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75: Diamond love for a rich, incomparable life
Seventy-five: More than it being the digits that scream seasoned and being on this planet for more than seven decades and five summers, this is the most opportune time to be grateful. This feeling stems from the fact that, by that time, I would still be alive and kicking ass, and a true survivor of personal and domestic battles, health crises, financial boom and gloom, the political landscape, leaders of this so-called democracy — the golden ones and greedy lot, imploding economies and falling regimes, the see-sawing peso, perhaps another pandemic, plus earthquakes, coup d’etats, volcanic eruptions, super typhoons, drought, famine, pestilence, wars, and also digital technology, creativity, the evolving arts and many more. [caption id="attachment_194558" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Seventy-five means being surrounded by loved ones. | PHOTOGRAPH Courtesy of unsplashpatricia prudente[/caption] Good old times Hitting 75 will make me more nostalgic of the good old times, when life was simpler and one had that drive and hunger to realize one’s dreams. It will make me long for friends and colleagues who have been gone to soon, felled by affliction or shocking tragedy, thus allowing me to appreciate lasting friendships and loyalties that are still with me. I will smile as I recollect the follies of my youth, the trials and triumphs of my adult life and, as they say in a song, “ang mga nakalipas na di na maaari at pwedeng balikan.” These feelings, of course, also bring some pangs of pain. But I get to appreciate all my experiences, good or bad, happy or sad, because I am what I am by then because of them. Seventy-five means being surrounded by loved ones — my partner, children, grandchildren, up to the apo sa tuhod and talampakan. The successes of my loved ones are also my success. Their pains I likewise carry, though I do not let them know about it. The reason I have become successful at this point is because I worked hard on being a good person first. Call me a sentimental fool, but success earned that also destroyed your humanity and corrupted your morality is not my definition of success and being successful. The people I love, those that I hold dearest in my heart and who are with me and surround me now, are the manifestations of the goodness at the core of my success. Legacy and vocation Seventy-five also means I have made a name for myself. And it is a name that not only is admired but respected and trusted. Whatever career I had chosen during my wonder years, it is now my legacy and has become my vocation. This name has been a product of blood, sweat and errors, sacrifices and victories. Of sticking to my core values always being kind, fair, honest and sincere, and making people feel good, important and treated with dignity. Whatever riches I have, I have earned and gained them through hard work, determination, tenacity and passion to be the best in my profession and personal vocation. My name is the most precious bequeathal I can make. When all else fails, I want people to remember me as a man who had a good name, a good heart and made a lot of people feel good. But 75 also means there are still so many years ahead to be curious, to learn new things, to be naughty if my body still permits it, to share stories, make people laugh, mentor others, teach and exclaim that indeed, life and the world are beautiful and wonderful. One’s diamond year deserves diamond-caliber love and celebration — for the rich life thus far, and the (hopefully) richer life still ahead. The post 75: Diamond love for a rich, incomparable life appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DOH budget for 2024 hurdles Senate Finance panel without Herbosa
The Senate Committee on Finance on Thursday approved the proposed P311.3 billion budget of the Department of Health for the upcoming fiscal year without the attendance of Health Secretary Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa. Herbosa skipped the DOH’s budget deliberation, normally led by the agency’s head, days after he failed to secure the approval of the Commission on Appointment. During the budget deliberation, DOH senior officials led by Undersecretary Lilibeth David, former Officer-in-Charge Maria Rosario-Vergeire, and Undersecretary Gloria Balboa, presented the agency’s proposed budget. Senator Francis Tolentino specifically questioned Herbosa’s absence in the budget deliberation, fearing that the agency is now in an “auto-pilot mode”. Senator Pia Cayetano, who presided over the agency’s budget deliberation, quickly clarified that the DOH is not “headless”. “Actually, all of the senior members of the team approached me a while ago and they acknowledged that of course, it is a bit of an awkward situation,” Cayetano said. “But as you all know, Usec Dr. Vergeire was the OIC for many years and was very actively exercising her leadership not just in the past year, but even during the time of President Duterte. Dr. Usec. David is the most senior undersecretary. So I’m quite confident in the presentation today that they can answer,” she added. Tolentino explained that he is asking for Herbosa’s presence because “budget presentations would require answers concerning accountability.” “And perhaps the head of the department should be the one doing that. Otherwise, it would be in an auto-pilot mode,” he said. For her part, Senator Loren Legarda also expressed her confidence in the senior officials of the DOH. “Let me just say that I’m certain that our very competent Usecs. and Asecs. down the line would be able to communicate the policies of the secretary who still has to be confirmed,” Legarda said. “I don't think that the DoH body institution system comprised of career people who -- it may be a headless agency this is insofar other secretaries concerned -- but all the systems are covered by the Usecs. and Asecs,” she added. She continued: “I am very confident that they will be able to answer our questions. I do not think that they would divert from any policy of the secretary or say anything that would be against his policies.” Cyber-attack on PhilHealth Senators also touched on the recent cyber-attack on the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation or PhilHealth. Legarda quizzed PhilHealth officials about the effect of the cyber-attack on the state-run health insurer’s operation, as well as the steps being taken by the agency to prevent encountering a similar case in the future. Responding to the lawmaker’s query, Atty. Eli Dino D. Santos, PhilHealth’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, said that the agency has yet to return its online system. “All systems now are all transactions are offline and we resume operations meaning membership, employer submission, and payment over the counter,” Santos said. “Our benefits availment continues. We have already informed our partner providers that while the system is turned off, they can still submit claims or prepare the submission of claims,” he added. He continued: “At present, to confirm the statement of our President, we are set to turn on our systems today, but we are still completing the preventive measures before we turn it on. We are targeting to turn on our PhilHealth website, member portal, as well as the e-claims.” Over the weekend, PhilHealth confirmed reports that there was an “information security incident” on its online system, which prompted them to turn it off as part of its “containment measures”. The Department of Information and Communications Technology previously stated that the agency’s system was attacked by Medusa ransomware. A multinational cyber security software company, Trend Micro defined “ransomware” as a type of malware that prevents or limits users from accessing their system, either by locking the system’s screen or by locking the users’ files until a ransom is paid. The Medusa ransomware group was demanding $300,000 from PhilHealth in exchange for access to its system. The group threatened to leak the personal information of PhilHealth members if it did not pay the ransom. The state-run health insurer previously stated that it would not give in to the group’s demand. The post DOH budget for 2024 hurdles Senate Finance panel without Herbosa appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘One day I said stop’: models describe pressure to stay thin
Maud Le Fort won't be seen on the runways of Paris Fashion Week, which kicks off on Monday, having chosen her health over a career on the catwalk. Now in her 30s, Le Fort came to Paris when she was 18 to pursue a career in modeling and was immediately labeled a "commercial model" -- i.e. not thin enough for the top-end fashion shows. "I had a 36.6 cm waist, 85C chest so I was 'curvy'," she told AFP. "In Paris, I was told that I was only going to do lingerie and perhaps very commercial things, but not much fashion." Le Fort refused to let go of her dream and worked to shed the little weight she carried -- though without any exercise since muscles are as unwelcome as fat on the catwalk. "I was measured almost every day. And the more weight I lost, the more congratulations I received," she said. She got herself down to 49 kilograms (108 pounds) despite being 1.81 meters (5.11-feet) tall and managed to land gigs for Armani, Balmain, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Yohji Yamamoto. But then she realized it was madness. "One day, I said 'stop'. I'm going to eat, I'm going to do sport," said Le Fort. Eating disorders Now in her 30s, she does theatre classes and therapy in a bid to gain self-confidence and put the years of depression and eating disorders behind her. "I still don't completely accept my body the way it is," she said. "I do not have a completely healthy relationship with food." These days, she does mostly photo sessions where the pressure is much lower. But it also bothers her to see how much her photos are retouched, saying it creates unrealistic expectations for young girls. "It's absolutely shocking and it's sad," she said. Some are blessed with a situation that allows them to escape the torment. Sophie (not her real name) is a 22-year-old medical student in Paris. She works as a commercial model and dreams of the catwalk, but knows she has a longer-term career to fall back on and is not about to sacrifice her health. "Fashion is not an environment that I would recommend to someone who has psychological weaknesses," she said. "If this was all I did for a living, I would be constantly worried. "For me, if I go on the catwalk, that's cool, but if I don't get the job, too bad." 'Skinny girls passing out' Many are not so lucky. Brazilian model Tatiana (not her real name) was dropped by her agency after five years when she gained a few kilos from stress and hormone treatment. Fashion was the only job she had known since adolescence. "I was fired without notice. Losing fashion was very hard," she told AFP. Both she and Sophie praised the 1980s when sporty, feminine physiques were prized in fashion. Today, the few examples of curvy models on top-end catwalks are people who built up a celebrity status before entering fashion. Tatiana remembers seeing "very skinny girls pass out during fittings -- they could barely walk on the heels," she said. Now 37, she weighs 53-54 kilos and is 1.78 m tall. She works as a fitting model -- used by designers to check the appearance of an outfit when it is adapted for real-world shops, rather than the fantasy land of the catwalk. The post ‘One day I said stop’: models describe pressure to stay thin appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Woody Allen would film in NY again if ‘some foolish person’ funds it
