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Bianca Umali to star in ‘Encantadia’ spin-off series ‘Sang’gre’
Bianca Umali is currently “booked and busy,” especially now that she is confirmed to be a part of the highly-anticipated spin-off series Sang’gre. On 23 October, Umali confirmed in a televised interview that she would play Terra, the daughter of the major character Danaya, in the spin-off. “Hindi ko hiniling pero pinagkaloob pa rin sakin (I didn’t ask for it but it was given to me), that’s why I’m very, very thankful... I assure [you] that they will not be disappointed; I will not fail anyone,” Umali said, thanking her supporters and her home network for trusting her with this big project. The 23-year-old actress added that she has been working hard on her character as if she were preparing for a Marvel movie. She is currently undergoing training in arnis, the same weapon used by Danaya in the 2005 and 2016 versions of Encantadia. “I am preparing my physique for it, I am preparing my skills for it, and I have been studying everything about Encantadia,” she said. The actress revealed that she dreamt of being a part of the 2016 reboot, but she wasn’t called in for an audition nor she was considered for a role. “Na-realize ko na kaya pala, hindi pala dapat ako nalungkot nung mga oras na ‘yon na akala ko hindi ako kasali kasi meron palang ganito, meron palang para sa akin” (I realized that I needn’t have been sad that I wasn’t able to join, because eventually there was something also for me). During the San Diego Comic-con in July, resident GMA director Mark Reyes revealed the series concept art, to which Umali commented with a leaf emoji that hinted at her upcoming role in the series. Encantadia’s spin-off series has been officially in the works for a long time. In January 2022, Reyes posted a screenshot of a Zoom meeting with the show’s creative team on Instagram. Based on Reyes’ Instagram post, Encantadia’s creative team is composed of seasoned and talented individuals in the industry, including Encantadia creator Suzette Doctolero, screenwriter and National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee, creative heads RJ Nuevas and AliNokom-Dedicatoria, and writers Anna Aleta, Ays de Guzman and Jake Somera. Encantadia is a 2005 classic fantasy television series that revolves around four sisters or sang’gres tasked to be the new keepers of powerful gemstones. It starred Iza Calzado, Sunshine Dizon, Karylle and Diana Zubiri. A reboot was released in 2016, featuring Kylie Padilla, Glaiza de Castro, Gabbi Garcia and Sanya Lopez. The post Bianca Umali to star in ‘Encantadia’ spin-off series ‘Sang’gre’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Maxene Magalona graces luxury brand’s store opening days before Francis M claims
Last October 12, five days before former flight attendant Abegail Rait and her daughter Gaile Francesca guested on “Pinoy Pawnstars” to sell “Master Rapper” Francis Magalona’s jersey for P500,000, Francis’ daughter with Pia Magalona, actress Maxene Magalona, was all smiles as she graced the opening of international fashion brand Coach’s new store in Greenbelt 5, Makati City......»»
‘I am my father s daughter’: Gaile Francesca not affected by bashers of mom Abegail Rait s Francis Magalona revelations
Aspiring rapper Gaile Francesca or “Cheska” is “not affected at all” by those claiming that she and her mom, former flight attendant Abegail Rait, are a fraud or are illicitly related to the late “Master Rapper” Francis Magalona......»»
2 American hostages freed
Gaza’s Hamas rulers freed two Americans among the 200 hostages they kidnapped in the deadly 7 October attacks in Israel. More hostages may be released, the group hinted. According to the Israeli government, Judith Tai Raanan and her daughter, Natalie Shoshana Raanan, were returned to Israel late Friday. There was no word on their condition, but US President Joe Biden was “overjoyed” by the news. Biden called the two women after they were released. Hamas also announced it was working with Qatar and Egypt to free its “civilian” hostages, implying that more could be released. An Israeli emissary met the couple at the Gaza border and took them to a military base in central Israel “where their families are waiting to meet them.” The Ranaan family, like many of the captives, had begun a worldwide campaign to pressure Hamas to release them. Hamas said the “al-Qassam Brigades released two American citizens for humanitarian reasons” after being approached by Qatar and Egypt. The Islamist rulers of Gaza said they were “working with all mediators to implement the movement’s decision to close the civilian (hostage) file if appropriate security conditions permit.” It provided no specifics about its demands. Israel claims that Hamas militants took 203 people during the bloodiest attacks in Israel’s 75-year history, including Israelis, dual nationals and foreigners. According to the authorities, at least 1,400 individuals were killed, mostly civilians. Relentless bombing Israel has retaliated with a continuous bombing campaign against Gaza, killing at least 4,137 people, mostly civilians. The hostages have become a massive problem in Israel, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stating that the government will use “any means available to locate all those missing and bring all those kidnapped home.” The International Committee of the Red Cross said it helped transport the freed Americans to Israel. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called for more releases “immediately and unconditionally.” “Every single one of them should be released,” said Blinken, adding that a team from the US Embassy would visit the two freed women. Qatar is a major aid donor to Gaza, and two Hamas leaders are based in the Gulf state. A Qatari foreign ministry spokesperson said the country had mediated between Hamas and the United States and that the release followed “many days of continuous communication between all the parties involved.” The Israeli military said earlier Friday that most of those abducted to Gaza were still alive even though some dead bodies have been found on incursions into Gaza. The military said more than 20 hostages were minors, while between 10 and 20 were over the age of 60. Saudi factor Biden said Friday he believed Hamas’ brutal attack on Israel two weeks ago aimed to disrupt the warming ties between the country and Saudi Arabia. “One of the reasons they acted like they did... why Hamas moved on Israel... (was) because they knew I was about to sit down with the Saudis,” Biden told guests at a campaign fundraiser. “The Saudis want to recognize Israel... unite the Middle East,” he said. The momentum toward a landmark US-brokered deal to normalize relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia — the guardian of Islam’s two holiest sites — was shattered by the 7 October attack by Hamas militants on Israel. A bombing campaign launched in response by Israel has leveled entire city blocks in Gaza, so far killing 4,137 Palestinians, mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Saudi officials announced on 14 October during a visit to Riyadh by US Secretary Blinken that the country had suspended talks with Israel on the normalization of relations. Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, had spoken of progress with Israel but also insisted on movement on the Palestinian cause. The Gulf kingdom has never recognized Israel and did not join the 2020 Abraham Accords, brokered by the United States, which led neighboring Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, as well as Morocco, to establish diplomatic ties with Israel. With AFP The post 2 American hostages freed appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Biden jumps into auto strike bandwagon
