imus City, Cavite. Bloody Morguerita. BLOODY MORGUERITA Teaser: There’s no better way to embrace the spirits than this bloody drink with a dizzying blend of tequila, lemonade, lime, cranberry and raspberry. Where: Burgoo American Bar and Restaurant. Branches: U/G B Gateway Mall 2, Araneta City, Quezon City; G/F SM City, Southmall, Las Pinas; G/F Vista Mall, Taguig City; and 2/F The District, Imus City, Cavite. FRANKENSTEIN. FRANKENSTEIN AND ALIEN EYE MONSTER Teaser: Drawing inspiration from childhood favorite Halloween hero Frankenstein, this creamy drink has the finest matcha powder and Monin Caramel syrup. For a more refreshing drink, Alien Eye Monster offers the sweetest apple juice, as well as the favorite Monin Peach and Red Berries syrup and garnished with blueberry, lychee and whipped cream. Where: High Street Café, Shangri-La The Fort, 30th Street, Taguig City. The post Spooktacular cocktails to amp the fun appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
True Filipino fiesta and music
Coca-Cola Philippines recently brought together thousands of Filipinos at their historic and grandest event yet — the #CokeKAINation. The Mall of Asia’s open spaces were transformed into a sizable picnic area, complete with hundreds of picnic tables bedecked with assorted Pinoy delicacies. There were endless glasses of ice-cold Coca-Cola for everyone to enjoy — a true Pinoy feast. More than 3,000 food lovers and fun-loving individuals came for the salu-salo, exchanging stories and making memories. Rising P-pop girl group BINI and performers Darren Espanto and Sam Concepcion graced the occasion with electrifying performances. Small Laude and Ninong Ry, two renowned influencers who are big lovers of salu-salos and Coke, were also present. The celebration marked Coca-Cola’s 111 years of being a staple of every Filipino family’s lunch. No matter how little the moment, Coca-Cola reaffirmed its commitment to making mealtimes magical for all Filipinos at this salu-salo. “The love for food and experiences is something that’s always been strongly present in Filipinos, especially in today’s youth. At Coca-Cola, we understand that many of our Gen Z Pinoys wish to share these moments with other people. And with #CokeKAINation, we combine all their different interests into one immersive experience full of food, music and amazing activities — like the classic Pinoy fiesta we all love,” said Adrian Manlapig, Coca-Cola Philippines marketing manager. The #CokeKAINation is part of the “Coke is Cooking” meals experience platform that the beverage company is introducing to the world. The #CokeKAINation, the first global meals platform, uses the various consumer passion points, including food, music and entertainment, to connect and engage with their consumers on a deeper level. It aims to celebrate the rich food culture and improve people’s dining experiences in various parts of the world. From restaurants to food stalls, Coca-Cola has surely unlocked the magic behind enjoying any kind of meal — and that is by pairing it with an ice-cold, thirst-quenching drink and in the company of friends and family. Coca-Cola Philippines looks forward to sharing more magical meal moments with Filipinos for many more years to come. The post True Filipino fiesta and music appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Black bear captured after shutting down Disney World rides
An apparently hungry black bear forced a brief shutdown of some attractions at Disney World's Magic Kingdom in Florida until it was captured, officials said. Local television station Fox 35 said more than a dozen popular rides at the Orlando theme park were closed after the bear was sighted in a tree, including the "Haunted Mansion" and "Pirates of the Caribbean." "During the fall, bears are more active as they search for food to pack on fat reserves for the winter," Lisa Thompson, a spokeswoman for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, said in a statement. "This particular bear was likely moving through the area searching for food." Thompson said that "in most cases, it is best for bears to be given space and to move along on their own. "But given this situation, staff have captured the animal and are relocating the bear out of the park to an area in or around the Ocala National Forest." Walt Disney World is one of the largest tourist attractions in the world, drawing tens of millions of visitors each year. The post Black bear captured after shutting down Disney World rides appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
US authorities seize artworks allegedly stolen by Nazis
US authorities seized three artworks allegedly looted by the Nazis and which are being sought by the heirs of a Jewish art collector who died in the Holocaust, officials said Thursday. They confirmed a report in The New York Times that said New York investigators had taken these works by the 1900s Austrian expressionist Egon Schiele from three US-based museums. In warrants issued Tuesday and seen by AFP, the New York State Supreme Court said "there is reasonable cause to believe" the works constitute stolen property. The works were seized from the Art Institute of Chicago, the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, and the Allen Memorial Art Museum at Oberlin College in Ohio. The works in question include "Russian War Prisoner" (1916), a watercolor and pencil on paper piece valued at $1.25 million, seized from the Art Institute, and "Portrait of a Man" (1917), a pencil on paper drawing valued at $1 million and taken from the Carnegie Museums. "Girl With Black Hair" (1911), a watercolor and pencil on paperwork valued at $1.5 million, was seized from Oberlin. The warrants state that these works can remain where they are for 60 days, and they will be taken to New York at a later date. The art pieces are being sought by the heirs of Fritz Grunbaum, a prominent Jewish art collector and cabaret artist who died in the Dachau concentration camp in Germany in 1941. "We are confident in our legal acquisition and lawful possession of this work," the Art Institute of Chicago said, adding that the piece held there is the subject of a civil case in federal court. The Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh pledged to "cooperate fully with inquiries from relevant authorities." The Times said the probe underway concerns about a dozen Schiele works allegedly stolen by the Nazis. Grunbaum's heirs have been in court for years trying to recover works that belonged to him. Courts ruled in 2005 that they had waited too long to act. But in 2016 then-president Barack Obama signed into law the Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act to help recover art misappropriated or looted by the Nazis, and in 2018 Grunbaum's heirs received a favorable court judgment and recovered two pieces. The subject remains topical in other countries as well. In France, parliament adopted a framework law this July to facilitate restitution of property looted from Jews under German Nazi rule. According to statistics released at an international conference in the Czech Republic in 2009, some 100,000 of an estimated 650,000 stolen works have still not been returned. The post US authorities seize artworks allegedly stolen by Nazis appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Three K-pop powerhouses to perform at ‘K-MAGIC LIVE!’ this October
K-MAGIC LIVE! is the first in a series of dream shows from OctoArts. It promises to be an unforgettable night of music, dance and pure magic as it showcases the unparalleled talents of three K-pop royalties: Taemin of SHINee, Yugyeom of GOT7 and Hyo of Girls Generation. With a lineup that boasts some of the most accomplished and beloved artists in the K-pop scene, K-MAGIC LIVE! is destined to be a historic event for fans of all ages. Taemin is a South Korean singer and actor under SM Entertainment. He is the maknae or the youngest of the boy group SHINee and a member of the supergroup SuperM. Yugyeom is a South Korean singer-songwriter under AOMG. He is the maknae of the boy group GOT7 and one half of the duo Jus2. Hyo is a member of the K-pop girl group Girls’ Generation since 2007, its second sub-unit, Oh!GG since 2018 and the supergroup, Girls On Top, since January 2022, as well as a solo performer since 2016. The concert will be staged on 13 October, 7 p.m., at Mall of Asia Arena. Tickets for this event will be available starting 11 a.m. on 16 September. Fans can secure their seats through SM Tickets Outlets nationwide or conveniently purchase them online at www.smtickets.com. The post Three K-pop powerhouses to perform at ‘K-MAGIC LIVE!’ this October appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Korean Film Festival to delight Manila
