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3 Navy personnel hurt amid China’s continuous aggression in WPS
3 Navy personnel hurt amid China’s continuous aggression in WPS.....»»
Chito ibinandera ang ‘fitspiration’ journey sa edad 48: ‘Gym muna bago gig’
TODO flex at proud na proud si Chito Miranda sa improvement ng kanyang katawan matapos talikuran ang bisyo sa pagyoyosi at pag-inom ng alak. Sa isang Instagram post, ibinandera ni Chito ang before and after photos niya. Sa “before” picture, agaw-pansin ang malaki niyang beer belly. Habang pagdating sa “after” na litrato, makikita na malaki.....»»
Wilcon ramps up expansion to hit 100-store goal this year
Home improvement and construction supplies retailer Wilcon Depot Inc. is ramping up its expansion this year to hit its 100-store target......»»
Philippines launches campaign to boost halal industry
MANILA, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines on Tuesday launched a four-year plan to boost the halal industry, hoping to turn the country into a leading halal hub in the Asia-Pacific region by 2028. Philippine Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual said the Philippine Halal Industry Development Strategic Plan "aspires to establish the Philippines as a customer-focused, collaborative, comprehensive, and comp.....»»
Philippines launches campaign to boost halal industry
MANILA, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines on Tuesday launched a four-year plan to boost the halal industry, hoping to turn the country into a leading halal hub in the Asia-Pacific region by 2028. Philippine Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual said the Philippine Halal Industry Development Strategic Plan "aspires to establish the Philippines as a customer-focused, collaborative, comprehensive, and comp.....»»
AboitizPower utilities score tech win for A.I. use
An artificial intelligence-enabled software developed by Aboitiz Power Corporation (AboitizPower) distribution utilities Davao Light and Power Co. Inc. (Davao Light) and Visayan Electric Company Inc. (Visayan Electric) with Aboitiz Data Innovation Pte. Ltd. gained recognition for helping advance technology and digital transformation in the utilities industry. ADI was awarded the Philippines Technology Excellence Award for A.I. — Utilities in the Asian Technology Excellence Awards 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand for Project A.I. CU (“I see you”), a homegrown idea that began in Davao Light. The project utilizes A.I. to optically scan images of electrical installation components — like those mounted on electrical poles — and check if these align with the records of a distribution utility. After a series of pilot tests in Davao Light, the software was able to identify and tag the asset by its individual and unique compatible unit number which was manually assigned to it beforehand. Each CU represents a grouping of electrical items that a certain electrical asset is composed of. Grouping materials and categorizing assets makes it easier for distribution utilities to identify its infrastructure. Overall, verifying the accuracy of records ensures regulatory compliance, better asset management, operational efficiency, and the continued trust that a distribution utility can deliver justified and cost-effective electricity prices in its franchise area. Reduce manpower The use of A.I. to recognize CUs can also significantly reduce the need for manpower and rendered work hours, allowing team members to dedicate time and effort in other activities. Typically, trained engineers are sent to each electrical installation and visually identify each item installed. “The inspiration for Project A.I. CU goes beyond streamlining asset verification. This initiative serves as a window into how we are leveraging artificial intelligence to transform our operations, making them more efficient and smarter,” said Davao Light Meter Shop Supervisor Mark Anthony Catalan, adding that the idea for Project A.I. CU began in 2019 and was proposed to Davao Light in 2020. Catalan was joined by fellow Davao Light innovators Eric Camerino, Jeffrey Lingatong, Raquel Caro, Russel Bolivar, and Prince Yamyamin in developing Project A.I. CU in its early stages and rejuvenating the search for other possible A.I. applications in the operations of Davao Light, particularly in the aspects of safety, audit and maintenance. Proof of concept The group was able to complete an A.I. model for Project A.I. CU as a proof of concept before turning it over to ADI, the data science and A.I. arm of the Aboitiz Group. In the near future, ADI aspires to refine and scale the project for its full implementation in Visayan Electric and Davao Light. These AboitizPower subsidiaries are the second and third largest distribution utilities in the Philippines, respectively. Once fully implemented, Project A.I. CU is estimated to save both companies millions of pesos in annual operating costs. As such, ADI will also assess its potential use in other AboitizPower distribution utilities. “This award demonstrates the data-driven innovations being applied in AboitizPower and highlights the growing synergies within the Aboitiz techglomerate, which in this case is between our distribution utilities and ADI,” said AboitizPower President and CEO Emmanuel Rubio. “It also reaffirms AboitizPower’s mission of ‘Transforming Energy for a Better World’ as it continues its digitalization and innovation initiative to ensure quality service.” The post AboitizPower utilities score tech win for A.I. use appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
AboitizPower utilities score tech win for use of A.I.
