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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......»»
75: Diamond love for a rich, incomparable life
Seventy-five: More than it being the digits that scream seasoned and being on this planet for more than seven decades and five summers, this is the most opportune time to be grateful. This feeling stems from the fact that, by that time, I would still be alive and kicking ass, and a true survivor of personal and domestic battles, health crises, financial boom and gloom, the political landscape, leaders of this so-called democracy — the golden ones and greedy lot, imploding economies and falling regimes, the see-sawing peso, perhaps another pandemic, plus earthquakes, coup d’etats, volcanic eruptions, super typhoons, drought, famine, pestilence, wars, and also digital technology, creativity, the evolving arts and many more. [caption id="attachment_194558" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Seventy-five means being surrounded by loved ones. | PHOTOGRAPH Courtesy of unsplashpatricia prudente[/caption] Good old times Hitting 75 will make me more nostalgic of the good old times, when life was simpler and one had that drive and hunger to realize one’s dreams. It will make me long for friends and colleagues who have been gone to soon, felled by affliction or shocking tragedy, thus allowing me to appreciate lasting friendships and loyalties that are still with me. I will smile as I recollect the follies of my youth, the trials and triumphs of my adult life and, as they say in a song, “ang mga nakalipas na di na maaari at pwedeng balikan.” These feelings, of course, also bring some pangs of pain. But I get to appreciate all my experiences, good or bad, happy or sad, because I am what I am by then because of them. Seventy-five means being surrounded by loved ones — my partner, children, grandchildren, up to the apo sa tuhod and talampakan. The successes of my loved ones are also my success. Their pains I likewise carry, though I do not let them know about it. The reason I have become successful at this point is because I worked hard on being a good person first. Call me a sentimental fool, but success earned that also destroyed your humanity and corrupted your morality is not my definition of success and being successful. The people I love, those that I hold dearest in my heart and who are with me and surround me now, are the manifestations of the goodness at the core of my success. Legacy and vocation Seventy-five also means I have made a name for myself. And it is a name that not only is admired but respected and trusted. Whatever career I had chosen during my wonder years, it is now my legacy and has become my vocation. This name has been a product of blood, sweat and errors, sacrifices and victories. Of sticking to my core values always being kind, fair, honest and sincere, and making people feel good, important and treated with dignity. Whatever riches I have, I have earned and gained them through hard work, determination, tenacity and passion to be the best in my profession and personal vocation. My name is the most precious bequeathal I can make. When all else fails, I want people to remember me as a man who had a good name, a good heart and made a lot of people feel good. But 75 also means there are still so many years ahead to be curious, to learn new things, to be naughty if my body still permits it, to share stories, make people laugh, mentor others, teach and exclaim that indeed, life and the world are beautiful and wonderful. One’s diamond year deserves diamond-caliber love and celebration — for the rich life thus far, and the (hopefully) richer life still ahead. The post 75: Diamond love for a rich, incomparable life appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Trial of disgraced crypto star Bankman-Fried begins
The trial of Sam Bankman-Fried, former CEO of one of cryptocurrency's biggest exchanges, began Tuesday with a jury set to determine if he committed massive fraud by stealing billions of dollars from clients. The 31-year-old -- once one of the most respected figures in crypto -- now faces decades in prison and could see his name stand alongside Bernie Madoff and Elizabeth Holmes as the era's most prominent fraudsters. The first day of the trial was devoted to jury selection for a case that is set to last about six weeks. Bankman-Fried faces seven counts including wire fraud, securities and commodities fraud, and money laundering. He risks more than 100 years behind bars if he is found guilty on all charges. Bankman-Fried entered the courtroom alone -- without being escorted by security guards -- uncuffed, and took his place alongside his lawyers, an AFP journalist observed. Dressed in a dark suit and striped tie, his usually long curly hair was cut short, reportedly by a fellow inmate at the Brooklyn jail where he is being detained. "You have the right to testify in your defense in this case. The decision is up to you," US District Judge Lewis Kaplan told Bankman Fried. In just a few years, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduate turned his FTX platform into the world's second-biggest crypto exchange, making him a tech world billionaire wunderkind. FTX became a global name through a marketing campaign that included celebrity partnerships with stars such as supermodel Gisele Bundchen and basketball legend Stephen Curry, and buying the naming rights for the home arena of the Miami Heat basketball club. Bankman-Fried also stepped in as a kind of savior of the industry when other crypto companies faced difficulties, with FTX swooping in to offer a financial lifeline. At the height of his career, Bankman-Fried was thought to be worth $26 billion as he attracted droves of small investors to invest in cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin or Ethereum. But his steep rise was matched by his ignominious downfall, which saw him escorted last year by police from his luxury apartment in the Bahamas and extradited to face charges in the United States. 'Gambling at own casino' His empire began to crumble last November when a news report pointed to unhealthy ties between the FTX platform and Alameda Research, Bankman-Fried's personally owned-trading company. The revelations kept growing and major investors pulled their money out of FTX, sinking it swiftly into bankruptcy. Once the dust had settled, some $8.7 billion in client funds was still unaccounted for and Bankman-Fried was accused of using FTX deposits to buy luxury real estate or donate more than $100 million to US politicians through Alameda. "He was gambling in his own casino and it created conflicts of interest," Michael Lewis, an author who followed Bankman-Fried closely during the period, told CBS. Everything "unravels because the depositors at FTX want their money back and it's not all there," the author of "Liar's Poker" and other titles added. The climax of the trial is expected to be when his former friends and colleagues take the stand, including Carlonie Ellison, his one-time romantic partner and Alameda executive, and Gary Wang, his closest associate. Ellison and Wang have also been indicted in the case and agreed to cooperate with US authorities, which may prove Bankman-Fried's undoing. After his spectacular arrest in the Bahamas, Bankman-Fried was initially held under house arrest but was ordered behind bars in August over alleged attempts at witness intimidation. According to prosecutors, while holed up at his parents' home in California, Bankman-Fried spoke regularly to journalists and passed documents to The New York Times in an effort to influence the testimony of Ellison. The post Trial of disgraced crypto star Bankman-Fried begins appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Veteran actress Angie Ferro dies at 86
Angie Ferro, an acclaimed veteran actress of stage, TV and film, has passed on, according to tributes by friends and industry colleagues posted online. She was 86. "Rest in eternal peace, our feisty talented driven theater colleague, our dearest Angie Ferro!," wrote Bohol-based theater director and musician Lutgardo Labad, a stalwart colleague of Ferro in the theater company Philippine Education Theater Association or PETA. "Patay na si Uray Hilway ng Amaya at Lola Igna. My teacher, a friend, ina ng aming teatro. Rest in peace, BB. Angie Ferro," said GMA head writer Suzette Severo Doctolero in her own Facebook post. Doctolero's tribute referenced two of the late-career projects that made Ferro a recognizable face and name to younger TV and movie watchers. In 2011-2023, she was in the cast of GMA7's blockbuster period TV series "Amaya". In 2019, at 82 years old, she was the lead star in the independent film "Lola Igna," for which she would win Best Actress in that year's Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino and garner as well a Best Actress Gawad Urian nomination. Born in Baleno, Masbate, Philippines, Ferro was in landmark films across various decades such as Celso Ad Castillo's "Pagputi ng Uwak... Pag-itim ng Tagak (1978) and Lav Diaz's "Ebolusyon ng Isang Pamilyang Pilipino" (2004). She won Best Supporting Actress at the FAMAS Awards for "Pagputi ng Uwak..." and was a supporting actress nominee in the 2005 Gawad Urian for "Ebolusyon". In October 2021, she received the Nora Aunor Ulirang Artista Lifetime Achievement Award at the 36th PMPC Star Awards for Movies. She was reported to be in critical condition in May this year, with friends and colleagues rallying for financial support because the actress had no immediate family. The post Veteran actress Angie Ferro dies at 86 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘The Exorcist’ director William Friedkin: ‘maverick, Wildly talented, game-changer’