Despite being effectively barred from the US film industry, Woody Allen said Monday that he has an idea for a New York film ready to go "if some foolish person" agrees to finance it. Allen was speaking at the Venice Film Festival, where his 50th movie, "Coup de Chance", was about to premiere in the out-of-competition section. It is his first film entirely in a foreign language, having been shot with French actors in Paris. The 87-year-old director told reporters it was "very simple" working in French. "I could tell by the body language and the emotion of the actors without understanding the language when they were being realistic and when they weren't." The film was originally meant to be about Americans in Paris, but he changed his mind. "I thought to myself: It's my 50th film and I love Paris so much that I'll make it in French... And then I could think I'm a genuine European filmmaker," he said. Asked whether he would work in his native New York again, Allen said he already had a "great idea" for a film in the city. "If some guy steps out of the shadows and says we'll finance your film in New York and obey all my terrible strictures -- they can't read the script, they can't know who's in it, they just give me the money and go away -- if some foolish person agrees to that, I'll make a film in New York," he said. "Coup de Chance" ("Stroke of Luck") fits in the classic Allen mould -- a light-hearted dissection of love and infidelity with a beautiful woman at its centre. Allen is blackballed by much of Hollywood due to allegations he molested his adopted daughter in the 1990s, which he says were fabricated by his ex-partner Mia Farrow. But he said he had always been "very, very lucky" in his life and career. "I hope it holds out," he added. "Of course it's early in the afternoon so we'll see..." The post Woody Allen would film in NY again if ‘some foolish person’ funds it appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Woody Allen would film in NY again if ‘some foolish person’ funds it
Despite being effectively barred from the US film industry, Woody Allen said Monday that he has an idea for a New York film ready to go "if some foolish person" agrees to finance it. Allen was speaking at the Venice Film Festival, where his 50th movie, "Coup de Chance", was about to premiere in the out-of-competition section. It is his first film entirely in a foreign language, having been shot with French actors in Paris. The 87-year-old director told reporters it was "very simple" working in French. "I could tell by the body language and the emotion of the actors without understanding the language when they were being realistic and when they weren't." The film was originally meant to be about Americans in Paris, but he changed his mind. "I thought to myself: It's my 50th film and I love Paris so much that I'll make it in French... And then I could think I'm a genuine European filmmaker," he said. Asked whether he would work in his native New York again, Allen said he already had a "great idea" for a film in the city. "If some guy steps out of the shadows and says we'll finance your film in New York and obey all my terrible strictures -- they can't read the script, they can't know who's in it, they just give me the money and go away -- if some foolish person agrees to that, I'll make a film in New York," he said. "Coup de Chance" ("Stroke of Luck") fits in the classic Allen mould -- a light-hearted dissection of love and infidelity with a beautiful woman at its centre. Allen is blackballed by much of Hollywood due to allegations he molested his adopted daughter in the 1990s, which he says were fabricated by his ex-partner Mia Farrow. But he said he had always been "very, very lucky" in his life and career. "I hope it holds out," he added. "Of course it's early in the afternoon so we'll see..." The post Woody Allen would film in NY again if ‘some foolish person’ funds it appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Park Seo-joon promotes self-care, self-awareness
IAM Worldwide, a health and wellness company, recently announced its collaboration with internationally acclaimed South Korean superstar Park Seo-joon as its newest global ambassador. Park Seo-joon’s prolific career spans both television and film, and his exceptional talents have garnered him a dedicated fan base worldwide. Known for his remarkable performances in hit dramas, such as What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim (2018), Itaewon Class (2020) and the newly released films Dream (2023) with singer-actress IU and Concrete Utopia (2023) with Park Bo-young, he has captivated audiences with his charisma, versatility and dedication to his craft. Park Seo Jun also plans to continue his global popularity through the Hollywood movie The Marvels and the Netflix series Gyeongseong Creature, which are both scheduled to be released in the second half of this year. Park Seo-joon will share his endorsement and support to IAM Worldwide’s line of products: Amazing Pure Organic Barley, a powdered drink made from organically grown Barley grass in Australia; Amazing Acai Berry Extract that effectively protects the body from the damaging effects of free radicals and enhances one’s memory while promoting skin elasticity; Amazing Grape Juice with Garcinia Cambogia, a popular supplement that is “a revolutionary fat burner” and “a breakthrough in natural weight loss;” and Amazing Choco-Barley, known to have lots of health benefits to detoxify the body. There’s no denying that the partnership between IAM Worldwide and Park Seo-joon signifies a shared commitment to promoting health, wellness and vitality. Park Seo Jun’s influential voice and genuine dedication to personal well-being align seamlessly with IAM Worldwide’s mission to inspire individuals to embrace healthier lifestyles. The post Park Seo-joon promotes self-care, self-awareness appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Mapúa leads health sciences studies in Mindanao
The Bureau of Labor and Statistics states that employment in the healthcare field is projected to grow by 13 percent from 2021 to 2031. [caption id="attachment_172840" align="aligncenter" width="777"] MAPÚA MCM College of Health Sciences boast of immersive simulation where students can work on 3D anatomical models.[/caption] This increase indicates the creation of two million jobs over a span of 10 years, a much higher than the average for all occupations. With this, students who wish to pursue a career in the medical field have a plethora of options waiting for them locally and abroad. Mapúa Malayan Colleges Mindanao establishes its mastery in the said field through its College of Health Sciences. Programs include BS Biology, BS Psychology, BS Pharmacy, and BS Physical Therapy. Opportunities provided to students encompass global learning, advanced research,and digital technology. Mapúa MCM’s College of Health Sciences has collaborated with Arizona State University to hone pre-med students to be globally ready, be proficient with advanced and immersive facilities and digital mastery. Arizona State University is ranked #1 in the US innovation ahead of MIT and Stanford for eight consecutive years by U.S. News and World Report. ASU is also among the top one percent of universities worldwide, ranked by the Center for World University Ranking 2022-2023 and among the top 150 universities worldwide by the Shanghai Ranking, 2022. MAPÚA MCM College of Health Sciences is one of the few schools in the region that boasts of immersive simulation rooms where students can work on 3D anatomical models, virtual dissection tables and human body projections via AI. But above and beyond technological innovations, MAPÚA MCM College of Health Sciences ensures that their students are anchored on solid ethics and human values through hands-on experience and real-world exposure. Its students undergo internships in hospitals, clinics and community centers where they learn about promotion, prevention, treatment and intervention as they get to interact with real patients. “The medical field is an ever-evolving industry, and the demand for healthcare workers is stronger now than ever. We build our capacity to address this gap through a collaboration with the Healthway network, wherein we streamline the career path of our students — from school to internships and hands-on clinical rotations, straight to career opportunities,” Dr. Adorico M. Aya-ay, dean of the MAPÚA MCM College of Health Sciences, said. MAPÚA MCM also substantiates its faculty members by sending them to train and seminars abroad to learn from experts worldwide. The post Mapúa leads health sciences studies in Mindanao appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
RUPERT’S CHOICE: FILIPINAS OF PASSION AND COMPASSION
