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Sarah Geronimo named 1st Woman of the Year at Billboard Philippines Women of Music awards
Sarah Geronimo made history yet again on Friday night as she was named the first Woman of the Year at the first-ever Billboard Philippines Women in Music awards held in Samsung Hall in SM Aura Premier, Taguig City. .....»»
Ma-inspire, maantig ang puso sa pelikulang ‘White Bird: A Wonder Story’
NAAALALA niyo pa ba ang 2017 hit movie na “Wonder?” Makalipas ang pitong taon, mayroon na itong follow-up movie na pinamagatang “White Bird: A Wonder Story” na eksklusibong mapapanood sa Ayala Malls Cinemas. Ang bagong pelikula ay base rin sa nobela na isinulat ni RJ Palacio na author din ng “Wonder.” Inspiring at talaga namang.....»»
Narcolepsy, cancer tipped as Medicine Prize opens Nobel week
Narcolepsy, cancer, or mRNA vaccine research could win the Nobel Medicine Prize on Monday when a week of announcements kicks off, but experts see no clear frontrunner for the Peace Prize. The awards, first handed out in 1901, were created by Swedish inventor and philanthropist Alfred Nobel in his 1895 will to celebrate those who have "conferred the greatest benefit on mankind." The Medicine Prize is first out and will be announced in Stockholm on Monday around 11:30 a.m. (0930 GMT), followed by the awards for physics on Tuesday, chemistry on Wednesday, and literature on Thursday. The Peace Prize, the most highly-anticipated Nobel and the only one announced in Oslo, will follow on Friday, before the Economics Prize rounds things off on October 9. The Medicine Prize has over the years crowned groundbreaking discoveries like the X-ray, penicillin, insulin, and DNA -- as well as now-disgraced awards for lobotomy and the insecticide DDT. Several Nobel watchers have suggested this year's prize could go to research into narcolepsy and the discovery of orexin, a neuropeptide that helps regulate sleep. It could also go to Hungarian-born Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman of the United States for research that led directly to the first mRNA vaccines to fight COVID-19, made by Pfizer and Moderna. Their discovery has already won a slew of major medicine prizes, but the Nobel committee nowadays often waits decades to bestow its laurels to ensure the research stands the test of time. "Maybe the Academy thinks it needs to look into it more, but someday they should win," predicted Annika Ostman, science reporter at Swedish public radio SR. Gene engineering and IceCube telescope But Ostman said her guess for this year was on Kevan Shokat, an American biologist who figured out how to block the KRAS cancer gene behind a third of cancers, including challenging-to-treat lung, colon, and pancreatic tumors. T-cell therapy for cancer treatment and work on the human microbiome could also be contenders, said David Pendlebury, head of the Clarivate Analytics group which identifies Nobel-worthy research. "There are more people deserving of a Nobel Prize than there are Nobels to go around," he told AFP. Lars Brostrom, Ostman's colleague at SR, singled out two American biologists, Stanislas Leibler, and Michael Elowitz, for their work on synthetic gene circuits which established the field of synthetic biology. It enables scientists to redesign organisms by engineering them to have new abilities. But Brostrom noted the field could be seen as controversial, raising "ethical questions about where to draw the line in creating life". For the Physics Prize, twisted graphene or the IceCube Neutrino Observatory in Antarctica were seen as possible winners, as well as the development of high-density data storage in the field of spintronics. Peace Prize to Iranian women? For Wednesday's Chemistry Prize, Pendlebury suggested next-generation DNA sequencing could get the nod, or research into how to target and deliver drugs to genes. Brostrom said he would love to see it go to US-based chemist Omar Yaghi for his work into porous materials known as MOFs, which can absorb poisonous gases or harvest water from desert air, and is an "important field for the future" with enormous potential for the environment. Criticism over a lack of gender and geographical diversity has plagued the Nobels over the years. US-based men have dominated the science fields, while women account for just six percent of overall laureates -- something the various award committees insist they are addressing. Among the names making the rounds for Thursday's Literature Prize are Russian author and outspoken Putin critic Lyudmila Ulitskaya, Chinese avant-garde writer Can Xue, British author Salman Rushdie, Caribbean-American writer Jamaica Kincaid and Norwegian playwright Jon Fosse. But for the Peace Prize, experts have been scratching their heads over possible winners, as conflicts rage around the globe. Some have pointed to the Iranian women protesting since the death in custody a year ago of Mahsa Amini, arrested for violating Iran's strict dress code imposed on women. Others suggest organizations documenting war crimes in Ukraine, or the International Criminal Court, which could one day be called upon to judge them. "I think that climate change is a really good focus for the Peace Prize this year," Dan Smith, the head of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, told AFP after a year of extreme weather around the world. For the Economics Prize, research on income and wealth inequality could be honored. Recent winners of the Nobel Medicine Prize Here is a list of the winners of the Nobel Medicine Prize in the past 10 years: 2022: Swedish paleogeneticist Svante Paabo for his discoveries on the genomes of extinct hominins and human evolution. 2021: US duo David Julius and Ardem Patapoutian for discoveries on human receptors responsible for our ability to sense temperature and touch. 2020: Americans Harvey Alter and Charles Rice, together with Briton Michael Houghton, for the discovery of the Hepatitis C virus, leading to the development of sensitive blood tests and antiviral drugs. 2019: William Kaelin and Gregg Semenza of the US and Britain's Peter Ratcliffe for establishing the basis of our understanding of how cells react and adapt to different oxygen levels. 2018: Immunologists James Allison of the US and Tasuku Honjo of Japan, for figuring out how to release the immune system's brakes to allow it to attack cancer cells more efficiently. 2017: US geneticists Jeffrey Hall, Michael Rosbash, and Michael Young for their discoveries on the internal biological clock that governs the wake-sleep cycles of most living things. 2016: Yoshinori Ohsumi of Japan for his work on autophagy -- a process whereby cells "eat themselves" -- which when disrupted can cause Parkinson's and diabetes. 2015: William Campbell, an Irish-US citizen, Satoshi Omura of Japan, and Tu Youyou of China for unlocking treatments for malaria and roundworm. 2014: American-born Briton John O'Keefe, May-Britt Moser, and Edvard I. Moser of Norway for discovering how the brain navigates with an "inner GPS". 2013: Thomas C. Sudhof, a US citizen born in Germany, and James E. Rothman and Randy W. Schekman of the US for work on how the cell organizes its transport system. The post Narcolepsy, cancer tipped as Medicine Prize opens Nobel week appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Aboitiz Group bags triple Golden Arrow Awards
With a distinguished legacy spanning five generations, the Aboitiz Group remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering positive change in shaping the future as it adheres to the standards and requirements outlined in the ASEAN Corporate Governance Scorecard. This year, following the 2022 compliance period of the ACGS, Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. received a 4-arrow recognition after scoring 111.68 points, AEV’s highest ACGS score since the Institute of Corporate Directors inaugurated the Golden Arrow Awards in 2018. Aboitiz Power Corporation and Union Bank of the Philippines both received a 3-arrow recognition for scoring between 100 and 109 points. Consistent top performers It’s also important to note that AEV and AboitizPower have consistently been recognized as top performers in corporate governance, both here in the country and in the ASEAN region since 2013-2017 at the PSE Bell Awards. “This distinction is the result of the Aboitiz Group’s work to transform a legacy business into a hyper-innovative, diversified conglomerate that puts corporate governance and citizenship at the core of its operations. We have always believed that transparency and accountability are essential in building trust amongst our stakeholders and forging strong partnerships in order to drive change,” said Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar, Aboitiz Group’s chief reputation and sustainability officer. AEV, the portfolio management company of the Aboitiz Group, leads investments in diverse sectors including power, banking and financial services, food, infrastructure, land, and cutting-edge fields such as data science and artificial intelligence. The Group is presently undergoing a profound transformation to establish itself as the Philippines' first "techglomerate." This innovative growth strategy, fueled by technology and a renewed entrepreneurial mindset, empowers Aboitiz to drive transformative change, shaping the future of its businesses, host communities, and the nation. The Golden Arrow Recognition serves as a testament to Aboitiz Group's unwavering commitment to upholding the highest standards of corporate governance. Aboitiz has excelled in several key areas such as compliance, sustainability, and