The US auto workers union extended its strike against two of Detroit’s “Big Three” on Friday, and President Joe Biden signaled his intention to join the picket line in support of the workers or, some say, in aid of his reelection. At noon on Friday, 5,600 United Auto Workers union members joined the spectacular worker walkout from the previous week by leaving 38 US parts and distribution centers owned by General Motors and Stellantis. Although the UAW has portrayed its campaign as an effort to level the playing field economically for the working class, Friday’s events also highlighted the high political stakes, as Biden’s visit occurred only one day before a tour by Republican candidate Donald Trump was scheduled. UAW President Shawn Fain stated that the next action would affect 20 states and target Stellantis and General Motors facilities, with whom negotiations had broken down. In a conference, Fain stated, “We’re not going to wait around forever for fair contracts at the Big Three.” Fain said that because of advancements in the company’s negotiations, Ford will escape the most recent strike escalation. Biden was invited by Fain to join the picket line, telling him that the best way he could help was by strengthening their movement and demonstrating to the corporations that the public supports them. By dusk, the president had revealed his scheme on X, formerly known as Twitter. Tuesday, Biden said, “I’ll travel to Michigan to join the picket line and show my support for the UAW’s men and women as they struggle for a fair share of the value they helped create.” “It’s time for a win-win deal that keeps UAW jobs paying well and American auto manufacturing thriving.” Trump, too The trip will be the US president’s most recent to the heart of the car industry in America. Alongside GM CEO Mary Barra, Ford CEO Jim Farley, and other leaders, he has attended the 2022 Detroit Auto Show and significant project unveilings. In an effort to win over working-class voters, former president Trump had planned to visit Michigan the day before Biden’s trip. Fain claimed that by bringing back a cost-of-living factor that had been discontinued in 2009, Ford had enhanced earlier ideas. Additionally, the corporation provided a better profit-sharing program, the immediate promotion of temporary workers to full-time status, and the union’s right to go on strike in protest of plant closures. Fain asserted, “We’re not done at Ford,” adding that the business was “serious about reaching a deal.” With AFP The post Biden jumps into auto strike bandwagon appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Why MIBF remains the book event of the year
For 40 years now, the Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) has earned the reputation of being the ultimate book haven in the country. A one-stop shop for books and educational needs, MIBF is simply known as the Book Fair, calendared year after year for all the books Filipinos want to read and own. MIBF returns to SMX Convention Center in Pasay City from 14 to 17 September, ready to welcome another record-breaking crowd post-pandemic. Here’s what to look forward to in the paramount event for the book industry and the Filipino reader: The biggest. Under one roof, there will be over 100 exhibitors at MIBF 2023 — mainstream and indie publishers, international publishers, university presses, academic publishers and distributors, bookstores, and more. Special MIBF rates and special deals are up for grabs, ideal to fill up your Christmas list! The latest. Count on the MIBF to bring the latest titles, many hot off the press and not yet even available online or at regular bookstores, some reprinted or updated specifically for the MIBF crowd. It is the perfect time to load up on a crop of the newest releases. Authors represent! Blockbuster signings by the most in-demand authors and creators have always been an MIBF crowd drawer. Whether it’s with the National Artists for Literature, celebrity authors, Wattpad sensations, top comic book creators, and even international bestselling authors, the chance to interact with fave authors and have their books signed and dedicated is something for the books. The most fun. Book events await readers of all ages and from all walks of life: book awards, storytelling sessions, art workshops, book launches, seminars, book awards, and more. People attend the MIBF not just to get their annual book shopping done, it’s also a great place to learn new things and meet fellow book lovers. Industry hub. Whether it’s for the book industry, librarians, or the education sector, the MIBF is the most sought-after venue for industry dialogues for books, education, and allied industries. Keep abreast with the latest in the industry and expand your knowledge at the various seminars and workshops offered at the MIBF. School World. MIBF’s co-located event, School World, is a one-stop shop for teachers, students, parents, school administrators, young professionals and working adults to provide a wide selection of products and services as schools transition into new modes of learning in the new normal. Check out school supplies, art supplies, gadgets, and technology, learning aids, and more in this section of the MIBF. Find all these and more at MIBF, organized by Primetrade Asia, Inc. in partnership with Asian Catholic Communicators, Inc. (ACCI), Book Development Association of the Philippines (BDAP), Philippine Booksellers Association of the Philippines (PBAI) and Overseas Publishers’ Representatives Association of the Philippines (OPRAP). For details, call 8400-9680, 8896-0682 or 8373-3301, e-mail bookfair@primetradeasia.com, or follow @ManilaBookFair on Facebook and Instagram. The post Why MIBF remains the book event of the year appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Virgin Galactic’s first space tourism flight set to take off
The long-awaited, first civilian space tourism flight by Virgin Galactic was set for takeoff Thursday, carrying an 80-year-old ex-Olympian and a mother and daughter who won their tickets in a sweepstakes. The three passengers -- Jon Goodwin, 80; Keisha Schahaff, 46; and her daughter Anastatia Mayers, 18 -- will spend a few minutes in space, where they can admire the curvature of the Earth and briefly float in weightlessness. The flight will be the culmination of a nearly two-decade-old promise by British billionaire Richard Branson, Virgin Galactic's founder, to bring tourists into space, giving them the chance to experience weightlessness and see the earth. This mission, named Galactic 02, is the company's second commercial flight. The first at the end of June carried a group of senior Italian Air Force officers who had carried out several experiments on board, rather than civilians making the trip purely for pleasure. Schahaff, a health coach from Antigua and Barbuda, won a contest for the tickets that raised $1.7 million for the non-profit Space for Humanity, which aims to widen space access. Mayers is a student at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, studying philosophy and physics. "I always was interested in space as a little girl," Schahaff told AFP in an interview in 2021. "This is a great opportunity for me to feel alive and to just make the greatest adventure ever." Goodwin is an adventurer who competed in the 1972 Olympic games as a canoeist for Britain. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2014 and will be the second person with the condition to travel to space. Virgin Galactic's spaceflights involve a giant, twin-fuselage carrier aircraft that takes off from a runway, gains altitude, then drops a rocket-powered spaceplane that soars into space. The passengers experience a few minutes of weightlessness at around 53 miles (85 kilometers) above sea level before the spacecraft glides back to Earth. Founded in 2004, Virgin Galactic has sold around 800 tickets for seats on future commercial flights -- 600 between 2005 and 2014 for $200,000 to $250,000, and 200 since then for $450,000 each. Virgin Galactic competes in the "suborbital" space tourism sector with billionaire Jeff Bezos's company Blue Origin, which has already sent 31 people into space using a vertical lift-off rocket. But since an accident in September 2022 during an unmanned flight, Blue Origin's rocket has been grounded. The company promised in March to resume spaceflight soon. The post Virgin Galactic’s first space tourism flight set to take off 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......»»