William Friedkin, film director and brainchild of Hollywood classics The French Connection and The Exorcist, died on 7 August at 87 years old. Friedkin died from heart failure and pneumonia at his home in Bel Air, said his wife and former Paramount Pictures producer Sherry Lansing. Friedkin was one of the young filmmakers who defined a new generation of cinema in the 1970s with his exotic, robust and thrilling films. [caption id="attachment_169249" align="aligncenter" width="1007"] William Friedkin got his big break in the film industry with the neo-noir action thriller 'The French Connection' in 1971.[/caption] Before making his film debut with Good Times in 1967, Friedkin started his directorial career in television series and documentaries. In 1970, he directed the queer film The Boys in the Band, with a screenplay by Mart Crowley based on his landmark play. The Boys in the Band was one of Hollywood’s first explicitly gay films, at a time when there was little to no queer representation in mainstream film. Friedkin got his big break in the film industry with the neo-noir action thriller The French Connection in 1971, which earned widespread recognition from audiences and critics. With this film alone, he bagged five Academy awards, including Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Picture and Best Director. Friedkin gained further acclaim with the 1973 film The Exorcist, based on William Peter Blatty’s best-selling novel. The film earned 10 Academy Award nominations and is now considered one of the greatest horror movies in cinema. Aside from The French Connection and The Exorcist, Friedkin also directed the films Sorcerer (1977), Cruising (1980), The Hunted (2003) and Killer Joe (2011). Hollywood saw an outpouring of tributes over Friedkin’s passing, among them from actresses Ellen Burstyn and Linda Blair, who starred in The Exorcist; Emmy award-winning producer Jason Blum, American film director Francis Ford Coppola and more. Burstyn, who gained her second Oscar nomination when she played the helpless mother in The Exorcist, eulogized the director in a statement: “My friend Bill Friedkin was an original; smart, cultured, fearless and wildly talented. On the set, he knew what he wanted, would go to any length to get it and was able to let it go if he saw something better happening. He was undoubtedly a genius.” Meanwhile, Blair, who starred as the 12-year-old possessed girl in The Exorcist, honored Friedkin in an emotional Instagram post: “Like Sidney Poitier‘s famous movie To Sir with Love, how do you put into words appreciation to the person that changed your life forever, along with the world? Billy Friedkin was a game changer, thought outside the box, was a genius with an incredibly bold personality and extraordinary imagery that electrified colleagues and moviegoers alike, and remained a true maverick throughout his career in the film industry.” “It was an honor to know him and I am deeply saddened at this time,” she added. “He changed my life forever, along with the world through my performance, and all my performances throughout my career. The post ‘The Exorcist’ director William Friedkin: ‘maverick, Wildly talented, game-changer’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
KaladKaren’s historic feat: First transwoman anchor in local TV news
ABS-CBN takes pride in being the manager of transwoman star KaladKaren, who has been making waves in the TV industry. She is now the first transwoman news anchor in the Philippines, as co-host of TV 5’s Frontline Pilipinas evening newscast. She joined Gretchen Ho, Jes delos Santos, Justin Quirino and Mikee Reyes as news presenters on 12 June. There are gays and transwomen who are hosts of talk shows and variety shows on TV, such as Boy Abunda, Vice Ganda and Allan K, but KaladKaren is really the first to read out showbiz, lifestyle and cultural reports on a straight news program. In April, she emerged as the first transwoman to win best supporting actress at the Metro Manila Film Festival, specifically at the first-ever summer edition of the festival. She won for her hilarious turn in the film Here Comes the Groom. As an anchorwoman, she is billed as KaladKaren, a made-up name close to the Tagalog word “kaladkarin,” which refers to someone who is easy to drag along for any decent or indecent occasion. She started using “KaladKaren” as a performer in UP Mass Communication productions on campus. Her real name is Jervi Li. [caption id="attachment_151722" align="aligncenter" width="446"] PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF IG/KALaDKAREN | JERVI Li aka KaladKaren.[/caption] At her contract-signing recently at ABS-CBN, the celebrity impersonator was asked by a tabloid editor how exactly her name should be spelled and pronounced. The graduate of the University of the Philippines-Diliman stressed that her professional showbiz name should be spelled as one word, with the second “K” capitalized and the last syllable spelled with an “e”, not “i”, to emphasize “Karen,” the first name of the woman she famously impersonates: ABS-CBN broadcast journo Karen Davila. Corporate and news executives of TV 5 obviously find the pedestrian name “KaladKaren” good enough for a news presenter. On camera, her colleagues address her simply as “Karen.” KaladKaren is directly managed by Star Magic, the division for talent recruitment and development headed by Laurenti Dyogi, who is also ABS-CBN head of Television. Dyogi