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UniSQ in Toowoomba
Just recently, the 13th Australian Media Traditions Conference was held on the 20th and 21st of September at the University of Southern Queensland, or UniSQ, in the Garden City of Toowoomba in Brisbane on the theme “Beyond Boundaries.” Thirty-six paper presenters, who were largely PhDs and PhD candidates from various universities on the Australian continent and beyond, each had 20 minutes to share their research and scholarly works in the field of communication in the context of the digital age. Most conferees came from the universities of Southern Queensland, Queensland, Macquarie, La Trobe, RMIT, Monash, James Cook, Swinburne, Deakin, South Australia, Melbourne, Canberra and QUT — all in Australia — while two were from the University of China and the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, and one from the University of the Philippines (the only Filipino in the pack). Each day featured a keynote speaker, a morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. Everyone received a ring-bound booklet that contained the individual abstracts and biographies of every participant. The various subthemes delved into — literature, journalism, television drama, civic engagement, music industry, radio, cinema, mobile developments, media/politics/issues, technologies and globalization, SVODs in Australia, creation and content production, and archives (i.e., collection of digital/social media at the National Library of Australia) — were all reflective of the contemporary communication and media ecosystem. For one, this author presented his paper titled, “Scoping the reformative and transformative impact of media traditions.” Let me share, dear readers, what my seminal and expository paper was all about. The terms reformative and transformative simply refer to access to news, entertainment, or information in various modalities, while impact, as a term, refers to “hit,” it denoting who are adversely affected in an era of digital media (i.e., print newspapers, periodicals, magazines and other forms of publishing). These social and economic dimensions are on opposite ends of a continuum. There’s no need to be an apologist for print newspapers since the notion that the “editor is dead” in this digital age is a myth. Neither is there such a thing as the “golden age of journalism,” as one presenter embraced the view — with some authority based on her research — that it never existed. In fact, if it were any consolation, there had been a common point when the portion who got its news via social media was about equal to the portion who got its news from newspapers and that was in 2017. Therefore, if there was a crucial paradigm shift to the digital or social media platform, it must have been an entirely slow and gradual process where the readership of print newspapers slid down and the readership on social media climbed, not to mention that such transformation was only of recent memory or origin. In the case of Americans, and it may be a universal phenomenon elsewhere in the world, television dominates as a news source followed by news websites, in turn followed by radio then social media, in turn followed by print newspapers — in this pecking order. As well articulated with evidence-based data, two age groups, namely, those between 50-54 and those 65 and over, still preferred print newspapers as their news source with lower percentages in the younger age groups (i.e., 18-29, 30-48). More particularly, while most Americans get their news often from social media rather than print newspapers, there is only a marginal variance of 20 percent and 16 percent, respectively, over the period 2016 to 2018. In other words, we can embrace the view that print newspapers “will never die,” very much so in countries with aging populations to the extent possible that it might even overcome social media at some point as a source for news in this…. “digital divide” as well as “age divide.” This media traditions conference at the UniSQ in Toowoomba was probably the most fulfilling intellectual experience for experts, scholars, and practitioners in the present-day communication and digital landscape. The post UniSQ in Toowoomba appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
US authorities return seven works of art stolen by Nazis
New York authorities announced on Wednesday the return of $9 million in art stolen by the Nazi regime to the family of Fritz Grunbaum, an Austrian Jewish cabaret performer killed in the Holocaust. The seven drawings, all from Austrian artist Egon Schiele, were "voluntarily surrendered by the holding institutions and estates," including New York's famous Museum of Modern Art, "after they were presented with evidence that they were stolen by the Nazis," the Manhattan District Attorney's office said in a statement. The move comes as a victory for Grunbaum's heirs, who have been fighting for the art's return for years. Grunbaum died at the Dachau concentration camp in 1941. "I hope this moment can serve as a reminder that despite the horrific death and destruction caused by the Nazis, it is never too late to recover some of what we lost (and) honor the victims," District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement. Timothy Reif, a judge and one of Grunbaum's relatives, thanked authorities for having "succeeded in solving crimes perpetrated over 80 years ago." "Their righteous and courageous collaboration in the pursuit of justice -- unique among prosecutors and law enforcement in this entire nation, if not the world -- shine a bright light for all to follow." As of June, Bragg's office had returned more than 950 looted or improperly acquired pieces of art worth $165 million, to countries including Cambodia, Pakistan, Egypt, Turkey and Italy. 