Father’s golden legacy
The first time one meets Avelino “Ave” Tolentino III, Undersecretary of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, one is easily impressed by his good looks and pleasant mien. One gets surprised that someone as young as he should already occupy a top position in the government. Until one finds out he is already 42 years old, which, to belabor the point, hardly shows in the man’s appearance, neither in his voice, mannerisms, and unbridled enthusiasm for his life’s purpose. He could pass for someone who had seen only three decades so far. But as he talks with you, you also realize he is very articulate and knows whereof he speaks. Brilliance is a mark of this man. But on the day that we interviewed him at the Daily Tribune office in Makati when he accompanied his boss, Secretary Gerry Acuzar, to an online guest in our early morning online show, we chose to veer away from the expected questions about his duties in the bureaucracy. Instead, we focused on the man behind the official title and function. And since Father’s Day was coming in a few weeks, we wondered as to the kind of father who would raise such a remarkable son — so young and yet so significant in the affairs of the Filipino — or make that common tao, the man on the street who deserves to live happily in a pleasant home he and his family could call their own. What makes Ave Tolentino tick? We surmised that he is the upshot of parents who instilled in him the right values from day one. And we were not wrong, except that if one imagined the father to be a strong figure, the master of his home, we were in for a surprise. As Ave revealed, theirs was not the typical family. This, in the sense that “it was our father, Avelino Jr. who kept us, four sons and a daughter, company at home, while our mom was busy at the office,” Ave shared. Given their family dynamics, his father worked from home by engaging in trading, which did not require his full-time attention. It had been an arrangement, if one could use the word, of his parents who both realized early on as they were building a family that “my mother had a future in the corporate world.” There was no doubt about her breaking the so-called glass ceiling as she was one woman who knew she would succeed as a business executive. His mom, Jenette, was a Certified Public Accountant and, at the time of her retirement, was the chief executive officer of a company that was engaged in the selling of ammunition. His father, according to Ave, “was very kind. He was what I would call a happy-go-lucky kind of guy. He was cool. Someone you could relate to. When we were younger, we could talk to him about almost anything. What I thought was normal was quite unconventional. At that time, my mom was the breadwinner. So, my dad was bringing us to school in the morning and picking us up in the afternoon.” But he was also working as a trader. He was juggling work and yet he was also raising his sons. “Well, he was practically watching over us,” Ave remembered. Just being there Being present to his children turned out to be a blessing, as “seeing him every afternoon, we made sure we would behave well, and not get into trouble. His presence was a deterrent to any of us getting into trouble or behaving foolishly. Because if we did, he would find out when he came to fetch us. Ave’s right at the gate of Colegio de San Agustin in Makati. It would have been different if we were not supervised.” As an added benefit to the family, he and his siblings grew closer as they came home together with their Dad in one car. On the other hand, just like most fathers, he had his list of don’ts. “Don’t do vices. No smoking, no drinking at a young age. And don’t give him any trouble. He made clear he did not like going to the principal’s office because any one of us needed to be disciplined.” Equally important to Ave’s father was family togetherness and awareness of their roots. “We spent a lot of time with our relatives. We had a lot of weekends at my grandfather’s, my father’s side, in Parañaque. We would all congregate there. And we also played a lot of table tennis growing up. Our games were for bonding, more than competing with one another. “He was the quintessential family man. He just enjoyed spending time with his family. He was very close to all his relatives, cousins, and second cousins. His friendship even extended to the neighbors of his cousins.” Go to guy Sharing his time and his listening ears was his idea of giving. “Dad was not too big on gifts. He showed he cared through service, or being there when you needed him. So, if you needed anything or you were in a situation, he was the person to call,” although he does not recall “having to call him at any point. But I knew that if I had to, he would have answered. He was very reliable.” And if there was one oddity about him, Ave pointed to his being a cockfighting aficionado. “As a kid, I would join him and my uncles and the rest of his relatives when they went to the cockpit in our home province, Mauban. In Parañaque, there would be cockfights right in our backyard. Our uncles would arrive with their fighting cocks.” What I thought was normal was quite unconventional. At that time, my mom was the breadwinner. So, my dad was bringing us to school in the morning and picking us up in the afternoon. If it was clean fun tinged with occasional rowdiness and incessant ribbing, Ave early on realized “it is a gentleman’s game. But for me, what I learned about cockfighting is that you have to raise the fighting cocks, you have to raise the chickens. I remember that when I was growing up, we had to help raise and take care of the chickens. I would help feed them like they were athletes. Their food was measured. It could not be more and it could not be less.” Ave was the middle child. “We had two batches,” he explained. “My two older brothers were 7 and 5 years ahead of us. And then myself and another brother. We were two years apart. My parents raised the first batch and then they raised us, the second batch, I believe they raised us well.” The post Father’s golden legacy appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Chona Mejia Lopez: tireless club woman
I recently interviewed Angelina “Chona” Lopez, a dear friend whose daughter, Bettina Osmeña, is as much a dear friend of mine, and the grandmother of, yes, another chum, Eduardo Lopez, a champion polo player. I have had the opportunity to see Chona on many social occasions, a number having to do with her involvement in the Zonta International. A long time ago, I worked for a club woman who was hosting the awarding ceremonies of the Best Asian Leaders. At one point of the program, I realized that the person assigned to give the flowers to the honoree had not arrived, so I was in a quandary as to who I should ask to do the honors. Then, I saw Chona, who sat quietly in one corner, happy being part of the audience, and asked her if she would go up the stage later to hand over the bouquet. She smiled and said that she couldn’t do it because “I may be performing a role that is intended for someone else.” I had no time to think of her answer but, later, I realized this was one lady who knew her manners and protocol. In what I would learn as her typically gracious way, she told me she could not do it, while reminding me that someone should be up there on the stage, and not she. Talk about propriety and grace and Chona Mejia Lopez comes to my mind to this day. Of course, here is one lady who does not care about any opportunity to shine. Almost self-effacing but simply relaxed and unmindful of attention, Chona remains in my book to be one of the sweetest ladies of Manila’s 400. I wish there were more women like her! Networking Recently, I had a brief tete-a-tete with the ageless Chona. As our conversation geared toward her involvement