innovation — positioning it as a frontrunner in the realm of corporate governance. This honor reflects the Group's ongoing commitment to creating value for its shareholders, stakeholders, and the broader Filipino community. Robust policies Aboitiz Group’s robust policies and procedures across every level of the organization form the bedrock of its commitment to excellence in corporate governance. Furthermore, the company's board of directors is characterized by its independence and diversity, playing a pivotal role in providing oversight and making strategic decisions aligned with the best interests of shareholders and stakeholders. Aboitiz places great emphasis on transparency, providing clear and comprehensive information regarding its financial performance, operations, and decision-making processes to ensure that shareholders and the public remain well-informed. In terms of regulatory compliance, Aboitiz is dedicated to adhering to all relevant laws, regulations, and standards related to corporate governance. The company continuously updates its policies to ensure alignment with evolving requirements. When it comes to ethical business practices, the Group's commitment to ethical conduct and integrity remains unwavering. “This award reaffirms the team’s adherence to the shared responsibility of sustainably managing the organization. This further motivates us to champion the highest corporate governance and ethical standards as we continue to grow the business,” said AboitizPower president and chief executive officer Emmanuel Rubio. “Likewise, we also exert as much effort and diligence in upholding environmental preservation and the societal good within the areas we have the privilege to serve,” he said. Corporate governance For his part, UnionBank lead independent director Roberto Manabat said, “We humbly accept this recognition as a reinforcement of the principles that guide the Bank. Our corporate governance practices reinforce the requirements of a constantly evolving business landscape. We ensure that they comply with new regulations and are ready to adopt best practices.” Aboitiz is deeply committed to sustainability and corporate social responsibility initiatives. The post Aboitiz Group bags triple Golden Arrow Awards appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Aboitiz Group bags triple Golden Arrow Awards
With a distinguished legacy spanning five generations, the Aboitiz Group remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering positive change in shaping the future as it adheres to the standards and requirements outlined in the ASEAN Corporate Governance Scorecard. This year, following the 2022 compliance period of the ACGS, Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. received a 4-arrow recognition after scoring 111.68 points, AEV’s highest ACGS score since the Institute of Corporate Directors inaugurated the Golden Arrow Awards in 2018. Aboitiz Power Corporation and Union Bank of the Philippines both received a 3-arrow recognition for scoring between 100 and 109 points. AEV and AboitizPower have consistently been recognized as top performers in corporate governance, both here in the country and in the ASEAN region since 2013-2017 at the PSE Bell Awards. “This distinction is the result of the Aboitiz Group’s work to transform a legacy business into a hyper-innovative, diversified conglomerate that puts corporate governance and citizenship at the core of its operations. We have always believed that transparency and accountability are essential in building trust amongst our stakeholders and forging strong partnerships in order to drive change,” said Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar, Aboitiz Group’s chief reputation and sustainability officer. AEV, the portfolio management company of the Aboitiz Group, leads investments in diverse sectors including power, banking and financial services, food, infrastructure, land and cutting-edge fields such as data science and artificial intelligence. The Group is presently undergoing a profound transformation to establish itself as the Philippines' first "techglomerate." This innovative growth strategy, fueled by technology and a renewed entrepreneurial mindset, empowers Aboitiz to drive transformative change, shaping the future of its businesses, host communities and the nation. The Golden Arrow Recognition serves as a testament to Aboitiz Group's unwavering commitment to upholding the highest standards of corporate governance. Aboitiz has excelled in several key areas such as compliance, sustainability, and innovation – positioning it as a frontrunner in the realm of corporate governance. This honor reflects the Group's ongoing commitment to creating value for its shareholders, stakeholders, and the broader Filipino community. Aboitiz Group’s robust policies and procedures across every level of the organization form the bedrock of its commitment to excellence in corporate governance. Furthermore, the company's board of directors is characterized by its independence and diversity, playing a pivotal role in providing oversight and making strategic decisions aligned with the best interests of shareholders and stakeholders. Aboitiz places great emphasis on transparency, providing clear and comprehensive information regarding its financial performance, operations, and decision-making processes to ensure that shareholders and the public remain well-informed. In terms of regulatory compliance, Aboitiz is dedicated to adhering to all relevant laws, regulations, and standards related to corporate governance. The company continuously updates its policies to ensure alignment with evolving requirements. When it comes to ethical business practices, the Group's commitment to ethical conduct and integrity remains unwavering. The company adheres to a stringent code of conduct that guides the behavior of its employees, fostering an environment of trust and integrity. “This award reaffirms the team’s adherence to the shared responsibility of sustainably managing the organization. This further motivates us to champion the highest corporate governance and ethical standards as we continue to grow the business,” said AboitizPower president and chief executive officer Emmanuel Rubio. “Likewise, we also exert as much effort and diligence in upholding environmental preservation and the societal good within the areas we have the privilege to serve.” “We humbly accept this recognition as a reinforcement of the principles that guide the Bank. Our corporate governance practices reinforce the requirements of a constantly evolving business landscape. We ensure that they comply with new regulations and are ready to adopt best practices,” said UnionBank lead independent director Roberto Manabat. Aboitiz is deeply committed to sustainability and corporate social responsibility initiatives. The company actively pursues environmental and social responsibility, demonstrating its dedication to creating a positive impact on society and the environment. The post Aboitiz Group bags triple Golden Arrow Awards appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Mike Enriquez honored by PMAP with posthumous award
For his contributions to the industry as one of the country’s most trusted broadcast journalists, Miguel “Mike” Enriquez was posthumously conferred a Makatao Award for Media Excellence by the People Management Association of the Philippines. The award was personally received by his wife, Lizabeth “Baby” Enriquez, together with GMA Network first vice president for radio Glenn Allona and assistant vice president for GMA Integrated News John Ray Arrabe, during a ceremony held at GMA Network last 15 September. Presenting the award to Mrs. Enriquez were 2022 PMAP president and board of trustees for Media and Communications member Ellen Fullido; PMAP communication specialist and Makatao Awards for Media Excellence program lead Martin Alcantara; training head Richard Mamuyac; and HR Head Bernadette Tan. A five-time Makatao awardee and Hall of Famer, Enriquez was recognized by PMAP for his dedication to and enduring legacy in advancing public knowledge, as well as his promotion of sound people management in the country through his years of service as broadcaster. Enriquez was recognized as Best TV Male Newscaster at the 3rd Makatao Awards in 2013. He achieved back-to-back Best Radio News Anchor wins at the 6th and 7th Makatao Awards in 2017 and 2018. He then took home the Best Radio News Program Host award during the 8th and 10th Makatao Awards in 2018 and 2022. Enriquez. who passed away last 29 August at the age of 71, was the president of RGMA Network, Inc. and GMA Network's senior vice president and consultant for Radio Operations. He anchored DZBB's “Super Balita sa Umaga” and “Saksi sa Dobol B." He was one of the anchors of GMA's flagship newscast “24 Oras” and of the late-night newscast “Saksi.” He also hosted the long-running public affairs program “Imbestigador.” Several Kapuso news personalities and shows were also recognized at PMAP’s 11th Makatao Awards held last 30 August. State of the Nation anchor Atom Araullo won Best TV News Program Host, while GMA Integrated News Digital Strategy and Innovation Lab's online newscast Stand for Truth was named the Best Online Broadcast for its "Emergency Landing" episode. In the radio category, the tandem of Arnold Clavio and Connie Sison were recognized as Best Radio Public Affairs Program while “Dobol Weng sa Dobol B” was named Best Radio Public Affairs Program. Joey Reyes Zobel and Melo Del Prado completed the awards by winning Best News Program Hosts. For more stories about the Kapuso Network, visit www.GMANetwork.com. The post Mike Enriquez honored by PMAP with posthumous award appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Rama, Hari’ gala is a cultural feast
