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North Korean defectors meet world in ‘Beyond Utopia’
Earning your subject's trust is never easy for a documentary filmmaker -- but it is even harder when they think you want to kill them. That was the challenge faced by US director Madeleine Gavin, whose movie "Beyond Utopia" follows newly escaped North Korean defectors as they flee. These include the Roh family and their elderly grandmother, who Gavin met just weeks after they bolted from their deeply repressive, reclusive homeland, and lifetimes of being fed propaganda. "I'll never forget the way that she would look at me," Gavin told AFP. In their minds at the time, "Americans practically only exist to make North Koreans miserable and to kill and attack North Koreans. "We aren't even human beings... that's what they've been taught." Soon after the Rohs sneaked across the closely guarded border into China, a local farmer connected them to an "Underground Railroad" for defectors, run by a South Korean pastor whom Gavin happened to be filming. The pastor arranged for the family to travel in secret through Communist-ruled China, Vietnam and Laos, braving police checkpoints and a treacherous jungle border crossing. The movie uses footage shot in China by the pastor's "brokers," before Gavin was able to meet and film them face-to-face herself in south-east Asia. At first, Gavin felt "a deep distrust and suspicion" from the family. But despite the powerful brainwashing they had endured in North Korea, even the 80-year-old grandmother's attitude quickly began to shift as she saw the outside world with her own eyes. "She was having none of it... She'd always been told that relative to the rest of the world, North Koreans are the luckiest people on Earth," said Gavin. "Then to be seeing a world where there are animals, and life, and toilets, even! We were a piece of that puzzle." - 'The worst thing' - When Gavin first set out to make her film -- in US theaters Monday -- it focused on North Koreans already living for many years in South Korea. On arrival in the south, many defectors attend a "resettlement facility" where they are taught about the rest of the world, the lies of Kim Jong Un's brutal regime, and basic modern practices such as how to use an ATM. But after meeting Pastor Kim Sung-eun, a prominent South Korean missionary involved in the underground network that brings escapees to the South, Gavin restructured the film to chronicle two families as they flee the north. The documentary follows Soyeon Lee, a mother who has long since escaped North Korea, but is now trying to smuggle out the son she had to leave behind. Tragedy strikes as he is captured in China, and sent back to North Korea to face punishment. Filming the mother's anguish "was really the most difficult thing," said Gavin. "What she has gone through and continues to go through is the worst thing that anyone can go through." - 'Guilt' - The other part of the film follows the Roh family as they embark on their harrowing, 3,000-mile overland journey toward Thailand, and freedom. One slip-up could see them also repatriated to North Korea, lending the documentary a dramatic tension more associated with Hollywood thrillers. But Gavin also set out to make something "experiential and present tense," which gives a "voice to actual North Koreans," whose country is mainly known to the rest of the world for its nuclear arsenal and terrifying politics. Even as they flee, the Rohs express a complex mixture of emotions, from wonder and excitement, to anger at what they have long been deprived of, to shame. Despite witnessing prosperity unthinkable back home, the grandmother "did not let up on the idea that Kim Jong Un was this incredible person, with the most difficult job before him," said Gavin. "She had enormous guilt for leaving, and that anyone who defects is basically abandoning him, and how heartbreaking it is for him." Perhaps more powerful still is the family's homesickness for the friends, neighbors, traditions and land they left behind. The movie includes -- and ends with -- footage secretly shot inside North Korea and smuggled out by the pastor's network, showing everything from the country's barbaric gulags, to the bleakness of everyday life. "As Grandma says at the end of the film, 'we're so lucky, but it keeps me up at night thinking about the people who are still there,'" said Gavin. "And so I wanted to leave the film remembering those people. Because those people are there, and they need us to help bring their voices forward." (Andrew MARSZAL) amz/hg/md © Agence France-Presse The post North Korean defectors meet world in ‘Beyond Utopia’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
European companies sold spyware to despots: media
European companies sold powerful spyware to authoritarian regimes which have used it against dissenters, a group of investigative media said Thursday. According to the probe -- by European Investigative Collaborations (EIC) and spearheaded by the French site Mediapart and Germany's Der Spiegel weekly -- European companies "supplied dictators cyber-surveillance tools for more than a decade", EIC said in a statement. "During the last decade the Western world has encouraged and applauded the digital tools that empower democracy activism in countries under authoritarian regimes," it said. "But at the same time European companies have supplied such authoritarian regimes the digital back doors to turn any digital device into powerful spying tools against dissenters," it said. The Predator Files investigation, named after the software, said the sellers benefited from "the passive complicity of many European governments". The investigation focused on the Intellexa Alliance, a group of companies through which EIC said Predator software had been supplied to authoritarian states. Intellaxa is run by former Israeli intelligence officials mostly based in Europe, and was targeted by US sanctions in July. "Activists, journalists and academics have been targeted, as have European and US officials," it said. The findings of the investigation run by 15 media are based on hundreds of confidential documents obtained by Mediapart and Der Spiegel and analyzed with the help of the Security Lab of Amnesty International, a human rights organization. Amnesty called Intellexa "a complex, morphing group of interconnected companies" and Predator "its highly invasive spyware". "Intellexa alliance's products have been found in at least 25 countries across Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa and have been used to undermine human rights, press freedom, and social movements across the globe," Amnesty said. "Highly invasive surveillance products are being traded on a near industrial scale and are free to operate in the shadows without oversight or any genuine accountability," it added. Mediapart said that a French company, Nexa, had sold Predator to "at least three autocracies: Egypt, Vietnam and Madagascar". Mediapart said the spyware had also been sold to Qatar, Congo Brazzaville, the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan "under the complacent eyes of the French secret services". Criminal charges against Nexa and four of its managers, brought in 2021 over spyware sales, were downgraded a year later, making their trial unlikely, legal sources told AFP. EIC said its members would publish further details over the coming days. The recent revelations follow a 2021 scandal around Pegasus, a spyware sold by Israeli company NSO Group, with several media reporting that it had been used to illegally spy on more than 50,000 individuals. The post European companies sold spyware to despots: media appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Hands-on
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. is living proof of US President Abraham Lincoln’s adage: “You can please some of the people all of the time; you can please all of the people some of the time; but you can’t please all of the people all of the time.” In the previous regimes, the usual question was, “Where is the President?” during critical periods such as when calamities struck and the elected leader was slow to react. Thus, there was a frequent demand for medical bulletins on previous presidents when they were not in public view for consecutive days. Both President Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte are taking flak from critics who allege that they are monopolizing authority for holding Cabinet positions aside from their elected posts. Bugged endlessly about relinquishing his Department of Agriculture post, Marcos said he would maintain the current arrangement since many officials in the graft-ridden agency do not easily take orders except from him. Amid the rising prices, some sectors whose only interest is to have an official that favors them have been harping on the need for a full-time secretary, floating names in a subtle endorsement to PBBM. Marcos has held the agriculture post since he assumed office in July 2022. Since then, and especially in January 2023, amid the rise in the cost of food, critics have been calling on Marcos to finally appoint someone who can hold the post full-time. The President knows what he is doing and has competent advisers to help him make fast decisions in the critical agriculture sector. Making difficult but critical decisions, even with political will, would take more time from an alter ego. He explained the situation: “Generally speaking, if the President asks them to do something, they’ll do it. If someone else asks them to do it, they’ll probably do it, or they may not.” The need for swift action was particularly evident in the recent rice price shock when the cost of a kilo of rice rocketed to more than P60. The intervention was tricky because of the complex network in the industry that needs to