An artificial intelligence-enabled software developed by Aboitiz Power Corporation (AboitizPower) distribution utilities Davao Light and Power Co., Inc. and Visayan Electric Company, Inc. (Visayan Electric) with Aboitiz Data Innovation Pte. Ltd. gained recognition for helping advance technology and digital transformation in the utility industry. ADI was awarded the Philippines Technology Excellence Award for A.I. - Utilities in the Asian Technology Excellence Awards 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand for Project A.I. CU (“I see you”), a homegrown idea that began in Davao Light. The project utilizes A.I. to optically scan images of electrical installation components — like those mounted on electrical poles — and check if these align with the records of a distribution utility. After a series of pilot tests in Davao Light, the software was able to identify and tag the asset by its individual and unique compatible unit (CU) number which was manually assigned to it beforehand. Each CU represents a grouping of electrical items that a certain electrical asset is composed of. Grouping materials and categorizing assets makes it easier for distribution utilities to identify their infrastructure. Overall, verifying the accuracy of records ensures regulatory compliance, better asset management, operational efficiency, and the continued trust that a distribution utility can deliver justified and cost-effective electricity prices in its franchise area. The use of A.I. to recognize CUs can also significantly reduce the need for manpower and rendered work hours, allowing team members to dedicate time and effort to other activities. Typically, trained engineers are sent to each electrical installation and visually identify each item installed. “The inspiration for Project A.I. CU goes beyond streamlining asset verification. This initiative serves as a window into how we are leveraging artificial intelligence to transform our operations, making them more efficient and smarter,” said Davao Light Meter Shop Supervisor Mark Anthony Catalan, adding that the idea for Project A.I. CU began in 2019 and was proposed to Davao Light in 2020. Catalan was joined by fellow Davao Light innovators Eric Camerino, Jeffrey Lingatong, Raquel Caro, Russel Bolivar, and Prince Yamyamin in developing Project A.I. CU in its early stages and rejuvenating the search for other possible A.I. applications in the operations of Davao Light, particularly in the aspects of safety, audit, and maintenance. The group was able to complete an A.I. model for Project A.I. CU as a proof of concept before turning it over to ADI, the data science and A.I. arm of the Aboitiz Group. In the near future, ADI aspires to refine and scale the project for its full implementation in Visayan Electric and Davao Light. These AboitizPower subsidiaries are the second and third-largest distribution utilities in the Philippines, respectively. Once fully implemented, Project A.I. CU is estimated to save both companies millions of pesos in annual operating costs. As such, ADI will also assess its potential use in other AboitizPower distribution utilities. “This award demonstrates the data-driven innovations being applied in AboitizPower and highlights the growing synergies within the Aboitiz techglomerate, which in this case is between our distribution utilities and ADI,” said AboitizPower President and CEO Emmanuel Rubio. “It also reaffirms AboitizPower’s mission of ‘Transforming Energy for a Better World’ as it continues its digitalization and innovation initiative to ensure quality service.” In line with the Aboitiz Group’s Great Transformation, and as a partner in Philippine development via its power generation and distribution assets, AboitizPower is focusing its transformation in the realms of decarbonization, digitalization, and growing beyond its core business. The Company had already indicated its goal of growing its renewable energy portfolio to at least 4,600 megawatts or 50% of its generation mix by the next decade to aid the country’s energy transition to a cleaner power mix. The Asian Technology Excellence Awards was presented by Asian Business Review, a regional magazine serving Asia's dynamic business community. The post AboitizPower utilities score tech win for use of A.I. appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Creative Industries Month to witness ‘the grandest battle of creativity’
The buzzwords this month and until November are "creativity" and "creative industries." September has been declared the "Creative Industries Month" by the Philippine government, and one reason for such declaration is the activation of the law known as Philippine Creative Industries Development Act, or Republic Act 11904. Pangasinan 4th District Representative Toff de Venecia is the principal author of the law, the chairman of the House Special Committee on Creative Industry and Performing Arts. De Venecia's clan on his mother's side used to be entrenched in film production. He is a son of Gina Vera-Perez De Venecia, daughter of Dr. Jose Vera Perez, the patriarch of pioneering film companies Sampaguita Pictures and Vera Perez Productions. Before he joined Pangasinan politics as son of former senator Jose De Venecia, Toff was active in theater, all the way back to his schooldays at the Ateneo de Manila. Sen. Loren Legarda, aside from being Senate President Pro-Tempore, is chair of the Senate committee on culture and the arts. For years a top broadcast journalist at ABS-CBN, Legarda is the principal author of Republic Act 11961, also known as the Cultural Mapping Law. [caption id="attachment_186378" align="aligncenter" width="511"] ODANG Putik Pottery held workshops on basic pottery. | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF IG/ ODANGPUTIKPOTTERY[/caption] National competition DTI has announced that it will launch on 24 September a national competition, Young Creatives Challenge (YC2) "through the support of Sen. Imee Marcos." The competition -- described as "the grandest battle of creativity" in the country with a grand prize of P1 million per category -- "aspires to ignite, acknowledge, and spotlight the brilliance of creative minds... in the fields of Songwriting, Screenwriting, Playwriting, Graphic Novel, Animation, Game Development, and Online Content Creation." The semi-finals are set for October 2023, when the Top 30 creators and the Top 10 Grand Finalists will be revealed. At the grand finals on November 2023, cash prizes will be awarded along with millions’ worth of promotions, incentives, registration of intellectual property and possible production or commercialization of creative works. The competition has an Online Content Challenge with distinct mechanics and a separate prize pool. It offers a platform for content creators to showcase their talents and make a significant impact by raising awareness about the vibrant and dynamic Philippine creative industries. The special category will have TikTok as its main channel for entry submission. The DTI invites all natural-born Filipino citizens aged 18-35, regardless of their level of experience, to participate as either individuals or teams. Entrants are required to submit "entirely original creations." The competition theme is deliberately broad, embracing an "open" and "free subject" approach to allow the participants the creative freedom to delve into any topic or subject matter of their choosing. For more information about the competition, visit www.youngcreativeschallenge.com. Capsule workshops On 17 September, the NCCA launched the Creative Industries Month at the