was present at the contract signing along with other Star Magic executives. KaladKaren said she will also be part of an upcoming series, a reality show and a movie. The country is actually late in giving transwomen a shot at news anchoring. The US and other countries have been doing so as far back as 2015. In February 2015, reporter and former TV news helicopter pilot Zoey Tur joined US television program Inside Edition as a special correspondent, becoming America’s first transgender TV reporter. Tur, formerly known as “Chopper Bob,” rose to fame for the live helicopter coverage of the 1994 police chase on Los Angeles freeways of fugitive American football star O.J. Simpson, who was charged with the murder of his ex-wife and her friend. In March 2018, Marvia Malik became Pakistan’s first transgender news presenter at Kohenoor TV. In an interview with Deutsche Welle, Malik said she had to work hard to break taboos and finally be accepted by a society that discriminates against transgender people. In February this year, Malik survived a gun attack outside her residence in Lahore. According to NDTV, Malik was returning from a pharmacy when two gunmen opened fire on her. Bangladeshi activist Tashnuva Anan likewise broke barriers by becoming the first transgender news anchor in her home country in 2021. Anan moved to New York from Bangladesh about a year and a half ago to pursue her acting career. She made her off-Broadway debut in Public Obscenities at SoHo Rep in May 2023. India Willoughby is the first transgender TV news reporter in the United Kingdom. In 2017, she joined 5News on Channel 5, where she read the lunchtime and evening updates. She was a familiar face to millions of viewers in her former life as Jonathon, a contestant in Celebrity Big Brother. Nora Reichardt, who has worked at Local News 5 in Des Moines since July 2021, said she gradually came into her identity as a transgender woman over the course of several years and began a medical transition process. And Diana Zurco, 40, recalled her youthful rebellion ahead of her debut as the country’s first transgender newscaster in Argentina’s public TV station, a milestone for an excluded community that is often the target of violence and has a life expectancy roughly half that of the rest of the population. The post KaladKaren’s historic feat: First transwoman anchor in local TV news appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Final salute to Biazon
Muntinlupa Mayor Rufino “Ruffy” Biazon and his family expressed their heartfelt thanks to the public for the outpouring of support and for honoring their father, former senator, congressman and chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Rodolfo “Pong” Biazon. The former senator passed away on 12 June at the age of 88. Last Sunday, Biazon’s remains were brought to the Muntinlupa City Hall. As the cortege entered the city, thousands of residents lined the streets, holding up placards and banners lauding and thanking Biazon who served as Muntinlupa’s representative in Congress from 2010 to 2016. The young Biazon said that even if they were in grief, “life goes on. There are things that we need to do. We, including Trina (his wife), are grateful for the outpouring of support from Muntinlupeños.” He added: “My papa, father, general, senator, congressman was loved by Muntinlupenos.” Yesterday, Biazon’s remains were brought to the Senate for a necrological service at 10 a.m. Previous colleagues from the Senate and the Armed Forces of the Philippines had nothing but praises for the late former senator and military chief of staff. Humble beginnings In his eulogy, former Senate President Vicente Sotto III recalled Baizon’s humble beginnings that turned him into a “fearless legislator and well-decorated military officer attributable to his hard work, perseverance and fighting for what is right.” “Adversity did not hinder him from climbing both politically and militarily as a leader, so to speak,” Sotto said. Sotto praised Biazon for advancing his advocacies of low-cost housing and benefits for soldiers, while making sure that all sectors of society benefited from the bills he crafted. “He was a truly dynamic and multi-faceted individual, a family man and excellent soldier, an extraordinary legislator, freedom fighter and defender of democracy who relished his life to the fullest and, above all, his accomplishments. He will be most remembered as a good father, a loving husband and a dear friend,” Sotto said. Former Senator Jose Lina Jr. described Biazon as an excellent and outstanding Filipino, a warrior and a statesman as well as a devoted public servant “whose integrity and compassion for the people are indeed worth emulating.” “All throughout his life, in the service of the Filipino people, Pong was the epitome of humility, simplicity and decorum,” Lina said, adding that Biazon had the “compassion, understanding and pleasing traits of an exemplary public servant to be able to connect more effectively to the people.” Former Senator Gregorio Honasan II paid his respects to Biazon, remembering