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Virgin Galactic’s first space tourism flight set to take off
The long-awaited, first civilian space tourism flight by Virgin Galactic was set for takeoff Thursday, carrying an 80-year-old ex-Olympian and a mother and daughter who won their tickets in a sweepstakes. The three passengers -- Jon Goodwin, 80; Keisha Schahaff, 46; and her daughter Anastatia Mayers, 18 -- will spend a few minutes in space, where they can admire the curvature of the Earth and briefly float in weightlessness. The flight will be the culmination of a nearly two-decade-old promise by British billionaire Richard Branson, Virgin Galactic's founder, to bring tourists into space, giving them the chance to experience weightlessness and see the earth. This mission, named Galactic 02, is the company's second commercial flight. The first at the end of June carried a group of senior Italian Air Force officers who had carried out several experiments on board, rather than civilians making the trip purely for pleasure. Schahaff, a health coach from Antigua and Barbuda, won a contest for the tickets that raised $1.7 million for the non-profit Space for Humanity, which aims to widen space access. Mayers is a student at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, studying philosophy and physics. "I always was interested in space as a little girl," Schahaff told AFP in an interview in 2021. "This is a great opportunity for me to feel alive and to just make the greatest adventure ever." Goodwin is an adventurer who competed in the 1972 Olympic games as a canoeist for Britain. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2014 and will be the second person with the condition to travel to space. Virgin Galactic's spaceflights involve a giant, twin-fuselage carrier aircraft that takes off from a runway, gains altitude, then drops a rocket-powered spaceplane that soars into space. The passengers experience a few minutes of weightlessness at around 53 miles (85 kilometers) above sea level before the spacecraft glides back to Earth. Founded in 2004, Virgin Galactic has sold around 800 tickets for seats on future commercial flights -- 600 between 2005 and 2014 for $200,000 to $250,000, and 200 since then for $450,000 each. Virgin Galactic competes in the "suborbital" space tourism sector with billionaire Jeff Bezos's company Blue Origin, which has already sent 31 people into space using a vertical lift-off rocket. But since an accident in September 2022 during an unmanned flight, Blue Origin's rocket has been grounded. The company promised in March to resume spaceflight soon. The post Virgin Galactic’s first space tourism flight set to take off appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Art’s power over doubt and disruption
Kaida Contemporary’s much-awaited Aligaga 2 features recent works by a diverse group of young artists, each offering a unique perspective through lenses that delve into their personal coping mechanisms amidst the complexities of the times we live in. The participating artists are Jessa Balag, Raphael Carloto, Arth Chavez, Babylyn Fajilagutan, Bam Garibay, Nina Garibay, Paola Germar, Lui Gonzales, Genavee Lazaro, Gino Nagret, Ayen Quias, Ikea Rizalon, Maia San Diego, Oddin Sena, Angelo Tabije, and Abril Valdemoro. It is on view from 26 July until 8 August at the ArtistSpace, located at ground level of Ayala Museum Annex at the corner of Makati Avenue and De La Rosa Street, Greenbelt Park, Makati City. Chavez’s 8D Apartment: Birthday Party transports us to a whimsical tea-time enjoyed by a happy monster, where a table laden with sweets becomes a vibrant spectacle of color and delight. Quias’ Towering Dreams wood collage sculpture stands tall as a testament to human aspirations and the strength to overcome challenges. Fajilagutan’s paper-thread-and-mixed media collage works are an entrancing fusion of textures, inviting us to explore the intricacies of her layered compositions. Gonzales’ Lying Undisturbed on Pavement Cradles mesmerizes with intricate pen and ink scribblings and drawings on layered and torn pieces of tracing paper. Rizalon’s threaded canvas enthralls with its fusion of overlapping lines and colors, letting the artist take control of concealment and exposition. [caption id="attachment_168089" align="aligncenter" width="1290"] 'The Watcher' by Nino Nagret (36 x 36 in, oil on canvas, 2023).[/caption] As Bam Garibay’s tongue-in-cheek painting Camp Panty challenges historical depiction and policing societal norms with humor and wit, Balag’s Paglabay sa Panahon draws viewers into intimate narratives, capturing emotions and human connections that resonate on a profound level. Carloto presents a poignant scene of a makeshift street-side store, a testament to resilience and resourcefulness amidst urban landscapes, while Sena’s depiction of residue from the continuing saga of online shopping extravaganzas delves into the intersections of consumerism and modern life. [caption id="attachment_168088" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] 'Pasaning Panalangin' by Abril Valdemoro (48 x 36 in, oil on canvas, 2023).