Rizal Park Open Air Auditorium in Manila with creative capsule workshops in the afternoon and a grand concert of songs, dances and puppetry in the evening. The festivities had the full support of the National Parks Development Committee and Concert at the Park. The workshops were anchored on various creative industries in the country. For instance, for the audiovisual media domain, the Knowledge Channel Foundation Inc. conducted an introductory workshop on Learning Filipino through Wikaharian. For the digital interactive media domain, Dr. Albert Mulles of METATOKYO tackled “How to Start Your Own Blockchain Game Project” while the Department of Science and Technology presented “Learning Through Minecraft Exhibit.” Under the Design domain, there were workshops on shoemaking, parol and jewelry-making and T-shirt printing Workshop. Under publishing and printed media, Rustico Limosinero offered a basic comics workshop, while the Barasoain Kalinangan Foundation, Inc. discussed book- selling and exhibits. Composer-singer Joey Ayala, meanwhile, held a Songwriting Workshop under the Performing Arts domain and later, at the concert, performed the finale solo vocal numbers. Nanding Josef, artistic director of the Cultural Center of the Philippines' Tanghalang Pilipino, conducted a capsule workshop on Theater Acting. Also within the Performing Arts domain were the dance and puppetry workshops facilitated by the Samahan ng mga Papetir ng Pilipinas. The other domains that presented workshops included the visual arts, traditional cultural expression and cultural sites. Aside from Ayala, the evening concert featured Noel Cabangon, the revived band Color It Red with Cookie Chua still its lead vocalist, Bayang Barrios and her band, the Sindaw Philippines dance troupe, Halili Cruz Dance Company, Teatro ni Juan and a puppetry group. [caption id="attachment_186377" align="aligncenter" width="1440"] HALILI Cruz Dance Company at the evening concert. | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF FB.COM/ HALILI CRUZ DANCE COMPANY[/caption] In his remarks, De Venecia pointed out that there are more than 7 million people in the Philippines employed in the creative industries, and the industries' contribution to Gross Domestic Product in 2022 was 7.3 percent percent or P1. 6 trillion, representing an increase of 12.1 percent from P1. 43 trillion in 2021. "This is a sector that has managed to survive and even thrive on its own, but with institutionalized support from the state, it will really help the creative industry sector grow and accelerate to the point where we want it to be — which is by 2030, the Philippines will be the number one creative economy in all of Asia,” said De Venecia. May we be really number 1 just seven years from today! The post Creative Industries Month to witness ‘the grandest battle of creativity’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Group presents gold as divine-guided fiat
The founder of the Global Gold Monetary Fund understands that attaining the goal of reintroducing gold as a monetary standard and medium of exchange faces huge challenges. In a briefing in Intramuros, Manila during the debut of the Global Gold Monetary Fund, Allain De La Mottez, founding member of GGMF, said “he and his group will surely face attacks to discredit and devalue the effort.” “The attacks might outweigh the benefits. But if God is with us, then who can be against us?” he said. De La Mottez said choosing the Philippines as the launching pad for the gold-backed monetary system will give the country a critical role in the new order. He said the goal is to make gold a global currency, whereas a piece of gold in the Philippines will have the same value in the United States, providing parity in contrast to the fiat currency’s volatility and uncertainty. Further, Mottez said as the GGMF prepares to commence its gold-backed monetary system by January 2024, it will welcome members from other countries by “offering them the opportunity to partake in the promising future it envisions.” Being GGMF members, countries will have access to a suite of benefits, including the Gold Collateral System, in which GGMF will distribute securely stored physical gold among members through 50-year trust certificates, renewable as per the Jubilee principle; Debt Forgiveness Program: GGMF assumes member countries’ liabilities, including those in local and foreign currency, following the 50-year jubilee principle for structured debt relief; and New Monetary System, in which members participate in a revolutionary platform with dedicated unit trusts backed by Bailment Agreements, and receive initial Gold Unit allocations, bolstering and sustaining global economies. Movement turns global “This marks an extraordinary opportunity for individuals and entities alike to become part of a global movement aimed at reshaping the future of finance through the time-tested brilliance of gold,” Mottez said. With the use of modern technology, Mottez said GGMF offers global banking services, advocating decentralized systems and the intrinsic value of gold. “With our mission deeply rooted in the belief that gold is a divine asset meant to serve humanity, GGMF aspires to pave a new path toward financial stability and independence for all who embrace its vision, guided by the principles of faith in gold’s enduring value,” he said. Mottez said, to date, GGMF had been in talks with 249 countries with the goal of making gold a legal tender. “We have this unwavering commitment to revitalizing gold as a pivotal medium of exchange at the core of financial transactions. Unlike fiat paper currencies, gold cannot be wiped out. It boasts intrinsic value and, most importantly, belongs to God,” according to Mottez. The post Group presents gold as divine-guided fiat appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Cherchez la femme?
Look for the woman is what the phrase Cherchez la femme means in the French language. By a person’s statement, he or she attributes a certain action or incident to be caused by a woman. It presupposes a negative connotation, but to me it symbolizes the strength and power of a woman. Indeed, so much in this world can be recharged, repaired, corrected, healed if we give women the opportunity and the chance to make a great difference in the world. Women hold half of the sky so they should be given all the means and tools to make a difference. As mothers they carry the baby in their womb for nine months. That takes much sacrifice, inconvenience and risks to their health. But because women are strong in faith and character, they bear all the difficulties with a smile and bravura. Women are teachers. They are the first tutors of her children. Their early values are honed by the mother. Children do not take our words seriously. It is how we conduct ourselves that they absorb their first lessons in life. Women are healers. Because of their compassionate and caring nature, they can assuage the hurts caused by unkind words as they console their loved ones with a big hug, a warm bowl of soup and their sage advice as symbolized by Mother Teresa who will soon be canonized as a saint because of her humane and loving treatment of everyone. Women are strong warriors. The katipuneras proved their valor and fearless nature when they fought side by side with the men as proven by Gabriela Silang, wife of hero Diego Silang. Women are born singers as they lull their infants to sleep in their cradles. Women are marvelous cooks as they plan and cook the healthy food for their families without missing a step. Women are creative seamstresses as