'Degenerate' The seven Schiele drawings were seized by the office's Antiquities Tracking Unit earlier this year, from the Museum of Modern Art, The Ronald Lauder Collection, The Morgan Library, The Santa Barbara Museum of Art and the Vally Sabarsky Trust in Manhattan. The works by Schiele, an Austrian expressionist artist, are valued between $780,000 and $2.75 million each, with the district attorney's office estimating their total value at more than $9 million. Grunbaum, who was also an art collector and critic of the Nazi regime, possessed hundreds of works of art, including more than 80 by Schiele. Schiele's works, considered "degenerate" by the Nazis, were largely auctioned or sold abroad to finance the Nazi Party, according to the district attorney's office. Arrested by the Nazis in 1938, Grunbaum was forced while at Dachau to sign over his power of attorney to his spouse, who was then made to hand over the family's entire collection before herself being deported to a different concentration camp, in current-day Belarus. The seven works whose restitution was announced Wednesday had reappeared on the art market after World War II in the 1950s, first in Switzerland and then making their way to New York. A judge in 2018 had ruled in favor of the Grunbaum heirs concerning two different Schiele pieces, after a London art dealer argued that a sale of 54 Schiele drawings by Grunbaum's sister-in-law after his death was a valid transfer of the work. But the judge rejected the idea that Grunbaum would have ever given her possession of the works voluntarily, writing that "a signature at gunpoint cannot lead to a valid conveyance." That ruling was one of the first to come after Congress passed the Holocaust Expropriated Recovery Act in 2016, designed to relax the s The post US authorities return seven works of art stolen by Nazis appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
This writers’ workshop loves Filipino literature
The Palihang Rogelio Sicat discussion on 21 June held in UP Diliman looked and sounded like an art class session. Manolo Sicat, the well-known artist and sculptor, was delivering a demo-lecture on printmaking. He said figures and words can go together in a work of art. [gallery columns="2" size="full" ids="175634,175632"] He had a PowerPoint presentation of print images. A pair of prints of a couple of dancers were passed around. One was in black and white, the other in color. Texture and motion were their immediate charm. “But what has printmaking to do with us?,” said Christian Balagoza, a boyish writer. “We’ll know when we get the printmaking session,” said sir Reuel Aguila, director PRS 16 (2023). Art collab This is the latest PRS innovation. When the session was held a few days later, Sicat conducted an honest-to-goodness printmaking workshop at the UP College of Fine Arts. A colleague, Prof. Ambie Abano, welcomed the group and opened her atelier to show mural-sized prints made from wooden originals. It is the artist’s impressive collection of prints featuring landscapes of lush trees in dark, brooding background. Fellows from the previous online batch joined the art activity. During the three-hour session, everyone polished her rubber board, chiseled images and texts, and finally print the works on paper. They were amazed to pick up the skill fast and admire the results in no time. Thumbs and nails got smudged with sticky ink yet everyone was smiling at the wet and black artworks clipped on wires that crossed the studio. 16 years of PRS This is one of the activities that make PRS unique. Thanks to its founders -- dramatist Reuel Aguila, retired professor now a lecturer at the UP, and fictionist Jimmuel Naval, dean of the UP College of Arts and Letters. The partner is always on the lookout for ingenious ways to improve the workshop, all for the good of young writers. PRS began as an informal workshop of a number of young writers held in the mansion of Ligaya Tiamson Rubin in Angono, Rizal, in 2008. Today, fellows accepted in the workshop are pegged at 15. Fellows like the idea that they are the main commentators of the manuscripts. During workshops, they get to be the lead discussant. “They learn to be critical and not rely too much on the opinion of the panelists,” said Aguila. The PRS is the only writers’ workshop that aspires to be mobile, going around the country to make its appellation ‘national’ true. It literally brings the creative writing life closer to practitioners. PRS collaborates with local governments, and with their support the workshop had been to Palayan City, Nueva Ecija (2009); Baler, Aurora (2010); Alfonso, Cavite (2011); Sta. Cruz, Marinduque (2012); Angeles City, Pampanga (2014); and Makati City (2015). It also cooperates with the academe as in UP Visayas-Tacloban (2017), UP Baguio (2018) and UP Los Baños (2019). There were times PRS stayed at its home base UP Diliman like during the 50th anniversary of the UP Department of Filipino and Philippine Literature (UP-DFPL) in 2017. It went online as Zoom conference twice during the pandemic. With the renowned writer Rogelio Sicat as PRS idol, the workshop chooses Filipino language as its medium of writing literature. It also accepts works from the region’s translated into Filipino. Institutional support PRS is the official outreach program of the UP-DFPL whose incumbent chair Schedar DT Jocson said that from the beginning, it has supported PRS and its objectives. Many of its panelists are from the department, including alumna Dr. Lulu Torres-Reyes, the PRS 16 guest of honor. Other PRS supporters include the UP Sentro ng Wikang Filipino (UP-SWF). “We are honored to be part of a movement that brings Philippine literature closer to the common people. PRS writers enrich the catalog of our website,” said director Jayson Petras. Friends and business people also support PRS, like Palawan Pawnshop / Palawan Express Padala company. Lively discussion about literature An hour of PRS discussion on a story or poem does not exhaust its reading or interpretation. To address the gap, sessions are set beyond the allotted time and well into almost midnight. Fellows do not seem to mind as they are very eager to huddle with seniors who are just as willing to forego of an early bedtime. PRS goes one more step. In 2022, it created post-workshop online sessions. Here, senior and beginning writers discuss new works. Everyone is excited to have these disquisitions that aim to improve writing skills. Dedication is demanded from both sides. The recent PRS workshop had the Sicat siblings Luna and Manolo beaming with pride. They were quite surprised to know that almost 300 young writers had already experienced the workshop. PRS is also proud that esteemed writers served as its panelists, including Bienvenido Lumbera, Edgardo Reyes, Ricardo Lee, Rogelio Ordoñez, Lualhati Bautista, Rosario Lucero, Elmer Ordoñez, Jose Dalisay, Marne Kilates, Jess Santiago, Fidel Rillo, Edgardo Maranan, Lilia Quindoza Santiago, Delfin Tolentino, Bonifacio Ilagan, Frank Cimatu, Joi Barrios-Le Blanc, Chris Millado, Jerry Gracio, Richard Gappi, Eros Atalia, Joselito delos Reyes, Choi Pangilinan and Junley Lorenzana Lazaga. PRS connects the lives of senior and beginning writers. Rogelio Sicat would be proud of this long -running project named after him. The post This writers’ workshop loves Filipino literature appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Myanmar faces war crimes case