The Korean Film Festival is set to bring moviegoers and fans on a memorable cinematic trip to Korea. “At this year’s KFF, we do not only have some award-winning films lined up, but we also chose movies that will take you to some of Korea’s picturesque landscapes,” the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines announced on their social media accounts. Presented by the Korean Embassy in the Philippines and the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines, the film festival, themed “Ka-ja! Korea Through Films,” will feature seven stellar films. The film festival is also in collaboration with the Korean Film Council, Film Development Council of the Philippines, Korea Tourism Organization Manila Office and SM Cinema. Here is KFF’s lineup of films that will be shown on the big screens for free: Bori (2020), directed by Kim Jinyu. This coming-of-age film is about an 11-year-old girl living in a seaside village named Bori, the only member of a family who is not deaf. [caption id="attachment_181135" align="aligncenter" width="950"] ‘DIRECTOR’S INTENTION.’[/caption] Director’s Intention (2021), directed by Kim Min-geun. A romantic comedy about the complicated relationship between exes who have to work on the same project. [caption id="attachment_181132" align="aligncenter" width="950"] ‘EVERGLOW.’[/caption] Everglow (2021), directed by So Joon-moon. Set in Juju, the film trains its lens on a 70-year-old female diver as the focus of a documentary. [caption id="attachment_181134" align="aligncenter" width="950"] ‘GYEONGJU.’[/caption] Gyeongju (2014), directed by Zhang Lu. Another romantic comedy, about a Beijing-based professor who returns to Korea for a funeral and spends time with a teahouse owner. [caption id="attachment_181138" align="aligncenter" width="950"] ‘JUKDO Surfing Diary.’[/caption] Jukdo Surfing Diary (2020), directed by Lee Hyun-seung. The film features a beach that has become a famous destination spot for surfers. Life is Beautiful (2022), directed by Choi Kook-hee. Starring Sky Castle’s Yum Jung-ah and Moving’s Ryu Seung-ryong, about a terminally-ill wife who asks her husband to find her first love as a birthday present. The Book of Fish (2021), directed by Lee Joon-ik. Set in 1801, the black-and-white historical film features a Josean-era scholar who is exiled to Heuksando Island. The KCC is also set to host a film production workshop titled “Meet the Mentor: K-Movie Production Talk Show” on 21 September at the De La Salle-College of St. Benilde campus. This workshop is part of the “Meet the Mentor” series, whose panel includes Filipino director Perci Intalan and Korean directors-producers Park Eun-kyung and Lee Yeon-hwa. KCC’s Korean Film Festival will run 22 September to 26 September, with participating cinemas, screening schedules and ticketing guidelines to be announced soon. The post Korean Film Festival to delight Manila appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘All Star’ Smash Mouth frontman Steve Harwell dies at 56
Steve Harwell, the former lead vocalist of the American rock band Smash Mouth, has passed away at age 56. His manager, Robert Hayes, announced in a statement that Harwell died “peacefully and comfortably” at his home in Boise, Idaho, surrounded by his family and friends. He died of acute liver failure on 4 September. A day before his death, it was announced that Harwell was receiving hospice care for final-stage chronic liver failure and only had a few days to live. Harwell’s musical career began when he played in a rap group called F.O.S (Freedom of Speech). Later on, Smash Mouth was formed along with drummer Kevin Coleman, whom he met in 1990, guitarist Greg Camp and bassist Paul De Lisle. Rock music While largely performing rock music during their earlier years, record labels saw the group’s potential after a demo of their song “Nervous in the Alley” was played at a local radio station. After signing with Interscope Records, they released their debut album, Fush Yu Mang, in 1997. A ska, reggae, pup-punk album that includes their first major hit, “Walkin’ on the Sun,” which has a distinctive, psychedelic soul and soul-funk music style. Their sophomore album, Astro Lounge, became a global success and one of their most critically acclaimed albums. It included the band’s biggest single, “All Star,” which was frequently featured in films like Inspector Gadget (1999), Mystery Men (1999), Digimon: The Movie (200), Rat Race (2001) and Shrek (2001). “All Star” also earned its first Grammy nomination for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. The Grammy-nominated rock band released five more studio albums in the following years: Smash Mouth (2001), Get the Picture? (2003), The Gift of Rock (2005), Summer Girl (2006) and Magic (2012). Amid his band’s skyrocketing popularity, Harwell’s son, Presley, died in 2001 from acute lymphocytic leukemia. His son was only six months old. Health issues The former rock singer had been battling numerous health issues. In 2013, he was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, a heart condition that can lead to heart failure; and acute Wernicke encephalopathy, a neurological disease that impairs speech, memory and muscle coordination. The “All Star” singer also struggled with alcoholism throughout his adult life. Harwell announced his retirement from the band in 2021 over ongoing physical and mental health issues. With the band’s iconic ‘90s legacy and Harwell’s unique music influence, the rock singer lived a “100-percent full-throttle life. Burning brightly across the universe before burning out,” said Hayes. Smash Mouth’s official Instagram account paid tribute to Harwell: “Steve Harwell was a true American Original. A larger-than-life character who shot up into the sky like a Roman candle. Steve should be remembered for his unwavering focus and impassioned determination to reach the heights of pop stardom.” The post ‘All Star’ Smash Mouth frontman Steve Harwell dies at 56 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DNA evidence clears US man of rape charge 47 years later
A US man who served seven and a half years in prison for a rape he did not commit has been cleared nearly five decades later thanks to new DNA evidence, authorities said Tuesday. Leonard Mack, now 72, was arrested in 1975, in Greenburgh, New York state, after the rape of a teenage girl, who had been walking home from school with another girl. Police announced a search for a Black suspect in the mostly white neighborhood and shortly after picked up Mack, who is African American. After a campaign by the Innocence Project, DNA evidence not available at the time has "conclusively excluded 72-year-old Mr. Mack as the perpetrator and identified a convicted sex offender, who has now confessed to the rape," the Westchester County prosecutor's office said in a statement. "This is the longest wrongful conviction in US history known to the Innocence Project to be overturned by DNA evidence," the district attorney's office said, citing Mack's "unwavering strength fighting to clear his name for almost 50 years." According to the National Registry of Exonerations, 575 wrongly convicted people have been cleared based on new DNA tests since 1989 -- 35 of them while waiting for execution. Researchers say that Black suspects are far more likely to be the subjects of wrongful convictions than innocent white people. Although Black people account for only 13.6 percent of the total US population, more than half of the 3,300 people whose convictions were overturned between 1989 and 2022 were Black, the National Registry of Exonerations said. Reacting to his exoneration, Mack said: "I am finally free." The post DNA evidence clears US man of rape charge 47 years later appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Gabbi Garcia na-’shookt’ matapos i-follow ni Paris Hilton sa IG: ‘Omg hellooo! Girl crush!! Major!!!’
KABOG ang latest social media post ng aktres na si Gabbi Garcia! Paano ba naman kasi, napansin siya ng American media personality at socialite na si Paris Hilton. Sa Instagram, ibinandera ni Gabbi ang black and white photos kasama ang boyfriend na si Khalil Ramos. Makikita rin na suot ng dalawa ang bonggang OOTD para The post Gabbi Garcia na-’shookt’ matapos i-follow ni Paris Hilton sa IG: ‘Omg hellooo! Girl crush!! Major!!!’ appeared first on Bandera......»»