balance the welfare of consumers, farmers, and retailers. Add to that the external situation in which supply has been affected by the limits that India, a major producer, imposed on its exports. President Marcos, the other day, lifted Executive Order 39, which imposed a price ceiling of P41 per kilo on regular milled and P45 per kilo on well-milled rice. The EO effectively brought down the market price of the grain, but it affected retailers who complained of losses since they were selling below the price they were buying from middlemen, while farmers said traders demanded that the farmgate price be lowered. The National Food Authority then had to set the buying price of palay at P19 to P20 per kilo from P16 to P19 to maintain farmers’ income amid the price cap. Retailers were also provided with subsidies to offset their losses due to the government-imposed ceiling. Economic officials knew the measures were temporary since they would drain the government coffers if imposed for too long. The aim was to stabilize the market until the harvest season, and the influx of grains from imports under the tariffication law brought the situation back to normal. Had the steps taken been delayed by just days, it may have caused a crisis where consumers would have had to eat alternatives to the grains such as kamote (sweet potato) and corn. Then, the public would have been outraged, and the heated situation would have been stoked by the opportunists who waited like vultures for public support for Marcos to weaken. Rice remains a political commodity, which spelled the 15-point difference in Marcos’ rating in the recent survey. The post Hands-on appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
IT-BPM seen key economic driver
The head of the Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines or IBPAP, Jack Madrid maintained that the Informatiorn Technology-Business Process Management, or IT-BPM, sector will remain the Philippine economy’s essential pillar, given its large contribution to the government coffers for its nation-building. “This is an important message that we always communicate to our partners in the government and to our employees and to their families. What we do is more than what people think as we are not just call center or contact center work.” “The nature of what we do range from basic customer service to more complex industries such as healthcare, engineering, IT software development, and even creative industries such as animation and game development, “Madrid said in an interview with the DAILY TRIBUNE’s online digital show ‘Straight Talk’. “We do not just do call center work and I think we need to respect the kind of work that we do even more than before, more than what people think it is,” continued Madrid., Export service revenues Madrid said in terms of export service revenues, the IT-BPM sector this year earned a growth rate of 8.8 percent, which translates to an estimated $35.4 billion in revenue, exceeding the global industry’s 7.7 percent average. “We started 2023 with 1.7 million direct jobs for Filipinos, while by revenue, in 2022 the industry generated $32.5 million, the second largest source of foreign exchange to the country, next to OFW remittances. But we are almost at par with them,” he said. “This year, we will grow over $35 million in revenues,” according to Madrid, coming from close to 2,000 IT-BPM firms that are operating in the country. US biggest client GHe said the United States remains the Philippines’ biggest client, in which over two-thirds of businesses come from US companies, serving US customers. “That is why as the flagship association, we oversee all the different industry verticals. But you will be amazed at the number of multinational companies that have been doing very successful shared services operations here in the Philippines. You name the multinational, they are here whether it is in banking, financial services, or healthcare. Even energy. They are all here,” he said. According to Madrid, healthcare companies doing business in the country are at 15 to 20 percent, while the creative side has the smallest workforce, but is considered a sector that has large potential. “The creative side will be quite a bit smaller than that in terms of number of employees but it’s still a sector that has large potential. I think another significant sector would be the global in-house centers. These are all the multinationals who have moved their back-office operations here. Hard to classify by industry because they belong to many different industries. And then, of course, the contact center sector is still the biggest one. About 60 percent of our employees are in the contact center sector and that includes many multinational and global BPO companies who have set up operations here,” Madrid explained. Caring for employees As contact center employees work at odd times, Madrid said the mental well-being of their employees is very important to the industry, which goes along with their aim to make the industry continue growing. “I’m happy that our membership and our industry players are paying a much stronger focus on the mental health and well-being of the employees. Our industry relies primarily on human capital. This is very much a people’s industry. It is the bedrock of how our industry has grown. So, this topic is very important. I think it’s all about balance. I think balancing the demands of work and personal life is very important and nowhere was this more evident than the challenging years of the pandemic, wherein we had to mobilize our employees from working in the office to a work-from-home setup. Something that was not done before,” he said. Madrid said working from home is not as easy for Filipinos as it is for the rest of the world, as Filipinos don’t typically have a home office, unlike Americans and Europeans. Challenging transition “So, the transition for us was quite challenging. Many of our employees don’t have very big homes with an extra room to be used as an office. So, I think I spent a lot of time describing this to investors and locators because it demonstrates the agility, resilience, and survival instinct of the Filipino people,” he said. “And I think we have shown to the world that we were able to perform the work in those challenging years of Covid without any impact on productivity or customer satisfaction. We were able to perform the work so much that there was even more demand from our customers for more jobs to be done here in the Philippines,” he continued. Madrid said that during the pandemic, the ITBPM industry grew as an industry to 255,000 new jobs and will continue to grow. The Philippines is a clear number in terms of ITBPM, next to India, but the Philippines is the number one nation when it comes to delivering customer experience, according to Madrid. The post IT-BPM seen key economic driver appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Iloilo celebrates LGBTQ+ Pride this October
This October, the Western Visayan city of Iloilo in Panay Island is celebrating LGBTQ+ Pride with an array of different events, called Pride Pyesta, led by the organization Iloilo Pride Team with support from the Iloilo City government, Iloilo LGBTQIA+ Network, Youth Voices Count Inc. and Megaworld Lifestyle Malls. With the theme “Iloilo Embraces Hue,” this year’s celebration kicked off with an opening ceremony at the Sunburst Park on 1 October. The program included messages; unveiling of Layag Up, an LGBTQ+ landmark; SOGIESC Cup oath of sportsmanship; presentation of the contestants of the Rajah at Diwata sang Iloilo; and the official sashing of the contestants of the Search for SOGIESC Ambassador. [caption id="attachment_191688" align="aligncenter" width="525"] A biker group joined the Ride for hue. | photograph courtesy of Marshal Bikers[/caption] This was followed by the Ride for Hue: Pride Pyesta Pamukaw and Pride Ride, involving bikers going around the city center and making it more colorful. Also, on the same day, Iloilo Pride Team’s project Art x Pride opened its exhibit, “Kinaiya: A Red Rag to a Bull” at Festive Mall Iloilo, which runs until 22 October. According to the organization, “Art X Pride, which started back in 2021, is an initiative aiming to highlight the talents of LGBTQIA+ artists in the fields of literary writing and visual arts focusing on finding out how art became a movement to achieve change, promote equality, and, most importantly, acquire freedom as it focuses on the theme, “Celebrating myself through art, by art, and with art.” It has always been one of the advocacies of the Iloilo Pride Team to support the community through their many talents as well as provide living and local artists a spotlight on all possible platforms.” “This year, Art X Pride dives deeper into the nuances and subversiveness of queer art, and how it should not be subdued to conform to the societally accepted themes of today. Similar to a red rag irritating the bull, art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable,” they added. Other cultural events in the Pride Pyesta calendar include “#HowInequalityLooksLike,” which has been touring the country and which will be mounted from 8 to 22 October at Festive Mall. The exhibit features portraits of LGBTQ+ persons and their experiences of marginalization, discrimination and inequality. The Dakila Iloilo Collective will hold a poster making activity on 17 October, also at Festive Walk Mall. From 19 to 21 October, the Cinemakulay film festival will be held at Cinematheque Center Iloilo, screening LGBTQ+ films. Iloilo Pride Pyesta is also an opportunity to learn more and to facilitate discussions with its lineup of talks. A popular one is the Kalipayan Talks, which deals with sex, an often taboo subject. This year, it will be held on 16 October at Festive Mall Iloilo and will be tackling polyamory, asexuality, BDSM (bondage, discipline or domination, sadism and masochism), consent and experiences of persons living with HIV or PLHIV. On the other hand, the Gender and Safe Spaces Forum will tackle intersexuality, sexual and reproductive health and rights and HIV/AIDS on 7 October at the San Agustin University Auditorium. The Family Planning Organization of the Philippines will present TransHealth Talk on 13 October at SM City Iloilo mall. [caption id="attachment_191687" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Drag queen Avria La Veen will conduct a drag workshop. | photograph courtesy of Avria La Veen[/caption] In recent years, with its rise in popularity, drag has been a vibrant part of the celebration. On 14 October, The Queen Inside of Hue: Drag Workshop will be held at the B Lifestyle Complex. Drag queen Avria La Veen will give pointers on makeup, hair styling, runway walking, performance and stage presence. Other events include the SOGIESC Volleyball Tournament from 9 to 20 October at the Zamora-Melliza Uswag Gym; the official sashing of Rajah at Diwata sang Iloilo at SM City Iloilo on 13 October; and Libreng Gupit: A Ginhawa 2.0 Mental Health Resilience and Well-being Program on 27 October at Sunburst Park. The celebration will culminate on 22 October with a Pride march with street dancing from Iloilo Esplanade to Festive Mall Iloilo, where a program will held together with the Search for SOGIESC Ambassador Pageant, Laban Mamsh: A Lipsync Battle and Drop the Ball: A Drag Competition. The post Iloilo celebrates LGBTQ+ Pride this October appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Kosovo cops kill 3 ambushers, arrest 5 others
A standoff between Kosovo police and some 30 gunmen who ambushed an officer at a village monastery on Sunday has ended with the death of three ambushers and arrest of five other suspects. Xhelal Svecla, Kosovo’s minister of internal affairs, said police engaged the gunmen in a firefight near the village of Banjska where an officer on patrol was shot dead and his companion was wounded early Sunday. One of the gunmen holed up inside a monastery and four civilian suspects found carrying radio equipment and weapons outside the complex were arrested after the firefight lasting for hours. Svecla said police had made several arrests during the clearance operation and seized a lot of weapons and equipment. However, it remained unclear if all the gunmen had been apprehended during the sweep. The Serbian Orthodox Church also confirmed that gunmen had stormed the monastery in Banjska, where pilgrims from the northern Serbian city of Novi Sad were staying. Pictures released by Kosovo authorities showed several heavily armed gunmen wearing uniforms, barricading themselves in at the monastery. “We can see armed people in uniforms... they are firing on us and we are firing back,” Kosovo police official Veton Elshani told Agence France-Presse by phone from Banjska. The ambush and ensuing firefight marks one of the gravest escalations in Kosovo for years, following months of mounting tensions and stalling talks between the government in Pristina and Serbia. Kosovo police closed the Jarinje and Brnjak border crossings between Serbia and Kosovo following the incident. Act of terrorism Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti called the ambush an act of terrorism and pinned the blame on the Serbian government. “Organized crime with political, financial and logistical support from officials in Belgrade is attacking our country,” Kurti wrote on social media. WITH AFP The post Kosovo cops kill 3 ambushers, arrest 5 others appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
International Peace Day: Nurturing global harmony, cooperation
International Peace Day, observed annually every 21st of September, is a solemn reminder of the collective commitment to peace and harmony among nations. Established by the United Nations in 1981 and officially celebrated since 1982, this day calls for worldwide ceasefires, non-violence, and peaceful dialogue. The essence of International Peace Day is to reflect upon the value of peace, promote its importance, and seek sustainable solutions to the myriad conflicts that persist across the globe. The origins of International Peace Day can be traced back to the tireless efforts of the United Nations and its visionary diplomats. In 1981, the United Nations General Assembly declared 21st September as the International Day of Peace, a day to encourage both combatants and nations to observe ceasefires and end hostilities, even if only for one day. This period of non-violence allows humanitarian aid to reach affected populations, facilitates peace negotiations, and highlights the critical importance of diplomacy in resolving conflicts. While International Peace Day is a powerful symbol of hope and solidarity, achieving lasting peace remains a complex and ongoing challenge. Conflict, violence and injustice persist in various parts of the world. Therefore, it is imperative to recognize that peace is not merely the absence of war but the presence of justice, equality and respect for human rights. International Peace Day, without saying it, is a poignant reminder of humanity’s shared responsibility to promote and preserve peace. It calls upon individuals and nations to set aside their differences and work together to create a world where violence is replaced with dialogue, conflict with cooperation, and hatred with understanding. [caption id="attachment_188506" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Children symbolize hope, resilience and the future of the global society. | PHOTOGRAPHS BY KING RODRIGUEZ FOR THE DAILY TRIBUNE[/caption] While the path to global peace is challenging and multifaceted, this annual observance offers hope and inspires action toward a more peaceful, just, and harmonious world for all. At the local front, Philippine peace advocates celebrate National Peace Consciousness Month with the theme “Kapayapaan: Responsibilidad ng Bawat Mamamayan.” The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity, or OPAPRU, lauds countless individuals and organizations working hard to help the national government promote a culture of peace and harmony. On this day and every day, let us recommit ourselves to the pursuit of peace, not as a distant dream, but as an achievable and essential reality. The post International Peace Day: Nurturing global harmony, cooperation appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Billionaire US collectors to return ancient artefacts to Cambodia
A billionaire family in the United States will return more than 30 looted ancient artefacts to Cambodia after agreeing it "wrongfully possessed" the treasures, the Cambodian government said Wednesday. Years of civil war followed by the genocidal Khmer Rouge rule saw historical sites looted with near-impunity in Cambodia, which is famed for its Angkor Wat temple complex. Many of the pieces are thought to date back to the Khmer Empire, a once-mighty dynasty that sprawled across much of modern-day Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam and Laos between the ninth and 15th centuries. A trove of stolen artefacts has been sent back to Cambodia in recent years from Western museums and private collectors. Now, 33 items from the Lindemann private collection will be "voluntarily" returned to Cambodia, its ministry of arts and culture said Wednesday. The move "sets an excellent and proper example for other museums and private collectors... to follow and return our national treasures," Minister of Culture and Fine Arts Phoeurng Sackona said. The government did not say when the items will arrive in Cambodia. They include a reclining Vishnu and Ardhanarishvara sculpture -- believed to be from the remote northern ancient city of Koh Ker -- which witnesses say was looted in the 1990s, according to the official statement. "Having purchased these items from dealers that we assumed were reputable, we were saddened to learn how they made their way to the market in the United States," The New York Times quoted the Lindemann family as saying in a statement. Last month, the National Gallery of Australia said it will return three sculptures to Cambodia after an investigation found they were likely to have been "illegally exported". The bronze sculptures from the 9th-10th century were bought for $1.5 million in 2011 by British art dealer Douglas Latchford, who was later "convincingly implicated in the illegal trade of antiquities", the gallery said. The post Billionaire US collectors to return ancient artefacts to Cambodia appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Teenage tycoon