in civic work, I asked her why she joined Zonta, originally a club for professional women. Or, for that matter, why did she join clubs at all? Her response: “I join clubs for various reasons. As a minority Asian woman working in the United States as a financial advisor at Prudential Bache, I joined the Filipino-American Chamber of Commerce of San Francisco as a way of networking. Prudential Bache was then the third largest investment house in the world. After a few years as a member of the chamber, I was elected as the first woman president in the 20-year history of the chamber. Its membership was made up of top executives of US companies with presence in the Philippines, such as Bechtel, Bank of American, Citibank, Dole Foods, etc., and Filipinos working in top level positions in San Francisco. “But business networking is just one aspect of joining clubs. I also join as a way of giving back to society or serving the less fortunate. While living in San Francisco, California, I joined The Little Jim Club, a non-profit fund-raising auxiliary for Child Development Services of the California Pacific Medical Center. The main objective of the club is to support orthopedic and other medical services for children of indigent families who do not have medical insurance coverage. Eventually, I became a director of the club, whose members are women movers and shakers of San Francisco society.” 'I do club work to have a meaningful life, a purpose for my existence. We are here not just to indulge ourselves but to help others.' “When I returned to the Philippines after 11 years living in California, I joined the Zonta Club of Makati and Environs Foundation. It is part of Zonta International, a leading global organization of professionals whose main objective is to advocate for women’s rights and to empower women worldwide through service and advocacy. After two years of joining the club, I was elected as a director, and the following biennium, I became president of the club. I was later on elected as Area 5 director, with 19 clubs under my supervision. I have been a member for 19 years now.” Scholarship She next talked about the Zonta projects that she is so passionate about. She said, “The three projects of Zonta Club of Makati and Environs that are closest to my heart are the DUYAN project in Marillac Hills, which provides psychological care and assistance to minors who are victims of sexual abuse. Another project is our 30 unit Zonta-GK Village in Taguig, It provided funds for building homes for 30 indigent families. This was a project during my term as president of our club. The pride of having a decent home has had great impact on the lives of these 30 families. We also have an educational project that funds the scholarship of young women taking up male-dominated courses like engineering. This has greatly improved the lives of the scholars and their families when after graduation, they got employed in large corporations. Some are now gainfully employed in Europe.” While club work occupies much of her time, Chona knows her priorities. In their order, she said: “These are family, business and club work.” That she has kept to the last instead of enjoying life as a lady of leisure, she explained, “I do club work to have a meaningful life, a purpose for my existence. We are here not just to indulge ourselves but to help others. By joining a club, your job or position has clear-cut responsibilities, time set aside for meetings and project work, etc. It is a structured way of giving back to society which relieves me of the effort of thinking and planning how to do so.” “Because I am now in my rather late senior years, I am no longer as active and as busy as I have been the past 30 years. For the past five biennia, I was always appointed as chair of a district committee. I now devote my time more for the club, not in the district level anymore. Even in the club level, we have so many younger, active, dynamic and very efficient members so the older ones can relax a bit and guide the highly motivated younger ones to take over the reins of the club. The club is truly in good hands to continue Zonta’s work and mission in the next 10 years and beyond.” The post Chona Mejia Lopez: tireless club woman appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Swiss welcome offers sweet respite
Welcome to “The Suite Life,” which explores the world of hotels in and out of the Philippines. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or a curious novice, I hope this column helps guide you to what hotels in the Philippines and beyond have to offer. From the bustling cityscape of Manila to the tranquil beaches of Boracay, it’s a journey through the best hotels, resorts and villas in the country and beyond to discover the most exciting and exotic hotels in the world. Pack your bags and join me on this exciting adventure as I share the hidden gems and ultimate destinations for your next getaway. Our first hotel for this month is the Swissötel Clark in Pampanga. [caption id="attachment_148661" align="aligncenter" width="525"] PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF Swissötel Clark | Swissötel Clark Pampanga.[/caption] Cheese and chocolate, watches and private banks — if there’s any country defined by these words, it’s Switzerland. Renowned for its punctuality and precision, the country is very well-known for its high-end horology. If you want to know how deep this characteristic runs within the country, Switzerland’s national hero, William Tell, is more famous for shooting an apple off his son’s head than his defense of Switzerland from many a tyrant. Such precision is what Tell and Switzerland are known for, and it’s this exact value that the Swiss carry into hospitality. [caption id="attachment_148662" align="aligncenter" width="525"] THE atrium.[/caption] Apart from what the history books will say about Switzerland, it’s also a place I’ve gotten to know up close. I lived in Neuchatel when my husband was taking his post-grad degree and got to imbibe in its culture and way of life, day in and out. It’s always in the details. These may seem minute or effortless, but they always add a thoughtful layer to the whole experience. Such touches abound at Swissötel Clark, and it definitely reminded me of the Swiss approach to doing things. The welcome: Located in the Clark Freeport Zone, I was surprised to find the hotel packed and buzzing. The lobby café was full, leaving no seats available, and the bright, bustling lobby was filled with people waiting — either for loved ones or colleagues — to be taken in by Swiss hospitality or having just finished a relaxing stay. The lobby was a walk away from the casino, leaving the vibrant lobby to shine all on its own. The room: Rooms and suites at Swissötel Clark welcome you with floor-to-ceiling views of the city or the mountains, flooding the room with natural light. A medley of creams, grays and browns, coupled with a king-size bed and Posturepedic mattress, high-speed Wi-Fi, cable and satellite TV channels, and USB charging stations provide a great sense of comfort for anyone looking to relax. The bathroom continues this philosophy with marble furnishings, a rain shower, and a soaking tub. Anyone looking for a more luxurious experience can upgrade to a Swiss Executive Lounge access suite with complimentary breakfast and refreshments. [caption id="attachment_148664" align="aligncenter" width="525"] PREMIUM room with king size bed.[/caption] The restaurants: I wasn’t able to try the breakfast because my alarm didn’t go off that morning, but I was able to try meals at Swissötel Clark’s two restaurants. Markt is their all-day dining buffet with incredible food. Initially conceived as an a la carte offering for diners to choose from, every station offers the full package with mains at every section, making them all stars in their own right. The hotel also has a permanent place on the menu for classic Swiss dishes like älplermagronen (Swiss macaroni and cheese with applesauce) and Zurich-style veal with mushrooms. [caption id="attachment_148663" align="aligncenter" width="525"] NASI, a contemporary restaurant that specializes in Filipino cuisine.