Birthday Baby
A baby’s first birthday is one of the most meaningful milestones for parents, family members and friends who share a special bond with the toddler. [caption id="attachment_172947" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Raemy Marian Cortes with daughter Yzeia Raeven.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_172946" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Bianca Serafica with son Sancho, Rica Serafica Torres with her children Julia, Clara, Isabel and Julio. In the middle in black shirt is Niña Resabal and Jose Eleandre Muñoz.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_172945" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Andrea and Agustin Muñoz with sons EnricoTadeo and Jose Eleandre, and Catherine Larrazabal Tan, Bremeglida Yoo and Niña Restauro.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_172944" align="aligncenter" width="505"] Andone Tan with son Iñigo.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_172942" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Agustin and Andrea Muñoz with their two sons, Jose Eleandre and Enrico Tadeo. | Photographs courtesy of Honey jarque loop[/caption] [caption id="attachment_172940" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Jehs Banzon[/caption] Never mind if the youngster is still oblivious — it is about creating memories one can look back on in the years to come. Adorable baby Enrico Tadeo, second child of Agustin and Andrea Tan Muñoz, recently celebrated his first birthday party in Ormoc City’s finest hideaway, the laid-back beachfront Sabin Resort Hotel. His ever-talented mom, Andrea, considered one of the top event specialists in the city of the Queen Pineapple and owner and creator of Andrea’s Floral Basket, left nothing to chance and crafted a truly unique children’s party not seen before — all with imaginative creativity, pinpoint organization and discerning attention to detail. With the theme Wild One Safari, the spacious Rose Grand Ballroom was totally transformed with life-sized animal standees, plus dozens upon dozens of stuffed animals, such as giraffes, lions, tigers, monkeys and cheetahs scattered around the venue which completed the safari-inspired day. There were live animals as well, such as iguanas, Burmese pythons, baby crocodile, eagle and sulcata tortoise. And, of course, birthdays are only complete with hundreds of balloons in every imaginable color. Adhering to the motif, attendees were game and donned safari outfits. Among the special guests were Enrico’s godparents Celestino Larrazabal, Nikka Villegas, Raemy Marian Cortes and his titos and titas, Andrew, Andone and Endika Tan. Maternal grandma Catherine Larrazabal Tan, whose diverse talent is beyond question, lent a hand and took charge of the kiddie meals of chicken poppers, all-time favorite spaghetti and hotdogs, mini barbeques, chocolate crackles, popcorn and cupcakes, cotton candies and lots of soft and chewy candies. Cheers and laughter abounded as kids jumped for excitement and joy with the parlor games — they all took home coveted goodies! To top off the event, a mesmerizing magic show put the crowd in a trance, with sly tricks and sudden sleights of hand to amaze the kids into a loud applause. The post Birthday Baby appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Reviews: Cinemalaya Shorts B
‘GOLDEN BELLS’ Kurt Soberano’s Golden Bells is the only entry with superior technical craft. However, it severely alienates the audience by picking a subject matter that not everyone can relate to. Sure, it carries universal themes of familial relationships, hopes, desires and sacrifice, but Golden Bells fails to connect emotionally. It’s a monotonous story about a Filipino-Chinese family running a garments business, with one of the sons as its central character. It is through the son’s lens that we learn his perspective of the family patriarch. Too bottled up in its own world on a very surface level, it is largely unrelatable and feels more like a commercial ad for a business rather than a piece of cinema. (1 out of 5 stars). ‘TONG ADLAW NGA NAG-SNOW SA PINAS’ Joshua Caesar Medroso’s monochromatic Tong Adlaw nga Nag-snow sa Pinas starts off quite well. Set in a remote and impoverished coastal town, two young boys, Makong and Renren, are playing, pretending that it’s snowing by making fake snowflakes out of styrofoam boxes. The styro-snow looks great in black-and -white and Medroso manages to evoke nostalgic imagery of a pre-Internet childhood. But underneath the innocent play lies a violent subtext: child abuse cushioned by a melodramatic portrait of compassion and friendship. The short abruptly ends, and it feels as if Medroso’s other video clips got mistakenly deleted and he has no choice but to finally put the end credits and submit his film. (1 out of 5 stars) [caption id="attachment_170059" align="aligncenter" width="656"] Ang Kining Binalaybay Kag Ambahanon ko para sa Imo[/caption] ‘ANG KINING BINALAYBAY KAG AMBAHANON KO PARA SA IMO’ Kent John Desamparado’s family drama is heartbreaking and appeals to the special bond between a grandfather and a granddaughter. It follows a poor, ailing fisherman, who, no longer able to take care of his young granddaughter, painfully decides to give her away to other relatives. The filmmaker takes the viewer along on their journey to inevitable doom. Desamparado manages to capture the nuances of a very loving relationship between the grandpa and the little girl. It breaks the heart, and also becomes a light commentary on the realities of poverty. However, it’s still rough around the edges and the finale is too weak. (2.5 out of 5 stars). ‘MAKOKO SA BAYBAY’ This is so forgettable I honestly could not recall the details of the short. I could vaguely recall a very strong sunset color palette, sea monsters and mothers and little kids longing for their mothers. If something like this vanishes from your mind soon after you’ve left the cinema, then you get my point. (0 out of 5 stars). [caption id="attachment_170060" align="aligncenter" width="600"] ‘Maudi Nga Arapaap’[/caption] ‘MAUDI NGA ARAPAAP’ Daniel Magayon’s psychological horror short is funnier than scary, amusing rather than disturbing. It follows a graveyard-shift female nurse with experiences of traumatic child abuse by her mother, who has recently died. The scenes of a child being abused by the very person that should nurture her is heartbreaking. But the occasional appearance of a demon-like creature related to a plant is funny and fails to evoke sinister vibes. Magayon, however, still manages to send a clear message about the fragile relationship between a mother and daughter, as well as the long-term effects of child abuse. The literal monster element is wholly unessential, offering nothing sinister or metaphorical, ultimately causing the short’s downfall. (2 out of 5 stars) The post Reviews: Cinemalaya Shorts B appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Cinemalaya Shorts B
‘GOLDEN BELLS’ Kurt Soberano’s Golden Bells is the only entry with superior technical craft. However, it severely alienates the audience by picking a subject matter that not everyone can relate to. Sure, it carries universal themes of familial relationships, hopes, desires and sacrifice, but Golden Bells fails to connect emotionally. It’s a monotonous story about a Filipino-Chinese family running a garments business, with one of the sons as its central character. It is through the son’s lens that we learn his perspective of the family patriarch. Too bottled up in its own world on a very surface level, it is largely unrelatable and feels more like a commercial ad for a business rather than a piece of cinema. (1 out of 5 stars). ‘TONG ADLAW NGA NAG-SNOW SA PINAS’ Joshua Caesar Medroso’s monochromatic Tong Adlaw nga Nag-snow sa Pinas starts off quite well. Set in a remote and impoverished coastal town, two young boys, Makong and Renren, are playing, pretending that it’s snowing by making fake snowflakes out of styrofoam boxes. The styro-snow looks great in black-and -white and Medroso manages to evoke nostalgic imagery of a post-Internet childhood. But underneath the innocent play lies a violent subtext: child abuse cushioned by a melodramatic portrait of compassion and friendship. The short abruptly ends, and it feels as if Medroso’s other video clips got mistakenly deleted and he has no choice but to finally put the end credits and submit his film. (1 out of 5 stars) [caption id="attachment_170059" align="aligncenter" width="656"] Ang Kining Binalaybay Kag Ambahanon ko para sa Imo[/caption] ‘ANG KINING BINALAYBAY KAG AMBAHANON KO PARA SA IMO’ Kent John Desamparado’s family drama is heartbreaking and appeals to the special bond between a grandfather and