United Nations investigators are building a war crimes case against Myanmar military and militia officials after gathering evidences of mass executions and sexual violence in the country. The UN Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar also found evidence of indiscriminate aerial bombardments, the burning of villages and mass killings of civilians and detained combatants, as well as torture. “Every loss of life in Myanmar is tragic, but the devastation caused to whole communities through aerial bombardments and village burnings is particularly shocking,” IIMM chief Nicholas Koumjian said in the statement. “Our evidence points to a dramatic increase in war crimes and crimes against humanity in the country, with widespread and systematic attacks against civilians, and we are building case files that can be used by courts to hold individual perpetrators responsible,” he added. The IIMM was established by the UN Human Rights Council in 2018 to collect evidence of the most serious international crimes and prepare files for criminal prosecution. While the team has never been permitted to visit Myanmar, it said it had engaged with over 700 sources and had collected “over 23 million information items,” including witness statements, documents, photographs, videos, forensic evidence and satellite imagery. The team — already cooperating with the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court — said it “plans to accelerate its collection of evidence of the most serious international crimes.” The investigators said they were particularly looking for “linkage evidence” demonstrating responsibility of specific individuals, especially high-level officials. WITH AFP The post Myanmar faces war crimes case appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Michael Leyva to showcase the best of Philippine textiles at Goldenberg Mansion
The staidly grand Goldenberg Mansion, one of the three Malacanang heritage houses recently reopened to the public, once again comes alive tonight with “Isang Pilipinas,” a showcase of Philippine indigenous and traditional textiles as interpreted by fashion designer du jour Michael Leyva. The third in the "Fashion at Goldenberg" series, a project of the First Lady, Liza Marcos Araneta, tonight’s expectedly dazzling show is Michael’s tribute to Filipino ingenuity, where “I am highlighting the Philippines’ rich heritage, culture, and history, especially through its textiles,” he explained to the Daily Tribune when we recently visited him at his Manila Peninsula showroom where he receives his clients, mostly prominent ladies of the country's social, political and economic firmaments. [caption id="attachment_168345" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Michael with Daily Tribune Social Set editor Jojo G. Silvestre[/caption] For this event, he traveled to Davao, Sultan Kudarat, Cebu, Albay, and Sorsogon to document the lives of the weavers and craftsmen. Tonight’s audience can thus expect a delightful and informative visual spectacle as one of the highlights of the show, which, weather hopefully permitting, will be held in the front garden of the heritage mansion. With Roby Carmona directing, as he had done in initial Goldenberg presentations, the show will surely be another excellent tribute to Filipino talent and craftsmanship, which the First Lady has been promoting through her many cultural heritage development projects. The powerhouse audience can look forward to witnessing Michael’s muses show off his creations, among them, senatorial wives, mayors, legislators, businesswomen, and outstanding personalities in various spheres of Philippine society. The list, a veritable who’s who includes senatorial wives Audrey Zubiri, Tootsy Angara, Kath Pimentel and Gladys Villanueva; Senator Nancy Binay; and Mayors Lani Revilla, Honey Lacuna, Imelda Calixto, Wes Gatchalian, and Dale Malapitan. Of his clients who are modeling his designs, Michael claims, “I am fortunate it is not difficult to design for them. It’s always a pleasure for me to dress them up. I believe it is because of the trust they give me, and I am grateful to them. This much-awaited event marks the latest milestone in Michael’s 10-year old career, which has seen him present his creations in various parts of the world including Los Angeles, Dubai, and Moscow, while just as busily dressing up the country’s movers and achievers. (He is off to the Paris fashion week soon.) The recent State of the Nation Address red carpet might have been his show, having been responsible for the outfits of some 100 legislators and their ladies, among them, Senator Grace Poe, Senator Nancy Binay and family, Senator Allan Cayetano, Senator Koko Pimentel and his wife Kath, Senator Raffy Tulfo and Congresswoman Jocelyn Tulfo, and easily the day’s most photographed lady, actress and fashion icon Heart Evangelista. A first for the National Museum When Michael Leyva celebrated his tenth anniversary in the world of fashion as a designer, he presented a show at the National Museum, a first in the history of the venerable institution, the foremost repository of the nation’s cultural treasures. While he was celebrating a milestone, the "momentous event, to me, was also my way of commemorating the memory of my brother, Brian, my childhood roommate and playmate, who has remained to be my angel, my guide, my mentor and my teacher all throughout. "He’s always been my inspiration in everything that I do. I know he’s there, he’s always part of it. He’s always beside me. Front, back, and side by side." Michael was first enamored with the cavernous halls of the National Museum when he did a shoot in 2018. " I told myself that this is where I will celebrate my 10th year. If it wasn't going to be here, I would rather not celebrate na lang. I wanted to be the first to showcase my creations in this historically significant building." Earlier, restriction pertaining to Covid were lifted, paving the way for the October 10, 2022 spectacle. "I presented a 55-piece collection,” he proudly shared. His muses, Anne Curtis, Vice Ganda, Pia Wurtzbach, led the list of models. Regine Velasquez sang at the finale. Eric Santos performed as well. He was elated that Inno Sotto, the foremost designer of his generation and the leading heir to the masters of the postwar era, had given his imprimatur through his presence. "I felt that his coming to my milestone show proves that I had already made it." A different look for the First Lady But to Michael, the biggest honor and affirmation came from the First Lady of the Philippines, Liza Araneta Marcos. "I missed meeting her when a number of us designers were invited to Malacanang to discuss her Likha project. I happened to be in Paris for a wedding. But I really wanted to meet her." [caption id="attachment_168346" align="aligncenter" width="525"] First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos and designer Michael Leyva viewing a fashion exhibit.