[/caption] Ristorante Di Verona, on the other hand, is easily one of the best places to try modern and authentic Italian cuisine without leaving the country. With large, luxurious windows and al fresco seating, their spacious halls are filled with soothing Italian music and the noise of happy diners. They offer a fine selection of aperitifs, over 300 wines sourced from various regions of Europe, digestivos, and other Italian favorites, as well as their famous balsamico de Modena 25 anni 550, delightfully paired with Italian bread. Unique touches to the hotel: Details like the collar brooch and the shoe buckle of the doorman did not go unnoticed. The doorman is the first to greet visitors and serve as the best representation of the Swiss tradition of service. Their gear resembles the Appenzell costume designed by Ida Gout and the delicate brooch designed by goldsmith Sebastian Fassler shows a lot of care and thought for the kind of service they want to bring. The hotel itself also makes use of Appenzell design, the town famous for its mountain range. One must also have the Swissötel traditional cake with its notable ingredient of ground hazelnuts. Experiential for all senses that pull focus on their attention to what matters. The Spa: Swissötel Clark will launch their spa and Vitality suites soon. Every one of their six private suites will have its own gym equipment for guests to enjoy their fitness regimens in private. Swiss mindfulness podcasts, the Vitality kit, wellness treatments, and menus round out the entire experience for a great session. Outside, on the other hand, lets guests exercise with fresh air on bike and jogging paths as part of the hotel’s promotion of a healthy environment. I’m hearing that one of the managers hails from a 5-star hotel in Mandaluyong with a very good spa, who is also a professional therapist with a good grasp of wellness and treatments — a lot of which they can do themselves, so consider my expectations high. [caption id="attachment_148665" align="aligncenter" width="525"] VITALITY suite[/caption] Great food, comfortable rooms and fresh air for all — they did not miss a beat when it came to bringing Swiss hospitality to the country, even down to the finest details. Taking a trip up north to Pampanga is a great way to retreat from the city for a bit, made even better if you’re staying at Swissötel Clark. The post Swiss welcome offers sweet respite appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Zubiri signs enrolled Maharlika Investment Fund bill
Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri on Wednesday signed the controversial Maharlika Investment Fund bill in Washington, D.C., a crucial requirement before the Senate transmits it to Malacañang for President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s approval. Zubiri, who is currently in the United States for an official trip, signed the enrolled copy of the bill at the Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C. Senate Secretary Renato Bantug personally flew to the United States to get the Senate chief’s signature. Aside from the MIF bill, Bantug also brought with him two enrolled measures such as the Estate Tax Amnesty Extension Act and the Act recognizing Baler, Aurora, as the birthplace of Philippine Surfing. “The Maharlika bill is a priority measure, and the Estate Tax Amnesty Extension is very time-sensitive. Many people are waiting for these bills. Fortunately, the enrolled copies were already prepared by the time Secretary Bantug was set to join us in Washington,” Zubiri said in a statement. “So he was able to bring them along with him, instead of letting them sit in the Senate waiting for my return, and I was able to sign them on Philippine soil, here in the embassy,” he added. He clarified that Bantug was supposed to be part of the Senate delegation and “only brought the enrolled bills with him.” Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez, and Senator Francis Tolentino, who are part of the working visit, witnessed the signing. According to Zubiri, the Estate Tax Amnesty Extension Act is set to be sent to Malacañang for the signature of the President, while the Maharlika Investment Fund Act is set to be sent to the House of Representatives for the signature of the Speaker. “We have a few more days of meetings here in Washington, but with these enrolled bills already signed, we can send them out straightaway upon our return,” he said. The Senate chief refused to answer questions about how the chamber addressed the different terms and prescriptive periods found in Sections 50 and 51 of the MIF bill. He, however, noted that “the corrections were thoroughly discussed by the majority bloc in our Viber group, including the letter of correction sent by Senator Mark Villar.” In the approved version of the MIF bill, Section 50 prescribes a 10-year period for the prosecution of crimes and offenses, while Section 51 provides a 20-year period. The post Zubiri signs enrolled Maharlika Investment Fund bill appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
NATO begins unprecedented air drill in ‘show of strength’
NATO will begin the largest air force deployment exercise in Europe in the alliance's history on Monday in a display of unity toward partners and potential threats such as Russia. The German-led "Air Defender 23" will run until 23 June and include some 250 military aircraft from 25 NATO and partner countries including Japan and Sweden, which is bidding to join the alliance. Up to 10,000 people will participate in the drills intended to boost interoperability and preparedness to protect against drones and cruise missiles in the case of an attack on cities, airports or sea ports within NATO territory. Presenting the plans last week, Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz of the German Luftwaffe said "Air Defender" was conceived in 2018 in part as a response to the Russian annexation of Crimea from Ukraine four years before, though he said it was "not targeted at anyone". He said that while NATO would defend "every centimeter" of its territory, the exercise would not "send any flights, for example, in the direction of Kaliningrad," the Russian enclave bordering alliance member states Poland and Lithuania. "We are a defensive alliance and that is how this exercise is planned," he said. US Ambassador to Germany Amy Gutmann said the drill would show "beyond a shadow of a doubt the agility and the swiftness of our allied force" and was intended to send a message to countries including Russia. "I would be pretty surprised if any world leader was not taking note of what this shows in terms of the spirit of this alliance, which means the strength of this alliance, and that includes Mr. Putin," she told reporters, referring to the Russian president. "By synchronizing together, we multiply our force." Russia's war on Ukraine has galvanized the Western military alliance set up almost 75 years ago to face off against the Soviet Union. Finland and Sweden, which long kept an official veneer of neutrality to avoid conflict with Moscow, both sought membership in NATO after Russia's February 2022 invasion. Under NATO's Article Five, an attack on one member is considered an attack on all. 'Great power competition' The exercise will include operational and tactical-level training, primarily in Germany, but also in the Czech Republic, Estonia and Latvia. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will visit pilots based at the Schleswig-Jagel airfield in northern Germany on Friday. General Michael Loh, director of the US Air National Guard, said NATO's duties were at an "inflection point". "A great deal has changed on the strategic landscape throughout the world, especially here in Europe," he said. The exercise will focus on "supplementing the permanent United States presence in Europe" as well as providing training "on a larger scale than what was usually accomplished on the continent", Loh added. He said many of the alliance pilots would be working together for the first time. "It's about fostering the old relationships that we have but also building new ones with this younger generation of airmen," he said. "And so this is about now establishing what it means to go against a great power in a great power competition." Gutmann said that while there were no plans to make "Air Defender" a recurring exercise, she added: "We have no desire for this to be the last." Asked about potential disruption to civilian air transport during the exercise, Gerhartz said the planners would do "everything in our power" to limit flight delays or cancellations. German authorities had warned that flight schedules could be impacted by the drills. The post NATO begins unprecedented air drill in ‘show of strength’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Convention showcases digital tools for sari-sari store owners
A three-day convention will offer sari-sari store owners the opportunity to utilize digital tools in pursuing business transformation. Puregold’s 15th Tindahan ni Aling Puring Sari-Sari Store Convention 2023 on 18, 19, and 20 May, to be held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, will feature resource persons from TikTok and Globe. This year’s theme, “Sari-Saring Saya, Sari-Saring Benta,” celebrates the Tindahan Ni Aling Puring (TNAP) program’s diverse membership of small and medium-scale business owners, including sari-sari store owners, bulk buyers, caterers, operators of karinderyas, canteens, bakeries, and online sellers. Through TNAP, these entrepreneurs enjoy negosyo promotions and discounts when purchasing from Puregold and perks and privileges that help them grow and expand their businesses. An example is the recently introduced cashback rewards program that allows members to earn cashback points with a lesser purchase requirement. At the upcoming convention, TNAP members naturally can expect to be treated to value-for-money deals and instant freebies. Aside from this, they may also engage with some of the country’s brightest business minds and join the free seminars that will be held at the event. Invited speakers are Chinkee Tan, author of best-selling books on money and business; Pocholo Gonzales, motivational speaker on leadership and entrepreneurial mindset; and Rose Fres Fausto, writer, and lecturer on financial literacy. Resource persons from TikTok and Globe will also offer helpful tips to Aling Puring members who utilize digital tools in pursuing business transformation. For Vincent Co, President of Puregold Price Club Inc., such benefits work both ways. “Puregold looks forward to the next twenty-five years with all the hard-working sari-sari store and business owners who are part of the Aling Puring program,” he said. “We will continue to engage much of our company’s efforts in consistently improving customer experience, whether through our consistent offers of discounts or innovations like the Puregold Mobile and Aling Puring app.” Exciting opportunities for business growth await participants at the Tindahan ni Aling Puring Sari-Sari Store Convention 2023. While Co enjoins all members to attend, an estimated 30,000 Aling Puring members are expected to be at the festive event. The post Convention showcases digital tools for sari-sari store owners appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Dismissal due to pregnancy
Dear Atty. Maan, I was recently employed by an airline as a flight attendant and am set to be married next year. I’m wondering that if I become pregnant while working, could that lead to my termination? Hope you can enlighten me on this matter. Thank you. Yna ***** Dear Yna, The answer is no: It is illegal and unlawful to terminate the employment of any woman solely by reason of marriage or pregnancy. Article 135 of the Labor Code provides: “It shall be unlawful for any employer: To deny any woman employee the benefits provided for in this Chapter or to discharge any woman employed by him for the purpose of preventing her from enjoying any of the benefits provided under this Code; to discharge such woman on account of her pregnancy, or while on leave or in confinement due to her pregnancy; to discharge or refuse the admission of such woman upon returning to her work for fear that she may again be pregnant.” In fact, there are many Supreme Court decisions declaring illegal the termination of women who got married and those who got pregnant. In one of the cases, the Supreme Court ruled: “While pregnancy does present physical limitations that may render difficult the performance of functions associated with being a flight attendant, it would nevertheless be the height of iniquity to view pregnancy as a disability so permanent and immutable that, it must entail the termination of one’s employment. It is clear that any individual, regardless of gender, may be subject to exigencies that limit the performance of functions, but pregnancy could not be such an impairing occurrence that it leaves no other recourse but the complete termination of the means through which a woman earns a living (Saudi Arabian Airlines v. Rebesencio et al., G.R. 198587, 14 January 2015).” I hope to have enlightened you regarding this matter. Atty. Mary Antonnette Baudi The post Dismissal due to pregnancy appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
My Alphabet Bucket List
There’s this cool improv game called ABC Soap, and it’s basically running a scene where the players ask for a long word prompt, then use the letters of that word to start the sentences of their scene with. This is a derivative of the original Alphabet Game, which uses the letter sequence of the alphabet to play a scene. I wanna make this piece fun by combining my topic of bucket list and the Alphabet Game. I’ll try to be as “improvisational” about it as I can, in the spirit of the game — so I won’t overthink, and also not over-explain, just write what’s top of mind and top of heart. Let’s see what comes up! A — Adventures, because life is a daring adventure or nothing, and I intend to be on the lookout for unusual and exciting things that appeal greatly to me and just go for it! B — Broadway, because I love theater, especially musical theater, and want to experience watching the best productions in the Great White Way. And Breakthroughs, which means growth! C — Coaching career that’s thriving, because it’s my spiritual career, and my social entrepreneurship vehicle of choice. D — Dogs, which everyone knows I love, and I intend to always have a couple of furbabies in my life. And Drum lessons, because I’m a self-taught drummer, and would love to get better at it. [caption id="attachment_134224" align="aligncenter" width="525"] PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF pexels/bluebird | I INTEND to have a couple of furbabies in my life.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_134224" align="aligncenter" width="525"] PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF pexels/bluebird | I INTEND to have a couple of furbabies in my life.