At the age of 19, Paul inherited the vast empire of his father, Felix. When Felix contracted cancer of the liver, at stage 4, he told the 30-member board of Galactica Enterprises that he was bequeathing the helm of the company to his teenage son. There were violent objections. For how could an inexperienced teenage boy, even if from the prestigious Weston School of Economics in London, run a vast, complex holding company with seven subsidiaries? But Felix got his way. At the first board meeting, Paul smiled, cool as a cucumber, in front of a hostile board. PAUL: (With unflinching authority) Meeting come to order, please. (The whispers die down to a deathly silence). RICHARD: (EVP who coveted Paul’s position). Aren’t you too young to pilot this large tanker? PAUL: Watch me, Richard. RICHARD: (With polite irreverence) Your Weston credentials won’t help you. PAUL: Sure, my wisdom is still theoretical not experiential, but not for long. You just have to live with that for now, Richard. ABE: (an old guard, VP for Finance, best friend of Felix) I strongly agree with Richard. CORA: (VP for Operations, middle-aged but still attractive) So what do you preach, Paul? PAUL: Hello, Cora. I’m glad you are one of the five female board members. This male-dominated board needs women for balance. Women are refreshing in a macho world. Women are often better in crisis management than men. I am forming a core group and you will be the crisis management expert. This company will take the paradigm shift advocated by Steve Jobs, namely, “love marketing.” Steve, who had no college degree, was booted out of Apple, which he founded, by his Harvard-trained board for his ridiculous “love marketing.” After 20 years, the board pleaded with him to rescue the firm. He launched the bombshell iPod that once again rocketed the firm to the high heavens, based on “love marketing.” What’s first on our agenda, Nicole? NICOLE: (VP for Corporate Affairs, the youngest board member, extremely attractive and an aggressive go-getter) Sir, first on the agenda is the merger of Galactica with Eastwood which your dad violently opposed. But now that he is gone, the pro-mergers are back. Charlie, can you expound on this, please? CHARLIE: (an old guard on the board) In a few words, there is strength in unity. The merger means growth for Galactica. We need Eastwood’s expertise to widen our product base. PAUL: What do you say, Abe? ABE: The issue for your dad was not growth or profit but corporate sustainability. He had the right, as founder, to keep Galactica pure. However, Galactica without a merger will go stagnant soon in my view. RICHARD: The merger will make us the largest conglomerate on the East Coast. PAUL: Size is not the issue. Let’s not over-debate. Let’s have a vote. The vote, the second, was the same as the first, an overwhelming no to the merger. Paul had known this all along. PAUL: Thank you for respecting my dad’s wishes. Next on the agenda, please, Nicole. NICOLE: Sir, the core group. PAUL: Oh yes, I am forming a seven-member core group called Hydra, the seven-headed monster. It will be my alter ego. It will be the venue for me to rapidly shift from theoretical to experiential wisdom. Hydra will have the power to decide and report to the board. The members I have selected are, one, Cora, crisis management expert; two, Nicole, secretariat and research; pro-merger advocates Richard, Abe and Charlie. Two more to go. RICHARD: You chose your enemies for your inner circle? PAUL: I see no enemies, only friends who are brave enough to speak out, which I admire. I am hosting a poker party this Sunday at my house. The entire board is obliged to attend. Nicole, I want red meat, red lobsters, and red wine. NICOLE: And red napkins. PAUL: Great. The best poker players in this group, according to my dad, are Richard, Abe, myself, and of all people, Francesca. The diminutive Francesca, VP for Public Affairs, rises and bows. CORA: Why poker, sir? PAUL: A good manager is measured by his poker skills — his ability to size up a situation, to balance risk versus safety, his knowledge of probabilities, his ability to assess opponents and bluff, all in a matter of seconds. To the best three, I will award $30,000, $20,000, and $10,000. (There is an uproar.) There will be a poker party every quarter. Unless there is an objection, this meeting is adjourned. The board members gather around Paul, congratulating him. His enemies, the pro-merger old guards, become instant friends. He exudes total charisma. He uses the quarterly poker parties to achieve corporate harmony. Galactica made millions with the measly investment of regular poker parties. Paul gained fame and was featured in The Wall Street Journal as the “Teenage Tycoon of the Century.” *** eastwindreplyctr@gmail.com The post Teenage tycoon appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
ERRAMON Aboitiz: Renaissance man
The Aboitiz family is a big player in Philippine business for over a century. With businesses covering a wide range of industries, including power, banking, food, and infrastructure, the clan’s Aboitiz Group has been creating jobs and opportunities for Filipinos. Founded by Paulino Aboitiz, son of a Spanish farmer who migrated to the Philippines in the late 1800s, Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc., or AEV, has grown from being an abaca-trading and general-merchandise business to a conglomerate with interests in power, banking, food, property, biofuel and construction. The group is undergoing its Great Transformation to establish itself as the Philippines’ pioneering techglomerate. This innovative growth strategy, powered by technology and a renewed entrepreneurial mindset, empowers the entire group to advance businesses and uplift communities. Among the driving forces propelling the Group’s business revolution is Erramon “Montxu” Aboitiz. Montxu previously served as the president and chief executive at Aboitiz Equity Ventures for 10 years from 2009 to 2019. He also briefly held the role of CEO at Aboitiz Power Corp. in 2018. Presently, he serves as a director at AEV and Endeavor Philippines and as chairman of the Board of Directors at Union Bank of the Philippines. Likewise, he serves as a board observer of the Aboitiz & Company. The Asian Institute of Management named Montxu as the new chairman of its Board of Trustees, effective from 1 September 2023. Montxu joined a respected group of successful business leaders who are dedicated to advancing the progress and welfare of Asia and its inhabitants. He was the 7th chairman of AIM, taking over from Peter Garrucho who held the position since 2017. Montxu graduated from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, USA with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, majoring in Accounting and Finance. In 2011, he was awarded the Management Man of the Year by the Management Association of the Philippines and recognized as the Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young. Seven years after that, AIM awarded Montxu with an honorary doctorate in management. Social responsibility runs in Aboitiz blood The Aboitiz Foundation, the social responsibility arm of the Aboitiz Group, donated $10 million to AIM in 2019 — known as the Aboitiz 100th Anniversary Commitment Fund. The fund aims to bridge the local and regional gap in data science and innovation. As a result of this generous donation, AIM’s Aboitiz School of Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship is now able to provide top-notch education and research opportunities in data science, with a focus on practical applications. This is made possible by collaborating with data science professionals and leaders from around the world. Recently, Montxu was elected chairperson of the AIM board of trustees. He is widely recognized for his strong commitment to social responsibility and philanthropy. Regarding the endowment to AIM, Montxu said it targeted assisting AIM in its efforts “to expand its curriculum and facilities towards the direction of a bold future, and the skills and education it will require.” Through his leadership in the Aboitiz Group and the Aboitiz Foundation, he has spearheaded numerous projects that have made a positive impact on local communities. As chairman of the Aboitiz Foundation, Montxu has played a key role in shaping its initiatives. The foundation focuses on three key areas which are education, enterprise development, and environmental conservation. “As businessmen, there is no doubt we seek profits and a return on our capital. But as Filipinos, we are equally guided by a sense of purpose to find meaningful ways of contributing to our communities across the country. This symbiotic relationship of profit and contributing to society is our secret sauce to true sustainability, allowing the Aboitiz Group to drive change for a better world by advancing business and communities,” Montxu added. The foundation implemented various programs and scholarships to improve access to quality education, foster entrepreneurship and livelihood opportunities, and promote sustainability. Aboitiz Foundation has been heavily involved in rehabilitating and improving schools in underprivileged areas. They have renovated classrooms, libraries and other facilities, providing students with better learning environments. The foundation has also donated learning materials and equipment to enhance the educational experience of students. Aboitiz Foundation supports community-based programs that aim to uplift marginalized communities. These programs focus on various aspects such as health, nutrition, livelihood, and disaster resilience. The foundation works closely with local organizations and stakeholders to implement sustainable solutions and empower communities to become self-sufficient. Aboitiz Foundation places significant emphasis on environmental conservation and sustainability. They have initiated projects to protect and restore ecosystems, promote renewable energy, and reduce carbon footprint. The foundation actively supports reforestation efforts, marine conservation, and waste management initiatives. The foundation also has a strong focus on disaster response and preparedness. They have been at the forefront of providing immediate relief and support during natural disasters, such as typhoons, earthquakes and floods. The foundation also works towards building resilient communities by conducting disaster risk reduction and management training programs. Montxu Aboitiz encourages and supports employee volunteerism within the Aboitiz Group. The company promotes a culture of giving back by providing employees with opportunities to engage in community service and volunteer activities. This not only benefits the communities they serve but also fosters a sense of social responsibility among the employees. It also collaborates with various non-governmental organizations, government agencies, and other stakeholders to maximize the impact of their social responsibility initiatives. They work together to address complex social issues and implement sustainable solutions that create lasting change. Aligned with the United Nations Global Compact, AEV drives policies, advocacies, and initiatives to make a lasting impact. The post ERRAMON Aboitiz: Renaissance man appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Barbie Forteza, David Licauco light up ‘Maging Sino Ka Man’