[/caption] Finally, in September 2022, he was introduced to the First Lady in her Presidential Management Staff office. He invited her to his National Museum show, and she came. She wore a Michael Leyva Filipiniana, his first-ever creation for her. In time, they would develop a friendly collaboration based on trust and respect, anchored on her admiration for his talent. The next few months saw him designing many of her outfits worn on special occasions. Just recently, she wore her Michael Leyva outfits in Cebu and in the presidential visits to Kualalmpur, Malaysia, and Bangkok, Thailand. For the First Lady’s get-ups, which he posted on his FB wall, he received a lot of praises, mostly commenting on how he had been able to zero in on what would look best on the First Lady. [caption id="attachment_168349" align="aligncenter" width="525"] The First Lady in a Michael Leyva creation at the Audrey Hepburn exhibit, with Tessie Sy Coson and SM officials.[/caption] From day one, he has wanted a different look on her. “Being a designer, I had to explore possibilities. What was basic in my mind was I wanted her to look differently, and that people would notice once she wore my first dress. I wanted them to say, “she had changed in her fashion and grooming preferences.” And Michael did achieve his intention. [caption id="attachment_168351" align="aligncenter" width="525"] President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and FL Liza Araneta Marcos, in a Michael Leyva modern terno, with the King and Queen of Thailand[/caption] [caption id="attachment_168352" align="aligncenter" width="525"] President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and First Lady Liza Marcos Araneta during the president's state visit to Malaysia. The First Lady is in a Michael Leyva creation.[/caption] When people found out he had been responsible for the First Lady’s new look, they told him, “No wonder she now looks different.” An obvious change was in the length of her dresses, which originally was above the knee. “I felt that it would be more becoming for her to wear below-the-knee dresses,” he pointed out. The First Lady, he said, “wants comfortability. She doesn’t like corsets. And then, as much as possible, she wants to make use of Philippine textiles that we have here like calado, piña, and abel. She is the number one promoter of Philippine textile.” Of course, the First Lady will be his guest of honor in tonight’s fashion show, once again proving Michael’s eminence and popularity in his field, and the First Lady’s commitment to the uplift of weavers and embroiders of this beautiful country, the Philippines. The post Michael Leyva to showcase the best of Philippine textiles at Goldenberg Mansion appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
VP husband off the hook
The Supreme Court has affirmed the dismissal by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Commission on Bar Discipline on the administrative complaint filed against Vice President Sara Duterte’s husband Atty. Manases Carpio and another lawyer. In adopting the findings of the IBP-CBD, the Court held that the complainants failed to prove that the cases filed against them were baseless and meant to merely harass them. The SC said a review of the submissions Padernal and Carpio would show that the said cases were validly filed. The case stemmed from the administrative complaint filed by Alfredo Honegger, a Swiss national, and his Filipino wife Lumenaria Honegear who accused Carpio and Atty. Edgar Dennis Padernal of violating the Lawyer’s Oath when they assisted in filing and prosecuting “frivolous and baseless” cases against them. They insisted that the filing of the said cases were in bad faith and were intended to harass them. Records showed that between the years 2014 to 2018, the Honeggers became defendants or respondents in a number of legal actions or proceedings before local courts and agencies. The proceedings include a collection case before the Regional Trial Court of Manila where the couple were ordered to jointly pay the complainant, Bernhard Antno Burch, another Swiss national, the amount of P6.5 million, including interest; an estafa case filed before the Office of the City Prosecutor of Manila; a cyber libel case before the OCP of Manila; three cases for violation of the Retail Trade Liberalization Act and/or Anti-Dummy Law; and a deportation case. Carpio commenced his appearance as counsel for the complainants in the cases for violations of the RTL Act and/or of the Anti-Dummy Law while Padernal was the counsel for Burch in the collection case, estafa and the cyber libel case. He also represented another complainant against the Honeggers in the deportation case. The two lawyers maintained that the cases against the Honeggers were not frivolous as they were based on legitimate grievances on the parts of their clients. The post VP husband off the hook appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Gen Z café owners open 90th branch in Fairview
The first black soft-serve ice cream in the Philippines, Black Scoop Cafe, finally opened a branch in Fairview, Quezon City, last 7 July. Since its inception in 2018, with the first outlet in Maginhawa Street, Quezon City, Black Scoop Cafe has branched out to 89 locations all over the Philippines, making the Ayala Fairview Terraces’ garden in Fairview more memorable as the 90th branch of the cafe. The cafe’s owners are the youngest merchants of all store owners in the mall. They are there not just to sell and earn but for a more meaningful reason — to bolster Gen Zs taking over the business field. Black Scoop Cafe in Ayala Fairview Terraces, co-owned by chief executive officer RK Peralta, 23, and his partner and chairman of the cafe, Jason Dublin, 24, envision themselves taking over the business but, more importantly, Gen Zs to take over the business industry. “There’s like a connotation that Gen Zs aren’t capable of doing these things, so this is a testament that we are capable,” Peralta said. Even up to the employees, Peralta and Dublin hired Gen Zs, showing a more powerful testament to their primary goal of uplifting the status of the current generation in the business sector. “Gen Zs are ready to take over. I believe that everything can be learned naman, so I’m confident also with the staff, with the team that we have,” Peralta explained when asked about their biggest challenge. Black Scoop Cafe offers a variety of sweet and savory food and beverage options that everyone can indulge in. Menu includes (tea drinks) frappe, coffee, cream cheese lattes; (food) pancakes, rice meals, pasta, wings, sandwiches/wraps. The café also serves a “secret menu” — known only to loyal patrons — the Biscoff collection. It includes a Biscoff-flavored milk tea and frappe. The post Gen Z café owners open 90th branch in Fairview appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Catriona Gray celebrates Mediterranea launch in Bali
Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray gave off good vibes to her followers with her gorgeous orange outfit. She accessorized her look with an exquisite set of Bulgari jewelry consisting of a necklace, earrings, and a bracelet. She posted some photos on social media taken by celebrity photographer Shaira Luna during the launch of the Bulgari Mediterranea collection at Bulgari Hotel Resort & Spa in Uluwatu, Bali, Indonesia. Her followers can't help but express admiration for their idol who looks like a sea goddess on that day. See more photos here: The post Catriona Gray celebrates Mediterranea launch in Bali appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Phl returning remains of WW2 Japanese soldiers
The Philippine government has assured Japan of its cooperation in repatriating the remains of some 300,000 Japanese soldiers who died in the country during World War 2. Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. said Sunday he made the assurance to Japan’s Minister for Economic Affairs Nihei Daisuke and other Japanese officials during their meeting on Thursday. Abalos told Nihei that the Department of Foreign Affairs and DILG will closely work together for the recovery and repatriation of the Japanese remains. DILG is in a strategic position to ensure that the repatriation process will be well-coordinated at the LGU level where some of the remains lie, he added. The endeavor is in line with the Memorandum of Cooperation signed by the Philippine and Japanese governments in May 2018. The MOC provides for the proper collection, handling, storage and shipment of the Japanese remains. The post Phl returning remains of WW2 Japanese soldiers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Istanbul’s ancient shoreline gets ultramodern museum
Istanbul's Museum of modern art moved Tuesday into a futuristic building overlooking the Bosphorus Strait designed by the Italian-born architect of London's Shard skyscraper and the Pompidou Centre in Paris. The museum's return to its old but reinvented location marks the latest attempt by Turkey's cultural capital to infuse its iconic waterfront -- lined with graceful imperial palaces and mosques -- with a more futuristic feel. Established in 2004, the Istanbul Modern in 2018 moved out of a rustic building that once served as a customs warehouse. The city then launched a massive regeneration project that rebuilt a long stretch of the European side of the Bosphorus shoreline, making it more accessible to both Istanbulites and cruise ships that again clutter the busy strait. The museum's new three-story reflective steel building, featuring a transparent ground floor made of reinforced glass, is connected to the new Galata Port -- a sleek amalgam of restaurants, bars, and retail stores overlooking a waterfront boardwalk. Its design was inspired by the glittering waters and light reflections of the Bosphorus, architect Renzo Piano told reporters. "This museum building is like a creature of the sea that has jumped out from the waters of the Bosphorus," said Piano, whose other works include the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York. "Every time you have water, it is great to make a building because water makes things beautiful," he said. "Istanbul is a place of water. We have water everywhere." Turkey's art scene, funded mostly by wealthy businessmen and philanthropists, flourished during an economic boom that accompanied the early years of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's rule. But Erdogan, who extended his two decades in power until 2028 in a general election last month, has come under fire for curtailing the freedom of expression and developing a troubled relationship with artists. It's forever Spanning 10,500 square meters (115,000 square feet), the museum offers a space for exhibitions, film screenings, and a permanent collection of more than 280 works by Turkey's most important modern and contemporary artists. It is currently featuring works by Nuri Bilge Ceylan, a photographer, screenwriter, and actor whose "Winter Sleep" won the Palme d'Or at Cannes in 2014. The exhibition consists of 22 large portraits taken by Ceylan in his travels to places such as India, Georgia, China, and Russia. Piano approached his latest creation knowing the pressures of erecting a building that could reshape both the city and its artistic direction for future generations. "People must understand that it is a public art, making architecture, so it is different from many other sorts of art," Piano said. "It's forever," he added. "Especially when you make a building like a museum." The building stands on a grid of steel-braced concrete columns that are meant to be resistant to major earthquakes. The city of 16 million people straddles an active fault line, suffering a catastrophic quake in 1999 that claimed more than 17,000 lives. Piano said architecture was about making lasting structures. "Look at the building, it's solidly built, and the solidity is part of the semantic expression of the building: solid and flying." The post Istanbul’s ancient shoreline gets ultramodern museum appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
NLEX gears up to improve road infra, quality of service