a granddaughter. It follows a poor, ailing fisherman, who, no longer able to take care of his young granddaughter, painfully decides to give her away to other relatives. The filmmaker takes the viewer along on their journey to inevitable doom. Desamparado manages to capture the nuances of a very loving relationship between the grandpa and the little girl. It breaks the heart, and also becomes a light commentary on the realities of poverty. However, it’s still rough around the edges and the finale is too weak. (2.5 out of 5 stars). ‘MAKOKO SA BAYBAY’ This is so forgettable I honestly could not recall the details of the short. I could vaguely recall a very strong sunset color palette, sea monsters and mothers and little kids longing for their mothers. If something like this vanishes from your mind soon after you’ve left the cinema, then you get my point. (0 out of 5 stars). [caption id="attachment_170060" align="aligncenter" width="600"] ‘Maudi Nga Arapaap’[/caption] ‘MAUDI NGA ARAPAAP’ Daniel Magayon’s psychological horror short is funnier than scary, amusing rather than disturbing. It follows a graveyard-shift female nurse with experiences of traumatic child abuse by her mother, who has recently died. The scenes of a child being abused by the very person that should nurture her is heartbreaking. But the occasional appearance of a demon-like creature related to a plant is funny and fails to evoke sinister vibes. Magayon, however, still manages to send a clear message about the fragile relationship between a mother and daughter, as well as the long-term effects of child abuse. The literal monster element is wholly unessential, offering nothing sinister or metaphorical, ultimately causing the short’s downfall. (2 out of 5 stars) The post Cinemalaya Shorts B appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Fantasy reality
I’m a Barbie Girl… in the Barbie world, life in plastic, it’s fantastic… I bet you sang that part, right? All I know is that one day I opened my social media account and almost everyone was wearing pink, from celebrities to influencers, even politicians were jumping into the Barbie era. Almost all of my online friends were uploading photos of themselves in a Barbie box frame posing like real-life dolls. Even while I was doing my groceries and inside shopping malls, I encountered people dressed as Barbies and Kens, and sometimes I would ask myself, am I being different for not diving into the Barbie madness? Little did I know the Barbie effect was working on me subconsciously. I wore pink and white for an online interview and the interviewer told me I was being a Barbie on cam. At that moment I realized I was indeed living in a Barbie world now, and that the Barbie effect was unknowingly consuming me, too. I am now one of those people who have dived into this Barbie madness. The Barbie effect is superb! Maybe this could help too with government projects where we can get people involved in so many creative and positive ways, especially if it relates to them. But since it’s Thirstday, I bet you’re looking for thirst-quenching facts about Barbie. Did you know that the first Barbie was based on a postwar German cartoon? Barbie has been the subject of debates for supposedly creating the stigma of a perfect body for kids and young adults. If Barbie was, in fact, a real person, her measurements according to researchers would be 32-17-28, nearly impossible for a real woman. In fact, research conducted in the 1990s concluded that not only are Barbie’s weight and body proportions not attainable but they are also unhealthy. In the movie, Barbies lead a matriarchal society. We Barbies lead the world and our Kens are just beach dudes! In a sudden twist of fate, the Kens realized they were second-class citizens, so they mounted a coup and established a patriarchal society just like what we actually have right now in the real world. Oh, so sad. But unlike in the former matriarchal setup, the Barbies let the Kens and the outcast share power, leadership, and the most important thing, responsibility! Wow! Way to go, Barbies! We can draw important lessons from the movie where real-world Barbies like us can be part of making a positive change in society. We must embrace our inner strengths as we accept that we are not perfect. We must, and we can show the world that, yes, we can lead. In the Philippine context, the situation of women is not ideal but is constantly improving steadily. Some of the socio-economic and political affairs to which we can channel our natural feminine touch and strength include foreign affairs and diplomacy, conflict resolution, food security, social welfare, information industry, tourism and shipping, and much more! Let us take a closer look at food security and tourism. Why? Well, Barbies love food and love to travel! There are what we call Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas or GIDAs — these possess the most abundant natural resources suitable for food production and are home to splendid picturesque spots of nature so suited for tourism! But we need roads leading to those places and we need robust transport systems to make it work. Most of the GIDAs can be reached only through unreliable trails using “habal-habal.” Barbies with our Kens can be rallying figures in those aspects where we can best help those in need. The movie told us to embrace our femininity but I say let us embrace the wholeness of society whether you are a Ken or a Barbie. Women cannot exist alone and so with men. That Barbie effect? I hope we can draw a positive impact from that one and set ideal, yet realistic, goals and standards to cater to the needs of the public. Remember when Barbie released their dolls with Down syndrome this year? In recent years they also created dolls with prosthetic limbs, and curvy and black Barbies to cater to the clamor of groups that said Barbies did not represent real women. You see? We can always meet halfway, especially when it comes to providing solutions to the common problems of people, whether in a local or national government setup. We listen and modify, and we get feedback if projects are effective or not. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter whether a Barbie or a Ken leads and steers. All that matters is that we need to act together, be together, and move together to arrive at our intended destination because... Barbies and Kens, we are in the same boat. The post Fantasy reality appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
CINEMALAYA REVIEW: SHORTS A
‘SOTA’ Mae Tanagon opens her short documentary Sota by bombarding you with paragraphs and paragraphs of information. Sota means horse caretaker, and Tanagon follows two sotas, Arnel Arguelles and Leonardo Yambao, who expose their working conditions in the horse gambling industry. Tanagon aims to highlight the fact that while horse racing in the Philippines is a multibillion-peso industry, its workers are horrendously underpaid. Unfortunately, the lengthy texts that clutter the screen weaken Taganon’s storytelling, making her advocacy almost lost, because if you recall Sota in the future, you’d remember how it was a hassle reading the texts rather than the plight of underpaid horse caretakers. The subject matter has a potential to be a stirring documentary, the racetracks could have been more photogenic, but this feels dry and dull, and rushed. (1 out of 5 stars) ‘HINAKDAL’ [caption id="attachment_168108" align="aligncenter" width="700"] ‘HINAKDAL’ by Arvin Belarmino.[/caption] Arvin Belarmino’s black-and-white take on social prejudice is imaginative, funny and tense. Set in a remote province, it follows an impoverished zombie mother and young son during one of their ordinary days. They are poor and rely on religious icons for their everyday salvation. But the appearance of a chicken thief suddenly disrupts their relatively peaceful life. Belarmino’s choice to portray the poor sector of the country as zombies is rather fascinating, adding a touch of surrealism and fantasy without compromising entertainment value and sharp social commentary. (3 out of 5 stars) ‘KOKURYO: THE UNTOLD STORY OF BB. UNDAS 2019’ [caption id="attachment_168104" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] ‘KOKURYO: The Untold Story of Bb. Undas 2019’ by Diokko Manuel Dionisio.