Rama, Hari (Rama the King) returns to live stage, becoming one of the most anticipated cultural events of the year. Produced by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, in partnership with the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the ballet and musical had its gala at the rehabilitated Manila Metropolitan Theater on 15 September. Aside from the show itself, there were a lecture and a small tiangge (bazaar), affording the audience a fuller experience and a deeper appreciation of the ballet, as well as the source material, the Sanskrit epic Ramayana. Also an initiative in line with the recently signed Philippines-Indonesia Memorandum of Understanding on Cultural Cooperation and the Philippines-India Cultural Exchange Program, the lecture, “Perspectives: Understanding Ramayana, The Great Epic of Asia,” was held in the early afternoon at the Metropolitan Theater Ballroom, tackling the impacts and different interpretations of Ramayana not only in India but also in Southeast Asia. Speakers were Agus Widjojo, ambassador of Indonesia to the Philippines; Shambu Kumaran, ambassador of India to the Philippines; and Dr. Marilyn Canta, retired professor from the University of the Philippines in Diliman. [caption id="attachment_185911" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Indian Ambassador Shambu Kumaran, Dr. Marilyn Canta, NCCA chairman Ino Manalo and Indonesian Ambassador Agus Widjojo. | Photograph by Roel Hoang Manipon[/caption] The Hindu epic, said to date back as early as the mid-eighth century BCE, is a much beloved work and has many versions in Southeast Asia. Its influence is very much evident in Indonesia, where the epic has a version written in old Javanese, called the Kakawin Ramayana. The Prambanan, the ninth-century Hindu temple compound, has bas-reliefs depicting scenes from the epic, and the Ramayana Ballet is regularly performed up to this day. In the Philippines, the Meranaw people of Mindanao has a folk story derived from Ramayana, “Maharadia Lawana,” which was adapted into an hours-long, modern theatrical showcase for the Budayaw: The BIMP-EAGA Festival of Cultures in 2017. On the other hand, the tiangge, at the Hardin ng Ekspresyon, the west courtyard of the theater, had booths offering Indian food, spices and home decors. Fashion brand Plains & Prints also set up a corner featuring their latest collection featuring heritage sites in collaboration with photographer Mark Nicdao. On the other hand, the tiangge, at the Hardin ng Ekspresyon, the west courtyard of the theater, had booths offering Indian food, spices and home decors. Fashion brand Plains & Prints also set up a corner featuring their latest collection featuring heritage sites in collaboration with photographer Mark Nicdao. Audience members started arriving at six. The first-timers to the theater explored and took photographs of the different corners. Illustrious guests were led by National Artists Virgilio S. Almario, Benedicto “BenCab” Cabrera, Ricky Lee and Agnes Locsin, as well as cultural agency heads, National Archives of the Philippines executive director and NCCA chairman Victorino Mapa Manalo, National Museum of the Philippines director Jeremy R. Barns and Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino chairman Arthur P. Casanova. Also in the audience were theater and cinema scholar Nicanor Tiongson, professor and researcher Galileo Zafra, actor and satirist Mae Paner, actor Menchu Lauchengco Yulo, talent manager Noel Ferrer, theater critic Amadis Maria Guerrero, Manila Vice Mayor Yul Servo, chef Gelo Guison and designer Barge Ramos. Aika Robredo, the eldest daughter of former Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo, also enjoyed the show. [caption id="attachment_185913" align="aligncenter" width="525"] The wedding of Rama and Sita.[/caption] Her mother graced a rehearsal on 6 September, especially invited by Rama, Hari choreographer and director, National Artist Alice Reyes and composer, National Artist Ryan Cayabyab. On 7 September, Robredo enthused on Facebook: “Yesterday, we, together with some local artists from Naga, trooped to the Metropolitan Theater in Manila to watch their first full stage rehearsal and we were stunned. They were not in costumes yet and the stage design was not even mounted yet but the entire production left us breathless and speechless!! It is the best of Philippine Dance and Music.” She encouraged everyone not to miss “the only collaboration that features the masterful works of five National Artists.” Aside from Reyes and Cayabyab, the other National Artists involved in the production are the late Bienvenido Lumbera, who wrote the lyrics and libretto; Salvador Bernal, who designed the stage and costumes; and Rolando Tinio, who translated it to English. They were not yet declared National Artists when the production by Ballet Philippines premiered on 8 February 1980 at CCP’s Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo. The original staging featured Nonoy Froilan, Basil Valdez, Kuh Ledesma, Leo Valdez and Edna Vida. Rama, Hari was not restaged until 2012, starring Christian Bautista, Karylle Tatlonghari, Richardson Yadao and Katherine Trofeo. It won 14 Philstage Gawad Buhay awards. An adaptation was mounted in 1999, called Rama, Hari, Rama at Sita, The Musical, featuring Ariel Rivera and Lani Misalucha as performers, directed by Leo Rialp and choreographed by Locsin. The music was composed by Cayabyab and Danny Tan, and the lyrics written by Roy Iglesias and Dodjie Simon, based on Lumbera’s book. Rama, Hari was planned to be the closing production of Ballet Philippines’ 50th season in March 2020, but was canceled when lockdowns were imposed because of the coronavirus pandemic. When Reyes established her own dance company in 2022, the Alice Reyes Dance Philippines, Rama, Hari became one of its cherished projects. [caption id="attachment_185909" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Energetic dancing by Alice Reyes Dance Philippines. | Photographs courtesy of Teddy Pelaez[/caption] Reyes put both dancers and singers on the same stage, interpreting scenes and emotions in both words and movements. The cast is led by Arman Ferrer as Rama with alternate Vien King and dancer versions Ronelson Yadao and Ejay Arisola. Sita is portrayed by singers Karylle Tatlonghari, Shiela Valderrama-Martinez and neophyhte Nica Tupas and dancers Monica Gana and Katrene San Miguel. [caption id="attachment_185910" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Erl Sorilla as Lakshmana and Monica Gana as Sita. | Photograph courtesy of Teddy Pelaez[/caption] Singers Poppert Bernadas, Matthew San Jose and Jonel Mojica and dancers Richardson Yadao (also dancer for King Janaka) and Tim Cabrera take on the villain role, the demon king of Lanka, Ravana. Other performers are Audie Gemora (singer, King Dasaratha), Lester Reguindin and John Ababon (dancers, King Dasaratha); Miah Canton and Raflesia Bravo (singers, Kooni and Soorpanakha); Ma. Celina Dofitas and Sarah Alejandro (dancers, Soorpanakha); Michaella Carreon and Dofitas (dancers, Kooni); Katrine Sunga and Maron Rozelle Mabana (singers, Kaikeyi and the Golden Deer); Janine Arisola and Karla Santos (dancers, Kaikeyi); Erl Sorilla and Renzen Arboleda (dancers, Lakshmana and King Sagreeva); Paw Castillo and Jon Abella (singers, Hanuman and Lakshmana); and Dan Dayo and Ricmar Bayoneta (dancers, Hanuman); Alejandro and Krislynne Buri (Golden Deer); Dayo and James Galarpe (Bharata). Aside from ARDP and CCP’s Professional Artist Support Program, other performers come from Guang Ming College Artist Residency Program, Philippine High School for the Arts, De La Salle College of Saint Benilde and the Ryan Cayabyab Singers. Music is performed by Orchestra of the Filipino Youth with Antonio Maria P. Cayabyab as conductor. After the two-night gala on 15 and 16 September at the Manila Metropolitan Theater, the production moves to the Samsung Performing Arts Theater of Circuit Makati in Makati City on 22 and 23 September. The post ‘Rama, Hari’ gala is a cultural feast appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Nina Lim-Yuson — A lifetime of girl scouting