To say that a Rupert Jacinto portrait is an exact representation of his subject would be a distortion of the truth. Rupert does not aim to fashion a replica, nor the same exact image of the human being who poses before him and his camera. As an artist and a craftsman, Rupert is a master of the interpretation of the essence of a human being. He even goes further. Through his photography, he pays tribute to his every subject, what moves and defines them, and what inspires and propels them to do their best in their varied endeavors. In his latest book, Having a Ball, A Tribute to Tina Hidalgo Jacinto, recently launched at Rustans Department Store, he highlights 10 women of exceptional passion and compassion, and presents the “Having a Ball” columns written by Tina, his late wife and muse, in the Manila Bulletin. Devoted to Tina, who had been behind him from day one of his career as a photographer, Rupert pays tribute to her being his favorite subject, companion in life’s journey, confidante and the inspiration for the great body of works that he produced in her lifetime. Of course, Tina remains to be Rupert’s inspiration, hers being the whispering voice that continually prompts him to do his usual best. Rupert’s choice of subjects for this book affirms his commitment to highlighting the best of the Filipina, as exemplified by the ladies he featured, as follows: [caption id="attachment_171026" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Nedy Tantoco[/caption] Zenaida R. Tantoco is the president and CEO of Rustan Commercial Corporation and Stores Specialists, Inc. She is the president of The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra Society, Inc. (PPOSI). For more than 12 years, she was a member of the board of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Nedy has produced operas to raise funds for the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, the PPOSI, and the noteworthy projects of the Philippine Italian Association of which she is the president. She recently produced at the CCP Giacomo Puccini's Turandot with a cast from Italy, South Korea and the Philippines. [caption id="attachment_171021" align="aligncenter" width="451"] Margie Moran Floirendo[/caption] Margie Moran Floirendo is currently the president of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. She was chairman of the board of the CCP. She brought honor to the Philippines when she became Miss Universe 1973. She is an advocate of Philippine ballet and Mindanao tourism. [caption id="attachment_171028" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Pinky Tobiano[/caption] Pinky Tobiano is a cancer survivor and philanthropist. She is the CEO of Progressive Laboratories and Kpp Powers Commodities, Founder and chairman of the Board of the Harvard Business School (Philippine Chapter) and president of the Association of Bureau of Animal Industry-Recognized Laboratories. Pinky is admired by legions for her iconic tablescapes, the best proof of her exceptional creativity. [caption id="attachment_171022" align="aligncenter" width="314"] Mache Torres-Ackerman[/caption] Mache Torres-Ackerman is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, educator, leadership coach, international author, and US Certified Life Coach specializing in Hypnotherapy focused on providing individual/group counseling /clinical hypnosis services (childhood traumas; family issues; addiction; relationships). [caption id="attachment_171025" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Jacqueline Michelle Lim[/caption] Jacqueline Michelle Lim is the CEO of Amanah Oil and Gas Corp. She is gifted with psychic abilities. An old soul, she loves antiques, old manuscripts, and photographs from yesteryears. [caption id="attachment_171027" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Mayor Nina Quiambao[/caption] Mayor Nina Quiambao is the first woman mayor of Pangasinan. Her priorities are social-cultural development, social protection, agricultural modernization, good governance, economic and infrastructure development, environment protection, and disaster resiliency. [caption id="attachment_171020" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Cory Navarro[/caption] Cory Navarro is the founder and chairman of King’s Group of Companies. A top hostess, she invites renowned chefs to whip up their specialties for her family, friends and guests. [caption id="attachment_171024" align="aligncenter" width="454"] Marissa Gutierrez[/caption] Marissa L. Gutierrez is the President of Gikab Foundation in Negros. She is an entrepreneur engaged in land banking, building and selling real estate. She is a product of the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts. She owns the 1335 Mabini Art Gallery. [caption id="attachment_171029" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Aida Posadas[/caption] Aida Posadas is an heir to the Posadas Estate. A God-centered person, she is an Instagram artist, nature lover and mother to her one and only son, Wowee Posadas, who owns the two-decade old 19 East Bar and Restaurant. [caption id="attachment_171023" align="aligncenter" width="444"] Marge Organo[/caption] Marge Organo is a talented glass sculptor who trained in the Corning Museum of Glass in New York, USA and The Glassmaking School of Kamenicky, Senov, Czech Republic. She has exhibited at the Galerie Joaquin. Marge established Altheamed Pharmaceuticals which distributes Ophtha and ENT medicines, as well as cataract lenses from US, Europe and India. The company is now known as Qure Corp. Pharma, after her son took over the reins of the company. The post RUPERT’S CHOICE: FILIPINAS OF PASSION AND COMPASSION appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Rise of the machines: AI spells danger for Hollywood stunt workers
Hollywood's striking actors fear that artificial intelligence is coming for their jobs -- but for many stunt performers, that dystopian danger is already a reality. From "Game of Thrones" to the latest Marvel superhero movies, cost-slashing studios have long used computer-generated background figures to reduce the number of actors needed for battle scenes. Now, the rise of AI means cheaper and more powerful techniques are being explored to create highly elaborate action sequences such as car chases and shootouts -- without those pesky (and expensive) humans. Stunt work, a time-honored Hollywood tradition that has spanned from silent epics through to Tom Cruise's latest "Mission Impossible," is at risk of rapidly shrinking. "The technology is exponentially getting faster and better," said Freddy Bouciegues, stunt coordinator for movies like "Free Guy" and "Terminator: Dark Fate." "It's really a scary time right now." Studios are already requiring stunt and background performers to take part in high-tech 3D "body scans" on set, often without explaining how or when the images will be used. Advancements in AI mean these likenesses could be used to create detailed, eerily realistic "digital replicas," which can perform any action or speak any dialogue its creators wish. Bouciegues fears producers could use these virtual avatars to replace "nondescript" stunt performers -- such as those playing pedestrians leaping out of the way of a car chase. "There could be a world where they said, 'No, we don't want to bring these 10 guys in... we'll just add them in later via effects and AI. Now those guys are out of the job." But according to director Neill Blomkamp, whose new film "Gran Turismo" hits theaters August 25, even that scenario only scratches the surface. The role AI will soon play in generating images from scratch is "hard to compute," he told AFP. "Gran Turismo" primarily uses stunt performers driving real cars on actual racetracks, with some computer-generated effects added on top for one particularly complex and dangerous scene. But Blomkamp predicts that, in as soon as six or 12 months, AI will reach a point where it can generate photo-realistic footage like high-speed crashes based on a director's instructions alone. At that point, "you take all of your CG (computer graphics) and VFX (visual effects) computers and throw them out the window, and you get rid of stunts, and you get rid of cameras, and you don't go to the racetrack," he told AFP. "It's that different." The human element The lack of guarantees over the future use of AI is one of the major factors at stake in the ongoing strike by the Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) and Hollywood's writers, who have been on the picket lines 100 days. SAG-AFTRA last month warned that studios intend to create realistic digital replicas of performers, to use "for the rest of eternity, in any project they want" -- all for the payment of one day's work. The studios dispute this, and say they have offered rules including informed consent and compensation. But as well as the potential implications for thousands of lost jobs, Bouciegues warns that no matter how good the technology has become, "the audience can still tell" when the wool is being pulled over their eyes by computer-generated VFX. Even if AI can perfectly replicate a battle, explosion or crash, it cannot supplant the human element that is vital to any successful action film, he said, pointing to Cruise's recent "Top Gun" and "Mission Impossible" sequels. "He uses real stunt people, and he does real stunts, and you can see it on the screen. For me, I feel like it subconsciously affects the viewer," said Bouciegues. Current AI technology still gives "slightly unpredictable results," agreed Blomkamp, who began his career in VFX, and directed Oscar-nominated "District 9." "But it's coming... It's going to fundamentally change society, let alone Hollywood. The world is going to be different." For stunt workers like Bouciegues, the best outcome now is to blend the use of human performers with VFX and AI to pull off sequences that would be too dangerous with old-fashioned techniques alone. "I don't think this job will ever just cease to be," said Bouciegues, of stunt work. "It just definitely is going to get smaller and more precise." But even that is a sobering reality for stunt performers who are currently standing on picket lines outside Hollywood studios. "Every stunt guy is the alpha male type, and everybody wants to say, 'Oh, we're good,'" said Bouciegues. "But I personally have spoken to a lot of people that are freaked out and nervous." The post Rise of the machines: AI spells danger for Hollywood stunt workers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Appeal of Civil Service Commission (1)
Does the Civil Service Commission or CSC have a legal standing to appeal to the Supreme Court a reversal or modification of its decision by the appellate court? The Supreme Court was once again confronted with this issue in the recent case of CSC vs. Fuentes (Fuentes) [G.R. 237322, 10 January 2023]. In laying down the guidelines as to when the CSC can appeal a reversal of its decisions, the Court found it necessary to revisit the mandate of the CSC and its powers and functions, and did a survey of jurisprudence which involved the same issue. The CSC’s role as the government’s central personnel agency is at the core of its mandate. From this overarching role stems all the others — the task to establish a career service; adopt measures to promote morale, efficiency, integrity, responsiveness, progressiveness, and courtesy in the civil service; strengthen the merit and rewards system; integrate all human resources development programs; institutionalize a management climate conducive to public accountability; and report to the President and the Congress. Section 12, Chapter 3, Subtitle A, Title I, Book V of Executive Order No 292, otherwise known as the Administrative Code of 1987, enumerates the CSC’s powers and functions, which include, among others, the following: SECTION 12. Powers and Functions. The Commission shall have the following powers and functions: (6) Appoint and discipline its officials and employees in accordance with law and exercise control and supervision over the activities of the Commission; *** (11) Hear and decide administrative cases instituted by or brought before it directly or on appeal, including contested appointments, and review decisions and actions of its offices and of the agencies attached to it. *** In the Fuentes case, the Court concluded that the CSC cannot thoroughly perform its constitutional mandate of being a central personnel agency without its power to