[/caption] E — Event for top coaches and other helping professionals, a dream project that I will put together, hopefully sooner rather than later. F — Flower garden, because I love flowers, and I wanna have a flower garden in my terrace, or in a future bigger house with space for an honest-to-goodness garden. G — Go-with-the-flow, because this is my mantra of choice, and something I want to imbibe as a habit. H — Heartwarming stuff, like conversations, books, films, experiences, which I intend to fill my life with. I — Improv, which is my past-time of choice—both performing and watching, and I would like to develop an Applied Improv workshop for coaches. J — Jive dance, which suits my personality, and I want to learn it while I can still skip and bounce around as the dance requires. K — Keepsakes, which I wish to gift my dearest and closest with; the goal is to give them something I own and value that suits them to a tee. L — Lightworker, which is a mission I’m working on to embody. M — Mommy’s 80th birthday celebration this year, which is something I want to organize and surprise her with (so ssssshhh). N — Nature trips, because we have a gorgeous planet, in spite of everything, and there’s still so much I have to discover and feast my senses on the world over. O — Oracle card deck, because this is another dream project of mine, and I want to create an inspired deck for my coaching Signature Program. P — Podcast, also a dream project, and something a number of friends have suggested I do; what a treat it would be to have animated conversations with people I admire and immortalize these exchanges in a podcast. [caption id="attachment_134225" align="aligncenter" width="525"] PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF UNSPLASH/COTTONBRO | DOING podcasts is a dream project of mine.[/caption] Q — Queenlike, which is my chosen way of being, plus basically the heart of my signature Dating Queen Program. R — Retreat space, because I would love to have my own perfect place to hold coaching retreats and workshops in. S — Self-love and self-care, which need to be constant, because we are worth it, and love is our birthright. T — Team for my coaching practice, one that’s after my own heart. And True love, because #goals! U — Uplifting stuff, which includes my column, a second (maybe even a third) book when the time is right, and a dream foundation—all for sharing blessings and giving back. V — Vacations, because I will always be work-play balanced, and travelling rocks. W — Women’s Circle, yet another dream project, run by myself and other like-minded women trainers. X -- Xmas traditions, because Christmas is love, family, and all things warm and cheery, and it’s never too late to create new traditions. Y — Youthfulness, because age is just a number, and I intend to remain young at heart. Z — Zeitgeist-inspired coaching practice, because I aim to always meet real needs that bring forth timely transformations. So this is how the rest of my life will look like if it were up to me. And no, it doesn’t have to happen in alphabetical order. Care to make your own Alphabet Bucket List? The post My Alphabet Bucket List appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Immigration sounds trafficking alarm
The Bureau of Immigration on Saturday warned traffickers not to exploit international events to exploit trafficking victims. BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said that events such as sports and gaming competitions, as well as musical concerts may be used by traffickers to attempt to circumvent strict departure formalities. Tansingco added that in the past, the bureau has recorded victims who claimed they were set to join beauty pageants and shows, only to find out that they were being trafficked abroad. This reminder comes after a letter from the Department of Justice to the Philippine Sports Commission requesting that the latter provide adequate warning to athletes, supporters, and attendees of the Southeast Asian games of the risks of trafficking in Cambodia. The DoJ likewise requested that the PSC issue official endorsements that would aid immigration officers in establishing spectators’ declared purpose of travel and in identifying potentially trafficked or illegally recruited persons. The SEA Games are currently being held in Cambodia from 5 to 17 May. It can be recalled that the BI sounded the alarm on the increase of trafficked Filipinos in Cambodia due to a cryptocurrency and call center scam targeting young urban professionals. The BI chief assured the DoJ that they would continuously monitor all departing passengers and that those who would be traveling for legitimate purposes had no need to worry. They are sending a warning to illegal recruiters not to abuse international events, as the Bureau remains on the lookout to prevent victims from being trafficked. Meanwhile, at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, 10 female sex workers were rescued from trafficking abroad. According to the report of BI officials at NAIA Terminal 3, the 10 Filipinos were rescued when they attempted to depart illegally for Singapore as sex workers. Commissioner Tansingco shared that the 10 females, all aged 20 to early 30s, were intercepted on Friday afternoon (5 May) after attempting to board their flight via Cebu Pacific bound for Singapore. Tansingco said that earlier this month, they received information from the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking that these women were being trafficked abroad and were recruited as entertainers but would end up as sex workers. Upon receiving the information, he immediately ordered them to include the said group in their monitoring records to be able to intercept them. The BI chief added that after including the information from IACAT on their records, his office also received information from the Office of Senator Risa Hontiveros on the women, further validating their doubts about their actual purpose of travel. During the secondary inspection, the intercepted women claimed that they were traveling as tourists with friends. However, closer inspection of their records revealed valid working permits as entertainers in Singapore. According to the 10 victims, they were allegedly recruited separately online through Facebook Messenger to work at a pub in Singapore. They were offered a salary of P40,000 per month, with deductions for their travel expenses for six months. Tansingco also said that this is a clear example of debt bondage, a tactic in trafficking wherein victims are made to pay the expenses for the recruitment. These expenses pile up, and they end up being forced to work to pay their debt. The Bureau then hailed the role of coordination among different government agencies in the interception. A multi-agency approach is needed in the fight against trafficking. Coordination with government agencies in gathering information and intercepting trafficking victims is necessary for us to be able to stop this illegal activity. All 10 victims were turned over to the IACAT for assistance in filing cases against their recruiters. The post Immigration sounds trafficking alarm appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
US presidential hopeful DeSantis kicks off tour in Japan