GMA’s hit stars Barbie Forteza and David Licauco of Maria Clara at Ibarra fame will bring back their sizzling chemistry to the television in Maging Sino Ka Man, the series adaptation of the ‘90s blockbuster hit of the same title and which catapulted Sharon Cuneta and Robin Padilla to new heights in their career back in the day. The highly anticipated romantic-action series will premiere 11 September and will run from Mondays to Fridays at 8 p.m. on GMA Telebabad and at 9:40 p.m. on GTV. It is directed by Enzo Williams (Ang Probinsyano). The Kapuso Primetime Princess and Pambansang Ginoo will play Monique and Carding, two very different people who fall in love with each other. It’s a rich girl-poor boy love story jampacked with action thrills and romance. The series also features Juancho Triviño as Gilbert Arnaiz, Faith Da Silva as Cleo Ramirez, Mikoy Morales (2023 Cinemalaya Best Actor) as Gordon a.k.a. Libag and Rain Matienzo as Tetay. Also part of the roster of its exciting cast are E.R. Ejercito as Boss Frank, Jeric Raval as Alex, Jean Saburit as Shonda, Juan Rodrigo as Miguel, Antonio Aquitania as Jonas, Jean Garcia as Belinda Salazar, Al Tantay as Osmundo and Tonton Gutierrez as George. At the most recent grand media conference, Williams described his experience directing the series as “not that hard.” “It’s not that challenging kasi ang galing nilang dalawa, to be honest. Working with Barbie, working with David — andiyan na ang chemistry nila eh, parang kaunting guidance na lang. So it’s not that hard,” he said. The director also expressed admiration for Forteza. “Barbie, I think she’s one of the best actresses I worked with.” This will definitely further amp the excitement among Forteza’s cult following as she will also play a male character in Maging Sino Ka Man. In the story, she also plays a dude named Dino as her disguise. For this, the actress studied Hilary Swank in Boys Don’t Cry, where Swank won an Oscar for her sensitive and complex role as a transman. This shows how serious Forteza is in her work for the series. Meanwhile, Licauco at the presscon admitted some challenges in his role as Carding, specifically the way the character talks as exemplified by Padilla in the hit movie: crass, crude and a thug. “As you know from the movie, mabilis magsalita si Carding. Matigas. As you can hear now, medyo mabagal talaga ako magsalita. I think iyon ang pinaka-challenging for me. But, of course, with the help of my director, I think…hopefully, nabigyan ko naman ng justice iyong character,” he replied to the question posted by a media member. Forteza also revealed that the series was created precisely for her and Licauco. “Personally, umeere pa lang Maria Clara at Ibarra, kumbaga napansin kami ng mga boss,” she said. “And they were already thinking of a follow-up project na para sa amin bilang artista. Sobrang fulfilling iyon, syempre. And kami (she and Licauco) naman po, in return, gagawin naman po ang best namin para mapaganda rin ang seryeng ito.” The creative team behind this 2023 remake of Maging Sino Ka Man is composed of creative director Aloy Adlawan; senior writers Benjamin Benson Logronio and John Kenneth de Leon; head writer Mark Duane Angos; brainstormer Louize Andrei Al-Shehri. Maging Sino Ka Man is made possible under the supervision of GMA senior vice president for Entertainment Group Lilybeth G. Rasonable; vice president for Drama Cheryl Ching-Sy; assistant vice president for Drama Helen Rose S. Sese; senior program manager Camille D. Hermoso; and executive producer Darling Pulido-Torres. The post Barbie Forteza, David Licauco light up ‘Maging Sino Ka Man’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Sun Life executives bag back-to-back wins
Two top executives of Sun Life Philippines, namely Sun Life Investment Management and Trust Corporation president Michael Gerard Enriquez and Sun Life general counsel Atty. Edgar Tordesillas, recently received acclaim for their work in their respective films. Enriquez was dubbed as among the Top 25 ASEAN Selectors, an honor given to the most influential product gatekeepers and investment professionals in the ASEAN region, by financial publishing and data group Citywire. The recognition program uses quantitative and qualitative criteria to recognize those who take the lead in investment and product conversations throughout the region and have made tangible improvements in their respective organizations' product selection, digital platform or personnel. “It is a great honor to be among the Top 25 ASEAN Selectors,” said Enriquez. “This award is a testament to our commitment to providing clients with the best investing experience possible. I am proud of the accomplishments we have achieved through steady and confident strides." [caption id="attachment_180613" align="aligncenter" width="511"] Sun Life general counsel Atty. Edgar Tordesillas[/caption] Meanwhile, Tordesillas joins the roster of the vaunted members of the Philippines’ first ever GC Powerlist, a recognition program for the country’s top in-house lawyers as evaluated by publisher The Legal 500. It recognizes in-house lawyers that have been instrumental in changing or forming opinions within their company or industry, developing brilliant technical solutions to complex issues, creating innovative structures to ensure that the in-house function is driving the business and providing a business working model worthy of emulation by other corporate counsel. “Integrity is non-negotiable for us at Sun Life. Along with my Legal Team, it is my privilege to help bring this to life as the company's General Counsel,” said Tordesillas. “This recognition will further inspire us to become instruments of change for our clients' brighter future." The post Sun Life executives bag back-to-back wins appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
NASA and SpaceX re-attempt launch of four crew to ISS
NASA and SpaceX will try again on Saturday to send the next crew of four astronauts to the International Space Station. Dubbed Crew-7, the mission will be commanded by American Jasmin Moghbeli and includes Andreas Mogensen of Denmark, Satoshi Furukawa of Japan, and Konstantin Borisov of Russia. Liftoff is planned for 3:27 am (0727 GMT) from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, with a backup opportunity on Sunday. The launch was pushed back to Saturday to give engineers an extra day to review a component of the Crew Dragon capsule's environmental control and life support system, NASA said in a blog post. It will be the first space mission for both Moghbeli and Borisov. "This is something I've wanted to do for as long as I can remember," said Moghbeli, a Naval test pilot, during a media call last month. "One of the things I'm most excited about is looking back at our beautiful planet," added the 40-year-old of Iranian heritage. "Everyone who I've talked to who has flown already has said that was a life-changing perspective -- and also floating around in space, it seems really fun." Crew-7 is set to be the seventh routine mission to the orbital platform for Elon Musk's SpaceX, with the first coming in 2020. NASA pays SpaceX for the taxi service as part of a commercial crew program that it put in place to reduce dependency on Russian rockets for astronaut transport after the space shuttle program ended in 2011. Boeing is the other contracted private partner, but its program remains mired in delays and technical difficulties. It has not yet flown any crew. Borisov will be the third Russian to fly on a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, fixed atop a Falcon 9 rocket. Space remains a rare area of cooperation between the United States and Russia despite Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, with Americans also continuing to fly aboard Russian Soyuz rockets that launch from Kazakhstan. The crew will spend six months aboard the ISS, where they will carry out science experiments including collecting samples during a spacewalk to determine whether the station releases microorganisms through its life support system vents. The goal is to understand if microorganisms can survive and reproduce in space. Another experiment will aim to assess the physiological differences between sleep on Earth and in space. "I'm looking forward to coping with all the tasks. This is a very interesting profession: you are preparing for something that you haven't tried yet, and you really want to do it well," said Borisov. Crew-7 will join the seven people already aboard the ISS, before members of Crew-6 leave for Earth a few days later. The first segment of the ISS was launched in 1998, and it has been continuously inhabited by an international crew since 2001. Its operations are set to continue until at least 2030, after which it will be decommissioned and crash into the ocean. Several private companies are working on commercial space stations to replace it. The post NASA and SpaceX re-attempt launch of four crew to ISS appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Sherwin Lucas glides with Park Inn by Radisson Bacolod