they sew the uniforms and clothes of their children growing up. Women are wonderful social human beings as they reach out to neighbors and the community as social workers and nurses. Women are good accountants as they can stretch their household budget like a rubber band with nary a complaint. Women are prayerful persons as they constantly pray for the safety, good health and well-being of the entire family. Women above all are the constant partners and faithful lovers to their husbands. So, we ask, what can women not do? Women can do anything you ask of them provided they are given the due respect, love and support they need to accomplish any task big or small. They are also great coaches who can mentor both young men and women to fulfill their dreams. They are possessed of noble intentions, fierce in their belief that if one needs to perform a task, they will be up to it. So, the question is asked, Cherchez la femme? Where is the woman? She can be found in all mothers, wives, doctors, nurses, teachers, cooks, OFWs, drivers, CEOs, presidents, artists, singers, ballet dancers, farmers, graphic designers, authors, nuns, debaters, makeup artists, parliamentarians, scientists, politicians, models, accountants, lawyers, students, bakers, NGO leaders, laundrywomen, caregivers, environment warriors, gardeners, streetsweepers etc. We could go on and on. What this proves is women can be anyone she aspires to be and for as long as she finds herself valued and needed; she will be there. All she needs is to be valued and loved. After all women are love personified. They will give of themselves for as long as they have life in them. Vive La Femme! In 1989, Bing Carreon was recognized as one of The Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service (TOWNS). In San Francisco, California, U.S.A., she was chosen as one of 100 Most Influential Global Filipinas for her books and advocacy work. As a social historian, she has written 46 coffee table books in the last 25 years found in select libraries around the world. For comments and suggestions please e-mail: bncmyob@gmail.com The post Cherchez la femme? appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Menchu Katigbak: The splendid life of a society swan
Hers is a story anyone would love to tell and retell, or hear and hear again. Chances are, as in the book of Menchu, so many things are left unsaid because if these were all said, a single book would not be enough. Carmencita “Menchu” Katigbak’s story is one of love, passion, hurts and disappointments, social triumphs and power in its subtle workings, but mostly the good life and the people who live it and make it happen. She is a woman of the world in the sense of one who has lived in, explored and enjoyed New York, Bangkok, Lausanne, Paris and, her current love, Singapore. Of course, her turf is in Manila with a Capital S and Capital P (as in Power), and Lipa the hometown of her roots. [caption id="attachment_180060" align="aligncenter" width="958"] MENCHU with best friend Susie and her daughter Marivic.[/caption] At a time when the term “socialite” can come cheap, trite or even undeserved, Menchu gives the appellation dignity, respect and the awe it once inspired. Her social credentials are, of course, impeccable. For starters, she attended the Chateau Mont-Choisi, a Swiss finishing school for debutantes and pre-debs belonging to royalty and the world’s upper crust. A socialite today, in loose modern parlance, is perceived as being frivolous, one who attends parties because these men and women are party animals, or party people, as one columnist has named her weekly jottings about the social events of the day. The enjoyment of life is what defines this breed and set, and yet, while Menchu, too, knows how to enjoy, and enjoy life with gusto, there is more to her and that differentiates her from the herd. No, she does not top her charmed life with an icing of well-publicized good deeds and philanthropic beneficence, even if she actually shares her bounty with those in need. Menchu is of a different mold. She is a society swan in the manner of Truman Capote’s chums — Babe Paley, Gloria Guinness, Lee Radziwill. In our part of the world, think Chona, think Minnie, think Chito. She may well be cast in the same crème de la creme mold, glamorous denizens of the inner circles of society, at the same time, ladies who have transcended the vagaries of time. Just recently, Menchu was referred to by a diplomat friend as a global influencer, a 21st-century appellation that only a few are accorded. This one is applied to one who was once a señorita, colegiala and, yes, society girl, again in the tradition of Chona, Baby, Nelly, Chito and Ising. ‘The Katigbaks talk only to the Kalaws’ They don’t need family names, each as important as the other and of the same significance in society. Still, it’s one thing to say that she is Baby Fores, and another if she is Baby Arenas. There were two Vickys, one of national import and memory being the lovely teenager who stood as her father’s First Lady in the early 1950s, and there was the Madrigal matron, Vicky nee Abad Santos, who was low-key and the daughter of the World War II patriot, Jose Abad Santos, who refused to pledge allegiance to the flag of the enemies. Menchu shares first name distinction with Menchu delas Alas Concepcion, also of Batangueña parentage, being the daughter of banker and finance guy and public servant Don Antonio de las Alas. Both aristocrats from Batangas, the two Menchus share many distinctions beauty for one, pedigree, for the other—but that’s as far as I would say, the aforementioned traits being obvious. But to drive his point, Joe Guevarra, the humorous and well-placed columnist known for his tongue-in-cheek pronouncements, once said of the olden times, when the genealogical boundaries were well-defined, “In Lipa, the Katigbaks talk only to the Kalaws, and the Kalaws talk only to the Katigbaks.” [caption id="attachment_180057" align="aligncenter" width="998"] DINNER in Pili with Fernando and Zobel, Tessie Sy-Coson, Guilly Luchangco, Federico ‘Piki’ Lopez | photograph courtesy of MENCHU KATIGBAK[/caption] This self-confessed social climber, as his 8-to-5-and-beyond job would require him to be, admits to not having met (okay, having been introduced to…) the ebullient society hostess, traveler, culinary maven and friend-to-the-powerful Menchu Katigbak. Everything that I am writing here, I learned from the lady’s biography, Menchu, authored by lifestyle journalism icon Thelma Sioson San Juan, the two being decades-old friends. Menchu, one finds out toward the end of the book, is the inspiration for her granddaughter Isabelle’s first tome, Abu, the Sad Princess. I look back on the pages I have read, the memories of Menchu’s lifetime so far, in all its seven glorious and electrifying decades, and I dare say, the description is most apt and is true as well in real life as Menchu today is “living happily ever after” having come to terms with the many issues that confronted her at various times, but more importantly, she is today a fulfilled mother and grandmother and a believer in Jesus Christ. But that is getting ahead of the story. ‘White Matter’ by Lao Lianben Jaime Ponce de Leon, dear Jaime, the man of the hour of Philippine arts for as long as Juan Luna’s missing masterpiece, remains ensconced at the Ayala Museum – gaining for the discoverer more than a foothold in our cultural history – asked me if I was interested in writing about the socially formidable Menchu Katigbak, and I readily said yes, having seen her photographs in the select and more discriminating society pages and columns. I thought to myself it would be an opportunity to meet the lady face to face and add her to my glossary of so-called newfound friends, but that was not meant to be. I was, oh, I was treated to the next best thing – a copy of Menchu which, to someone who aspires to be a bibliophile, is all that matters in the world, except that I am first a social climber. And since I have not been allowed an audience, I take solace in the book and, as my honeyed revenge, will tell you what I feel about the lady who, I understand, could be frank and outspoken. Abrasive is too strong a word, and unfair for I am not sure if I will ever meet her in my lifetime, but I am told the lady will never mince words, that’s probably why she has legions of true friends who probably can give as much as take, or so I am imagining. [caption id="attachment_180055" align="aligncenter" width="1475"] Lunch in the kitchen in Pili with Patty Araneta (left) and Monet Recio-Schem.