discipline its officials and employees, and held that “the Commission’s role of being a central personnel agency would be unduly crippled without its disciplinary power.” The case of CSC vs Dacoycoy, G.R. No. 135805, 29 April 1999 (Dacoycoy): Dacoycoy categorically abandoned the Supreme Court’s earlier decision ruling that the civil service law “does not contemplate a review of decisions exonerating officers or employees from administrative charges,” firmly expanded the scope of an “aggrieved party” and declared that, as a party adversely affected by the ruling of the Court of Appeals exonerating the public official or employee, the CSC may appeal the Court of Appeals’ decision to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court elucidated that under such circumstances, the CSC becomes an aggrieved party — a party adversely affected by the ruling of the Court of Appeals, which will “seriously prejudice the civil service system.” The case of CSC vs Mathay Jr., G.R. 124374, 15 December 1999 (Mathay, Jr.): Seven months after the Court’s promulgation of Dacoycoy, it decided on Mathay Jr. In declaring that the CSC had no legal standing to bring an appeal before the Supreme Court, the latter drew a line between Mathay Jr. and Dacoycoy by ruling that, while Dacoycoy involved nepotism — an administrative case “whose deleterious effect on government cannot be overemphasized,” Mathay Jr. merely involved reinstatement, an issue that can hardly “impair the effectiveness of government.” For this reason, the Supreme Court held that its ruling in Dacoycoy did not apply to Mathay Jr. The reasoning of the Court behind Mathay Jr. stemmed from the fact that the CSC’s power to hear and decide administrative cases instituted by or brought before it directly or on appeal is judicial instead of adversarial. Hence, CSC is more of a judge than a litigant. The Court went on to explain that as a quasi-judicial body with the role of an adjudicator, the CSC should be impartial and detached; and concluded that the CSC would risk becoming an advocate if it would be allowed to appeal to the Supreme Court. (To be continued) The post Appeal of Civil Service Commission (1) appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Tony Bennett, last of classic American crooners, dead at 96
Tony Bennett, the last in a generation of classic American crooners whose ceaselessly cheery spirit bridged generations to make him a hitmaker across seven decades, died Friday in New York. He was 96. Raised in an era when big bands defined US pop music, Bennett achieved an improbable second act when he started winning over young audiences in the 1990s -- not by reinventing himself but by demonstrating his sheer joy in belting out the standards. And then at age 88, Bennett, in 2014 became the oldest person ever to reach number one on the US album sales chart through a collection of duets with Lady Gaga -- who became his friend and touring companion but only one of a long list of younger stars who rushed to work with the singing great. Bennett's publicist, Sylvia Weiner, announced his death. Likened since the start of his career to Frank Sinatra, Bennett first tried to distance himself but eventually followed much of the same path as other crooners of yore -- singing in nightclubs, on television, and for movies, although his attempts to act ended quickly. His gift proved to be his stage presence. With a welcoming smile and dapper suit, he sang with gusto and a smooth vibrato in a strong, clearly enunciated voice, which he kept in shape through training from the operatic Bel Canto tradition. Starting with his recording of the film song "Because of You" in 1951, Bennett sang dozens of hits including "Rags to Riches," "Stranger in Paradise" and, in what would become his signature tune, "I Left My Heart in San Francisco," which landed him two of his career's 19 Grammy Awards. But the British Invasion led by The Beatles initially took a toll on the singer, whose music suddenly sounded quaint and antiquated. He nearly died of a cocaine overdose in 1979 before sobering up and eventually reviving his career. "When rap came along, or disco, whatever the new fashion was at the moment, I didn't try to find something that would fit whatever the style was of the whole music scene," Bennett told the British culture magazine Clash. "I just stayed myself and sang sincerely and tried to just stay honest with myself -- never compromising, just doing the best songs that I could think of for the public. "And luckily it just paid off." Singing as hardscrabble youth Tony Bennett -- his stage name came after advice from showbiz A-lister Bob Hope -- was born Anthony Dominick Benedetto in the Astoria neighborhood of New York's Queens borough. His father was a struggling grocer who immigrated from southern Italy's Calabria region, to which his mother also traced her ancestry. He showed early promise as an entertainer, singing at age nine next to legendary New York mayor Fiorello LaGuardia when he ceremonially opened the city's Triborough Bridge, now known as the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge. But his father's death at age 10, at a time when the United States was still struggling to exit the Great Depression, led him to leave school and earn money through jobs including singing at Italian restaurants and caricature painting, which remained a lifelong side career. During World War II, Bennett was drafted into the 63rd Infantry Division and was sent to France and Germany. But he was demoted after cursing out an officer from the South who objected to Bennett dining with an African American friend in the then racially segregated army. As punishment, Bennett spent his tour of duty digging out bodies and shipping them. But after the Allied victory, Bennett found an unexpected break into music as he waited with fellow troops in Wiesbaden, Germany to return home. With the city's opera house still intact, a US Army band performed a weekly show to be broadcast on military radio across Germany. Taken on as the band's librarian, Bennett was quickly impressed with his voice and was made one of four vocalists. "During this period in the army, I enjoyed the most musical freedom I've ever had in my life," Bennett later wrote in his autobiography, "The Good Life." "I could sing whatever I wanted, and there was no one around to tell me any different," he wrote. Outspoken against racism and war When he returned to the United States, he took formal singing lessons through the GI Bill, which covered educational expenses for returning troops. His experiences made Bennett a lifelong liberal. He became especially enraged in the 1950s when he played in Miami with jazz pioneer Duke Ellington, who was not allowed to attend a press party due to segregation at the hotel. In a then risky move for a popular entertainer, he accepted an invitation from singer Harry Belafonte to join civil rights icon Martin Luther King in the 1965 march from Selma, Alabama in support of equal voting rights for African Americans. He later wrote in his memoir that the hostility of the white state troopers reminded him of Nazi Germany. He was also an outspoken opponent of war, at times raising controversy. "The first time I saw a dead German, that's when I became a pacifist," he told popular radio host Howard Stern days after the 11 September 2001 attacks. Late in life, still cool Bennett was married three times and had four children including Antonia Bennett, who has followed his path as a singer of pop and jazz standards. But his son Danny Bennett was most instrumental in his father's career, aggressively courting MTV and other players in the pop world as a manager for his father. By the early 1990s, Bennett -- his style and look little changed from the 1960s, except for more gray hair -- was appearing in music videos on MTV and singing warm-up at concerts by alternative rock giants such as Smashing Pumpkins and Porno for Pyros. Proof that Bennett was back came in 1993 when he presented a prize at the MTV Video Music Awards alongside the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who hailed his cool factor and playfully sang part of "I Left My Heart in San Francisco." His career only kept building and a decade later, he released three successful albums of duets. On one of them, "Body and Soul," he sang with Amy Winehouse in her last recording before she died in 2011 at age 27. He marked his 90th birthday with a star-studded concert at New York's Radio City Music Hall, which was turned into a television special and album. The title was taken from a song popularized by Bennett: "The Best Is Yet to Come." Bennett toured the United States and Europe into his final decade, playing his last public performance before the coronavirus pandemic halted touring in New Jersey on 11 March 2020. Soon after, he revealed he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2016. He had kept his condition quiet for years. Upon turning 95, Bennett played two more birthday concerts, again at Radio City Music Hall, with Lady Gaga -- shows billed as his farewell to New York. He then canceled the remainder of his 2021 tour dates on "doctors' orders." "And let the music play as long as there's a song to sing / And I will stay younger than spring," he crooned during the first of his farewell shows, in a rendition of his ballad "This Is All I Ask." "You've been a good audience," Bennett said prior to his encore. "I love this audience." The post Tony Bennett, last of classic American crooners, dead at 96 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Husband’s tears of joy cap Vondrousova’s ‘impossible’ Wimbledon fairytale