Like a graceful swan on a lake, general manager Sherwin Lucas determinedly steered Park Inn by Radisson Bacolod through some rough waters during the health crisis, which the public seemed to not have noticed just how difficult he tirelessly paddled underwater. He initially targeted a college double major in Business and Accounting. However, with the closure of the American bases where his dad was gainfully employed, a reversal of fortunes occurred. When it was finally time to continue his studies, he graduated with a degree in Commerce instead. [caption id="attachment_175659" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Art Cove[/caption] Fresh out of university, he initially applied as a Cost Controller, but was quickly referred to the Front Office. Little did he know this would kickstart his career in the hospitality industry. He soon became the supervisor and the events head for Discovery Suites. He then accepted the challenge to become the resident manager of the Discovery Country Suites in Tagaytay. A firm believer in continuous education, he trained at the Asian Institute of Management and at the prestigious Professional Development Program in Cornell Nanyang in Singapore. He also possesses hands-on experiences in Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai. [gallery columns="2" size="full" ids="175660,175661"] While on a holiday in Hong Kong, he chanced upon an interview opportunity for The Venetian Macao Resort-Hotel as the assistant events manager. Strange as it may seem, this began his back-and-forth stints between properties in Manila and Macau — as he methodically climbed the ranks, as the director of operations, events manager and director of events. When the global pandemic brought the world to a standstill, he grabbed the opportunity to be the general manager of Park Inn by Radisson Bacolod and has settled with his wandering pair of shoes ever since. Established in 2021, the property boasts 150 rooms and suites, all located within the accessible SM City Bacolod Complex. Guests look forward to amenities, such as the pool deck, in-room spa services, fitness center, a jogging path, and even an art cove, where one may acquire featured pieces from local artists. [gallery size="full" ids="175662,175663,175664"] Culinary-wise, executive sous chef Billy Jo Andaca offers the all-day international dining at Arima, a grab-and-go counter of DASH, the chill Lobby Lounge and the popular pool bar Marapara al Fresco. Should Lucas not have been a hotelier, he would have pursued a career in education or medicine. In his free time, in addition to reading spy, crime and mystery novels, he looks forward to this private time in the kitchen. He likewise lets out stress by driving while listening to music. [gallery columns="2" size="full" ids="175665,175666"] We recently had a brief chat with Lucas, where he shared some interesting tidbits on himself and the Park Inn. Career highlights As a resident manager, there was not a same single day in the perplexing world of hotel operations. I recall I handled my biggest-ever event — with 15,000 delegates in attendance — as the director of events. Finally, I’m so glad and fulfilled when I was appointed as the general manager of Park Inn by Radisson Bacolod. Management style I believe in engaging the team by having a clear and relatable ‘reason for being’. We stand by four tenets: our guests, the owning company, our team and the community-at-large. All these factors affect each other, but may sometimes be seemingly conflicting in interests. All our decisions — may it be big or small — always consider the effects on these four pillars. I stand by guided empowerment — teach and mentor not just the officers, but also individual staff members to enable them to make informed decisions. We also need to provide safety nets that allow them to learn without major harm to the organization. Important ingredients to be a property of choice It’s definitely an empowered and engaged team. We also need to continue to fine-tune and self-improve our systems and processes as the need arises. Location is of utmost importance. Marketing preference Social media has a wider reach — with almost limitless creativity and possibilities! Dream post I am living my dream post — it allows me to explore my talents to form, to lead and to nurture the team. Sometime in the future, I would wish to mold promising hospitality leaders. The post Sherwin Lucas glides with Park Inn by Radisson Bacolod appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Magician Efren
Author’s Note. Back in my high school days, it was normal for us students to skip classes to play billiards at the “Pink House” along Katipunan Ave. across the Ateneo campus. Our dean of discipline, Mr. Vergara, whom we dubbed Garaver, would raid the Pink House regularly to round us back to the corral. So, I can rightfully say that I speak with authority on the subject of billiards. Efren can make billiards magic because he shoots with his mind, not his hands. In truth, billiards is more of a cerebral rather than a physical game, an intellectual game rather than plain geometry and angles. That is why Efren, the Magician is revered by everyone, especially global billiard pros and commentators. He would ponder silently while chalking his cue stick and his mind would be racing through complex possibilities with lightning speed before finally making his move without hesitation. Billiards is the merging of the physics of motion and momentum and the metaphysics of “feel” and psychic power. Especially in eight-ball, it requires analysis and strategy as to where to place the cue ball for the next shot, what Filipinos call “preparacion” — a Spanish word. This is the expertise of Efren the Magician, or Efren “Bata” (The Kid) Reyes, rightfully the greatest pool player in the world today, according to pool commentators and pros. He makes his “preparacion” with ease. This has made him the first non-American to win the US Open Pool Championship. TV anchors would normally predict how Efren would play his “preparacion,” but many times they would be wrong because Efren thinks out of the box. He would go for a complex three-rail bank shot with ease instead of the more obvious straight shot. Indeed, Filipino pool players, led by Efren, are noted worldwide for the unique way they play, and how they are changing the way pool is played on the global level. The great champions from Europe and America have started adopting the unorthodox way Filipinos play. There is today a radical Filipino pool culture respected in the global arena. Efren is especially noted for casually shifting from his right hand to his left to shoot, which is a unique Filipino playing style. He is an expert in masse, giving the cue ball enough of a spin to curve around or jump over an obstructing ball by hitting the cue ball at a steep angle using a shorter cue stick. Another expertise of Efren is the “safety shot,” hiding the cue ball from the target ball, if he has no open shot to make. Rather than risk a dangerous shot to pocket the ball, this defensive strategy often leaves the opponent with an impossible shot. Efren can maneuver and hide the cue ball from the target ball with ease. Efren’s charisma abroad is phenomenal. They all love the way he scratches his head when he makes a blunder. You would not know if he made a mistake or played his magic, because, either way, he has on this sheepish smile. He would giggle if he did a “tsamba,” a lucky accident of sinking a ball in an unintended pocket. He brims with humility even in his greatness. Filipinos are good at billiards partly perhaps because it is a poor man’s game, as Efren was as a kid. One can spend hours in the billiard hall. Time just melts away. It is called making “istambay,” a corruption of the English word “stand by.” Just hanging around the pool hall all day and learning lessons from the experts, like Efren did as a kid. In contrast, sports like basketball and swimming are essentially more expensive to go into. Billiards is an “easy” and “cheap” sport because it is essentially entertainment, but at the same time cerebral. It can be expensive only if you gamble. Efren is known as the richest pool player of all time. He has earned about $2 million or P100 million as of February 2023. He is in the Guinness World Records. He and Francisco Bustamante hold the records for the greatest number of victories in pool in 2006 and 2009, respectively; followed by Li Hewen and Fu Jianbo of China in 2007 and 2010, respectively. (Source: guinnessworldrecords.com) At the age of 68, Efren still has not retired. Unlike in boxing or basketball where great athletes retire early, in pool, which requires little physical effort, there are a few rare great pros who are septuagenarians. Wikipedia lists Efren’s titles and achievements at a phenomenal 137, as of this writing. The post Magician Efren appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Western Canada wildfires force tens of thousands to flee