The president of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines, Nina Lim-Yuson, grew up in a family and home of Girl Scouts. Her grandmother, Pilar Hidalgo-Lim, was one of the co-founders of the GSP. “It was actually my Lola Pilar who suggested to Josefa Llanes Escoda, the GSP founder, to go to America to learn about girl scouting.” This tidbit of history, Nina shared in an online interview with the DAILY TRIBUNE. Pilar Hidalgo-Lim became GSP president, and so did Nina’s mother, Estefania Aldaba-Lim, who served as secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Nina’s sister too, the eminent broadcast journalist, Cheche Lazaro, was a Girl Scout. Coming from a lineage of women achievers, Nina could not have chosen a different path. It was scouting that formally introduced the family to social responsibility, skills development and citizenship. Her brothers were also Boy Scouts. “I started when I was six years old and it was my Lola Pilar who inducted me as a Brownie. It used to be called Brownie because we were still using the American pattern,” she related. She belonged to Troop Number One, the first to be organized by the GSP national headquarters. In high school at the Jose Abad Santos Memorial School of the Philippine Women’s University, she became a junior and later a senior Girl Scout. College would briefly end her Girl Scouting as she focused on her studies. Along the way, she also danced with the Bayanihan Folk Dance Company. It was not unexpected that she would return to scouting, her first love, and her first extra-curricular activity. For the last 36 years, she has been active in various organizations and volunteer work. She founded the Museong Pambata. She is a recipient of The Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service and is active in its various social development efforts. What Nina brings to her post is the legacy of leadership that had been passed on to her through generations of women leaders in the family. “My Lola Pilar was my idol. She was such a nice person and I never knew her totally as a president. I knew her more as a loving lola from all the stories she related when we rode up to Baguio. “My mother, on the other hand, was the opposite. She was very career-minded. I learned naman from her a lot of things, like being thrifty and having a list of things to do. In terms of organization, she was like that. Because she was in government. And, you know, when we started Museo, while it was actually my concept, I learned a lot from her. She would call me up at 5 o’clock in the morning and she would rattle off what needed to be done, like ‘number one, number two and so on.’ That was her. And I’m glad that I worked with her for six years in Museo. She was the president and I was the executive director for six years. I took over in 2000 as president and chief executive officer. And then, I stepped down in 2017.” Girl Scouts who read and tell stories Nina was elected president of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines for the term 2021-2024 during its 2021 national convention. From day one, she shared, “My purpose was to reach out to the community-based troops because we have always been school-based. Many young women now have social problems so we need to reach out to the communities through our community-based troops.” Also on top of her priorities is literacy development, a cause that she addressed even in the Museo Pambata. She explained, “My advocacy has always been education. So, I was very concerned because the Asian Development Bank reported in 2022 that the World Bank found out that our Filipino children at ages 9 and 10 cannot read. So, I felt that because girl scouting is all over the country, with 96 local councils, the organization could serve as a vehicle for improving literacy in our country. “We started the Girl Scout Storyteller project because storytelling affects the heart first before the mind. When young people start with storytelling, they will love the stories and then the written word. They would then want to read. “We now have storytelling in economically challenged communities and we have partners. We sent out 2,500 books throughout the country with the help of our partner couriers.” Initially, she sought the help of her family foundation “to give a donation. I also sought the help of Ging Montinola, who is into literacy development. Together, we founded the literacy program. We are building this fund to cover the cost of buying children’s books. We will have a storytelling contest next year.” Raising funds for Camp Escoda Nina then shifted the conversation to another major endeavor that she is spearheading as GSP president — fundraising for the 27-hectare Camp Josefa Llanes Escoda in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija, which was donated by the provincial government during the term of Governor Amado Aleta, the father of consul and civic leader Fortune Ledesma. “Palayan is beautiful because it has rolling hills, but it doesn’t have electrical and water facilities and roadworks. It doesn’t have a swimming pool, and it’s so hot in Nueva Ecija. It also does not have a conference hall. This is a big one-time fundraising project because it’s for the future of the girls who are going to the camp. Because as of now, if you go camping there, you have to walk up the hills to get your drinking water. You have to make buhos to take a bath.” She recalled, “In my time as a young Girl Scout, which was of another era, we had to walk in the dark to fetch water to fill up two drums. I was so scared because there were tuko in Los Baños. That taught me to be courageous. Camps really build up your lifetime skills and attitude. Camping is very integral in girl scouting and boy scouting. So, this camp will serve a purpose. It just needs various basic facilities to make it world-class and convenient with the proper amenities, but the girls will continue to learn all those survival techniques and appreciate nature right on the camp.” She praised architect Pippo Carunungan, “who is an environmental planner. He surveyed the site and drew up everything. It will be a beautiful camp, he said, because it’s a gift of nature.” First Lady as Chief Girl Scout Nina recently led the Girl Scouts in a fundraising ball attended by the “First Lady, Liza Araneta-Marcos, who is our Chief Girl Scout. It’s mandated in the GSP constitution that whoever is the female president of the country or the First Lady is the Chief Girl Scout. In the past, we had Imelda Marcos, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. All the first ladies were all Chief Girl Scouts. “Mrs. Liza Marcos spoke before us and she promised to help. She said, ‘We will make it the best campsite.’ Everyone was excited to see her and she obliged everyone who asked to have selfie with her. She is very friendly. She is really a Girl Scout.” Nina shared, “A generous couple is sponsoring the swimming pool at P6 million, while a gentleman entrepreneur is sponsoring the perimeter fence at P1.5 million. Many other businessmen and leaders have pledged to help build this dream GSP project. “We really need to raise about 50 million to have a very good camp. But when the First Lady heard about it, she said, ‘It has to be P250 million.’ But, really, when we have the funds, we can have deep toilets that have running water instead of tabo-tabo. Since we have a little Pampanga river that runs across the camp, we can build a bridge that crosses it and then the girls can have white-water rafting there in the Pampanga river. “Camp Escoda will be a very important and significant venue for our Girl Scouts to gather, bond, learn new skills and develop as morally upright citizens of the country and the world. It is especially so because camping is integral in any Girl Scout’s life. If you don’t have camping, it’s like half of your scouting life is missing. Every Girl Scout remembers that time of her youth. And being the national camp, it will welcome Girl Scouts representing the 96 councils from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao who will participate in various events and trainings.” Girl Scouts of all ages As GSP president, Nina travels to various parts of the country. “We have regional conferences aside from the meeting of the Central Board when regional heads and executives come to Manila. “I had just come from Baguio where I stayed for two-and-a-half days. I met our young Girl Scout representatives from ages 14 to 18. I enjoyed listening to them and exchanging ideas with them. I am so happy that we have a wealth of intelligent girls who want to serve the country. They are the ones who are going to take over. “It’s amazing that GSP is no longer limited to old people on the board. We finally have young ones on the board. Our Escoda committee is headed by Jade Delgado from Iloilo. Then we have Justine Bautista. She’s a psychometrician. She heads the Program Committee, which is a big committee because when we were in Baguio, we had 86 girls from all the councils throughout the country. Many of them are running for SK. “So, in my 70s now, which I don’t feel at all, I don’t take any medicines or something like that. Being with young people is what inspires me. Because at 15, 16 or 17, they already know that they have some kind of a mission.” Nina proudly shared that the venue of the Baguio conference, 'Ating Tahanan' on the South Drive was bought during the tenure of my Lola Pilar. We have four buildings there, including the houses of Senator and actor Rogelio de la Rosa and Carlos Valdes, the accountant. Lola Pilar, according to Carlos Valdes, twisted his arm to get a low price. I’m so thankful for all those who preceded me because they bought these places. It’s on South Drive which is so valuable. We even have a reserved forest behind us.” As she looks forward to the next camping and gets even busier raising funds for Camp Escoda, Nina feels elated that “every one of us in the Girl Scouts has been together in our various undertakings. The nice thing is we are now intergenerational because we try to bring in the old with experience, institutional memory and their wisdom born of their long life, and the young who are full of enthusiasm, energy and new ideas.” A star scout for a granddaughter While Nina does her part for the bright future of girl scouting in the country, her personal family too has not stopped contributing to the roster of members to this worldwide organization. Today, a granddaughter of hers, seven-year-old Rocio Yuson de Guzman, is a Star Scout. She is the daughter of Nina’s daughter, Nicky. No grandmother could have been prouder. Nina said, “Rufio loves being a star scout. When I arrived from the recent world conference in Cyprus, I came back with some badges and I gave some to Rufio who is very proud of the little badges that I got for her.” For sure, Nina will pass on not just the badges to Rufio. More importantly, she will give her granddaughter the once-in-one’s-childhood experience of being a Girl Scout and learning “the values that are identified in the Girl Scout Promise and Laws. I think that while there is so much to enjoy and learn, it is the inculcation of these values that would mold her into a well-rounded human being. As we all know, a Girl Scout’s honor is to be trusted. A Girl Scout is loyal, thrifty, courteous… and so on. It’s like a mantra -- the values that one lives by. “I have reached that point when it is not about success or what one accumulates in life, whether awards or accomplishments or material things. It is more about what I can share and scouting gives me that honor and privilege — to do my part in helping mold our young girls and making them aware even at an early age that they have a mission and worthy purpose in life. It is not just about being good and outstanding on your own but it is also about helping others to become better in what they’re doing and live better lives. “And I need not look far. As a grandmother, I dote on my Star Scout granddaughter, Rufio. There’s a world out there for her to discover and in which she has a role to play and use the skills and values she will learn from scouting.” The post Nina Lim-Yuson — A lifetime of girl scouting appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Horror, whodunit, action, inspiration