[/caption] A painting that Menchu has kept all these years, “White Matter” by Lao Lianben, signed and dated 1997, has been featured as one of the rare pieces to be auctioned in Leon Gallery’s forthcoming magnificent September auction, with the starting bid of P2,600,000. So, there, if you’re wondering what Jaime, who moves around the best circles, has got to do with this enigmatic swan. ‘We are not rich’ But let’s stick to what the book says. While she intersperses in her narrative personal encounters with her subject, TSJ, for the most part, devotes the pages of this book to Menchu alone, and with our cosmopolitan lady, the many friends in the upper echelons whose lives she has touched and who have touched hers in turn. Menchu, once she was ready to be told, heard it straight from her mother, “Tandaan mo, baka akala mo mayaman tayo. Hindi tayo mayaman. Kung napadala ka namin sa Switzerland at si Tita at si Tony napadala naming sa America, kasi nagpawis ako ng dugo (Remember, you may think we are rich, we are not rich. If we sent you to Switzerland and Tita and Tony to America, it was because I sweated blood). If you think you’re going to inherit something from us, banish the thought. So if you don’t study well, bahala ka sa sarili mo (you’re on your own).” The perfect words for the Asuncionista (Assumptionista) who much preferred to bake food for the gods, brownies and upside-down cakes and do naughty things like hiding the bell used to signal the start and end of class periods. Her mother, the former Charing Roxas Dimayuga, who attended Assumption Convent, dealt in buying, developing and selling homes in the gated Makati villages. She also developed horizontal and vertical commercial spaces as well as imported retazos from abroad. [caption id="attachment_180056" align="aligncenter" width="696"] Wearing the Van Cleef earrings purchased before their public launch.[/caption] Her father, Enrique Luz Katigbak, on the other hand, was a top certified public accountant, an alumnus of the Northwestern University and a director on the boards of Monte de Piedad and Philtrust banks. Of his connections, none is more eminent than his friendship with His Eminence, Rufino Cardinal Santos, archbishop of Manila and the first Filipino Cardinal of the Catholic Church. It was not a happenstance that Menchu received the sacrament of confirmation from the Cardinal himself right in the Katigbak home, the first ever that was held in a private home if any other followed at all. Like most children, Menchu recalls in the book how she detested being “slapped” by the pious prelate. If she was any pleased about her family’s closeness to the holy man, it was that the Assumption sisters did not expel her for her not-too-infrequent infractions because they went to her father if they needed something from the Cardinal. Dona Aurora Recto for a ‘guardian’ Hers was a lonely childhood since her older siblings were away. They were the triple seven, which alluded to their being born seven years apart, with Menchu as the youngest. On certain days, her parents, both busy, would deposit her in the home of the statesman Claro M. Recto where she would play with his favorite granddaughter, Techie, who had all these toys, Menchu could not help realizing her parents did not buy her a toy. She played with her jackstones while Techie had a closetful of toys, including a toy “cash register.” Techie was so generous she was giving this fancy plaything to her, but Menchu refused knowing her mother would not approve. What she remembers best of that time was the sight of Dona Aurora, the first beautiful woman she beheld in her young mind and eyes, and from her, she learned her first lessons in etiquette, because the family ate with a full complement of silverware and flatware. (To be continued) The post Menchu Katigbak: The splendid life of a society swan appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
GMA’s Suzette Doctolero comes to the defense of ‘It’s Showtime’, resigns as MTRCB deputy
Suzette Doctolero, Head of Drama Development of GMA and a screenwriter, wrote a screed on her various social media in defense of 'It's Showtime', which has been suspended for 12 days by the MTRCB for what the body deems as various offenses. This is what she wrote: "At bilang mema ako kaya.. In the world of show business, competition fuels progress. Instead of resorting to extreme measures that could be perceived as undermining the rival show, I hope MTRCB aspires to promote fairness and healthy competition in the world of television. This is the only way to ensure our industry’s growth. ...As one of the many deputies of MTRCB, I strongly advocate for a review of the penalty in question (ni hindi ko rin nga ginagamit ang pagiging deputy para ireport ang anumang rival show ng show ko no at delikadeza na lang o hiya sa sarili). Please consider suspending my deputy card na lang rin po. Thanks!" #Delicadeza #mahalKOangIndustriyaNGTV It can be recalled that Doctolero has had various verbal tussles with fans and writers in the past for her vocal opinions about dramas and teleseryes that air on ABS-CBN. The post GMA’s Suzette Doctolero comes to the defense of ‘It’s Showtime’, resigns as MTRCB deputy appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Isabella Po Nouvelot’s curiosity fuels breakthroughs in archaeology
Imbued with passion and driven by curiosity, 22-year-old Isabella Po Nouvelot, who recently graduated from Leiden University with a degree in Archaeology, is doing a remarkable job in understanding mankind’s past. [caption id="attachment_178409" align="aligncenter" width="195"] Isabella Po Nouvelot[/caption] Having completed her BA in Archaeology at Leiden University, Isabella’s dedication to her field is commendable. Leiden’s Faculty of Archaeology, renowned for its excellence, has consistently ranked among the top 10 archaeological institutes globally for seven consecutive years. It even secured the sixth position in the QS World University Ranking. Her love of archaeology stems from her early fascination with history. “Ever since I was a child, I really liked history,” she said. Frequent visits to national museums sparked her interest in discovering uncharted territories of the Philippines’ history. This epiphany eventually led to a dream: leveraging archaeology to shed light on the untold stories and rich heritage of her native country. “There’s so much to know, and that’s what really got me into archaeology,” Isabella told the DAILY TRIBUNE. “As I learn archaeology in general, how it’s practiced and how it’s done, it made me more confident that this is what I like.” [caption id="attachment_178411" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] A PIECE of clay statue made by prehistoric people of Barbados believed to date to around 14th century.