Now that the pandemic is gone and the restrictions have been relaxed, most Filipinos are making up for lost time by traveling to various destinations, especially during long weekends. Most Filipinos opt to go on road trips to popular destinations in central and northern Luzon, such as beach resorts in Zambales and Pangasinan, surfing resorts in La Union, beautiful parks in Baguio, and historical sites in Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte. These destinations are usually accessible via the North Luzon Expressway or NLEX. Although maintaining the road infrastructure and quality of service remains a big challenge, the management of NLEX Corp. through Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. or MPTC continues to invest in various capital projects to continuously improve the road quality and motorist experience. Thus, the recent toll fee adjustment approved by the Toll Regulatory Board or TRB will be of great help to the management of NLEX in carrying out its planned projects, such as improving road conditions and modernizing its toll collection system. The TRB allowed NLEX to adjust its rates effective 15 June 2023. Under the new toll fee matrix, Class 1 vehicles will pay an additional P7, Class 2 vehicles P17, and Class 3 vehicles P19. The new rates are part of NLEX’s allowed period adjustments from 2012, 2014, half of 2018, and 2020, and now 2023 is the fourth and final tranche of adjustments. In an interview, Rogelio L. Singson, MPTC president and CEO, assured motorists they can expect improvements to NLEX’s road infrastructure and quality of service. MPTC will prioritize plans and projects to decongest chokepoints or areas of heavy traffic flow. It plans to build and implement multi-lane barrier-less systems throughout its expressway network to improve traffic flow by 30 percent. The plan includes expanding the roadway at entry and exit points, which are occasionally filled with vehicles. Right-of-way acquisition remains a challenge to the road expansion at several entry and exit points. Hence, NLEX has been coordinating with the local government units and has suggested letting the national government take over these road-widening projects. This way, the Department of Public Works and Highways will manage the budget and maintenance of these roads. “Admittedly, the improvements at NLEX will not be immediate. There is still much to fix on the roads and our toll collection system. Nonetheless, our chairman, Mr. Manny V. Pangilinan, has instructed us to implement these improvements as soon as possible,” Singson said. What is surprising is that critics are actively opposing the latest toll fee adjustment, even though these were pre-programmed and agreed upon by NLEX and the government. Under its agreement with the government, NLEX can file a petition for a rate adjustment with the TRB every two years. The actual increase is manageable to motorists, as NLEX and TRB have staggered the collection, which should have taken place in 2012. Hence, the recent adjustment is a win-win for all stakeholders, such as the TRB, NLEX, and the motorists. The improvements at NLEX since MPTC took over its operations have helped greatly develop the central and northern Luzon regions. The road infrastructure and service quality improvements have moved goods and people much faster and more cost-efficiently, thus spurring the growth of businesses and industries in the regions. The difference between NLEX today and back in the day is also undeniable. Traveling is much faster and more comfortable, particularly with the opening of various establishments along the expressway where motorists can eat and rest before proceeding to their destinations. In the end, motorists also stand to benefit from the latest toll adjustment, as it would allow MPTC to continue investing in capital projects to maintain NLEX’s road infrastructure, decongest traffic and reduce queues, improve its facilities and services, and ensure the safety of motorists. The post NLEX gears up to improve road infra, quality of service appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Taiwan tribe despairs as drought shrinks bamboo crop
Hacking at a bamboo plant with a machete, Avayi Vayayana peels back the shoot's stiff bark as he scans southern Taiwan's mountains, anxious for more of the money-making crop his Indigenous tribe increasingly struggles to find. Generations of the Tsou tribe have lived off Alishan township's bamboo forests, which Vayayana says were planted by his forefathers and typically harvested in April and May. But "the weather in the last few years has really been out of whack", the 62-year-old tribal chief tells AFP. "The rainfall has been delayed and the bamboo shoots' growth is noticeably affected." In the Indigenous village T'fuya, the dark-brown cones of the island's native stone bamboo -- or Phyllostachys lithophila -- have become harder to spot. "The little young shoots will not sprout if there's no rain. After a while, they will die inside the ground," Vayayana says. The February-to-April rains are crucial to the growth of bamboo shoots -- which are popular in Asian cuisine -- but since late last year, there have not been any significant downpours. The Tsou tribe, which has a population of 7,000 in Alishan, has seen their bamboo shoot harvest steadily decline. On a misty May morning, a welcome drizzle finally blankets the bamboo forest Vayayana is working in, but he tells AFP it is too late. This year, his haul is one-third of 2022's harvest. Worse, Vayayana and his family must now also contend with crop-raiding monkeys, he explains after an airgun shot rings out in the distance: his cousin trying to scare away the marauders. "Because many surrounding bamboo forests have died, now where there are bamboo shoots, all the monkeys will go," he says. 'Frontline victims' Southern Taiwan is experiencing its worst drought in decades. Water levels in the Tsengwen reservoir serving the southern Tainan and Chiayi regions plummeted below 10 percent this year, the third such drop since 2018, leaving reservoir beds cracked and exposed. The Tsengwen serves as a primary water source for a massive foundry making the island's precious semiconductors -- soaring in demand globally -- and also supplements the region's rice-growing plains. But for the third year in a row, the government is providing subsidies to farmers not to plant their crops -- a sign of the severe water needs. An hour's drive from the reservoir, Alishan too is experiencing drastic weather changes. From January to April, rainfall declined to 226.5 millimeters (8.9 inches), a more than 50 percent drop compared to the same period last year, according to Taiwan's Central Weather Station. For the Tsou -- whose lifestyle is entwined with nature -- the impact is "comprehensive", says Greenpeace Taiwan's Lena Chang. "They are the frontline victims of climate change," Chang tells AFP. Data compiled by Greenpeace Taiwan shows the drop-off in rain to be persistent. In the past three decades, Alishan has lost an average of 2.6mm of rainfall per year in February and 1.2mm in March -- a vital period for bamboo shoot growth. At T'fuya's crop collection point, villagers offload sacks of bamboo shoots from trucks, weighing them before sending them to factories to be boiled and tinned for mass consumption. "This year, the rain came too late and many bamboo trees