We are drowning in content from gazillions of platforms, and it’s hard to pick which movie is worth your time. Here’s a rundown of popular picks now playing in cinemas and on the streamers. ‘A Haunting in Venice’ (2023) If you are a fan of Agatha Christie and Christie’s fictional Belgian detective Hercule Poirot, then indulge yourself in A Haunting in Venice, the third installment in the Poirot cinematic universe and the sequel to Death on the Nile (2022). The first Poirot movie was Murder on the Orient Express (2017). Kenneth Branagh directs and reprises his role as the mustachioed detective in A Haunting in Venice, a stylish, dark, eerie whodunit mystery set in post-World War II Venice. I saw this at the luxurious Venice Ultra Cinema at the Venice Grand Canal — the perfect venue to enhance the movie’s Venice-canal mystery feels. Here, the retired Poirot is forced to solve a spooky murder by attending a séance at a haunted palazzo. When one of the guests is murdered, you’ll have fun solving the mystery with him. (Now showing in cinemas) ‘Immersion’ (2023) From Japanese filmmaker Takashi Shimizu, best known as the creator of Ju-on: The Grudge, comes another horror film, Immersion. Utilizing modern technology to incorporate into his supernatural tale, Shimizu takes viewers to a VR-reality research facility where all the horror takes place. Starring Daigo Nishihata, Noa Kawazoe Rina Ikoma and Yûta Hiraoka, Immersion uses grisly murder, rape, adultery, vengeance and redemption as themes in this modern tale of terror. (Now showing in cinemas) ‘The Equalizer 3’ (2023) [caption id="attachment_185049" align="aligncenter" width="525"] DENZEL Washington in ‘The Equalizer 3.’ | photograph courtesy of SONY PICTURES[/caption] As long as it’s Denzel Washington, the film is bound to be important. The vigilante action film directed by Antoine Fuqua is the action-packed sequel to The Equalizer 2 and the final installment in The Equalizer trilogy. Washington reprises his role as retired US Marine and DIA officer Robert McCall, who is now settled peacefully in a small town in Southern Italy. He’s made new friends, life is good, life is violence-free. But when McCall discovers that his new friends are under the control of the local mafia, then he has no choice but to unleash his government-assassin skills and wipe them all out. With action-man Fuqua directing and Washington’s star power, The Equalizer 3 makes for one hell of a finale. (Now showing in cinemas) ‘Tár’ (2022) [caption id="attachment_185046" align="aligncenter" width="525"] CATE Blanchett as Lydia Tár. | photograph courtesy of UNIVERSAL PICTURES[/caption] In Todd Field’s Oscar-nominated psychological thriller, Cate Blanchett plays Lydia Tár, a world-renowned conductor facing accusations of misconduct. The riveting, thought-provoking film delves on cancel culture and the #MeToo movement from a compelling angle. This film, one of the best from last year’s Best Picture nominations at the Academy Awards, also won Blanchett the Volpi Cup for Best Actress at the 79th Venice International Film Festival. Field’s superb film is restrained yet thick with tension. It’s for cinephiles who enjoy deep conversations and discussions on art versus artists, among other issues. (On HBO Go) ‘A Million Miles Away’ (2023) [caption id="attachment_185051" align="aligncenter" width="525"] MICHAEL Peña in ‘A Million Miles Away.’ | photograph courtesy of AMAZON PRIME[/caption] Inspired by a true story, A Million Miles Away stars Michael Peña as NASA flight engineer José Hernández. The biopic follows the life of the flight engineer from his hometown in Mexico to his life on the International Space Station. The stirring tale reveals to viewers how Hernandez started out as a farm worker before becoming an engineer, then an astronaut. If you feel that your dreams are impossible, then get your motivational shot from this movie. The post Horror, whodunit, action, inspiration appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
EXO’s D.O. returns as soloist after two years
After the global success of EXO’s group comeback Exist, member Doh Kyungsoo, known by his stage name D.O., again goes solo with his second mini-album Anticipation, which drops on 18 September. On 1 September, his agency, SM Entertainment, announced the K-pop idol’s comeback as a solo singer after two years, with a logo update across all their social media platforms and a teaser image showing the singer sitting in front of a desk inside a barely lit room. D.O. also posted the teaser on his Instagram account, which he opened to the public on 10 July. His IG was a surprise, since the 30-year-old K-pop star has kept a minimal social media presence. Although details of the mini-album are yet to be announced, the seven-track EP is sure to highlight once again the singer’s vocals. His first solo album, Empathy, was critically acclaimed following its release in July 2021, topping iTunes’ album charts in 60 countries despite minimal promotions. D.O. is also busy with his acting career and variety show appearances. The multi-award-winning Korean idol-actor recently led the South Korean sci-fi drama film The Moon (2023), written and directed by Kim Yong-hwa, the esteemed director behind box-office hits Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds (2017) and Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days (2018). After bagging his first Male Actor Excellence award at the KBS Drama Awards last year with his impeccable comic acting in Bad Prosecutor, D.O. has bagged nominations for Best Actor at the 2nd Blue Dragon Series Awards with Bad Prosecutor, and another Best Actor nomination at the 32nd Buil Film Awards for The Moon. D.O. and his bandmates are currently headlining the fourth season of the variety show EXO Ladder. He will also star in a new show by Na Yeong-seok with Kim Woo-bin, Lee Kwang-soo and Kim Ki-bang. Pre-orders for D.O.’s second mini-album have officially started in various online and offline music stores. The post EXO’s D.O. returns as soloist after two years appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Property developer invests P64 billion to build Grand Westside Hotel
Megaworld Corporation has allocated P64 billion to build the Grand Westside Hotel in Paranaque’s Westside City. Envisioned as the country’s biggest hotel, the first tower of the 19-story buildings is scheduled for completion this year and the second by 2024. Construction is expected to conclude before 2023 ends. The 1,500-room property will offer various room types, including queen suites (up to 48 square meters), twin suites (up to 48 square meters) and executive suites (up to 48 square meters) and twin and queen suites (up to 35 and 37 square meters) designed for specially-abled guests. It will also feature four function rooms that, when combined, can accommodate up to 300 people. Additionally, it will house four dining outlets, including an all-day dining restaurant with a capacity of nearly 250 guests. [caption id="attachment_163850" align="aligncenter" width="1386"] ROOM at Grand Westside Hotel.[/caption] The hotel’s amenities include an expansive pool area, a children’s pool, a gazebo, a fitness gym, massage rooms and outdoor seating. It will also have a two-level retail and commercial space covering 1,995 square meters. Grand Westside Hotel is Megaworld’s 19th hotel property and the second homegrown hotel brand within Westside City. It is the fourth resort complex within Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.’s Entertainment City project, following Solaire Manila, City of Dreams and Okada Manila. Megaworld is the only Philippine real estate development company to earn a “Hall of Fame” distinction as “Best Developer” after winning the Outstanding Developer Award at the Property and Real Estate Excellence Award by FIABCI Philippines for three straight years (2015, 2016 and 2017). The company was also named the “Best Developer” at the prestigious Philippines Property Awards by PropertyGuru for three consecutive years (2016, 2017 and 2018). The post Property developer invests P64 billion to build Grand Westside Hotel appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘He’s just Ken’: Will Ryan Gosling snag an Oscar nom for ‘Barbie’?