[/caption] Isabella looks up to her mentors in her exploration. Among them are Dr. Ligaya (Gay) S.P. Lacsina, known for groundbreaking work on Butuan boats at the University of the Philippines, and Martijn Manders, a Leiden University professor specializing in underwater archaeology and maritime heritage management. Isabella praises those who pursue archaeology despite the lack of financial support. She also emphasizes the significance of archaeology in helping societies rediscover their ancestry. “As a country, it’s important for us to know our roots and who we are. A lot of the time it is overshadowed by the colonial past,” she said. Studying archaeology is a way to reclaim and appreciate the various stories that have defined the Philippines’ identity in a nation rich in legacy. She claims that the field’s “unexplored and underdeveloped” state has the potential to foster a sense of national pride. Her aspirations center on exploring pre-colonial Filipino history, a period often overshadowed by the colonial era. She recognizes that “it’s only archaeology that can bring it to light” and provide a voice to those whose stories were not documented in archives or written sources. She wants to “connect people to his past,” bridging the gap between earlier times and present-day realities. Beyond her dedication to archaeology, Isabella’s interests span multiple disciplines. Her engagement with maritime archaeology, geographic information systems and data science demonstrates her multidisciplinary approach to research. Amid her academic pursuits, Isabella finds solace in basketball, trekking and camping, revealing a balanced and adventurous spirit. As Isabella takes a well-deserved break after graduation, she reflects on her journey — a path adorned with internships, excavations and experiences that have deepened her connection to history. Looking ahead, she envisions herself as an intern at the National Museum, honing her skills and participating in excavations in the Philippines. She also plans to pursue a master’s degree in archaeology, further refining her research capabilities. Isabella views herself as a researcher at the National Museum in 10 years, similar to Dr. Bobby Orillaneda, a senior museum researcher at the Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage Division. Alternatively, she aspires to become a professor, driven by a passion for imparting knowledge to the next generation. Throughout her journey, Isabella draws strength from her supportive family, who firmly believe in her potential and inspire her to overcome doubts and pursue her dreams and embrace her dreams. “‘We believe in you,’ that’s the only thing that I keep in my heart. They believe in me. I shouldn’t doubt myself. If they believe in me, I should also believe in myself,” she shared. For Isabella, the journey into archeology is more than just a pursuit — it is an ‘enriching experience’ that unveils the layers of history, recovers forgotten narratives and bridges the gap between past and present. With determination and history as her guide, Isabella is a beacon of inspiration for those who seek to unlock the mysteries of time and make their mark on the canvas of human knowledge. The post Isabella Po Nouvelot’s curiosity fuels breakthroughs in archaeology appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
This writers’ workshop loves Filipino literature
The Palihang Rogelio Sicat discussion on 21 June held in UP Diliman looked and sounded like an art class session. Manolo Sicat, the well-known artist and sculptor, was delivering a demo-lecture on printmaking. He said figures and words can go together in a work of art. [gallery columns="2" size="full" ids="175634,175632"] He had a PowerPoint presentation of print images. A pair of prints of a couple of dancers were passed around. One was in black and white, the other in color. Texture and motion were their immediate charm. “But what has printmaking to do with us?,” said Christian Balagoza, a boyish writer. “We’ll know when we get the printmaking session,” said sir Reuel Aguila, director PRS 16 (2023). Art collab This is the latest PRS innovation. When the session was held a few days later, Sicat conducted an honest-to-goodness printmaking workshop at the UP College of Fine Arts. A colleague, Prof. Ambie Abano, welcomed the group and opened her atelier to show mural-sized prints made from wooden originals. It is the artist’s impressive collection of prints featuring landscapes of lush trees in dark, brooding background. Fellows from the previous online batch joined the art activity. During the three-hour session, everyone polished her rubber board, chiseled images and texts, and finally print the works on paper. They were amazed to pick up the skill fast and admire the results in no time. Thumbs and nails got smudged with sticky ink yet everyone was smiling at the wet and black artworks clipped on wires that crossed the studio. 16 years of PRS This is one of the activities that make PRS unique. Thanks to its founders -- dramatist Reuel Aguila, retired professor now a lecturer at the UP, and fictionist Jimmuel Naval, dean of the UP College of Arts and Letters. The partner is always on the lookout for ingenious ways to improve the workshop, all for the good of young writers. PRS began as an informal workshop of a number of young writers held in the mansion of Ligaya Tiamson Rubin in Angono, Rizal, in 2008. Today, fellows accepted in the workshop are pegged at 15. Fellows like the idea that they are the main commentators of the manuscripts. During workshops, they get to be the lead discussant. “They learn to be critical and not rely too much on the opinion of the panelists,” said Aguila. The PRS is the only writers’ workshop that aspires to be mobile, going around the country to make its appellation ‘national’ true. It literally brings the creative writing life closer to practitioners. PRS collaborates with local governments, and with their support the workshop had been to Palayan City, Nueva Ecija (2009); Baler, Aurora (2010); Alfonso, Cavite (2011); Sta. Cruz, Marinduque (2012); Angeles City, Pampanga (2014); and Makati City (2015). It also cooperates with the academe as in UP Visayas-Tacloban (2017), UP Baguio (2018) and UP Los Baños (2019). There were times PRS stayed at its home base UP Diliman like during the 50th anniversary of the UP Department of Filipino and Philippine Literature (UP-DFPL) in 2017. It went online as Zoom conference twice during the pandemic. With the renowned writer Rogelio Sicat as PRS idol, the workshop chooses Filipino language as its medium of writing literature. It also accepts works from the region’s translated into Filipino. Institutional support PRS is the official outreach program of the UP-DFPL whose incumbent chair Schedar DT Jocson said that from the beginning, it has supported PRS and its objectives. Many of its panelists are from the department, including alumna Dr. Lulu Torres-Reyes, the PRS 16 guest of honor. Other PRS supporters include the UP Sentro ng Wikang Filipino (UP-SWF). “We are honored to be part of a movement that brings Philippine literature closer to the common people. PRS writers enrich the catalog of our website,” said director Jayson Petras. Friends and business people also support PRS, like Palawan Pawnshop / Palawan Express Padala company. Lively discussion about literature An hour of PRS discussion on a story or