his unwavering dedication to public service. “Manong Pong walked the talk and showed by living example that an ordinary, imperfect man — together, I underscore the word together — dreamed, prayed, worked hard, and sacrificed to build a strong sovereign nation for the next generation. They all become heroes,” Honasan said. Former Senate President Franklin Drilon bade farewell to his ex-colleague and good friend. Drilon called Biazon’s career an inspiration, saying: “No one can question his capabilities and his dedication to public service and loyalty to the country.” “He was fearless and undaunted even in the face of death,” Drilon said. “Every little thing that could erode his beloved Philippines was worth his time to bring to the Senate floor.” During the necrological service, Senators Robin Padilla, Francis Tolentino, Loren Legarda, Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva also delivered eulogies. This was followed by a public viewing of Biazon’s remains until 1 p.m. Biazon, a native of Batac, Ilocos Norte, entered the Philippine Military Academy as a cadet at 21 and served in the military for three and a half decades. He then became the 21st AFP chief of staff serving from 24 January to 12 April 1991, the only Marine to attain the position. Prior to this, Biazon served as AFP vice chief of staff, commanding general of AFP-NCR Defense Command, and commandant of the Marine Corps. From the Senate, his remains were taken to the Holy Child Chapel at Philippine Marines headquarters in Taguig City. He will be interred at the Libingan ng mga Bayani on 20 June. The post Final salute to Biazon appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PNP revamp as top cops retire
Expect a major revamp in the Philippine National Police triggered by the retirement of two senior officers. Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management chief, Major Gen. Eliseo Cruz, bid farewell to his distinguished career in the PNP on 14 June, while Maj. Gen. Ronaldo Olay, Director for Logistics, was honored for his exceptional service and dedication to the police organization on 13 June. In a statement on Friday, PNP Chief, Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr., expressed his admiration for and gratitude to Cruz, acknowledging his exceptional work ethic, competence, and unwavering dedication during his 37-year service in the police force. “We congratulate Maj. Gen. Eliseo Cruz on this momentous occasion of his retirement. His leadership and commitment have been an invaluable asset to the Philippine National Police,” Acorda said. “During the long years of service, I believe you have given all your skills, talent, and sacrifice to serve and protect our people with all your heart, courage, and skill. We will miss your presence in the PNP, your mentoring, and the great work that has benefitted the different police units you worked with,” he said. Throughout his career, Cruz served in various capacities, most recently as the DIDM director, leaving an indelible mark on the PNP and inspiring his colleagues and subordinates with his unwavering dedication, optimism, and hard work. “I am deeply humbled and honored to have served the Filipino people and protected our nation with utmost sincerity and expertise. I am grateful for the trust bestowed upon me, and I will forever cherish the memories and friendships forged during my time in the PNP,” Cruz said in his retirement statement. High-profile cases During his tour of duty as the chief DIDM, Cruz introduced pioneering initiatives that propelled the PNP towards modernization and efficiency. Cruz’s commitment to training and developing investigators was pivotal to enhancing the PNP’s crime-solving capabilities. He ensured that investigators across the country received comprehensive training and access to resources, which empowered them to solve crimes more effectively. Cruz’s exemplary leadership was instrumental to the successful resolution of several high-profile cases, upholding the rule of law and preserving public safety. His meticulous investigation of the 990-kilogram illegal drug seizure that tagged several police officers showcased his probing skills and dedication to justice and integrity. Exemplary professionalism Meanwhile, Acorda said Olay has exemplified professionalism, leadership and unwavering commitment to the PNP. With over three decades of service, he played a pivotal role in enhancing the logistical capabilities of the police force, ensuring that the organization is well-equipped to fulfill its duty of protecting the nation and the people. Under his astute leadership, the PNP Logistics unit witnessed significant advancements in procurement, maintenance and distribution systems, leading to increased operational efficiency and effectiveness. Olay’s strategic vision and meticulous attention to detail were instrumental in modernizing the logistics infrastructure of the PNP, allowing the organization to adapt to evolving challenges and emerging technologies. Throughout his tenure, Olay successfully implemented numerous initiatives aimed at enhancing the logistical capabilities of the PNP. His efforts not only streamlined internal processes but also strengthened inter-agency collaboration, enabling better coordination between different units within the PNP. The post PNP revamp as top cops retire appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