Marketa Vondrousova said her husband's unexpected show of emotion after Saturday's shock Wimbledon final victory against Ons Jabeur was the perfect end to her "impossible" triumph. Vondrousova became the first unseeded woman to win Wimbledon as she stunned the Tunisian world number six on Centre Court. The 24-year-old held her nerve in a tense 6-4, 6-4 win, securing her first major title four years after losing her only previous Grand Slam final at the French Open. So unexpected was her Wimbledon run that the world number 42 told her husband Stepan Simek to stay at home in Prague to look after their cat Frankie, until a pet sitter was found to allow him to travel to London for the final. Twelve months after their wedding, Simek cried tears of joy when he saw Vondrousova after the match. "I think when I came to the box, he cried. I saw him after and he cried a lot," Vondrousova said. "It's amazing, tomorrow is our first wedding anniversary. "That's the first emotion I saw from him over eight years. I think he cried on the wedding day also, but that was it!" With the family cat clearly a major figure in the Vondrousova household, the champion said her pet would get a reward after missing out on the party at the All England Club. "I'm going to buy her some good fish. She's with the cat sitter now. My mom is coming tomorrow to watch her," she said. "She has to wait for us. She doesn't really care what's happening." The outpouring of emotion from Vondrousova's family was triggered by her unlikely journey to Wimbledon glory. She had endured two serious wrist injuries that stalled her promising career since losing the 2019 French Open final. Hampered by her injuries, Vondrousova was reduced to watching her best friend Miriam Kolodziejova attempt to qualify for the Wimbledon main draw last year. "I had a cast last year at that time. I was a tourist here. When I was coming back, I didn't know if I can play at that level again. This seems impossible," she said. 'I couldn't breathe' Given her previous poor form on grass, Vondrousova had no expectations of a long run in this year's tournament. "I didn't play well before on grass. It's unbelievable. Nobody would have told you that I even had a chance to win," she said. "I was unseeded. It's such a crazy journey. I can't believe it." With the Centre Court roof closed due to high winds in London, Vondrousova was able to take advantage of the conditions better than Jabeur. "I was really happy they closed the roof because it's very different than in the windy weather. We practice in Prague in winter indoors. I always play good indoors," she said. Learning from the experience of her French Open final thrashing by Ash Barty, Vondrousova battled to keep her composure as the pressure mounted. "I couldn't breathe. I was thinking to myself, 'Just be over'. I was like crazy nervous," she said. "I just tried to stay calm and keep it together. It was such a relief when I put the match point in." With her place in Wimbledon history assured, the tattooed Vondrousova will turn her attention to some celebratory body art alongside her coach Jan Mertl. "I'll choose for him. Maybe we'll get the same one. We talked before the tournament and he said, 'Yeah, so maybe if you win a Grand Slam, then I'll do it'," she said. "I'm just going to made him do it. I'll show you guys on Instagram after." smg/dj © Agence France-Presse The post Husband’s tears of joy cap Vondrousova’s ‘impossible’ Wimbledon fairytale appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Yes, anybody can fly with aerial arts
photograph courtesy of Lariza Jane E. Cabaltierra AERIAL silks. photograph courtesy of Kate Cometa AERIAL hammock. Zendaya as circus aerialist Anne Wheeler in the 2017 musical drama film The Greatest Showman is truly captivating. But do you know that you can also do her aerial tricks? Well, yes, if you take lessons in aerial arts, which are offered in local studios. Aerial arts is a type of performance in which one or more artists perform aerial dance and acrobatics with the use of an apparatus, such as hoop, silks and hammock as the most common ones. Aerial hoop Aerial hoop (also known as lyra) looks a lot like hula hoop, though made of steel and suspended from an overhead point upon which a performer can do tricks while spinning. Nesh Zamora teaches aerial hoop at Elite Aerial Arts, which she co-owns. She began her aerial arts journey in 2012. She was then engaged to be married and weighed about 138 pounds, so she wanted to slim down to fit nicely into her wedding gown. She “chanced upon” a dance and fitness studio around the Ortigas area, where she discovered pole fitness, dance and eventually, aerial arts. She fell in love with aerial hoop and silks that she continued taking lessons in different studios in Metro Manila and in the United States even after she achieved her ideal weight. “It was a slow start for me,” she recalls. “I needed to psych myself to believe that I can be at par with the other girls in class. Would you believe it took me six sessions to just be able to climb the aerial fabric? There are no shortcuts in learning aerial arts. It is truly for everyone as long as they are willing to put in the work.” Zamora says she started teaching aerial hoop and silks in 2014, after taking “intensive classes from known aerialists in countries like Thailand, Hong Kong and the US.” Today, she also teaches and performs (during parties or corporate events) aerial silks and hammock, as well as less common types like aerial straps, cube, moon and lyrapole. She recommends aerial arts not only for only for its health and health and confidence-boosting benefits but also the friendships formed among students and teachers. “Whatever lifestyle, gender, age and even weight you may have when you enter our studio, you will end your first session knowing that aerial arts is for you.” Tips for new students: 1. Make sure you choose a studio with qualified instructors and which puts premium to student safety in terms of the quality of equipment used and instruction pacing. 2. Come to class with an open mind. 3. Try out all types of aerial equipment to see what excites you the most. 4. Listen and watch intently. Don’t be shy to ask your instructors to repeat or demonstrate what is being taught. 5. Enjoy and document your progression by taking photos and videos. 6. Never compromise your safety. Elite Aerial Arts Address: 143-3 Maginhawa St., Sikatuna Village, Quezon City. Website: eliteaerialarts.com. FB: Elite Aerial Arts, IG: @eliteaerialartsph. Aerial silks Aerial silks (also referred to as tissu, fabric and ribbon) are two long pieces of fabric made of not silks but a blend of polyster-lycra or nylon tricot that measure at least 16 meters each. These fabrics are draped down from a single point, which is then connected on a ceiling or outdoor rig using steel or aluminum hardware. The performer will climb the silks and do different kinds of sequences on them. Lariza Jane E. Cabaltierra is an aerial instructor at Idanceph dance studio and a junior member of the Whiplash Dance Company. In 2014, or merely a year after she learned aerial silks, this former teacher of ballet for kids made the cut in the Hall of Fame of TV5’s Talentadong Pinoy with her stunning performance. Over the years, she’s learned many other apparatuses, such as hoop, hammock, chandelier, moon and helix. She says not to believe in misconceptions that aerial arts is only for women who are young, strong and have a dance background. “It’s a step-by-step process. Little by little, your body will become strong and you will have confidence that you can do the tricks. As long as you’re happy with what you are doing, just keep going. What matters is what your heart wants.” Tips for new students: 1. Wear comfortable clothing that is suitable for the class you will be attending. 2. Do some proper warm-ups before class starts. 3. Expect more laughter and be ready to surprise yourself. 4. If you have a health concern, don’t be shy or don’t hesitate to tell the teacher or coach about it. 5. Be friendly, so you can make new friends and have a support system. 6. Most of all, just enjoy the class. Idanceph Address: #96 Maginhawa St., M Place Building, Diliman, Quezon City. FB: Idanceph. Aerial hammock Aerial hammock (also called slings) is similar to the one used in aerial yoga or aerial fitness, but with a much longer fabric, so the performer can do more tricks while spinning. Kate Cometa teaches aerial hammock at Beast House Pole and Aerial Dance Studio. She discovered aerial arts in 2016, when, as she tells it, “life had me all kinds of confused,” especially in her relationships and career choices, while suffering from insomnia and anxiety. “When I started in aerial silks, I looked more like a flailing sausage than a graceful aerialist. For two whole months, I couldn’t even manage a simple invert.” But she didn’t give up and even became “obsessed” with aerial arts, not minding “spending all my money on class cards and super cool aerial outfits.” She then joined her first recital and realized that it wasn’t just a hobby but already her “heart and soul.” She also ventured into hoop and silks, and even outside her comfort zone with pole dance. In 2018, she started teaching aerial hammock and joined her first competition, the Philippine Aerial Cup, in the amateur women pole division. “The most important thing is to allow yourself to be a beginner and fully enjoy the class,” Cometa points out. “There’s no need to worry about your fitness background or any preconceived notion. Everyone is welcome. It’s an inclusive community that embraces diversity and celebrates the uniqueness of each individual.” Tips to new students: 1. Listen to your teacher and truly know your body parts, both left and right. It may sound simple, but you’d be surprised how often we forget those essential details when we’re hanging in the air. 2. Approach your aerial journey with an open heart that is ready to accept new things, embrace challenges and love every step of the process. It’s through this openness that you’ll find the true magic of aerial arts. 3. Let the guidance and expertise of your instructor sink in and trust that they are there to support you on your incredible journey. (Cometa leads the aerial flow workshop in Cebu on 8 to 10 July.) Beast House Pole and Aerial Dance Studio Address: 2nd Floor, Pioneer Centre, United Street corner Pioneer St., Kapitolyo, Pasig City. FB: Beast Home Pole and Aerial Dance Studio. IG: @beasthomeph. The post Yes, anybody can fly with aerial arts appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Star gymnast Biles poised for August return to competition
Gymnastics superstar Simone Biles is poised to compete in August for the first time since mental health and safety concerns cut short her Tokyo Olympics campaign, entering the August US Classic near Chicago. USA Gymnastics announced Wednesday that the four-time Olympic gold medallist was entered in the August 4-5 event, which would be her first since she withdrew from most of her events in Tokyo in 2021. "Registration...does not guarantee participation," USA Gymnastics warned in the statement. "Every athlete is at a different place in their season and career, and we will support each of them, wherever they are in their journey," said USA Gymnastics chief programs officer Stefanie Korepin. Biles electrified the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, where she won gold in team, all-around, vault and floor exercise as well as a balance beam bronze. She entered the Covid-delayed Tokyo Olympics in 2021 as a heavy favorite to win as many as five gold medals. She hadn't lost an all-around competition since 2013 and her build up to the Games included mastery of a daring Yurchenko double pike vault that had never before been seen in women's competition. However, she would depart Tokyo with only team silver and a balance beam bronze, however, her campaign cut short after she experienced the "twisties" -- the phenomenon in which gymnasts lose the ability to orientate themselves in mid-air. Biles withdrew from the team event after performing on one apparatus and later withdrew from the all-around competition and the finals for vault, uneven bars and floor exercise, saying at the time she needed to prioritze her mental health. Biles said in a video released after Tokyo that her