Officials in western Canada's British Columbia implored tens of thousands of residents to heed warnings and evacuate Saturday as "severe and fast-changing" wildfires threatened large parts of the scenic Okanagan Valley, including the city of Kelowna. The situation in the popular boating and hiking destination was "highly dynamic," said Bowinn Ma, the province's minister of emergency management. Around 30,000 people were under evacuation orders while another 36,000 were under alert to be ready to flee, she said. "We cannot stress strongly enough how critical it is to follow evacuation orders when they are issued," Ma said at an afternoon news conference. "They are a matter of life and death not only for the people in those properties but also for the first responders who will often go back to try to implore people to leave." Kelowna, a city of 150,000, was choked with thick smoke as it became the latest population center hit in a summer of dramatic wildfires across Canada that has left millions of acres scorched. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he had spoken with British Columbia Premier David Eby about the "rapidly evolving and incredibly devastating wildfire situation" and pledged federal resources in responding to the disaster. Blazes far away in the neighboring Northwest Territories have meanwhile prompted the evacuation of regional capital Yellowknife, leaving the remote city of some 20,000 largely a ghost town. Winds have been fanning the wildfires toward Yellowknife, but Saturday saw some relief after overnight rain brought a sharp dip in temperatures. Since the evacuation was ordered Wednesday, most people have fled by road with several thousand taking emergency flights, Northwest Territories environment minister Shane Thompson said Saturday on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. "Approximately 1,000 essential staff remaining in the city and surrounding area," he added. Those crews were remaining to erect defenses from the flames, while water bombers have been seen flying low over the city, with the Canadian military also helping out. - 'Incredible' exodus - Tony Whitford, a former commissioner for the Northwest Territories and a longtime resident of Yellowknife, arrived in the city of Calgary on one of the first flights out and gave the evacuation high marks. "My compliments to them all," Whitford, who is 82 and wheelchair-bound, said of the organizers. "It's so complex -- 20,000 people -- it's incredible. It went smoothly." Several towns and Indigenous communities were evacuated earlier. The exodus from Yellowknife means half the population of the near-Arctic territory has been displaced. The ongoing fires have caused "terrible loss," Trudeau told reporters after meeting Yellowknife evacuees Friday as they arrived in Edmonton, Alberta, with no idea when they may return home. Martha Kanatsiak, who has lived in Yellowknife for 28 years, arrived late Friday in Calgary. "I'm okay, but I feel sad and depressed and worried. I never saw something like this," the 59-year-old Inuit retiree told AFP. Some 40 flights carrying around 3,500 passengers from Yellowknife have arrived in Calgary, said officials in the city, which has made nearly 500 hotel rooms available. - Northwest US threat - In British Columbia, blazes have already destroyed several properties in West Kelowna, separated by Okanagan Lake from its larger, eponymous neighbor. Among them is the Lake Okanagan Resort, according to local media, which is known for having hosted high-profile politicians such as British prime minister Margaret Thatcher. Eby on Saturday announced an emergency order halting non-essential visits to the area. The order, which bans visitors from checking in at hotels and other temporary accommodations, covers Kelowna and the nearby towns of Kamloops, Oliver, Penticton and Vernon as well as Osoyoos near the US border. "If you are currently in accommodations in these areas, we are asking you to voluntarily check out early and free up those spaces for evacuees and responders," Ma added. Meanwhile across the border in the United States, several thousand people were forced to flee wildfires in Washington state, with at least one death reported, local media said. An evacuation was ordered for Medical Lake, a town outside Spokane and next to a US Air Force base, while a section of the vital I-90 highway was closed, authorities said. Canada is experiencing a record-setting wildfire season, with official estimates of over 14 million hectares (34.6 million acres) already burned -- roughly the size of Greece and almost twice the area of the last record of 7.3 million hectares. Four people have died so far. Scientists say human-caused global warming is exacerbating natural hazards, making them both more frequent and more deadly. bfm/bbk/des/acb The post Western Canada wildfires force tens of thousands to flee appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Gentle Giants open Copa Paulino Alcantara campaign with home game vs UP Fighting Maroons
CEBU CITY, Philippines — After a two-month break, the Cebu Football Club (CFC) Gentle Giants will plunge back into action as they start their Copa Paulino Alcantara campaign with a home game against the streaking University of the Philippines (UP) Men’s Football Team at the Dynamic Herb-Borromeo Sports Complex in Cebu City. The Gentle Giants The post Gentle Giants open Copa Paulino Alcantara campaign with home game vs UP Fighting Maroons appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
SM Prime, partners hold symposium on wetland conservation
As the world celebrated the International Day for Biological Diversity 2023, SM Prime Holdings Inc. joined the Society for the Conservation of Philippine Wetlands Inc. in hosting the fourth SCPW Wetland Center Design Symposium on 29 May 2023 at the MAAX Building in the Mall of Asia Complex. [caption id="attachment_170633" align="aligncenter" width="1131"] SM Prime AVP and head of Marketing, PR and Communications Rida Reyes Castillo.[/caption] Under the theme "Build Back Biodiversity: Wetland Centers and Nature-Based Architecture," the hybrid symposium featured presentations centered on fostering knowledge and awareness about wetland conservation and innovative design approaches. SCPW president Architect Celestino Ulep opened the symposium by sharing his optimism on how collaboration and embracing nature-based architecture can pave the way toward creating a future where wetlands thrive and biodiversity flourishes. Notable experts in the field also graced the event, including Chris Rostron, global manager of Wetland Link International, and Alex Hughes of Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust in London, UK. Ulep introducing the concept of nature-based architecture, highlighting the importance of prioritizing sustainability and harmony in design by creating structures that seamlessly integrate with the natural environment. Meanwhile, Architect Aaron Lecciones, SCPW special projects officer, made a detailed visual presentation on the Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park design team's experience. He highlighted the challenges and triumphs of designing a wetland park, to serve as a source of inspiration for aspiring designers and architects. Stakeholder partners Rida Reyes Castillo of SM Prime, Dr. Arvin Diesmos of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, Laudemir Salac of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Region 3 and Architect Gleo Raymundo of United Architects of the Philippines Student Auxiliary also attended the event. "It is an honor and privilege on the part of SM to partner with the SCPW and UAPSA in realizing its common goal of protecting ecosystems, particularly wetlands, by inspiring the youth to engage and take action on the socio-civic and economic issues in their communities by finding workable solutions towards building a sustainable future," SM Prime AVP and head of Marketing, PR and Communications Rida Reyes Castillo said. Castillo further emphasized that environmental protection and nature conservation are integral pillars of SM Prime's sustainability campaign, along with cultivating the younger generation’s devotion to building a sustainable future. The symposium concluded with a comprehensive discussion on the rules and guidelines of the design competition, followed by an open forum and exchange of ideas among participants. The symposium also marked the beginning of the 4th SCPW Wetland Center Design Competition, which aims to create a platform for talented students in the field of construction and design to showcase their skills and ingenuity and encourages them to address environmental challenges through sustainable solutions. The post SM Prime, partners hold symposium on wetland conservation appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
From East to West to southern trap, 50 years of hip-hop
Five decades after a Bronx block party ushered in hip-hop's 'Big Bang' moment, the culture-shifting genre is celebrating its 50th birthday Friday. The reigning music style has evolved in rapid, anarchic ways -- in many ways defying categorization -- but some patterns have emerged. What follows is a run-down of some of hip-hop's key phases. Old school What's now broadly referred to as old-school hip-hop is the genre's earliest commercially recorded music, and typically refers to songs put out from approximately 1979 to 1983. The Sugarhill Gang's "Rapper's Delight" became the first commercially successful hip-hop song after it was released on September 16, 1979. It's preserved in the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry. "The Message" from Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, released in 1982, brought a socially conscious element to the genre, delivering a raw portrait of urban life and the stresses of poverty. Other prominent artists of the moment included Afrika Bambaataa, DJ Kool Herc, Melle Mel, and Grandmaster Caz. East Coast New York and the East Coast were pivotal to the development of hip-hop throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, the "golden age." Run-DMC was among the most influential acts of the era, achieving a smattering of notable firsts for the genre. They, the Beastie Boys and Public Enemy offered harder renditions of hip-hop than their disco-tinged predecessors, with the latter rising to prominence for their political themes including racism and Black power. More complex wordplay with swift delivery and elaborate metaphors were emblematic of the age, with acts including Eric B. & Rakim, LL Cool J, Nas, Big Daddy Kane, and The Notorious B.I.G. gaining wide acclaim. De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest were meanwhile pioneering "alternative hip-hop," bringing in jazz and R&B elements. Salt-N-Pepa, Foxy Brown, Queen Latifah, and Lauryn Hill broke barriers for women, with Hill in particular popularizing melodic rapping. The Notorious B.I.G. -- or "Biggie" -- with the backing of Puff Daddy's "Bad Boy Records" became the East Coast's king following the release of his landmark debut album "Ready to Die" in 1994, up until his shock murder in 