[/caption] Germar’s Jumpin’ Jupiters, Crazy Eights captures a playful and highly-saturated living space filled with auspicious symbols drawing parallels to the unpredictability of life and the art of chance. Lazaro’s Everything is Green presents a lush and vivid exploration of nature featuring her remarkable characters, evoking stillness and wit amidst familiar settings. Nagret’s fashion-conscious, organic creatures blur the lines between reality and imagination, inviting us into a world of wonder. Nina Garibay entices us to share her fascination for the color blue, as she weaves mysteries into her paintings that beckon us to delve deeper into their enigmatic realms. San Diego’s Strong Girl Era exudes freedom, empowerment, and resilience, while Tabije’s contemporary Genie in the Bottle explores the power of wishes and the complexities of desires contained in a crushed PET container. Valdemoro paints a hefty heavenly body perched on a laborer’s tired shoulders in Dagdag, striking a powerful chord on the burden and grace found within everyday struggles while questioning divine guidance. [caption id="attachment_168090" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] ‘Towering Dreams’ by Ayen Quias. | PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF ARTISTSPACE[/caption] Aligaga 2 is a captivating journey into the artists’ ways of coping with the tensions of our times. Through their art, they express disquiet, create meaningful visual objects, and delve into disturbances that exist both within and without our lived experiences. These works resonate with temperaments deeply felt, presenting us with a compelling and thought-provoking visual encounter. As the exhibition traverses the realms of the tangible and the immaterial, the mysterious and the commonly known, these artists visualize our own cravings for expression, the mind catalyzing cataclysms into energies that push even our spirits into flourishing. For queries on the exhibition, you may contact Kaida Contemporary through +63927-9297129 and kaida529@yahoo.com.ph. ArtistSpace is open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is free. For more information on ArtistSpace, you may contact Jane Salvador through +63917-8264425 or hello@artistspace. The post Art’s power over doubt and disruption appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Sunrise Events to limit number of bike-out participants to 50
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Sunrise Events Inc. (SEI) will limit the number of participants in the traditional bike-out of the Ironman 70.3 Philippines on Sunday that starts and finishes at the Mactan Newtown in Lapu-Lapu City. The bike-out is regularly held a week before the much-awaited race, giving the participating triathletes, a chance to familiarize […] The post Sunrise Events to limit number of bike-out participants to 50 appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Halloween fans go online to keep tradition alive
Dressing up as a character different from yourself attracts the Halloween fans to keep the party going online.It takes a group of performers five hours to put on that Halloween look for the online stage.Malls have also taken the Halloween celebration online. Filipinos who celebrate Halloween are not going to let the COVID-19 pandemic take away the fun of something different, one of them dressing up costume parties. (UNSPLASH / MANILA BULLETIN) From the horror theme to the various characters in video games and movies, dressing up as someone so different from yourself has definitely charmed people of all ages and professions. But with the health and safety protocols prohibiting large gatherings, Halloween fans are taking the parties to another address — online! And the creativity to spark the party mood is amazing! John Paolo Mandac, a Human Resource professional who refuses to let go of years of dressing up for Halloween, has made a Maleficent costume out of recyclable materials. He said that “growing up gay and closeted” required him to dress up as he was told. But on Halloween, he has a chance to dress up the way he likes without displeasing anyone. John Paolo Mandac (Photo courtesy of John Paolo Mandac / MANILA BULLETN) “In the gay world, we call [Halloween] ‘Gay Christmas’,” Mandac said. He said there’s no skipping Halloween this year despite the COVID-19 pandemic, because it’s a holiday that “speaks volumes” to him. What Mandac likes the most about Halloween is being able to dress up. He said he has