are sick. The harvest is very bad," Voyu Baniana, 24, tells AFP. "In my family's plantation, we have none. I can only work for other people this year." New cash crop Those who returned to their villages after a period of working in cities are finding it harder to live off of crops they grew up cultivating. Voyo Yulunana, 43, still remembers the long days he spent as a child harvesting bamboo shoots, the sale of which bolstered the community's living standards. "Buying a car or building a house, we counted on the bamboo," he says. Since Yulunana returned from a brief stint in the city working in construction, he has noticed "the rains don't come when they should". Luckily, his grandfather made a switch to growing coffee beans, which Yulunana and other younger Tsou have shifted toward in the past decade. "Coffee is slowly replacing bamboo shoots as the cash crop" in Alishan, says Yulunana. But even it is not immune to climate change -- a late spring rain affects the plant's flowering season, and the erratic weather last year nearly devastated his family's 400-shrub crop, he said. "At this point, I can get by with just growing coffee," Yulunana said. "Who knows what new crops will appear after coffee?" The post Taiwan tribe despairs as drought shrinks bamboo crop appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Gov’t reviews business perks
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is studying fiscal incentives reforms with the Department of Finance as part of his administration’s efforts to boost economic growth, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said during a Malacañang press briefing on Tuesday. This, after data from the International Monetary Fund Tax Reform Database showed that the Philippines posted the lowest VAT efficiency ratio in the Southeast Asian region from 2016 to 2020, or 0.40 efficiency level despite having the highest VAT rate in the region at 12 percent. Comparatively, Indonesia has a VAT efficiency level of 0.50 with an 11 percent VAT rate, Singapore achieves a level of 0.71 with an 8 percent VAT rate, Vietnam maintains a level of 0.70 with an 8 percent VAT rate, and Thailand has a level of 0.79 with a 7 percent VAT rate. Highest rate vs other countries “The Philippines (has) the highest VAT rate compared to other countries in this part of the world but our VAT collection is the most inefficient,” Diokno said. “We only collect 40 percent (of all expected VAT collection), and that’s because of a lot of exemptions,” Diokno pointed out. The DoF also cited a 2018 World Bank study which said that the Philippines’ tax system faces challenges due to exemptions granted outside the tax code. According to the Finance chief, the government collected P723 billion from VAT annually from 2016 to 2020 on average. BBM issues order Diokno said the President has instructed the DoF to review the country’s fiscal incentives system to ensure that it is effective and efficient. He added that the government will lose collection revenues when it gives more tax incentives and exemptions. Prior to tax reforms, the Philippines have 56 lines of exemptions and an additional 84 exemptions under special laws, he added. “We actually talked with the International Monetary Fund and we asked them to conduct a study on where we can improve on broadening the tax base meaning maybe find areas where we can recover from too much exemptions,” Diokno said. “I say at 0.40, that’s really poor performance, but you know the value-added tax is the best tax in the world. It’s I think being imposed in 90 percent of the countries in the world, so it is in our best interests to improve on the efficiency of the VAT,” he added. Potential improvements Diokno pointed out that the government is currently looking into potential improvements in its medium-term fiscal framework but he insisted that the country’s revenue system is doing well. We actually talked with the International Monetary Fund and we asked them to conduct a study on where we can improve on broadening the tax base meaning maybe find areas where we can recover from too much exemptions. He added that the government is also pushing collection agencies to improve in order to create “better” revenues. “So we are studying it, it’s not a perfect system so we’ll look for improvements but right now our revenue system is doing well,” Diokno said. The post Gov’t reviews business perks appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Gov’t housing online payment now available
Government housing beneficiaries nationwide may now pay their amortization in the comfort of their homes starting yesterday, 17 April. This, after the National Housing Authority on Monday announced that it has forged a partnership with Maya Philippines Inc. for the launching of an online payment portal. By downloading the Maya mobile application and registering, housing beneficiaries may settle their dues; receive billing notices and remittance of collected payments through email or via SMS notifications. In fulfilling the memorandum of agreement signed by NHA General Manager Joeben Tai and Maya Philippines Inc. Associate Director Marvin C. Santos on 28 October 2022, the NHA is pushing more innovations to make the authority’s processes more accessible to its clientele, leading to beneficiary-friendly transactions and collection efficiency. Apart from efficiency in payments, remittances and billing, the digital payment service will also open up livelihood opportunities to beneficiaries who intend to become merchants in their respective communities for Maya e-wallet cash-ins. The newly launched online payment service is in accordance with Republic Act 8792 or the Electronic Commerce Act of 2000, mandating all government agencies to accept payments through electronic means; and with RA 11032, or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018, which directs all offices and agencies to improve their transactions and procedures. The goal of the “Build Better and More” Housing Program of the NHA is not only to provide more quality housing for Filipino families, but also to create sustainable communities within the NHA’s housing projects by providing livelihood opportunities and easing the authority’s processes for more efficient transactions with beneficiaries. The post Gov’t housing online payment now available appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ochoa gives Team Philippines 2nd gold in jiu-jitsu worlds
Ochoa, who became the country's first-ever world champion in the sport back in 2018, added another gold to her collection when she beat Canada's Vicky Hoang Ni Ni in the final, 2-0......»»