She’s everything. He’s just Ken.” In Barbie’s world, Ken is designed as an accessory, a sidekick. He is the textbook definition of a muscular and masculine man with blonde hair and compelling blue eyes, but his role is just to be Barbie’s companion. However, Ryan Gosling’s stellar performance in Greta Gerwig’s Barbie has transformed Ken. He’s no longer just a disposable sidekick or accessory, but a funny and charming personality in his own right capable of stealing the show. With Barbie getting generally positive reviews from critics and smashing box office records this year, moviegoers can’t help but anticipate what’s in store for the entire crew: Who will bring home awards? Director Greta Gerwig seems a shoo-in at this point for her screenplay and possibly direction. Another buzzy question: Will Ryan Gosling get nominated for his turn as Ken? Several film critics have singled out Gosling’s performance. Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian, for instance, described his turn as “plastic fantastic” in a “ragged doll comedy” where his character has “all the best lines” and “is allowed to steal the whole film.” Beth Webb of Empire, meanwhile, raved: “Gosling submerges wholeheartedly into Ken’s insecure psyche as he moves from Barbie’s sidepiece to patriarchal poster boy. Every muscle flex, every hair flick, every guitar strum lands perfectly. There are moments where he will rob you of breath.” With Barbie’s commercial and international success, will Gosling secure his third Academy nomination and finally win his first Oscar? In Oscar history, it is uncommon for a comedy to win Best Picture, especially when pitted against “serious” movies. Barbie is classified as a fantasy-comedy movie, so the chances of it getting a Best Picture nomination, let alone winning, is slim — but who knows? Comedies like It Happened One Night (1934) and Annie Hall (1977) had once gone on to win Best Picture. Gosling has a chance at securing a third Oscar nod (and perhaps winning the trophy) because the Academy seems to look more favorably on comic performances. Respected American Actor Kevin Kline secured an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the heist comedy film A Fish Called Wanda (1988). The late actor George Burns became the oldest recipient of the Best Supporting Actor award for The Sunshine Boys (1976), until Christopher Plummer won in 2011 for his role in the romantic comedy-drama film Beginners. While he has yet to win an Oscar, Gosling is a two-time nominee. He first landed an Oscar Best Actor nomination in 2007 as a drug-addict history teacher in Half Nelson and bagged another Best Actor nod in 2017 as a jazz pianist in La La Land. Barbie is currently showing in cinemas nationwide. The post ‘He’s just Ken’: Will Ryan Gosling snag an Oscar nom for ‘Barbie’? appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Soprano Lara Maigue to sing national anthem at 2nd SONA
The "surprise" singer that House secretary general Reginald Velasco said will perform the "Lupang Hinirang" at the second State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday, 24 July, has been revealed to be soprano Lara Maigue. Velasco himself made the revelation in a radio interview on Friday, 21 July 21. “Ang balita namin, there will be a singer ng Pambansang Awit natin. Ang pangalan niya ay Lara Maigue. Tinignan namin ‘yun sa YouTube. Very famous pala siya,” he said. Velasco had earlier been coy about the identity of the singer who will sing the national anthem at the second SONA, to supposedly generate more excitement among the public. “Up to now, surprise," he said, because "gusto ng tatlong grupo — Senate, House of Representatives and then the Office of the President — may excitement. So surprise din... Ang tip ko lang, isang tao lang.” Maigue, a classically trained singer and recording artist, has headlined a number of concerts and has won the Aliw Awards twice -- in 2017 for Best Classical Performer and in 2018 for Best Female Crossover Performer. To date, she has 354,000 followers on Instagram and 160,000 followers on Facebook. The post Soprano Lara Maigue to sing national anthem at 2nd SONA appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Brawner Jr. is next AFP chief — Palace
Malacañang on Wednesday announced that Philippine Army Commander, Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., will serve as the next Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines replacing General Andres Centino who will be appointed Presidential Adviser on the West Philippine Sea. “Lieutenant General Romeo Brawner will be the next Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and will take the place of General Andres Centino who was re-appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to the said post earlier this year,” the Palace said an announcement made through the Presidential Communications Office. It was not known though when Brawner will assume the top AFP post. Brawner was appointed Commanding General of the Philippine Army on 20 December 2021. He graduated in the Top 2 in the Philippine Military Academy “Makatao” Class of 1989 and has been serving the military organization in various capacities for 34 years. He served as company commander of the 6th Special Forces Company; battalion commander of the 2nd Special Forces Battalion; operations officer of the Special Forces Regiment (Airborne); chief of staff of the 6th Infantry “Kampilan” Division; chief of public affairs of the Philippine Army; spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines; and commander of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment. Brawner is also a former brigade commander of the 103rd Infantry Brigade in the aftermath of the Marawi Siege in 2017. He once served as Commandant of Cadets at the Philippine Military Academy, where he played an important role in the total eradication of hazing and maltreatment in the Cadet Corps. Brawner later served as the first deputy chief of staff for Financial Management, J10, of the AFP. He is also the former commander of the 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division, where he supervised the unit’s combat operations that resulted in the decisive neutralization of Jorge Madlos or “Ka Oris,” the notorious commander of the National Operations Command of the New People’s Army. Malacañang said that Brawner has exemplified the highest levels of excellence in his military schooling, a top notcher in his classes in the Special Forces Operations Course, Intelligence Officer Course, and the AFP Comptrollership Course. Brawner acquired three Master’s degrees in Information Management from the Ateneo de Manila University; Business Administration from the Asian Institute of Technology in Thailand and from the European School of Management, Oxford, United Kingdom; and a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College. Brawner also received numerous awards and recognitions, including The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers or TOPS in 2013 from the Metrobank Foundation and Rotary Club of Makati; and the Lapu-Lapu Award from President Rodrigo Duterte, for his valuable contributions to the neutralization of Abu Dar, the last of the original leaders of the Maute-ISIS faction. In March this year, Brawner was inducted into the US Army War College or UASWC International Fellows Hall of Fame in recognition of his service in the highest command position in the Philippine Army. The post Brawner Jr. is next AFP chief — Palace appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Donny Pangilinan reaches 1-M YouTube subscribers
Filipino actor Donny Pangilinan reached a new career milestone when he garnered a million subscribers on his YouTube channel on 17 July. The same day Pangilinan reached a million YouTube subscribers, fans and viewers were also anticipating the debut of his vlog with his younger sister, Solana, titled “Date with Sola (The Remake).” In the 15-minute vlog, the 25-five-year-old actor took his younger sister, Solana, out on a date as she turned 12 on 14 July. The siblings went on a shopping spree date, bought birthday gifts, ate a scrumptious meal and played arcade games to celebrate his Solana’s birthday. The heartwarming vlog was also a remake of the same vlog he did with his sister six years ago. Fans reacted quickly and lauded the siblings’ tight bond through the years. As soon as he gained a million subscribers, Pangilinan went to Instagram to thank his fans and subscribers for the support. “HAPPY 1M LABYU,” said his Instagram story. [caption id="attachment_158930" align="aligncenter" width="525"] DONNY Pangilinan is also working on a new single, according to Universal Records Philippines. | Photograph Courtesy IG/Donnny Pangilinan[/caption] The celebration is far from over for Pangilinan fans and DonBelle supporters, since Pangilinan and his onscreen partner Belle Mariano just won the Movie Love Team of the Year Award for their movie Love is Color Blind (2021), at the 38th Philippine Movie Press Club, Inc. Awards for Movies on 17 July. The popular pair was nominated for the Movie Loveteam of the Year Award alongside Paolo Contis and Yen Santos for A Far Away Island, Andi Abaya and Joaquin Domagoso for Caught in the Act, JC Santos and Janine Gutierrez for Dito At Doon, Ken Chan and Rita Daniela for Huling Ulan sa Tag-Araw, Jeremiah Lisbo and Kaori Oinuma for Love At First Stream, and JC Santos and Yassi Pressman for More Than Blue. Aside from Pangilinan’s successful career as an actor and a vlogger, his singing career is also on the upswing. On 16 July, Universal Records Philippines announced on Twitter that Pangilinan is working on a new song in Baguio. In 2022, ABS-CBN announced that DonBelle will headline the TV show Can’t Buy Me Love under the direction of director Mae Cruz Alviar. Alviar is the director of the hit TV series 2 Good 2 Be True (2022) and the movies Can’t Help Falling in Love (2017) and Four Sisters Before the Wedding (2021). Although not much has been disclosed to the public, the pair has revealed that they have begun preparing for the show. Can’t Buy Me Love will be Pangilinan and Mariano’s comeback to the small screen after He’s Into Her (2021), a teen romantic-comedy series based on the 2012 Wattpad novel by author Maxine Lat Calibuso or Maxinejiji. The post Donny Pangilinan reaches 1-M YouTube subscribers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Short film explores cooking, coming out and letting go