always liked Halloween since he was a kid but started really preparing to dress up for it in 2015. “Most of my childhood, I remember going to SM Megamall with my mom and sister to Trick-or- Treat. That went on for several years,” he said. “My mom would ask us to think of a character we would like to be that evening. And we had to be creative in making our costumes. It became a yearly bonding experience for us three,” he said. From trick-or-treating in malls, Mandac turned to Halloween parties. This year, he joined several virtual Halloween parties, including one prepared by his office colleagues. Mandac said that although the parties are “less grand” and all virtual, those were still Halloween parties. “No brushing elbows with strangers definitely. No physical interaction, no getting drunk, no appreciating a stranger’s costume. Everything is virtual,” he said, adding that he’ll likely throw in a horror movie marathon on Netflix after the online parties. The show must go on A group of gay performers whose busiest time in a nightclub is Halloween, has prepared their “look” for the new online stage. Since clubs have yet to open, Drag Queens Shewarma, Minty Fresh, Odasha — collectively known as Shemod — have taken their Halloween Drag show online. “Pag Halloween nag re-ready talaga kami or may mga naka resereve na kaming looks (We really prepare for Halloween, our ‘look’ has already been planned),” Odasha told Manila Bulletin. “Halloween is one of the most awaited events of the year in the nightclub,” Odasha said in Pilipino. This year, the challenge of performing for a show online requires more effort to create a look, Minty Fresh said. “Umaabot ng five hours yung preparation, kasi naayos kami, then mag seset up pa ng lighting (It takes us about five hours just to prepare, because we need to put on make-up, and then set up the stage and the lighting),” Minty Fresh said. Friendly Halloween party Meanwhile a group of high school friends have prepared to hold their yearly party online. Lace Azores, 25, a medical intern, said that for the first time in the seven years that they have been holding Halloween parties, this time he has prepared a program. “Every year we would have a Halloween party where we dress up, wear costumes, celebrate, and we also have an award ceremony,” Azores said. (Photo courtesy of Lace Azores / MANILA BULLETIN) But since quarantine restrictions prevent a party, they prepared to meet for an online party. “Usually kasi nag uusap usap lang kami pag mag kakasama kami physically. This time, may program akong prinepare, with games and awards, ‘Best in Costume’ ganyan (Usually, we would just talk to each other and share stories with each other during our physical parties. This time, I prepared a program, with games and awards like Best in Costume,” she said. Although they will not be physically together, Azores said that she and her friends will still have fun. The only thing she will miss though will be the dancing. And how will she dress up this year, we asked. Her reply: “As the coronavirus. Kasi ‘yan ang pinaka nakakatakot na nangyari this year (Because it’s the scariest thing that happened this year).” Annual Halloween fest goes online Meanwhile up north, the biggest Halloween bash in Ilocos Norte has also gone virtual. “Semana Ti Ar-Aria” is a week-long festival in Ilocos Norte which highlights the distinct traditions and superstitions of Ilocanos in remembering their departed loved ones. The festival which started in 2010 was started by former governor and now Senator Imee Marcos. The activities will mostly be online. Among them are the +Halloween TikTok Transformation challenge and a blog-making contest called “Kaba-vloghan,” Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte Information Officer II Rhona Ysabel Daoang said Other events are the “Lilia Cuntapay Short Horror Film Festival,” a film festival in honor of the Ilocana actress dubbed the “Queen of Philippine Horror Movies.” Absent this year will be the Zombie Night Run and the ghost parade. Mall activities go online Shopping malls have also brought the Halloween tradition online. Ayala Malls will host a virtual mall show Oct. 31 featuring characters such as Pinkfong and Baby Shark. The mall also made an online challenge where participants have to dress up in a Halloween costume and record themselves doing the Baby Shark Hand Wash Challenge. (Ayala Malls / MANILA BULLETIN) The challenge winner will get a Prepaid WiFi modem. The challenge promo will run until Oct. 31 and the winner will be announced on the mall’s Facebook page on Nov. 6. Events coordinator Katrina Loreto said most malls went for online promotions instead of staging an event. “Before there were many events, every mall had a Halloween event. Now, it’s mostly online promotions,” Loreto told Manila Bulletin......»»