CEO of NBCUniversal departs over ‘inappropriate conduct’
The chief executive of NBCUniversal has left the US entertainment giant after acknowledging "an inappropriate relationship" with a colleague, parent company Comcast announced Sunday. Comcast said in a statement that it came to a "mutual decision" with Jeff Shell for him to step down "effective immediately" and "following the company's investigation led by outside counsel into a complaint of inappropriate conduct." NBCUniversal, which was fully acquired by Comcast in 2013, owns a broad portfolio of television news and entertainment networks, as well as a motion picture studio, theme parks and a premium streaming service. "Today is my last day as CEO of NBCUniversal," Shell, 57, said in the Comcast statement. He acknowledged having "had an inappropriate relationship with a woman in the company." "I'm truly sorry I let my Comcast and NBCUniversal colleagues down, they are the most talented people in the business," he added. Shell had been with the New York-based conglomerate for just under two decades, and had served as CEO since January 2020. Earlier in his career at Universal Films, Shell oversaw some of the studios' biggest franchises such as Fast & Furious and Jurassic World. In an internal memo to employees, shared with AFP, Comcast CEO Brian Roberts said: "We built this company on a culture of integrity." "When our principles and policies are violated, we will always move quickly to take appropriate action, as we have done here." The memo did not name an immediate successor but said that senior executives at NBCUniversal would report directly to Comcast President Mike Cavanagh. The website of financial news channel CNBC, a part of NBCUniversal, cited unnamed sources as saying the complaint against Shell "was filed by the woman with who Shell shared the 'inappropriate relationship.'" Shell is the second senior executive to leave the company in the past three years over inappropriate conduct, and as Hollywood continues to clamp down on previously unchecked misbehavior by its moguls. In 2020, the company's vice chairman Ron Meyer left the company after admitting to having an affair and paying the woman a settlement. The issue has not been isolated to NBCUniversal: Jeff Zucker, the former president of CNN, abruptly left his role in February 2022 for not having disclosed a relationship with a colleague. Comcast is due to report its first quarter financial results on Thursday morning. Analysts will be closely watching the results of its streaming platform, Peacock, which has struggled to compete with rivals Netflix and Disney+. In his statement to employees, Roberts said that "NBCUniversal is performing extremely well operationally and financially." Entertainment giants are facing increasing pressure to maintain growth of subscribers for their streaming services. Disney announced layoffs of 7,000 employees in February after the storied company founded by Walt Disney saw its first ever fall in subscribers. For its part, archrival Netflix last week said its number of subscribers hit a record high of 232.5 million in the first quarter of the year, posting a quarterly profit of $1.3 billion. The post CEO of NBCUniversal departs over ‘inappropriate conduct’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Column: A quiet, measured response from golf on civil unrest
By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer Golf has never been known to move quickly. Harold Varner III illustrated as much with thoughtful observations he posted on social media after civil unrest in America over the weekend reached levels not seen in more than 50 years. “I’ve received more messages than ever before, mostly from people who wanted me to speak up immediately because of who I am. I AM BLACK,” his post began. “But it’s not helpful to anyone when impulsive, passionate reaction takes precedence over clear-minded thought.” What followed from Varner, one of three PGA Tour members of black heritage, was just that. He referred to the “senseless killing” of George Floyd, the handcuffed black man who died last week when a white police officer in Minneapolis put a knee to the back of his neck until he stopped breathing. “To me, it was evil incarnate,” Varner said. “There are objective truths in life. I think that’s one of them,” he wrote in his Monday post. Varner also cautioned against single-minded thoughts, that one can be against police killing a man while saying that burning businesses and police stations is wrong. “We can go beyond the trap of one-dimensional thinking. Once we do, our eyes will see the righteous, our hearts will feel the love, and we’ll have done more to honor all those subjected to evil and its vile nature,” he concluded. The