To commemorate LGBTQ+ Pride month, Noontime Drama, an award-winning Filipino short film on coming out, will be screened for free online and in select cinemas nationwide. Noontime Drama explores how the meticulous slow cooking of the traditional Filipino comfort food symbolizes parents coming to terms with their child’s sexuality or gender identity. The 14-minute piece follows single mother Sonia (Susan Africa) as she struggles to prepare the perfect kare-kare together with her daughter Leslie (Zar Donato) in time for a family reunion. As the tension simmers between the protagonists, unresolved issues resurface and deflection fills each conversation. [caption id="attachment_149096" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Zar Donato[/caption] The film is written and directed by creative duo Kim Timan and Sam Villa-Real, both homegrown talents from the Digital Filmmaking Program of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde. [caption id="attachment_149094" align="aligncenter" width="828"] ‘Noontime Drama’ filmmakers Kim Timan and Sam Villa-Real.[/caption] “I first wrote this film after having an intense outburst with my mom in 2017,” Timan admitted. “I knew that I needed to start being honest with myself so I decided to come out to her. I did it and was bombarded with conservative biblical preaching. She was my best friend and I felt betrayed.” “Over the course of the years, my perspective about her gradually changed. I realized that I need to respect her process of trying to make sense of my ‘coming out,’” she shared. “I tried to understand where she was coming from and that became the goal of the film.” A study on the frustration experienced by parents of newly out LGBTQ+ children, Noontime Drama, according to the young artist, is more of a “letting go” than a “coming out” story. “Making this film with my girlfriend and queer friends helped me cope and accept the things that cannot be changed and finally, move on from them,” Timan noted. “I know that my Mom is slowly coming to terms with who I am, and so am I with her. I know she needs time to process it the way I did.” Noontime Drama was a grantee of the 2020 CineMarya Women’s Film Festival (Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino), where it was hailed as the Best Film and Best Screenplay. It likewise nabbed the Best Short Film and Best Performer Awards at the 2021 Dreamanila International Film Festival, the Third Best Short Film at the 2021 CineKabalen Culinary Cinema. The work was an official selection at the 2021 Chennai International Short Film Festival in India, 2021 International Queer Film Festival Merlinka in Serbia, 2021 Les Femmes Underground Film Festival, 2021 Internacional Queer Film Festival de Playa del Carmen in Mexico, 2021 Pink Love LGBT Film Festival, 2021 Alvsbyn Film Festival in Sweden, 2021 KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival in India and 2021 Stockholm City Film Festival in Sweden. It likewise finished as a finalist at the 2021 Festival de films féministes de Montréal in Canada and 2021 Boden International Film Festival in Sweden, semi-finalist at the 2021 Seattle Film Summit in the USA and quarter-finalist at the 2021 Crossroads International Short Film Festival in Turkey. It has also earned an Honorable Mention at the 2021 Paris Film Festival in France. It was lauded as the Best Short Film at the 2022 CineKabalen Film Festival and was exhibited at the 2022 Cine Filipina and 2022 UP Pride Film Festival. It was a Best Short Film Nominee at the 44th Gawad Urian Awards. Noontime Drama will be screened as part of the 2023 Pelikulaya Film Festival from 23 to 30 June at the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) Cinematheque Centres nationwide, online on JuanFlix: The FDCP Channel. It can also be viewed in select cinemas in Metro Manila. The short film will also be on view at the MIYERKULET Freedom Extravaganza on 30 June, 7 p.m., at the Penthouse of Fil Garcia Tower, Quezon City. The post Short film explores cooking, coming out and letting go appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pauwi Na a tragicomedy inspired by true story
The film crew of "Pauwi Na" receives the Golden Goblet Award for Best Feature Film at the closing ceremony of the 20th Shanghai International Film Festival on June 25, 2017. /CFPWith the 25th Shanghai International Film Festival now in full swing, the winners of the Golden Goblet Awards are due to be announced by the end of the weekend. Let's take a look back at some previous Golden Goblet Awards w.....»»
Sandiganbayan affirms ex-Biliran execs’ guilt
The Sandiganbayan Third Division has dismissed a motion filed by an ex-Biliran mayor and 12 others to overturn the court’s January guilty verdict in connection with the anomalous procurement of P8 million in medicines and medical supplies in 2010. In a 20-page resolution, the Sandiganbayan cited lack of merit in thumbing down all 13 motions of the defendants to reconsider the courts ruling, which found them guilty of violating Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. Charged with graft were erstwhile Maripipi mayor Noel Albelda; ex-bids and awards committee chairperson Wilma Elairon; vice chairperson Marietta Campollo; committee members Amelia Bacolod and Sonia Alavera; technical working group chairperson Julio Cairo Jr.; TWG members Sergio Mejarito and Tito Cairo; ex-municipal accountant Michelle Quinte; ex-municipal health officer Mary Grace Llever; state auditor Genelito Balila; and private defendants Jerome Capuyan and Cherel Serato who represented Suremeds Marketing. The anti-corruption court handed them jail terms of from six to 10 years. They were also meted the accessory penalty of perpetual disqualification from holding public office. Filed by the Ombudsman in 2017, the case stemmed from the municipal government’s award of a contract to private firm Suremeds for the supply of medicine and other medical equipment amounting to P7.99 million despite several substantial lapses in the procurement process, including irregularities in the dates appearing in the bidding documents. The procurement was funded by the Priority Development Assistance Fund, or pork barrel, of then-Biliran Representative Glenn Chong. State prosecutors also found other procurement irregularities, such as the conduct of a pre-bid conference prior to the issuance of bidding documents, and the sudden change in the date of opening of bids. It was raised while the project was awarded to Suremeds despite its non-submission of performance security. In denying the motion, the anti-graft court said the concerted efforts of all the accused public officials from the start of the procurement process down to its payment to the preferred supplier in connivance with Suremeds through its proprietor, Capuyan, and representative, Serato, were very evident. “The Court is aware that a violation of the procurement laws does not ipso facto lead to a violation of RA 3019. In the present case, however, the prosecution has established not only the defects in the procurement procedure but also the alleged gross inexcusable negligence and manifest partiality on the part of the herein accused,” it said. The post Sandiganbayan affirms ex-Biliran execs’ guilt appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Fierce Tribune, year’s best paper