DID YOU KNOW? Manilla Santos-Ng almost played for Letran
Manilla Santos-Ng holds legendary status at De La Salle University. Despite her 5-foot-4 frame, Santos-Ng stood tall among her peers in a volleyball program known for the might of its players’ height as she led the Lady Spikers to its historic first UAAP three-peat. In her swan song in 2009, Santos-Ng left a winning legacy by powering DLSU to another title. The school honored the current ChocoMucho Flying Titan’s contribution to DLSU volleyball by retiring her no. 14 jersey, further cementing her status as one of the Lady Spikers’ greats. But her donning of the green and white almost didn’t happen. She got an earlier offer to play for another school across Taft Avenue. “Before nun kasi ang CSB, ‘yung coach kumausap sa akin ng diretso pero di ko masyado binigyan ng attention because it was too early for me to decide,” Santos-Ng shared on Volleyball DNA. “Parang maaga yata niya akong natanong eh. So parang nakalimutan ko siya eventually.” The Hope Christian School product then tried out for Letran, which was handled by the late Nes Pamilar. “And then after nun I tried out in Letran under Coach Nes,” she said. “The players were really nice, they’re so friendly, malalakas din sila.” Just when Santos-Ng was feeling comfortable with the Lady Knights an offer too hard to resist came her way. “Hindi ako aware na merong nanonood sa akin. Pero naalala ko somebody asked coach Jerry (Yee) to invite me in one of their trainings. ‘Yun ‘yung sa La Salle,” said Santos-Ng. She immediately grabbed the huge opportunity given to her. “When I found out na may invitation sa La Salle siyempre hindi na ako nagdalawang-isip,” said Santos-Ng. It was love at first sight according to Santos-Ng the moment she stepped inside the school’s gym. She felt the Animo spirit. “Pagpunta ko doon na-love at first sight talaga ako roon sa school kasi compared doon sa high school gym talagang na-amaze ako, napa-wow ako. Sabi ko, ‘Gusto ko maging part ng team na ito,’ she recalled. “So ‘yung confidence level ko medyo parang mataas pero ‘di pa talaga ako sure kung makakapasok ako dun.” “Nu’ng pagdating ko doon nakita ko ang mga players sina ate Anne Remulla, sila Des Hernandez, sina Ate Em Penetrante and na-intimidate ako. You know why? Obviously they are tall players talaga,” Santos-Ng continued. “Di ako familiar sa kanila, even the school ‘yung background nila I don’t know pa pero I saw some familiar faces na I played against back in high school.” She admitted that she didn’t make much of an impact during her first year but continued to work on her game. When head coach Ramil De Jesus gave her the much-awaited break the following year, Santos-Ng did not disappoint. She built her reputation from there as DLSU won three straight championships. A suspension from the league denied the Lady Spikers a chance to shoot for a four-peat. Santos-Ng skipped Season 70 before returning the following year to lead DLSU back to the throne in her farewell tour of duty. Looking back, Santos-Ng knew that her heart beats for DLSU the moment she was informed of the school’s invitation. “In my heart I decided already na gusto ko talaga sa La Salle,” she said......»»
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