NBA Store celebrates one year in Philippines with special collection
Having arrived as a digital shop last year after closing its physical stores in 2018, the store gives a nod to its faithful Filipino patrons with two new shirt designs......»»
EXO-SC, BLACKPINK, ATEEZ top monthly music chart for July
(Clockwise from top left) EXO-SC, ATEEZ, Red Velvet’s Irene and Seulgi, SF9, GFriend, BLACKPINK, Stray Kids, Lee Jin-hyuk, AB6IX and Woodz (Twitter) South Korea’s Hanteo Chart released the list of artists who topped its monthly music chart for July. EXO-SC, composed of Sehun and Chanyeol, took first place with their debut studio album “1 Billion Views” selling 476,838 copies for July. The album sold 269,001 on the first day of release on July 13, and went on to garner 412,588 copies in sales in the first week. That’s 177,647 copies more than their debut mini-album “What a Life,” which had 234,941 copies in the first week when it was released in July 2019. K-pop girl group BLACKPINK’s “How You Like That” Special Edition placed second with 210,620 copies sold. It sold 155,844 copies on the first day of release on July 17 and had 204,334 copies in the first week, compared to 146,094 copies for “Kill This Love,” or a difference of 58,240. Boy band ATEEZ, which debuted in October 2018, grabbed third place when their new album “Zero: Fever Part.1” sold 208,321 copies in just three days from July 29 to 31. Their last Korean album “Treasure Epilogue: Action to Answer,” released last Jan. 6, sold 62,833 copies in the first week and became the sixth top-selling album for the first quarter of 2020 with 125,605 copies. Red Velvet members Irene and Seulgi’s first mini-album “Monster” copped fourth place with 158,076 copies sold. It garnered 117,423 copies in sales in the first week since its release on July 6. Boy band SF9’s “9LORYUS” placed fifth with 97,198 copies in sales. The album was released on July 6 and recorded 72,272 copies in sales in the first week of release, higher than their “First Collection” album, which dropped on Jan. 7 and had 68,707 copies sold in the first week. GFriend’s “Song of the Sirens” album, released on July 13, is sixth with 72,111 copies sold. It posted sales of 67,244 copies in the first week of release, higher than “Labyrinth” which had 53,162. Stray Kids’ “Go Live” album, released on June 17, placed seventh in July with 62,899 copies. The album sold 149,694 in June for a total of 212,593 copies in two months. UP10TION member Lee Jin-hyuk grabbed eighth place with his “Splash!” Released on June 30, the album sold 60,866 copies in July. Boy band AB6IX’s “Vivid” album was ninth with 53,595 copies sold. Released on June 29, the album sold 63,615 in the first two days of release for a total of 117,210 until July. Woodz, aka Cho Seung-youn, of boy band UNIQ placed 10th when his album “Equal” sold 41,839 copies. It was released on June 29 and posted 101,963 copies in sales in the first week. .....»»
Remarks on Mayamor’s collection of 50 poems/binalaybay
Mayamor's poems understand Tumandok identity as marker that distinguishes them from lowland poor peasants pushed upland. The post Remarks on Mayamor’s collection of 50 poems/binalaybay appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
ANZ raises Philippine inflation forecast to 3.8% this year
ANZ Research hiked its inflation forecast for the Philippines to 3.8 percent this year, from 3.5 percent previously, as risks may drive inflation up to above the central bank’s two to four percent target in the coming months......»»
S& P: Philippines may miss growth goal this year
S&P Global Ratings sees the Philippines again missing its growth targets this year as it kept its gross domestic product growth forecast at 5.9 percent. While the projection is better compared to other economies in the region, it is again below the government’s 6.5 to 7.5 percent growth target......»»