problems had been building for a while. "I wouldn't even say it started in Tokyo. I feel like it was probably a little bit deeper-rooted than that," Biles said. "I think it was just the stress factor. It kind of built up over time, and my body and my mind just said no. But even I didn't know I was going through it until it just happened." "It just sucks," Biles said in the video. "But I know that I helped a lot of people and athletes speak out about mental health and saying no. Because I knew I couldn't go out there and compete. I knew I was going to get hurt." After the Tokyo Games, in September 2021, Biles testified before a U.S. Senate committee looking into FBI failures in investigating sexual abuse by former gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar. Nassar received a life sentence after pleading guilty in late 2017 and early 2018 to sexually assaulting women and girls while working as a sports medicine doctor at USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University. - Another Olympics? - In recent months Biles's popular social media feeds have featured not gymnastics but news of her personal life, including her marriage to NFL Safety Jonathan Owens, then with the Houston Texans, in April. When Owens signed with the Green Bay Packers in May she endeared herself to Green Bay fans by soliciting suggestions on what to see and do in the couple's new town. Biles has won 25 world championships medals, 19 of them gold, and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Joe Biden in 2022. Although she hasn't outlined her plans, the US Classic is roughly a year out from the 2024 Paris Olympics, and Biles has used the event to launch a comeback before. She returned to competition at the meeting in 2018, having taken a break after her stunning Rio Games campaign. bb/pb/nr © Agence France-Presse The post Star gymnast Biles poised for August return to competition appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
New jail chief to follow ‘BJMP Plan 2040’
The incoming 10th Chief of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology on Tuesday said he will continue working on the BJMP’s J.A.I.L. Plan 2040, the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s “Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan” Program, and the Marcos administration’s Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028. BJMP J.A.I.L. Plan 2040 stands for Journey for Advancement Innovation and Long-term Development Plan 2040. Jail director Ruel Rivera was appointed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. Monday evening. In his new role as BJMP chief, Rivera said he is committed to the BJMP’s mandate of providing secure, reformation-oriented, and well-managed jail facilities across the country. Rivera said he will work closely with BJMP personnel, stakeholders, and partners to uphold the BJMP commitment to professionalism, integrity and service excellence. Rivera will be leading the BJMP’s 20,813 personnel in taking care of 126,606 persons deprived of liberty confined in 479 jails and with a nationwide congestion rate of 365 percent. A member of PATNUBAY Class of 1995, Rivera received his degree in Public Safety from the Philippine National Police Academy. He pursued a Master’s in Public Administration at Batangas State University and acquired Doctorate units in Philosophy on Educational Management at the University of Rizal System. The Daily Tribune learned that throughout Rivera’s career, the new BJMP chief has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership skills, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of the complexities and challenges faced by the Jail Bureau. He played a vital role in implementing innovative programs and initiatives aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of the BJMP’s operations and the rehabilitation of PDL. In his 28 years in public service, Jail Director Rivera brings a distinguished career in jail management to this position. With his years of experience in various capacities within the BJMP, he displayed exemplary dedication and commitment to the bureau’s mission of ensuring safe and humane custody of PDL. He never shied away from being deployed to various regional offices as a staff officer, Regional Chief of Directorial Staff and Assistant Regional Director, until his eventual ascent to the seat of the Regional Director of BJMP-MIMAROPA from 2013 to 2014. Rivera also became the NHQ’s Chief of the Finance Service Office, Director for Investigation and Prosecution, Director for Logistics, and Director for Comptrollership, before joining the BJMP’s Command Group, the decision-making body of the Jail Bureau, serving as the Chief of Directorial Staff in 2017, Deputy Chief for Operations in 2018, Deputy Chief for Administration in July 2019, and Acting Chief, BJMP on March 27, 2023. Rivera replaced General Allan Iral who optionally retired from the service at the age of 54 after reaching the maximum tour of duty of four years as BJMP chief last June 23, 2023. The post New jail chief to follow ‘BJMP Plan 2040’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Tingting Cojuangco — Christian Espiritu’s ultimate muse
Through the years of Philippine fashion history, Margarita “Tingting” de los Reyes Cojuangco has always been known as the muse of the iconic Filipino designer Christian Espiritu who recently passed away. Theirs is a friendship that had stood the test of time. Tingting was named one of the 100 beautiful women of the world by the international magazine, Harper’s Bazaar, on the occasion of its 100 founding anniversary. During the early years of the 1970s, she made it to the Hall of Fame of Manila’s Best Dressed List, an annual selection initiated by the old guard of Philippine fashion, among them Ramon Valera, Salavacion Lim Higgins of Slim’s, Pilar Romack of New Yorker Gown Salon, and Imelda Reyes of Milie’s Gowns. In the 1980s, Tingting, who graced the social pages as a teenager and a young matron, transformed into a new woman, this time as a street activist braving the firecanons and tear gas, a Yellow campaigner in the South, and finally a graduate student and scholar specializing in the ethnic muslim communities of Cotabago and Zamboanga. She would cap this with a National Defense College master’s thesis on the then rebel Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Through it all, she kept her friendship with the man who first showed the world her potential. Christian saw in Tingting, this gangly yet beautiful teenager, a lady worth grooming and turning into an icon of fashion. Tingting thus became Christian’s muse. Chosen by her mother and grandmother, Christian made her outfit for her high school prom at Maryknoll College. It was the beginning of a lifelong friendship and collaboration that would pass through social, political and economic upheavals in this country. No matter, they were constant in each other’s lives, not minding intrigues, the cycle of fortunes and The recent demise of her original mentor and designer, Christian, brought Tingting out of her reculsive and quiet life to share with the Daily Tribune her memories of the designer who streamline Filipiniana, incorporating his knowledge as a graduate of architecture. The interview with Tingting Cojuangco follows: “He launched my modeling career” Daily Tribune (DT): How did you meet Christian? Did you go to him for your teenage formal dresses, and not only during your wedding? Tingting delos Reyes Cojuangco (TRC): My mom and grandma Lucia “Dada” admired the simplicity of his designs on the Christian Espiritu shop on their way to fetch me from Maryknoll College. [caption id="attachment_148162" align="aligncenter" width="525"] CHRISTIAN and Tingting photographed by Jaime Zobel de Ayala.[/caption] The display changed constantly but the clothes were cut simply along the revered lines of Audrey Hepburn’s and Jackie Onassis. His below the knee dresses were sleeveless, with a boat collar, 2-pin tucks under the bust accentuated the waist and hips that ended in semi straight skirt. Mom brought me into his shop at age 15 it was called “Christian” for Christian Espiritu. He launched my modeling career at 16 years old with Gilbert Perez who taught me how to pose. Mother always reminded me, a pretty face looses attraction if the voice isn’t modulated or manners are impeccable and courteousness for elders. Christian reinforced Mom’s belief, simplicity are carried off with poise, beauty and elegance. Christian’s creativeness suggested taste with ease and wealth subdued characterizing by minimalism. DT: Tell me about that wedding gown. Why did you choose him and not Valera or one of the stalwarts of the era? What was his inspiration for the gown? What did you tell him about your preferences? TRC: He made my wedding gown and the whole entourage. My in-laws wanted my wedding gown to be made by Valera a great designer of his time. But I insisted on Christian. For my wedding gown he sketched the simplest white gown, it turned out he had sequins sewed on the satin fabric one by one. He put a sheer fabric organza on top of the gown. It was very elegant for my morning wedding as the sequins shined different colors depending on the lights. That was his precision. For my wedding Christian was at home with his assistant Romulo Estrada. I recall Inno Sotto as his right hand, both dressed me up constantly. Did I have a preference in designs? He said “bahala na ako” and I agreed. That was trust and loyalty. He designed my dresses with simplicity, cut perfectly, shaping my thin body whether it was a day dress or gown. “His dresses were cut perfectly.” DT: When you were married already, did you still see him for your outfits? Which of the dresses and gowns he made for you do you remember? TRC: Yes, we had a friendship of two family’s compadres and ninangs. He did China’s wedding gown of gray and pink even if he claimed he was retired. I forced him. DT: What made him an outstanding designer? TRC: Simplicity. His dresses were cut perfectly and fabrics that didn’t crumple with pin tucks here and there. With the timelessness in the designs and his execution I could wear Christian’s couture clothes for many years. DT: You are in the Best Dressed Hall of Fame. Was he among the designers that you admired and commissioned to do your dresses? TRC: Yes and our friendship developed through the years and confidence. He never spoke bad of anybody. He would just put his hands together and smile. DT: Any unforgettable creation of his exclusively for you? Can you describe some of the gowns and dresses he made for you? TRC: I had a satin dress with a round Chinese emblem and tassel. His clothes for me were stand outs…my gowns for formal functions were of full skirts. “He said, ‘The language of fashion is refined, cultured and well-mannered.’” DT: When was the last time you saw him? Tell us about that last encounter with him. TRC: At an Elegant Women event in Diamond Hotel, Elegance…Merriam-Webster defines it as “refined