more prominent voice is Tiger Woods, whose profile worldwide is so great that he chose early in his career not to get too opinionated on social issues. One example was two years ago at Riviera, during Black History Month, when he was asked during a news conference what concerned him about the plight of black Americans. Woods was smart in his delivery, short on substance, when he said African Americans have had their share of struggles, it has gotten better and there’s room for improvement. Accurate and safe. His tweet Monday night arrived shortly before 10 p.m. in Florida. It began with his heart going out to Floyd, his loved ones and “all of us who are hurting right now.” And while he said he has “the utmost respect” for law enforcement and the training involved to know how, when and where to use force, “This shocking tragedy clearly crossed that line.” Woods referenced the Rodney King riots in Los Angeles in 1992 — he was a teenager growing up in neighboring Orange County — and said “education is the best path forward.” “We can make our points without burning the very neighborhoods we live in,” he said. “I hope that through constructive, honest conversations we can build a safer, unified society.” Whether he said a little or a lot, Woods said something. That was important. Voices need to be heard, especially relevant ones. Golf doesn’t have many of those. It has a shabby history of inclusion, particularly when it comes to blacks, starting with the PGA of America taking until 1961 to drop its “Caucasian-only clause.” The PGA Tour now attracts the best from every corner of the globe. It can be an expensive game, yet not even the privileged are assured of making it. Woods said in a 2009 interview on being the only black on tour, "It’s only going to become more difficult for African Americans now, because golf has opened up around the world.” And so where does golf fit in the discussion of equality and justice? The PGA Tour is the only major sports league that did not issue a public statement or reference the views of its players on the homepage of its website. Would anyone have taken it seriously given the composition and color of the tour's membership? Did it need to carve out a spot on the dais that already was crowded with voices from other sports that are far more germane to the issues? Commissioner Jay Monahan was searching for answers over the weekend and ultimately chose to keep his thoughts within the tour, sending a letter Monday to his staff and then sharing it with the players. “The hardships and injustices that have and continue to impact the African-American community are painful to watch and difficult to comprehend,” Monahan wrote. “And as a citizen of this country and a leader of this organization, I must admit that I’m struggling with what my role should be. But I am determined to help and make a difference.” Monahan said he had several “meaningful and emotional” conversations with colleagues and friends in the black community, “who — once again — showed me that sometimes listening and making a commitment to understand are the only things you can offer, and that’s OK.” “What I was left with was this,” he wrote. “Make no mistake about it — someone you know and care about is hurting right now, even if they haven’t told you that directly. ... And if anyone at the tour is hurting, we should all hurt.” He also included a link from the Refinery29 website on the unseen pain blacks endure. “Too often we just move on when we are not directly influenced by the news of the day," he wrote. “Yes, we have all been impacted by the global pandemic, but we should also be painfully aware and impacted by the dividing lines in our country. “We might not know exactly what to do right now, but we shouldn’t be deterred.” The PGA Tour resumes next week at Colonial, back to its familiar world with little controversy and ample privilege. No other sport does charity as well as golf. This issue requires more than that. If the best it can do is listen and commit to understand, that's OK......»»
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PMI, ARQ, ZIP Sanman boxers feted in first Elorde-Pacquiao Boxing Awards
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Central Visayas was well-represented during the inaugural Elorde-Pacquiao Boxing Awards at Okada Manila last Sunday, March 24th. This was after 13 of Central Visayas’ best boxers from Cebu and Bohol were feted for their achievements in 2023. They were headed by none other than former World Boxing Organization (WBO) world minimumweight.....»»
Pacquiao, Sulaiman honor Filipino champs, eye PH-Mexico tiff
Invited by Manny Pacquiao to the Elorde-Pacquiao Boxing Awards, WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman announces that he will stage a dual meet involving the Philippines and Mexico.....»»
Blow-By-Blow Okada: Bacosa posts 3rd straight KO victory
Tall and rangy lightweight Eman Bacosa posted a third-round stoppage over Jan Clyde Langahin during a special presentation of Manny Pacquiao Presents: Blow-By-Blow Sunday at the Okada Manila......»»