[/caption] Diokko Manuel Dionisio’s Kokuryo is a comedic portrait of friendship, poverty and transgenderism. While the student film (Dionisio is a graduating film student from La Salle-Benilde) has audio problems and poor resolution, the visual composition and costumes are breathtaking. Plus, Mindy Jane Castillo has a powerful onscreen presence, managing to hook you from beginning to end. In the aftermath of a small-time trans pageant contest called Bb. Undas 2019, the winner (Castillo) finds 50 percent of her prize money missing. She and best friend (Thalia Nagaño) go on a search, which is often funny albeit the amateur performances from some of the supporting cast. It culminates in a heartbreaking ending, with a most beautiful shot for a finale. (3 out of 5 stars) ‘HM HMM MHM’ [caption id="attachment_168106" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] ‘HM HMM MHM’ by Sam Villa-Real and Kim Timan.[/caption] The title alone is pretentious and contrived. Sam Villa-Real and Kim Timan’s Hm Hm Mhm uses stop motion for a story on domestic violence. Using dolls, with the central character a little girl doll and Barbie and Ken as its parents, the filmmakers produce somewhat surreal, nightmarish imagery. The film removes dialogue and incorporates dreamy sequences, rage, slithering vines and what looks like a woman’s reproductive organ (or a womb). The vibe is sinister, with a constant feeling of trouble and unrest. While there is a hint of domestic violence going on, the chaotic visuals make the storytelling incoherent. The film ends up more like an exercise in stop-motion rather than using the animated technique for a more effective way of saying whatever it wants to say. (0 out of 5 stars) ‘SIBUYAS NI PERFECTO’ [caption id="attachment_168113" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] ‘SIBUYAS Ni Perfecto’ by January Yap.[/caption] Januar Yap’s subdued drama follows an old man, Perfecto, with his worn-out slippers, carrying on his back a heavy basket of vegetables to deliver to his “friend,” Sir Eddie (whom we never see). The fact that Perfecto calls the man “sir” and feels honored that Eddie is his “friend” who trusts him with the delivery quickly establishes how Perfecto is very simple-minded and trusting. The fact that Eddie lets Perfecto walk miles and miles and miles to deliver vegetables to his doorstep, and Perfecto’s friend says Eddie is a con man, allow us to immediately know that Perfecto is a victim of abuse of men with money and power — the Sir Eddies of the world. Yap manages to make the viewer experience Perfecto’s suffering by allowing the viewer to experience the great distance he has to travel to get to Eddie’s house. This is a painful portrait of innocence and naivete, as well as the socioeconomic hierarchy where Perfecto is at the bottom of the chain. The ending is pretty strong. (3 out of 5 stars) The post CINEMALAYA REVIEW: SHORTS A appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Aya Fernandez, Pat Tingjuy make debut in volleyball film ‘Rookie’
Rookie, an entry to the ongoing Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival, is not only the first Filipino volleyball movie but also the big screen debut of its lead actors Aya Fernandez and Pat Tingjuy. Aya plays Jana, the team captain of a high school volleyball team, and Pat takes on the part of awkward new player Ace who falls for Jana. aya and Pat went through several rounds of audition before they got their roles in this coming-of-age queer movie directed by Samantha Lee and written by Natts Jadaone under ANIMA Studios. “We were paired with different beautiful women,” recalled Aya at an after-party dinner celebrating ANIMA Studios’ seventh anniversary. They then emerged as the perfect pair. Having known each other for a long time surely helped the onscreen partners be at ease and connect well while working. “We went to the same grade school,” said Aya, now 25 years old, and gestured to Pat. “She was our star volleyball player.” Pat could only blush in shyness. Yes, Pat went on playing volleyball, like for the University of Santo Tomas’ College of Architecture’s team, but she’s now embarked on an acting career. “This is my first time ever to be exposed like this. Acting was harder for me than playing volleyball.” For Aya’s part, the Mutya ng Pilipinas 2018 winner admitted volleyball is not her main sport. “So I had to train for almost more than a month to really correct and master the form, as well as immerse with the volleyball players,” she explained. “I’m privileged to be friends with the volleyball players.” Aya, a contract artist of Star Magic talent agency, drew from her acting experience in past ABS-CBN teleseryes Ang Sa Iyo Ay Akin, Ang Probinsyano and A Family Affair, as well as in her current projects Stand-in Love and Nag-aapoy na Damdamin in playing her character. She then found acting while playing volleyball “a new form of art,” in which “you can never fake your reaction.” She then said of Rookie, “Through this film, we hope to show that to play like a girl means to compete like a champion.” Catch Rookie at Cinemalaya XIX: IlumiNasyon, which runs until 13 August at the Philippine International Convention Center and select cinemas of Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Glorietta, UP Town Center and Trinoma. The post Aya Fernandez, Pat Tingjuy make debut in volleyball film ‘Rookie’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Gaza open-air cinema a breath of fresh air for Palestinians
Gaza residents took their seats in front of a large projector screen set up on a sandy beach, a rare event in the Islamist-ruled blockaded enclave that has no operating cinemas. Over two weeks in summer, the "Cinema of the Sea" festival which ended Monday screened some 15 films, many of them with Palestinian actors or producers. Providing a respite from the heat, the waterfront "is the only outlet for the residents" in the impoverished territory, said Ali Muhanna, a theatre director involved in the initiative. Around 2.3 million Palestinians live in the Gaza Strip, which has been under a crippling Israeli-led blockade since the Islamist group Hamas seized power in 2007. Sitting barefoot in a pink dress at the open-air cinema on Gaza City's beach, seven-year-old Salma Shamaleh was transfixed by the screen. "I have never seen a TV this size," she told AFP as she watched "Ferdinand", an animated blockbuster that tells the story of a giant but soft-hearted black bull. The first film screenings in Gaza date to the 1940s, with the opening of the Samer Cinema, whose building now houses a car dealership. Cinemas were forced to close in the late 1980s during the first Palestinian uprising, or intifada. They reopened following the establishment of the Palestinian Authority in the 1990s but for years have largely been gathering dust. In 1996, Islamists set a Gaza cinema ablaze. While not explicitly banned, Hamas authorities fear cinemas may amplify what they view as foreign or Western beliefs that go against Islamic traditions. There have been some outdoor screenings in recent years, most notably amid the rubble of buildings destroyed in Israeli air strikes during wars fought with Gaza militants. Like across much of the eastern Mediterranean, Gazans have flocked to the seaside in recent weeks to escape soaring temperatures. Shamaleh was thrilled by the cinematic experience. "Our house is nearby, I'll ask my mum for us to come every day," she said. - 'Happy' - The festival's program featured "Farha", a Jordanian film which, through a young girl's perspective, depicts atrocities committed against Palestinians during the 1948 conflict that led to Israel's creation. The hard-hitting film resonated with Mona Hanafi, 50, who watched it with her daughter and dozens of other spectators. "The film is brilliant in addressing a realistic Palestinian story... The performance and directing are impressive," she said. "Seeing the children and people watching the open cinema in Gaza made me happy," added Hanafi. Another audience member, Hadeel Hajji, said she had "never seen anything like that in my life". "I was with my family when I saw the screen from far away, so I came to watch," she told AFP. "Cinema of the Sea" was organized by Al-Bahr Elna Cooperative Cafe in partnership with the culture ministry. The cooperative was established in 2020 by a group of artists, with start-up funding from Palestinian institutions. Since that initial cash dried up, the group has relied on donations. For Muhanna, the cafe's founder, the festival has been an opportunity to show films which demonstrate how "Palestinians contributed to producing (cinema) and conveying the values of society". Atef Askoul, head of the Hamas-appointed body responsible for approving public art events, said Gazans who suffer from miserable living conditions under the blockade have "the right to watch films and cinema". my-gb/rsc/jd/ami © Agence France-Presse The post Gaza open-air cinema a breath of fresh air for Palestinians appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Katya Angara – The journey of a woman and artist