poem does not exhaust its reading or interpretation. To address the gap, sessions are set beyond the allotted time and well into almost midnight. Fellows do not seem to mind as they are very eager to huddle with seniors who are just as willing to forego of an early bedtime. PRS goes one more step. In 2022, it created post-workshop online sessions. Here, senior and beginning writers discuss new works. Everyone is excited to have these disquisitions that aim to improve writing skills. Dedication is demanded from both sides. The recent PRS workshop had the Sicat siblings Luna and Manolo beaming with pride. They were quite surprised to know that almost 300 young writers had already experienced the workshop. PRS is also proud that esteemed writers served as its panelists, including Bienvenido Lumbera, Edgardo Reyes, Ricardo Lee, Rogelio Ordoñez, Lualhati Bautista, Rosario Lucero, Elmer Ordoñez, Jose Dalisay, Marne Kilates, Jess Santiago, Fidel Rillo, Edgardo Maranan, Lilia Quindoza Santiago, Delfin Tolentino, Bonifacio Ilagan, Frank Cimatu, Joi Barrios-Le Blanc, Chris Millado, Jerry Gracio, Richard Gappi, Eros Atalia, Joselito delos Reyes, Choi Pangilinan and Junley Lorenzana Lazaga. PRS connects the lives of senior and beginning writers. Rogelio Sicat would be proud of this long -running project named after him. The post This writers’ workshop loves Filipino literature appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Lawyer places Marawi bet via Café Sindaw
As Marawi City rose from the Islamic State-led 2017 siege and the pandemic, lawyer Rohairah “Kookai” Lao saw the period as an opportunity to present fresh ideas that were missing in the capital of Lanao del Sur. With a successful career as Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao ’s regional prosecutor, she wanted to help stimulate the local economy by putting up a business. “I am at a point where I want to give back to my community. To do this, I need something which promotes tourism and is likewise an inspiration,” Lao said. An inveterate traveler, Lao thought of bringing the café culture into the laidback city. She saw potential along the scenic strip that led to Mindanao State University and Lake Lanao, the province’s prime tourism destination. Named Heaven Road, it opens to views of the forest-covered countryside and is blessed with a temperate climate. Bucking the urban legend that the place was a dumping ground for bodies after a rido or a skirmish, the entrepreneur took the risk. She pioneered in building Heaven Road’s first commercial establishment. Lao recalls that her savings were insufficient to finance the construction of the café. Fortunately, she gained access to lending companies. Her brother-in-law, who owned a hardware and construction company, provided the materials at cost. Café hands-on Although she worked with an architect, Lao was hands-on in the design which comprises two levels and a viewing deck. “I made sure that when the café was completed, people who know me can see my personal touch,” she says. Named Café Sindaw (meaning “hope” in Maranaw), the restaurant-cafe aspires to lighten up the lives of the people of Lanao del Sur. “It aims to encourage them to stand up after the fall. There is always some prospect for people who have faith,” says Lao. She invested in an Italian-made coffee machine that is operated by baristas who were trained by experts from Mindanao’s major cities — Davao and Cagayan de Oro. The head barista worked extensively in Saudi Arabia. The menu is an eclectic mix of coffee beverages, pizzas, beef rendang, sasati (spicy balls of smoked fish) and ramen, among others. During Ramadan, one of the private rooms is converted into a prayer room. It accepts orders for iftar-sponsored meals for a minimum of 30. Market turns discriminating Lao observes that the local market is becoming more discriminating as diners appreciate cosmopolitan cuisine and special brewed blends. The resto-café is frequently booked for meetings and birthday parties. The customers gained during the early days of Heaven Road have remained loyal to Café Sindaw despite the mushrooming of similar restaurant cafes. When Café Sindaw opened in February 2022, there was hardly any competition. Following Lao’s example, entrepreneurs have since built their own cafes along Heaven Road. It is now a tourist destination because of the comfort food and beverages and panoramic vistas. Lao observes that people tend to go into business when the economy starts to thrive. As in most ventures, there are challenges, “Opening a restaurant or café is not easy. It involves compliance to national and local regulations. These can sometimes be a burden such as payments of several fees and taxes to the business sector,” Lao said. Then there’s learning to increase operational competence, create a top-performing menu, train and retain staffers. The post Lawyer places Marawi bet via Café Sindaw appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Tale of two cities
If Mayor Imelda “Emi” Calixto-Rubiano of Pasay City aspires to make her city the first “Eco-City” of the Philippines, Mayor Eric L. Olivarez of Parañaque City wants his city to be the first with the eGov Super App in the country. If Mayor Emi will have her iconic Manhattan in Pasay City, Mayor Eric has his equally iconic Fisherman’s Wharf in Parañaque City. Behind this backdrop of local initiatives, creative planning and responsible leadership are amazing changes in the economy and infrastructure of the two surging cities complementing wonderfully the overwhelming optimism of the national government to transform the Republic of the Philippines into the richest and most beautiful country in the world. Pasay aspires to be the very first eco-sustainable city or “eco-city” in the Philippines, as it continues to strive for excellence and growth while taking utmost consideration of its environment. “To serve its constituents and stakeholders with enthusiasm and efficiency, with a firm commitment to adhering to the principles of good governance, and providing services and infrastructure essential to making the city progressive, healthy and peaceful, worthy of respect and emulation” is the mission of Pasay City. The focus of its mission is ensuring that development ultimately benefits every individual in the City of Pasay, that the service is characterized by the willingness to serve, transparent and responsive to the needs of the constituents. The identified goals to be achieved included: 1) that Pasay City shall be recognized as the new international center for business, knowledge process outsourcing, meetings-incentives-conferences-exhibitions tourism and a model for governance; 2) a safe, secure, livable and inspiringly built environment; 3) efficient infrastructure; 4) carefully managed image of the city; 5) affordable housing to qualified beneficiaries. Why did Pasay City go into reclamation? Pasay City is one of the smallest cities in the National Capital Region. Much of its land is occupied and utilized by the national government. The rest is too limited for the population of the city. It has no choice but to expand its land area by reclamation. The City of Pasay was granted Environment Compliance Certificate, or ECC, No. ECC-CD-1601-003 dated 2017. The reclamation project covers 265 hectares involving two islands with areas of 210 hectares and 55 hectares, respectively. The important landmarks adjacent to the project site include the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Coconut Palace, the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel, the Philippine