As a publication that adheres to the truth and goes the extra mile outside of its comfort zone to fulfill it, Daily Tribune was cited as Outstanding Newspaper of the Year during the Rotary Club of Manila’s 2023 Pro Patria Journalism Awards ceremony yesterday. According to the Awards committee, Daily Tribune’s recognition stems from its exposure of anomalies and irregularities both in the public and private domain while keeping true to its mantra, “Without Fear, Without Favor.” Given distinction along with the Daily Tribune were “Executive Session,” of the Manila Broadcasting Company’s DZRH, which was named Talk Show of the Year, while GMA 7’s Integrated News program was conferred the TV News Reporting Award. “The Daily Tribune was chosen due to investigating and reporting fairly and truthfully to enable citizens to be vigilant and participatory in forming collective censure and judgment to influence responsible acts and shape the national discipline,” the citation read. The Daily Tribune was feted by RCM as Newspaper of the Year in 2017 and 2021. [caption id="attachment_145142" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Winners all Sharing the honors during the Rotary Club of Manila’s Pro Patria Journalism Awards ceremony were (from left) RC Manila Pres. Hermie Esguerra, Willie Fernandez (Daily Tribune, Newspaper of the Year), Ed Javier (Panelist, Executive Session, Talk Show of the Year), Deo Macalma (Station Manager, DZRH for Executive Session), former Congressman Jonathan dela Cruz (Panelist, Executive Session), Sen. JV Ejercito (Panelist, Executive Session), Usec. Brigido Dulay (Panelist, Executive Session), Paolo Capino (Panelist, Executive Session) and RC Manila Journalism Awards 2023 chairman Amado Valdez.[/caption] ‘Icons Series’ Daily Tribune’s president Willie Fernandez received the award with a message using an analogy. He likened the recognition to “The Icons Series” in the world of golf to highlight the resilience of the staff. The Icons Series involves matches where competitors are known greats in different sports but who are also passionate about golf. “They are athletes in their own field, who are described as having ‘reached the pinnacle of their own discipline.’ Yet they want to be ‘tested outside of their comfort zone in a pressure environment’,” Fernandez said. He credited the achievement of the daily broadsheet — which is celebrating its 23rd anniversary on 30 June — to its men and women who uphold truth, fairness, goodwill, cooperation, and shared benefits, which are also the character traits of Rotarians. “We hope to continue doing our part — serving our country and fellowmen in our own fairway, so to speak, swinging our club and aiming true,” he said. Fernandez related how the Daily Tribune defied the prognosis of many that newspapers were in their death throes by turning the paper into an omni-media organization with a vital presence in the digital realm, thus it is able to provide more timely and meaningful information to more audiences. “I am humbled and at the same time amazed that in our 23 years as a title, and the last five years striving for excellence beyond our comfort zone, we have been named Pro Patria Newspaper of the Year. I take pride in having stayed true to the Daily Tribune’s DNA of independence. Through four administrations, we boldly reported on issues that many times put our lifeblood at risk,” Fernandez said. Journalism at its best According to RCM president Hermie Esguerra, the 2023 Pro Patria Journalism Awards stands as a testament to the unwavering dedication of the Rotary Club of Manila in recognizing outstanding journalists who share our commitment to truth, fairness, and well-being to humanity.” “Today, we honor those who demonstrated their relentless pursuit of excellence in their craft. These journalists have exemplified the highest standard of integrity, fearlessness, and responsibility in their work. We applaud their unwavering commitment to the truth and their profound impact on our society,” Esguerra said. Accepting the accolade for the “Executive Session” were hosts Edwin Eusebio, Paulo Capino, Ed Javier, Jonathan dela Cruz, Justice Undersecretary Brigido Dulay representing Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, Deo Macalma representing Ambassador to the UK Teodoro Locsin Jr., and Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito. Panelists of the Executive Session were feted for demonstrating “unparalleled excellence” in journalism with the enriching dialogue that they bring to each episode. It dives deep into current affairs and pressing issues presenting insightful and diverse discussions. For GMA Integrated News, the award was accepted by Oliver Amoroso, Senior Vice President and Head of the GMA Integrated News, Regional TV, and Synergy, on behalf of Atty. Felipe Gozon, chairman of GMA Network Inc. “I am here speaking on behalf of the two other awardees — GMA Network, Inc. and Executive Session of DZRH — for this year’s Rotary Club of Manila Pro Patria Journalism Awards for tri-media,” Fernandez said. “I feel a little like a valedictorian in a graduating class, delivering a common message of gratitude, of hope, and of inspiration.” “For us, this recognition is proof of our passion for the work we do, and simply the kind of boost we need to push forward and forge ahead, as they say, in spite of the difficulties we may encounter,” the Daily Tribune president said. Fernandez also congratulated GMA Network Inc. for its “manner and style of reporting with a built-in system of checks and balance that will ensure the delivery of news and events without bias and partiality, fear and accommodation of the powerful and vested interest.” [caption id="attachment_145139" align="aligncenter" width="525"] It’s a euphoric moment for the Daily Tribune after it was cited as the Outstanding Newspaper of the Year during the Rotary Club of Manila’s 2023 Pro Patria Journalism of the Year Awards ceremony at New World Hotel, Makati City yesterday, 15 June. With Daily Tribune President Willie Fernandez (3rd from left) and Vice President Chingbee Fernandez (2nd from left) are (from left) Editor-in-Chief Gigie Arcilla, Executive Editor Chito Lozada, Managing Editor Dinah Ventura, Editor-at-Large Gibbs Cadiz, Marketing Director Komfie Manalo, and writer Raffy Ayeng.[/caption] Not about people... The RCM Journalism Awards was conceptualized in 2021 by Dean Amado Valdez and the late RCM president Bobby Joseph, with the club’s commemoration of Philippine Independence, which Dean Valdez, the chairman of RMC Journalism Awards 2023, said, “It has become a tradition and will last for as long as the Rotary Club of Manila stays.” “This year’s Pro Patria Journalism Awards is not just about people, but about the philosophy of delivering the news, the concept of integrated news reporting on television, and a mechanism to ensure that there is fair reporting,” Valdez said. He added: “The essence of journalism is a journalist who goes around to get positive news; the news that restores the confidence of the people, and for the ability of the government to protect them from threats; telling the people about economic opportunities, infrastructure; strides in education; personal achievements of individuals and citizens that bring honor to the country. “ “These are the stuff that makes great journalism and the stuff that deserves the Pro Patria Journalism Awards,” he said. The post Fierce Tribune, year’s best paper appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Security Bank wins ‘Best for High-Net-Worth Clients’ award for third year
Security Bank Corporation was recognized anew as the Philippines’ Best for High Net Worth Clients at the 2022 Asiamoney Asia Private Banking Awards, making it three consecutive yearly wins for the bank. According to Asiamoney, “Technological disruption is a big part of the overall strategy. Security Bank constantly provides better, faster and safer digital access for clients for their portfolios and review services.” Security Bank launched its wealth management proposition in 2017 to offer clients personalized financial solutions geared toward their goals and objectives. The bank’s Wealth Management division was recognized in 2021 and 2022 for its ability to expand its client base despite economic and global events that affected the financial industry. “This year-on-year recognition from Asiamoney only proves that we are making the right investments in what matters to our customers. We excel in the personal approach we take for each client — they really feel that they are being serviced, that someone is really there taking care of their portfolio," said Binky Mirabueno, Wealth Management Head. In growing its client base and AUM, Security Bank’s wealth management business leverages on the strengths of the bank’s core businesses. These include the bank’s branch network reach and the product offerings from Treasury, Trust and Asset Management Group, stock brokerage through SB Equities, and investment banking services through SB Capital. “During the five-year period from 2017 to the end of September 2022, the private bank’s Assets under Management and customer base rose 44 percent and 40 percent respectively, on a compound annual growth rate basis,” added Asiamoney. “Service differentiation is a key to our continued recognition as 'Best Bank for High-Net-Worth Clients' in the Philippines. This recognition is proof that we are on the right track to fulfill our goal of becoming the most-customer centric bank in the Philippines,” said Executive Vice President and Branch Banking Head Leslie Cham. To know more about Security Bank’s recent awards, visit www.securitybank.com/awards or its Facebook page www.facebook.com/SecurityBank. The post Security Bank wins ‘Best for High-Net-Worth Clients’ award for third year appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»