The promising artist that Katya is today is the latest phase in a lifelong journey that began at an early age when she began drawing characters from cartoon comics. All the while she was growing up in a home that nurtured her interest in the arts, as much as it prepared her for rigorous academic training. She read early in life, in a house filled with books. In this second part of our interview, Katya shares with us how she made a number of choices that would lead to where she is today. But once upon a time, for all that had been given to her on a silver platter, she was in a quandary as to what to do with her life. But when she finally decided on what she wanted, there was no stopping the talented and smart girl who, it turned out, possessed an intellectual prowess not unlike those of her parents, the lawyer, and senator Edgardo Angara, whose affinity for the land had been impressed on his daughter, and the lady educator Gloria Manalang Angara, who opened up her daughter’s eyes and minds to the wonders of world literature and the other arts. And it was in art that the young girl did not only find solace but also healing. Here is the final part of our interview: DT: After high school, did you immediately leave for London? KA: To be honest, and I don’t want filters here, I had mental health issues at that time. I was severely depressed. Before I went to London, I went through a tumultuous period of deciding where to go with my education. So, after Poveda, I went to Woldingham (boarding school). then I did half of my BA Psychology degree at UP Diliman from late 2000 to 2002. I loved my time at Diliman but it was a tumultuous transitional period for me, so I decided to revisit pursuing university in London. Central Saint Martins, to be precise, is one of the most prestigious and distinguished art and design schools in the world DT: Around what time was this? KA: It was in 2002. I was bouncing around like I couldn’t anchor myself to one thing. Like, okay, I’m here in London already. And then, okay I’m going to study Psychology in UP. So, what’s with the leap, the sudden jump, the sudden shift? I couldn’t make up my mind. And I think that frustrated my parents for the longest time. I was also being hard on myself because I ended up causing a lot of frustration for myself. And I think that depressed me. So, you know, I’ve been diagnosed with different things. I’m bipolar. And then, I had the hallmarks of ADHD. Let’s just say that my brain works differently DT: Well, one can never be sure about oneself. KA: No, you can never be sure about yourself. And I was questioning myself. For the longest time, all those years I thought, what’s wrong with me? Why am I making all these strange decisions? Why am I behaving this way? Why do I react to people this way?”. You know, parang I shouldn’t be talking or reacting to people like this in this kind of situation. And I’m not just saying with family or what. But with my classmates in school. What drew me to art was it being a place that has its own language e. It’s a place where I can express myself. Art is also a way of healing your own wounds. It’s also a way of revealing those aspects of yourself that you wouldn’t be able to otherwise. It really was a way of healing for me. And I didn’t even know that I needed it. Because again, I was a very quiet and introverted kid. I don’t know why. I couldn’t rely on people, talk to people the way I thought, or maybe people thought I should. So, you know, I kept to myself. I’d hide away in the library every recess or lunch. I didn’t want to talk to anyone. So, that carried on until my university years. Daily Tribune (DT): What did you finally take up in college? Katya Angara: Well, first I just wanted to do a purely art course. So, my foundation course to get me a degree was an Art and Design course. My first choice for this was Central Saint Martins, which continues to be ranked as one of the best art and design schools in the world. I was over the moon when I made it in. DT: What did you have to show to qualify? KA: I needed to show my work. I had some already since I was drawing a lot in my childhood and teenage years. DT: Your works are not the usual ones that use oil, watercolor, acrylic, and all that. KA: I was drawing mostly. And for some reason, I have always been more of a draftsman eh. I’m always more into drawing. I have more illustrating tendencies. DT: Like pen and paper? KA: Yes, pen and paper. Pencil, charcoal. I’ve always had a thing for dry media and pen and ink. It’s more about the control and the precision. That’s my personality. DT: That’s not easy ah. KA: It’s not easy. But you have an affinity for it. And your hands have to be steady. Which is unlikely for someone with pasmado hands like me. But that’s where I find my control eh. That’s why I like it so much. DT: So, what was it like when you showed your drawings at Central Saint Martin? KA: So, I showed my drawings because that was required during the interview. And so I went through the ropes. They asked questions like, "why do you want to do this course here?" DT: Your work must have been good to get you accepted. KA: They were fine. I think it was good enough. But there was a lot I had to improve on. I only knew that once I got into the school. Then, you told yourself, Ah, oo nga pala. There was so much I had to learn. That I could be taught. DT: How was your learning experience? KA: From the beginning, as a child, I always copied from cartoons. And they didn’t like that. They didn’t want to see any cartoons or anything like that. They wanted to see me. They wanted to see my work. My drawing from life. DT: So, how did you do that? It must have been challenging KA: So, I gave them the best of my life drawings. But when I showed them my other works, they weren’t happy with them. So, I learned from that. Being young, you got a bit crushed. But then, you realize it’s a different way of thinking. It’s a different way of doing things. Okay, there’s still so much to learn in terms of art. And it’s not the be-all and end of it all. And then, they said, “This is where you should be learning from.” And they showed me art books. They said, “Go to this gallery or this museum.” DT: How was it like living abroad? Back home, you were the daughter of a senator. KA: Which means nothing when you’re abroad. It meant nothing. Which I actually loved. It was something that I was looking for. Because I lived in a bubble back home. To my parents’ credit naman there’s a reason for that. I was very protected. They wanted to keep me safe and secure given my father’s position. So, I’d always lived in a bubble. I’d always have bodyguards and drivers and all that. And it just felt at times a little restrictive. DT: So, it was a welcome thing? KA: It was a welcome thing. Really, I felt different. I felt normal na parang my family name didn’t mean a thing. And that was refreshing. I could be anything I wanted to be. I could experiment and nobody would judge. Because in schools like that and abroad, especially in Europe, they’re so open-minded. They’re so liberal. DT: How were the teachers? KA: Oh, wonderful. Of course, you always have your favorites, right? Very varied. Depending also on what course you were taking up, whether industrial design or sculpture which I was horrible at when I tried it. I didn’t really get close to my tutors until I moved on to my actual degree. Funny enough, instead of ending up in a practical course. Which would have been like Fine Arts, Graphic Design, or even Illustration because I love drawing. You would think that I would end up in a more practical course like Fine Arts, Graphic Design, or even Illustration, I did a complete shift and I did a theoretical course. I did Curation, Art Criticism, and Art History. So, my training is as a curator and an art critic. DT: Wow, that was very intellectual. It’s good that you always read a lot. KA: Yes, I think that helped because you have to read a lot. You have to love reading. You have to like doing the research. And that served me well. Who would have known, right? But if you think about it, as long as you follow what you want to do in life, it just opens up even if you don’t intentionally seek it. Somehow it just finds you It just fell into place for me in that sense. This is not what I initially set out to do. But I think you have to allow yourself to change your mind. Parang whatever happens at the time, you change with it. You adjust to it. And it worked out beautifully for me. DT: So, were the teachers terrors? KA: Mabait naman sila. But they have very different personalities. My course leader was a lovely older lady who was really into Victorian arts and culture. As in, Victoriana lahat. She would tell you everything about English Victorian history. And she was very passionate about it. And you know, it involved a lot of writing and research. But my favorite tutor was someone who was writing about comic books. Comic books and Pop culture. So, for me, that was a revelation because I didn’t think you could take comics books and put them in the academe. You know, academic level like intellectual. Pwede pala e. Because he showed me a way. He took me under his wing and he showed me his work and from there I learned to write. And because I love comic books. I’m actually a huge geek. I’m a nerd, I’m a dork. DT: What was your thesis? [caption id="attachment_165427" align="aligncenter" width="463"] Roger Sabin was Katya's pop culture mentor at Central Saint Martins in London.