grace or dignified propriety; tasteful richness of design or ornamentation; restrained beauty of style.” The Cambridge Dictionary writes “graceful and attractive in appearance or behavior.” When the project of elegant women first came up, it was for me to make a list of best dressed women. It had been done too many times now without a conclusion. I figure that there are many Filipinas who have the perfect body for dressing, who dress and accessorize well – but money and a stylist can do that. And, as the cliché goes, money cannot buy class. So, the concept evolved and we agreed on making a list of The Elegant Filipina. We also decided that, first, this project would be for a cause, and second, that I would be allowed to redefine the meaning of elegance to inspire others to contribute to one’s community, society and country by being an elegant example. While the list was handpicked by me, I sought advice to validate my choices. This panel was composed of designer Christian Espiritu, fashion entrepreneur Tina Ocampo, Monaco Consul Fortune Ledesma, Philippine Tatler’s Editor-In-Chief Anton San Diego, and Managing Editor Chit Lijauco and Pete Cura. We defined an Elegant Filipina as: He said “The woman at the center of attention knows that the language of fashion is refined, cultured and well-mannered; Commands respect in her chosen field; leaves a legacy of power and grace, beauty and sophistication, wisdom and compassion.” At the first Elegant Women event, he was elegant in his suit with a scarf wearing his trade mark of silver bracelets or varied silver rings. I called him three weeks ago and we promised to see each other. It didn’t happen. “He never mixed politics with art.” [caption id="attachment_148158" align="aligncenter" width="525"] A PORTRAIT of Christian Espiritu by Jaime Zobel de Ayala, 1987.[/caption] DT: He turned his back on his number one client, Imelda Marcos, after Ninoy died. Were you ever with Christian during the Anti-Marcos rallies? Do you recall if he was in EDSA? TRC: Christian was calm, well educated, schooled and respectful. He wouldn’t hurt anyone’s feelings. Never mixed politics and arts. I don’t know about that. I was not with Christian rallying. For rallies I only wore blue jeans or khaki pants and trubenized blouses made of cotton white t-shirt. DT: Who are his other clients from your social set? Who were his loyal customers. TRC: I don’t know. I didn’t care nor ask. That’s not my concern. DT: How did your relationship evolve in the latter years of his life? TRC: I love him. He was part of my growing up and getting old. DT: What do you think was his greatest contribution to Philippine fashion? How did he influence the Philippine fashion industry? TRC: He kept piña alive and the Paranaque bordaderas working day to midnight in their livelihood of Filipino tradition. He used muted colors of fabric. He made women look elegant and desired without showing of their bodies. I agreed that elegance can be expensive. But elegance can be inexpensive too, but confidence and amiability are the key factors. The post Tingting Cojuangco — Christian Espiritu’s ultimate muse appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Filipina fashion designer carves a name in Osaka
A young Filipina fashion designer based in Osaka, Japan, has continuously etched a name for herself – and for the country – as she faithfully upholds unique craftsmanship in all her creations. Her name: Pamela Madlangbayan. [caption id="attachment_141460" align="aligncenter" width="525"] FASHION DESIGNER: Pamela Madlangbayan[/caption] Pamela’s father was once an OFW. Longing to be together, the family relocated to the Land of the Rising Sun in 2006. However, come college, Pamela wished to alleviate some of her parents’ financial burdens. Thus, she earnestly searched for scholarships all across Japan and beyond. She was accepted into the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, where she finished her Fashion Design and Merchandising degree. As the worrisome pandemic halted the world into an absolute standstill, Pamela, on her final year, had serious second thoughts on her specialization. “I didn’t know whether I should even pursue fashion since nobody really needs designer clothes during a global crisis — at least that’s what it felt like,” she earlier admitted. Still, she continued to tread on her chosen path. Before long, she found herself back in Japan, a fashion capital of the world, creating bespoke pieces for the Japanese fashionista crowd. Today, she is an essential component of EINS, a curated vintage shop in Osaka. Armed with black suits, she breathes new life into these coats as she paints, embroiders and reshapes them. [caption id="attachment_141463" align="aligncenter" width="525"] MASTERFUL EMBROIDERY: Hand-stitched detailing on a vintage jacket[/caption] “I feel almost like Dr. Frankenstein, busily stitching together different suits and trousers to construct new hybrids. We gained a niche circle of clients who ordered these deconstructed avant-garde garments, as well as the custom painted suits to don for special occasions,” she said. She has likewise began teaching part-time at a major fashion institute, as an interpreter for Oleg Mitrofanov, a professor at various universities and colleges across continents. The duo covers courses from Introduction to Fashion and Concept Creation to reviewing student portfolios for the students’ graduate collection. As of recent, Pamela is busy with what is perhaps one of the most important projects in her career so far – the TAYO Fashion Showcase as part of the Filipino-Japanese Friendship affair, the first of its kind in Osaka. Founded by the illustrator and textile designer Feanne, Pamela was then tapped by the Philippine Consulate General as the event coordinator. TAYO, with a double meaning — us or to rise in Filipino and diverse or multicultural in Nihongo — will host a group of established fashion and jewelry designers from the Philippines, joining sustainable fashion designers from Japan in a celebration of craftsmanship. “I couldn’t be more excited to be able to bridge two of my homes through the fields I’m most passionate about,” she said. “The idea that we can be anything and everything all at once” is what continues to inspire the young fashion prodigy. “I can be anything as long as the hunger and passion to learn is present. The thought that I can grow and evolve into someone with an enriched mind and enhanced soul through arts is what keeps me truly going,” she disclosed. During her free time, she loves to stroll across the city and take pictures with her film camera — I repeat, film camera! She likewise makes an effort to use less social media, plus a term called touching grass which means to unplug and enjoy real life, which allows her more opportunity to appreciate nature and meet new people. On the other hand, she acknowledges that as a self-labeled “Official Grown Up,” pressure is internal. She breaks down steps one by one – and her anxiety disappears. “Pressure is something that we instill into ourselves. You’d be surprised how little people expect from you because they’re too busy tending to their own.” Let us hear from Pamela Madlangbayan on all the various aspects of her interesting life in Japan: [caption id="attachment_141462" align="aligncenter" width="525"] TOKYO FASHION SCENE: EINS bondage suits Photo credit: SHIN (@s.yoshi8024)[/caption] On EINS: After a year and a half, we got the attention of a popular high-end curated vintage store within the Shimokitazawa neighborhood in Tokyo. They currently hold my pieces with the EINS label tag and my artist alias Sabotten as the signature on all painted items. I’m very proud of the creations that I was able to produce with only little resources, a lot of imagination and many hours of manual labor. Therefore, to have those stocked in the heart of Tokyo’s alternative fashion scene is such a huge motivation for me to continue slowly, but surely! [caption id="attachment_141465" align="aligncenter" width="525"] CLASSIC REBIRTH: An EINS painted apparel[/caption] Her alter ego: Sabotten is alive and well! I’ve used that alias as my artist identity because I feared that Pamela Madlangbayan as a person might change the perception of the clients towards the art I create. The reason I kept my identity anonymous for my work at the brand is because I do not submit to the MODE-KEI fashion tribe — which is our main clientele. With fashion, it’s never just about the clothes, people buy the personality and the perception that comes with it. But now that my namesake label is in the works, I am gradually bringing the two artist identities together. After all, despite the contrasting elements, these are all a body of my field. I embrace everything now, without trying too hard to set them apart. [caption id="attachment_141466" align="aligncenter" width="525"] ALTER EGO CREATION: Custom-made Sabotten illustrated garment[/caption] Teaching: It’s been an honor and a privilege to work with Oleg Mitrofanov. Last December, we went to the most prestigious fashion school in Tokyo to conduct a week-long winter seminar. I’ve dreamt of – and even made it a goal at one point – to enroll at this school and it feels surreal to be teaching there. [caption id="attachment_141464" align="aligncenter" width="525"] NOBLE INITIATIVE: Pamela’s designs are brought to life by members of the FIBERS community Photo credits: Pamela Mejia/FIBERS[/caption] TAYO collection: The latest collection that will be unveiled at TAYO is a love letter to our laborers. My grandfather and those who came before him were produce farmers, mainly coffee, fruit and vegetables in Silang, Cavite. My great-grandmother was a seamstress during and after the war. They are my roots. Therefore, I want to honor my family, as well as those who continue to work in these sectors. Since the event will take place right after the Philippine Independence Day, I should shed the spotlight on our farmers and textile industry workers and craftsmen. I believe that they are the pillars of our society, often overlooked. However, they are the ones who keep our nation’s traditional agriculture and culture alive. My creations will be the “friendship show piece” of the event, one that binds both cultures. I am aware with the issues surrounding cultural appropriation and tokenization. I see both the Philippines and Japan as my homes, having lived here for almost two decades. Yes, I did a lot of research as to how I can pay homage to both cultures with the utmost respect. [caption id="attachment_141467" align="aligncenter" width="525"] FILIPINO-JAPANESE ELEMENTS: The Kimonoterno, a combination of two national dresses[/caption] Advocating Filipino craftsmanship: When talking to my Japanese peers, most of them do not really have an idea of what the Philippine fashion scene is like. I think it’s always worth talking about how much talent and skill our craftsmen and designers have, as well as our very rich culture and heritage. I’ve always wanted to share this aspect of the Philippines here in Japan and I believe the best way to do it is to, just do: Put out works, talk about Philippine fashion, promote my Filipino friends’ brands to Japanese friends. Empowering marginalized women: Though charity is altruistic and wonderful, it’s still a temporary fix to deep-seated social issues. I think the best way to uplift less-privileged communities is to connect and cultivate new groups where everyone can share their skills and experiences for the betterment of everyone involved. Through a referral of Allesandra Gutierrez, currently based in the Philippines, I was given the privilege to work with Fashion Innovative Businesses for the Environment, Reformation and Sustainability, a collective actively moving across countries in Southeast Asia -- from the Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand. I likewise connected with Pamela Mejia who spearheads a communal project that empowers marginalized women through needlework and other crafts. [caption id="attachment_141468" align="aligncenter" width="525"] IN HER WORLD: Pamela on a business trip in Tokyo[/caption] Advice to aspiring fashion designers: Being a designer is not a race. It’s a discipline that you hone over the years through practice, coupled with a lot of research. Stay grounded, remain eager to learn, try to look outwards, not inwards. See the world and think of what you can offer. Otherwise, we’re just creating more landfill. The post Filipina fashion designer carves a name in Osaka appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