1997. And the Wu-Tang Clan also popularized East Coast styles, emphasizing hard edges and strong beats. West Coast The sounds emerging from California were fast and influenced by electronica, centering more on DJs than raps. Ice-T pioneered West Coast and gangsta rap in the late 1980s, while N.W.A. went platinum with its album "Straight Outta Compton" in 1988. Dogged by controversy and censorship over profane lyrics -- which many alleged were misogynist while also glorifying drug use and crime -- N.W.A. made waves for laying bare experiences of endemic racism and excessive policing. The group's dissolution saw members including Dr. Dre and Ice Cube gain solo acclaim. And Tupac Shakur also preferred messages of injustice as he became one of the greatest rappers of all time prior to his 1996 murder, which came just months before Biggie's. Dr. Dre's "The Chronic" charted new paths for rap as a seminal album of the era. It also introduced one of his most famous proteges, the then-budding rapper today known as Snoop Dogg, whose laid-back, windows-down lyrical delivery came to epitomize G-Funk, and whose debut album "Doggystyle" was a Dre production. Dre also shaped another household name: Eminem. "He's a creator who has moved popular culture three times... with gangsta rap, G-funk, and Eminem," said industry magnate Jimmy Iovine of Dre. Bling and Prog Biggie's commercial fame paved the way for other East Coast stars, including Jay-Z, DMX, Busta Rhymes, and 50 Cent, with the turn-of-the-millennium bling era. Jay-Z's "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)" was a major hit years before he would become one of hip-hop's billionaires and an industry mogul. His work also brought producers including Kanye West to the fore. Early in his career, West gained near-universal acclaim, not least for his integration of house, electronica and soul into creatively risky productions. And Nicki Minaj was praised for her chameleon talents and blistering flow, while Drake brought in R&B sensibilities and churned out hit after hit. Kendrick Lamar became one of contemporary music's most impactful writers, with his verses offering insight both personal and systemic, all set to jazz-heavy instrumentals. Lamar, along with West and Common, all became torchbearers of the broadly defined progressive rap, defined by a focus on social ills and change. Hip-hop was also burgeoning across the South, with artists including 2 Live Crew, Missy Elliott, and Outkast gaining traction. Trap and Drill Into the 2010s, rap's nexus shifted to Atlanta, home to the trap subgenre characterized by cymbal patterns and synthesized drums. Trap remains among American music's most popular styles, with its influence crossing into pop and EDM as well as Latin America's wildly popular reggaeton. Much of its lyricism focused on life in "the trap" -- a reference to drug-dealing spots. Artists including Outkast, T.I., Gucci Mane, and Lil Wayne expanded its popularity, while the idiosyncratic Young Thug became one of contemporary hip-hop's most emulated artists. Today's trap-influenced superstars include Migos, Cardi B, and Megan Thee Stallion. Internet virality has been key to several contemporary movements including "Soundcloud rap," whose angsty, jagged sound injected vulnerability into hip-hop. And the equally dark drill has brought the aggressive lyricism of gangsta back to prominence. It began percolating in Chicago before traveling to Britain and resurfacing in New York. Brooklyn drill gained mainstream clout thanks to work from artists including the late Pop Smoke and Fivio Foreign, as today's stars like the Bronx's Ice Spice take it viral. See more photos here: The post From East to West to southern trap, 50 years of hip-hop appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
From East to West to southern trap, 50 years of hip-hop
Five decades after a Bronx block party ushered in hip-hop's 'Big Bang' moment, the culture-shifting genre is celebrating its 50th birthday Friday. The reigning music style has evolved in rapid, anarchic ways -- in many ways defying categorization -- but some patterns have emerged. What follows is a run-down of some of hip-hop's key phases. Old school What's now broadly referred to as old-school hip-hop is the genre's earliest commercially recorded music, and typically refers to songs put out from approximately 1979 to 1983. The Sugarhill Gang's "Rapper's Delight" became the first commercially successful hip-hop song after it was released on 16 September 1979. It's preserved in the Library of Congress's National Recording Registry. "The Message" from Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, released in 1982, brought a socially conscious element to the genre, delivering a raw portrait of urban life and the stresses of poverty. Other prominent artists of the moment included Afrika Bambaataa, DJ Kool Herc, Melle Mel, and Grandmaster Caz. East Coast New York and the East Coast were pivotal to the development of hip-hop throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, the "golden age." Run-DMC was among the most influential acts of the era, achieving a smattering of notable firsts for the genre. They, the Beastie Boys and Public Enemy offered harder renditions of hip-hop than their disco-tinged predecessors, with the latter rising to prominence for their political themes including racism and Black power. More complex wordplay with swift delivery and elaborate metaphors were emblematic of the age, with acts including Eric B. & Rakim, LL Cool J, Nas, Big Daddy Kane, and The Notorious B.I.G. gaining wide acclaim. De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest were meanwhile pioneering "alternative hip-hop," bringing in jazz and R&B elements. Salt-N-Pepa, Foxy Brown, Queen Latifah, and Lauryn Hill broke barriers for women, with Hill in particular popularizing melodic rapping. The Notorious B.I.G. -- or "Biggie" -- with the backing of Puff Daddy's "Bad Boy Records" became the East Coast's king following the release of his landmark debut album "Ready to Die" in 1994, up until his shock murder in 1997. And the Wu-Tang Clan also popularized East Coast styles, emphasizing hard edges and strong beats. West Coast The sounds emerging from California were fast and influenced by electronica, centering more on DJs than raps. Ice-T pioneered West Coast and gangsta rap in the late 1980s, while N.W.A. went platinum with its album "Straight Outta Compton" in 1988. Dogged by controversy and censorship over profane lyrics -- which many alleged were misogynist while also glorifying drug use and crime -- N.W.A. made waves for laying bare experiences of endemic racism and excessive policing. The group's dissolution saw members including Dr. Dre and Ice Cube gain solo acclaim. And Tupac Shakur also proferred messages of injustice as he became one of the greatest rappers of all time prior to his 1996 murder, which came just months before Biggie's. Dr. Dre's "The Chronic" charted new paths for rap as a seminal album of the era. It also introduced one of his most famous proteges, the then-budding rapper today known as Snoop Dogg, whose laid-back, windows-down lyrical delivery came to epitomize G-Funk, and whose debut album "Doggystyle" was a Dre production. Dre also shaped another household name: Eminem. "He's a creator who has moved popular culture three times... with gangsta rap, G-funk, and Eminem," said industry magnate Jimmy Iovine of Dre. Bling and Prog Biggie's commercial fame paved the way for other East Coast stars, including Jay-Z, DMX, Busta Rhymes, and 50 Cent, with the turn-of-the-millennium bling era. Jay-Z's "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)" was a major hit years before he would become one of hip-hop's billionaires and an industry mogul. His work also brought producers including Kanye West to the fore. Early in his career, West gained near-universal acclaim, not least for his integration of house, electronica, and soul into creatively risky productions. And Nicki Minaj was praised for her chameleon talents and blistering flow, while Drake brought in R&B sensibilities and churned out hit after hit. Kendrick Lamar became one of contemporary music's most impactful writers, with his verses offering insight both personal and systemic, all set to jazz-heavy instrumentals. Lamar, along with West and Common, all became torchbearers of the broadly defined progressive rap, defined by a focus on social ills and change. Hip-hop was also burgeoning across the South, with artists including 2 Live Crew, Missy Elliott, and Outkast gaining traction. Trap and Drill Into the 2010s, rap's nexus shifted to Atlanta, home to the trap subgenre characterized by cymbal patterns and synthesized drums. Trap remains among American music's most popular styles, with its influence crossing into pop and EDM as well as Latin America's wildly popular reggaeton. Much of its lyricism focused on life in "the trap" -- a reference to drug-dealing spots. Artists including Outkast, T.I., Gucci Mane, and Lil Wayne expanded its popularity, while the idiosyncratic Young Thug became one of contemporary hip-hop's most emulated artists. Today's trap-influenced superstars include Migos, Cardi B, and Megan Thee Stallion. Internet virality has been key to several contemporary movements including "Soundcloud rap," whose angsty, jagged sound injected vulnerability into hip-hop. And the equally dark drill has brought the aggressive lyricism of gangsta back to prominence. It began percolating in Chicago before traveling to Britain and resurfacing in New York. Brooklyn drill gained mainstream clout thanks to work from artists including the late Pop Smoke and Fivio Foreign, as today's stars like the Bronx's Ice Spice take it viral. The post From East to West to southern trap, 50 years of hip-hop appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»