[/caption] KA: Because I wanted Roger Sabin, my pop culture tutor, as my professor for my thesis, it was about a 1990s Japanese animated film called Ghost in the Shell 101. It was an animated film based on a very heavy graphic novel, a manga or Japanese comics, by Masamune Shirow. And for me, his work is revelatory. It wasn’t just the style of the Ghost in the Shell. And to think just one man could draw like this. I mean it was a very thick graphic novel. He could draw like that. And he wrote the story too. And to think you had the mental stamina to be able to write something like that and to draw. DT: You must enjoy doing comics. KA: Since I was a kid, I’ve made my own comic books. You know, I would sell my own comic books and people would actually buy them. I taught myself to draw in the comic book style. I learned them all. You know, there’s like Stan Lee of Marvel. DT: You really had it in you. KA: I had it in me. My love for comic books started by reading the ones my brother had collected over the years. He had a stash of them, so, I just devoured them. It was all very amazing to me. Kasi the drawings, the stories, these are worlds written by someone else. So, you have Marvel comics, DC comics, Dark Horse comics. [caption id="attachment_165417" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] With brother, Senator Sonny Angara, whose comic books she devoured for their cartoon figures.[/caption] Q: You didn’t idolize anybody? A: Well, I wasn’t particularly huge on the American comics. I think it was until I stumbled upon the Japanese comics or manga. That really piqued my interest to a degree I never felt before. Kasi it wasn’t just the style, which at first for me was very girly. I mean, I love the romantic comics. But I also felt myself leaning toward the darker stuff. DT: What did you like about Ghost in the Shell? KA: It’s a cyberpunk graphic novel. So, ang galing, ang ganda ng style. It was like, wow. You know, the sheer amount of detail that he puts into the drawings. I said I want to draw like this. I want to tell a story like this. But I don’t know if I was capable of telling if I had the stamina to tell something so intricate and complex. DT: When did you graduate? KA: In 2008. The BA in the UK is only three years. That’s why you take a foundation course. There’s a BA in Curation, and Communication, and criticism in Arts and Design. DT: I am told that you graduated at the top of your class. But you’re not telling me. KA: It sounds so funny kasi eh. Anyway, I graduated with first-class honors for my degree. So, basically, I was Suma Cum Laude in my batch in my year. So, that was what sealed the deal for me and my dad. Kasi for the longest time, I was kind of meandering. I was kind of flip-flopping. My mom knows this eh She goes, “You know Katya you have a tendency to be whimsical.” I am an artist eh, what can I do? Besides, I was young and I wasn’t sure. I knew what I wanted to do, which was to be in the arts but not where I wanted to go. I was asking myself if I had the stamina, the commitment, the fortitude to see it through. [caption id="attachment_165415" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] Katya and mom Gloria Angara, who first ignited her interest in the arts.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_165419" align="aligncenter" width="854"] Katya with her dad, the late Senate President Edgardo Angara from whom she learned to apply the principles of nature to her art[/caption] DT: College made you really bloom. KA: Yes. It was the environment. it was the people I was with. Because I was able to go into something I really enjoyed. I wasn’t just doing homework because I was told to do homework. I loved what I was doing. I was invested in it. DT: What did you do after you graduated? KA: Apart from community work, I also worked for some small galleries. I did some work for the Victoria and Albert Museum. I tried to have experiences in bigger institutions, bigger museums, and small independent galleries. I thought that experience would hone me and make me well-rounded. With the smaller galleries, I was able to practice my curatorial background. I was able to help a lot of young artists. They don’t know how to talk about their work or they’re not confident enough to do so. So anyhow, apart from helping them put together shows, I help them speak about their work. Or offer them a perspective they have never seen or thought about. And I feel that that was helping them and I think that’s where I have been able to engage with them. It was fulfilling to help them find their voice as an artist. DT: All the while, you were all alone in London? KA: I was married actually. To a Filipino who was born in the UK, in London. He’s an Englishman, for all purposes. It didn’t work out. We have a daughter. I had a beautiful little girl with him. She lives in London with her father. She’s been here. She lived here in her early years. After she was born in 2010, I decided to move back here. Then, after four years, we went back to London because it was what my husband wanted. He and my dad had a falling out. DT: When was your first exhibit? KA: Last year. Earlier, I did a group show at the Lethaby Gallery at Central Saint Martins. So, I did it with other emerging artists. My next group show was at The Crucible. But it was for a book that Sari Ortiga had commissioned me to do. He wanted to do a series of children’s books about Philippine artists. I did mine. Mine was about Anita Magsaysay-Ho. I did the illustration. It wasn’t new to me because I had been making my own books. I would staple them myself. Although up until that point I didn’t know how to really do it professionally. I found out it could be lucrative and fulfilling. This was in 2008 when I didn’t have a daughter yet. DT: Tell me about your forthcoming show. (The current show had yet to be opened). What paintings are you showing? KA: They’re not paintings, they’re not just drawings. They’re an amalgamation. They’re what you call a compendium of everything I’ve ever done as an artist. The book illustration, and then I dabbled a bit in black-and-white photography. I like the look of black and white photography. So, I do it with my phone or a simple camera. It’s also good for taking reference photos for my work. Because if you can’t sit in the park drawing people or objects, or subjects, the next best thing is you take pictures. And you can draw from those pictures. Kaya maganda siya for reference. So, my work is that, actually. DT: So, what about your subjects? KA: Well, I’m a very central person. We live in a very conservative culture. And I have subjects that would make people say ay, you know, you shouldn’t talk about that. So, there’s no filter, it’s very raw, very natural. In London, I was able to talk to people about things like BDSM or Bondage Sado-Masochism. And you know, that can get a bad rap. Because if you do it wrong, it would look strange to anyone who is not familiar with it. Among the Japanese, there is a subculture that does that. DT: Do they consider BDSM an art form? KA: There’s a particular Japanese artist whose work I used to admire. He’s a photographer. And his subject is BDSM. There were pictures of women tied up and then there were flowers and reptiles. So it was very sexual. I found myself drawn to that because there’s the element of the dark side. Carl Jung, the psychoanalyst, talked about how we have to make our unconscious conscious. The darkness in us is unconscious. And if you don’t make your darkness conscious, it’s going to come out in other ways at some point. Meaning to say, you shouldn’t repress those sides of you. I think it is a side that’s intertwined with the creative side of me. I can’t be an artist without being sensual. Without that aspect, all that would be macabre. Which brings me to my mom again. She used to chide me for reading Stephen King when I was a kid. I’m a huge Stephen King fan. She was like, “It’s so macabre, so dark.” And I’m like, “I like it, I like his work.” He’s such a skilled writer. And I like how he could take something so mundane and make it terrifying and frightening on all