FEU celebrates diversity
Far Eastern University sparked a much-needed conversation on diversity and inclusion during its recent forum “Pagmaya: Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion.” The event, hosted by FEU’s Anti-Bullying Core Group, was graced by Inka Magnaye, social media influencer and voice-over actor; Dr. Shake Hocson, director of FEU Guidance and Counseling; Ameerah Milano, coordinator of FEU Academic Affairs Gender and Development Desk; and Elle Aspilla, a proud transgender woman building a career in public relations. The panelists discussed the importance of respecting someone’s perspective and promoting inclusivity. Inka, being an ally, urged everyone to treat one another with humility, regardless of how diverse their lifestyle is while Milano stressed that understanding someone else’s perspective is key to being inclusive. Aspilla, meanwhile, believes in amplifying the voice of the community, fighting for their rights and removing the word “privilege” from society. Dr. Shake and Ms. A emphasized that inclusivity is an ever-changing and evolving concept, and the university policies regarding inclusivity are regularly updated to ensure that student body feels validated. FEU remains committed to create a vibrant and dynamic community that values and respects differences that make each individual unique. The post FEU celebrates diversity appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Elections without politics
Contrary to what many foreign nationals and even Filipinos themselves believe, partisan politics is prohibited in the synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in the Republic of the Philippines on 30 October 2023. No less than Filipino lawmakers themselves have advised the people against engaging in partisan politics during the barangay and SK elections, citing the prohibition against it under the Omnibus Election Code and Section 93 of the Local Government Code of the Philippines. Under Section 93 on Partisan Political Activity, it is stated that, “No local official or employee in the career civil service shall engage directly or indirectly in any partisan political activity or take part in any election, initiative, referendum, plebiscite, or recall, except to vote, nor shall he use his official authority or influence to cause the performance of any political activity by any person or body.” He may, however, express his views, on current issues, or mention the names of certain candidates for public office whom he supports. Elective local officials may take part in partisan politics and electoral activities, but it shall be unlawful for them to solicit contributions from their subordinates or subject these subordinates to any of the prohibited acts under the Omnibus Election Code. To be elected on 30 October are 42,027 punong barangay or chairmen and 294,189 barangay councilors or kagawad, and the same numbers for the SK chairmen and councilors or kagawad. The barangay election shall be non-partisan and shall be conducted in an expeditious and inexpensive manner. No person who files a certificate of candidacy shall represent or allow himself to be represented as a candidate of any political party or any other organization and/or group. The barangay is the basic political unit that serves as the primary planning and implementing unit for government policies, plans, programs, projects and activities in the community, and as a forum wherein the collective views of the people may be expressed, crystallized and considered, and where disputes may be amicably settled. No person shall be eligible to be a barangay official unless he is a citizen of the Philippines, a registered voter, and an actual resident of the barangay for at least six months immediately preceding the election; able to read and write, and on the date of the election is at least twenty-one years of age. A German national asked: Is the barangay captain a politician? A barangay captain or barangay chairman is the highest elected official in a barangay, the smallest level of administrative division of the Philippines. Also within the barangay are sitios and puroks or sub-divisions of the barangay. The barangay captain does not belong to any political party, nor allow himself to belong to any of them to serve their interest. He works for and serves solely the interests of his constituents within the village. Another foreign national asked: Is a barangay political? A barangay is a political unit but the behavior, official actions and motivations of its leader are not partisan. The chief officials and officers of each barangay are the punong barangay, seven sangguniang barangay members, the SK chairman, a barangay secretary and a barangay treasurer. Are officials of the 42,027 barangays considered government employees of the Republic of the Philippines? Yes, absolutely. The punong barangay, sangguniang barangay members, the KB chairman, the barangay secretary and the barangay treasurer are regular government employees and, as such, are entitled to fixed salaries, alliances, insurance, medical and dental coverage, retirement and benefits. The SK was created in 1975 to train and develop the youth into a strong workforce to serve and protect the homeland. There are lingering voices of dislike for the KB. In fact, many barangay captains find them unnecessary, a nuisance, and a waste of huge amounts of money. Their abolition would be a boon to the thousands of villages in the entire country, they say. The post Elections without politics appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Wellness center celebrates a decade of healing
A certain demographic of women who need support, healing, self-improvement or with fitness goals is drawn to ONELIFE, a center for Pilates and physical therapy. This year, ONELIFE has turned 10 years old, and to celebrate, the studio’s clientele made up of mostly women gathered together last 23 May at the studio’s Estancia Mall branch to look back at how their journey began. “Ten years ago, we started something small. We wanted a place for people to come and work on themselves without feeling intimidated, without feeling judged, without feeling insecure,” said an emotional Tanya Maria Aguila, founder of ONELIFE, during her speech at the company’s 10th-anniversary party. [caption id="attachment_137170" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Tanya Maria Aguila, founder of ONELIFE.[/caption] The party was packed with women in athleisure chic attire, sporting ONELIFE’s colors of blue, ecru, white and grey. It’s a community of glowing women, whose lives have changed and have become one in their sustainable goal: To feel good, become better and healthier—and support fellow women to achieve the same. ONELIFE is clearly driven by the need to help a Filipino woman with her unique needs. It understands that a woman’s body is ever-changing, coupled with various experiences, such as the transition to motherhood, aging and juggling parenthood and career, and how these factors affect her body. Not to mention how women look at other women on social media. “As a woman, it’s so difficult to really—with social media nowadays, right? It’s so difficult to keep up. And so we really wanted this place to become an even safer place for women,” mused Tanya. Tanya described how ONELIFE through the years has shaped into a place for a variety of programs or “care tracks”—be it weight loss, strengthening, toning, posture correction or general fitness. According to Tanya, they have the best licensed physical therapists in the country and internationally trained fitness coaches and consultants. ONELIFE also introduced a care track that focuses on pregnant women, which Tanya says is the first in the country. With studios scattered in major cities in the Metro — San Juan, Pasig and Makati — Tanya even plans to expand ONELIFE to reach and support more women. “What we want to do, really, is to expand here more and abroad. We really want to be a Filipino company that expands abroad. So we are hoping to expand where our physical therapists go to: Australia, the US, Canada and hopefully, later on, Asia,” she shared. If a woman has a physical injury or condition, ONELIFE designs a program to address these needs. “What we do here is actually very bespoke,” added Tanya. “It’s personalized every single time. So in terms of program, we really customize it each time. What people can expect is that when they come here, it’s always like a new program for them, depending on what they need at the moment.” “When you have a special condition, we ask for your doctor’s diagnosis and recommendation, and our PTs read that and they execute the program with a bit of a customized program for us as well,” she said. ONELIFE’s community of its women clientele, who had forged friendships over the years, advocate women empowerment and support. Tanya, the women’s leader and friend, on her company’s 10th year, still carries that fervent passion in her crusade for women’s well-being and betterment. “…We realized, to serve the people best, people like us who have special needs, who have special — you know, who need a little bit of support — we needed to specialize more and more. So we’re here. ONELIFE has evolved into a place that’s really for women. I dare say that we know women best,” Tanya concluded. The post Wellness center celebrates a decade of healing appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»