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis praised Japan's push to bolster its defences as he kicked off an international tour in Tokyo on Monday before a possible presidential run. The Republican is widely expected to seek the presidential nomination next year, and his trip to Japan, South Korea, Israel and Britain is seen as a bid to burnish his diplomatic and security credentials. "We very much applaud your efforts to bolster your defences," DeSantis told Prime Minister Fumio Kishida before talks, referring to Tokyo's decision to overhaul security strategy and boost defence spending. "We understand it's a tough neighborhood out here with North Korea and the rise of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party)," DeSantis added. "We really believe that a strong Japan is good for America and a strong America is good for Japan. So we commend you on that, and we hope that our country is there with you every step of the way." The tour is officially billed as an effort to build business opportunities for Florida, and DeSantis touted his state's economic appeal. "We've noticed we're the biggest market in the United States that doesn't have a direct flight to Japan," he told Kishida, saying he hoped to meet with airlines to "try to do something about it". Japan relies on Washington for defence, and its leaders will be watching next year's presidential race closely, eager to ensure ties remain strong regardless of who enters the White House. Kishida told DeSantis, who is travelling with his wife, that he hoped the visit would help "deepen the understanding of Japanese politics, economy and culture". The Florida governor played to his audience by congratulating Kishida on the country's victory in last month's World Baseball Classic, led by national hero Shohei Ohtani. "I wish we had Ohtani, but that's just the way things go," the governor said. DeSantis will have a working dinner later Monday with Japan's Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, before continuing on to Seoul. The post US presidential hopeful DeSantis kicks off tour in Japan appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Del Rosario’s wake open to public
The public may now pay their last respects to Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario whose remains arrived in the country on Saturday as the late diplomat’s family opened the public visitation for his wake on Sunday. Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas blessed the casket of Del Rosario on the first day of his wake at the Santuario de San Antonio in Forbes Park, Makati City. Among those who first visited the wake of Del Rosario were former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales and retired Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio — both convenors of the 1Sambayan, a broad coalition that attempted to form a united opposition for the May 2022 poll. Del Rosario was one of the convenors of the coalition. Meantime, Dr. Inge del Rosario, daughter of the former Secretary of Foreign Affairs, said that his father’s remains arrived in the country from the United States at around 5:30 a.m. on Saturday. “A patriot has returned to his beloved family and his home, the Philippines,” the family’s statement read. Inge confirmed that his father “breathed his last” at the age of 83 on Tuesday, 18 April, while en route to San Francisco with his wife and son-in-law. “While there were valiant attempts to resuscitate him by two doctors who were passengers on the same flight, these efforts were to no avail,” the family said. “Following an investigation by the coroner’s office in San Francisco, California, it was determined that the causes of death of Ambassador del Rosario were cardiac insufficiency, congestive heart failure, and cardiomyopathy. He had suffered a massive heart attack,” it added. According to the family, Del Rosario “died in the arms of his wife of more than 60 years, Gretchen.” The family disclosed that Del Rosario embarked on a trip to California on short notice in hopes to pray at a private devotion to our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. “He was a devotee of the Rosary and sought to pray for better health as he believed he continued to have a mission to fulfill for his country,” they revealed. “He had suffered over the past twenty years from various ailments and had had numerous back and knee surgeries but persevered despite the pain and suffering to serve as Philippine ambassador to the United States and Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs.” Del Rosario stepped down from his post as secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs in 2016, citing health issues. Del Rosario took the helm of the DFA chief for five years. During his stint, he ushered the Philippines’ case against China before the Permanent Court of Arbitration and challenged the latter’s historic nine-dash claim in the South China Sea. On 12 July 2016, The Hague-based arbitral tribunal favored the Philippines’ claims in the West Philippine Sea — a landmark decision that the People’s Republic of China continues to reject. Del Rosario’s family is asking the Filipino people to “pray for the peaceful repose of his soul and for consolation in our time of grief.” “We are deeply proud of our former Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Albert F. del Rosario, and are grateful for the outpouring of support for the family. Our Papa, a loving husband, father and grandfather, a Patriot, has returned home to our Merciful God and rests now in the arms of our Blessed Mother. He is home to stay,” his family said. The post Del Rosario’s wake open to public appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
New breed of golfers back Highlands Ladies
A roster of mother-daughter tandems will be on hand when the Highlands Ladies Cup fires off on Saturday at Tagaytay Midlands and Lucky 9 courses, not as competitors but as part of the workforce helping guarantee the successful conduct of the posh club’s flagship tournament. These pairs actually make up the Tagaytay Ladies team, which has produced such winning twosomes since the squad was formed 18 years ago. The list includes Marixi Prieto and Sandy Prieto-Romualdez and dermatologist Lilibeth de Villa’s daughters Linnel, Debbie and Angela. They anchored Highlands’ title runs in the Women’s Golf Association of the Philippines circuit, WGAP Cup and Ladies Federation Games. De Villa’s eldest daughter Lilet, businesswoman/artist Mathilda Sun and Jessalynn Tan’s respective daughters Kathleen and Patricia, who recently graduated from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, are all set to join one of the country’s winningest ladies golf squads. These pairs actually make up the Tagaytay Ladies team, which has produced such winning twosomes since the squad was formed 18 years ago. Sisters Chesca and Tara Imperial have mirrored their mother Farah’s golfing prowess, while cousin Kyla Laurel, who is also into college softball, is in the same league of this new breed of young women golfers ready to take center stage when the WGAP circuit and other club tournaments resume. Meanwhile, Belle Corp.’s Willy Ocier, Rosalind Wee of W Group of Companies, and Sandy Romualdez will hit the ceremonial drive on Saturday, kicking off the milestone 15th staging of the 18-hole fun but competitive tournament backed by Diamond sponsors W Group Inc., CWC Int’l. Corp., Agrikulture and Ocier. The Platinum patrons are CLC Marketing Ventures Corp., Parola Maritime Corp., Powerball Gaming, Miniso PH and SM Dept. Store, while the hole-in-One sponsors are Club Car, GAOC Dental, Cobra LTDx Golf (iron set), Regent Travel (barkadahan package for 4 in Dumaguete at Blue Ternate Dive and Wellness Resort, with round-trip tickets via PAL, and Lucerne, with Regent Travel and Moringa-02 as Gold backers. Making up the Silver sponsors list are Mercedes Benz, ComWorks, SM Development Corp., SM Prime Holdings, Kaiser Int’l. Health Group, Hotel Kimberly, Tagaytay, Olive Tree Corp. and Technogy. The Bronze sponsors are Wilcon, Asia Cargo Container Line Inc., Filhome Builders, Ayala Premiere, Orocan, Solid Grid Alternatives, Dae Jang Gum Shabu Shabu, Princess Katigbak, Mathilda Sun, Faye Celones, GOLFx Performance Center, Petron Fuel eCard, Asia Brewery, MANGO, Santi’s Deli, Boysen, Pond’s, Kojiesan, Bellevue Hotels & Resorts, Capital Products, Anika Island Resorts, Champion, Deka Chocolates, KLIO Products, Caraderme Clinic, Gina, Marie France, Contempo Designs and GW Clubshares, while Red Ribbon, Cafe de Lipa, KopiRoti are the event’s donors. The post New breed of golfers back Highlands Ladies appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»