levels. Stephen King said that he writes two thousand words every morning. I’m not sure if I can do that. I wanted to write na rin eh because the natural partner of my art is my writing. Because as a curator, I didn’t just read. I had to write a lot. And that’s where I honed my skills. Kasi siyempre, it’s a sword that you have to sharpen every now and then. So, for the show. I did a lot of writing. I did my own writing. DT: While we're on the talk of artists, what about the Filipino artists? Who among them do you admire? Do you have any mentors and idols? KA: Among Philippine artists, Junyee is my second father and my first artistic mentor. He is my OG sage and shaman of Philippine art, the Father of Philippine Installation Art. I'm actively lobbying for him to become National Artist soon, as no one deserves it more than he does, with his magnificent oeuvre. I'll always remember how, in a fleeing moment of impostor syndrome, he consoled me by saying that making art for myself always comes first. Love the process and the rest follows. The maverick attitude is very Junyee! And yet, he lives a modest life in the forest-like setting of his home in Los Banos, echoing the nature-loving ethos of our favorite Japanese animator, Hayao Miyazaki, creator of Toroto, Nausicaa, Spirited Away, among many other magical films. Since I was a child, Junyee saw my potential and continued to push me to have my own gallery shows, as did his longtime friend and one of my other mentors, Sari Ortiga. Sari's daughter Yasmin is a good friend and batchmate of mine from Poveda. Sari owns and runs the distinguished Crucible Gallery, and he hired me to illustrate one of the children's books for his series "Growing up with Philippine art" in 2009. It's thanks to Sari that I pushed myself to evolve as an artist, to grow outside of my comfort zone. The acclaimed visual artist and sculptor Jinggoy Buensuceso is something of a bad boy du jour of the Philippine art scene, and his dissident attitude is something I can identify with. I love the unorthodox, the sensual, the macabre, the dark stuff that delves deep into the psyche. I'm so bored of the "covers" or "riffs" of the countless Amorsolo, Basquiat, Picasso, or Rothko-type artworks that I see so much of in the local art scene. As wtih Junyee and Sari, Jinggoy has taught me how to navigate the perilous seas of art and life, echoing Junyee's advice to remain myself, in a world that often pushes us to be someone else. My three mentors, by example, taught me how to be original. DT: How many are you exhibiting? How many works? KA: Now, I have 9 complete pieces. I’d like to add another one. Honestly, medyo cramming ito because I only had two months to do the show. Normally for this kind of work - especially with the big piece I am doing - it’s a seven-foot piece. I would need, preferably to be comfortable, at least four to six months to do all this work. Kasi, there is so much nicer when you give it time to compost. To come together, to become fertile. DT: Is there enough time for one more work? A: Yes. I have one more work that I want. Because I feel that it rounds it up eh. If I do ten, I love the work that I’ve already done. Again, it’s not a painting, it’s a collage. So, I’d call it a photographic collage with paper cuttings on canvas. I wanted to treat canvas in a way that is not painting DT: Shouldn’t someone curate for you? KA: For now, I’m happy to have to do it myself. Because I feel that I’m the only one who can portray myself in a way that I feel I should be portrayed. Kasi it’s art eh. You’re trying not so much to explain yourself as you’re trying to convey who you are to somebody without being obvious. That’s art. DT: Where does Stephen, your partner, come in? [caption id="attachment_165418" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] With her partner and anchor, Stephen Lu.[/caption] KA: Stephen is somewhat of an anchor for me. So, I feel comfortable, I feel more confident when he’s around. But I guess I’m okay. DT: Now, as we wind up, let’s talk about how you are like your parents and not like them. You said that your interest in the arts came from the exposure that you received from your mother, and of course, the presence of books at home. Tell me more about your father’s role in your becoming the person that you are. KA: One of my fondest memories of my father was his love of nature, gardening, and farming, which I learned from him. He was at his best and calmest when he was at his farm in Nasugbu and Baler. Whilst my father was a “man of the soil”, I learned to be an “artist of the soil”, a gardener who applies the principles of nature to my art. Hence the overlying themes of nature in my oeuvre of artwork. And the most resonant themes of philosophy (which my father also studied and applied in his life) are the themes relating to lessons learned from nature: patience, fortitude, temperance. From this I’ve become more acutely aware of life’s transience, making our time all the more precious, being grateful for small and simple pleasures, and the opportunities that come my way. The naïveté of my younger years meant that I didn’t have a complete grasp of the opportunities presented to me by my father, I took much for granted. Now I see why he did what he did, he gave me the tools to be able to achieve my full potential. Only now that I’m embracing that fire and heading in a direction that makes the most of my talents. I had impostor syndrome for the longest time. Always questioning and doubting myself. Now I can fully embrace who I am and it is cathartic. DT: In what way are you like them? KA: I have the different strengths of my parents. I’ve inherited their academic minds and cultured tastes, with an eye for detail and beauty. I have many mannerisms and behavious in common with my mum, in terms of poise and self-possession. But, she is like Audrey Hepburn and I am infinitely more of a Marilyn Monroe. Marilyn was also a very private person and something of a poet and writer. I guess it’s no surprise that I am drawn to art and writing; I am highly introspective, painfully self-aware and attuned to my moods and to the moods of others; like my Dad, I’m intuitive and know how to read people. DT: My last question is, how has art influenced you in your direction in life? And where are you going from here? KA: Being an introvert, I don’t always translate into easy social interactions with most people. So I channel it all into my art. It’s a language that best expresses my psyche, thoughts, and emotions. Working with my hands is healing and consolation for the isolation, depression, and anxiety attacks that grip me on bad days. That’s why as an artist of the soil, gardening and art go hand in hand. In the future, I can see myself tending to the land and becoming a farmer as my father was. It’s like coming home. The post Katya Angara – The journey of a woman and artist appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Separate sting ops nab four drug peddlers
old girl — and seized at least P1.9 million worth of suspected shabu in two separate drug sting operations on Saturday and Sunday. In the first operation, operatives of QCPD Police Station 9 nabbed Alejandro Lapore Rosalinda Lapore and a 16-year-old girl, all residents of Barangay Santa Ana in Taytay, Rizal. The three were arrested at around 6 p.m. on 8 July 2023, in front of Saint Bridget School located along Aurora Blvd. in Barangay Loyola Heights. Police said they conducted a buy-bust operation after receiving a tip from a concerned citizen about the drug peddling activity of the suspects. A police officer acted as poseur buyer and bought P50,000 worth of shabu from the suspects. Seized from the suspects were 250 grams of shabu worth P1,700,000; a yellow sling bag; a cellular phone; an Isuzu DMAX and the buy-bust money. In the second operation, operatives from the QCPD Police Station 4 arrested Mark Anthony Dee, a resident of Barangay Saluysoy in Meycauayan, Bulacan during an operation along Gen. Luis St. corner Mendoza Compound in Barangay Nagkaisang Nayon in Novaliches on 9 July. Authorities said they initiated a buy-bust operation against Dee after receiving information from a concerned citizen regarding his illegal drug activity. Seized from Dee’s possession were 40 grams of shabu worth P272,000; a black coin purse; a cellular phone; a 9mm caliber Taurus pistol; with a piece of magazine containing five pieces of 9mm full metal ammunition. All four suspects will be charged for violation of RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Dee will also be charged for violation of RA 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act. The post Separate sting ops nab four drug peddlers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»