International Convention Center, the Government Service Insurance System, Mall of Asia, casinos Okada Manila and Solaire Resort, and Diosdado Macapagal Avenue. Reasons for the 265-hectare reclamation The increasing demand for readily developable land for urban expansion has pushed the real estate market in Metro Manila to its highest since the 1997 Asian financial crisis. Since the other urban centers of Mega Manila have no other way of expanding their existing inventory of land, the increasing requirements for areas to accommodate and satisfy the demand for rapid commercial and residential growth fall on the coastal LGUs. This, therefore, necessitates the creation of more land for economic activities through reclamation developments along the coastal areas of Manila Bay. The Pasay City reclamation project, near the SM Mall of Asia complex, can produce millions of square meters of additional buildable and developable space. This could translate to millions of square meters of building gross floor area, based on the existing buildable vis-a-vis to open space/public area ratio. The additional millions of open meters of building gross floor area can be allocated to tourism, office, residential, commercial and other non-industrial mixed uses. (To be continued) The post Tale of two cities appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Manhattan of Pasay City (2)
Pasay City aspires to be the first eco-sustainable city or “eco-city” of the Philippines, taking utmost consideration of its environment for the sake of its people. Pasay City is a super-active global metropolis, a host for every foreign visitor coming to or leaving the Philippines. Its mayor is the Honorable Imelda “Emi” Calixto-Rubiano. She is that notable lady you will often see among government officials at the airport every time President Bongbong Marcos leaves or arrives from abroad. For every great stride that the national government takes, be it for the economy and infrastructure, the city government complements that with its own. The city government of Pasay always prefers to move along with the national government. When the Duterte administration launched its “Build, Build, Build” program to achieve the golden age of infrastructure in the Philippines, to enhance mobility and connectivity, the city government of Pasay swung along the same spirit by enlarging its limited space by reclaiming a total of 625 hectares, with a blueprint for building two islands and establish connectivity with a bridge between them. And wonder of all wonders, that only the intrepid can do, the city will even erect an iconic Manhattan in Manila Bay! Believe it or not, it’s true. It’s ongoing. And with the advent of digitalization during the administration of President Bongbong Marcos, the pace of construction could go faster. Soon the office of the city auditor of Pasay will be advocating an automated audit system for e-collection and e-payment, and the use of artificial intelligence to process big data to determine patterns and detect fraud. The Office of the City Auditor has been trying its best to make it easy for the Office of the Chief Accountant to cleanse the accounts and eliminate discrepancies and reconcile the accounts with their subsidiaries to reduce to an easy and manageable level the difference between the accounting records and the general service office reports. The Office of the Chief Accountant should start studying how to imbibe the development by CoA of an easy-to-implement and technology-driven government accounting system compliant with the international standard to ensure that all revenues and expenditures are recorded accurately and promptly and enhance auditing guidelines for engagements to cover contracts entered into via social media. Digitalization will enhance transparency, prevent corruption and expedite economic activity. President Bongbong Marcos has launched a continuation of President Duterte’s program of building more, providing sustainable economic activities, and more bridges to establish linkages among islands and our people in the farmlands. Proper utilization and management of resources for the greatest benefit of its constituents are the takeoff point for development planning strategies of the city of Pasay. Since it aspires to be the very first eco-sustainable city or “eco-city” in the Philippines, Pasay City is taking utmost consideration of its environment and the people. The City of Pasay is strictly cognizant of its mission statement: “To serve its constituents and stakeholders with enthusiasm, efficiency, and a firm commitment to adhering to the principles of good governance; and to provide services and infrastructure essential to making the City a progressive, healthy and peaceful place worthy of respect and emulation.” This serves to guide the City in its decision-making and formulating strategies for development. The focus of its mission is ensuring that development ultimately benefits every Pasayeño and the kind of service rendered is one that is characterized by willingness to serve, transparent and responsive to the needs of its constituents. The post Manhattan of Pasay City (2) appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ashley Ortega ticks off another item on her acting bucket list
After her stint in the TV series Hearts on Ice as the leading lady of Xian Lim, Ashley Ortega will be seen in the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival entry, As If It’s True, as the onscreen partner of Khalil Ramos. It’s a back-to-back main role for the Sparkle GMA artist, who aspires to become a versatile actress. This crossover from TV to film is a welcome change for Ashley......»»
Carlos Agassi released a transphobic rap song, ‘aspires’ to be Rendon
Carlos Agassi (remember him?) apparently released a transphobic rap song, and no one heard about it until Mela Habijan, beauty queen and trans activist, called him out on it. Carlos “Amir” Agassi was one of The Hunks, a loosely assembled group of ABS-CBN leading men composed of Piolo Pascual, Jericho Rosales, John Lloyd, and Diether Ocampo, where “Amir” was always considered the least popular. Agassi’s novelty "rap" called “Milk Tea” is very explicit and formulated for clickbait. Habijan and other netizens called out a particular line. “”Venti ang kanyang milk tea. Sa dami ng binibini. Nakabingwit ako ng binabai.” Habijan called out Agassi on Twitter. ”I understand that you may be trying to revive your showbiz career or at the least, be relevant, but I suggest, do it right! The ingredients to how people bounce back in life: real talent, hard work, charisma, and treating people right. Work on these!” Agassi has doubled down, and has gone the way of Rendon Labador’s schtick of trying to get a rise out of people. “Ako sumikat ikaw laos na di pa sumisikat huhu iyak yarn, hanap kakampi.” The lyrics are ironic considering rumors that Agassi is gay have followed him for all of his career. He has also tried to pass the lyrics off as a “romantic comedy”, but no one seems to be buying that argument. This uber show of machismo has always been Agassi's schtick in a field of talented and accomplished actors where he could not compete, but the crass and explicit “rap” is obviously a desperate grab for notoriety and clicks, which is already a crowded field of online personalities, riddled with many players. It’s probably why it didn’t even make a dent in the news cycle when it was released two weeks ago, and up until now only has 14,000 views. In fact, he’s so desperate for views he’s offered a P10,000 raffle prize to people who will share the video. The post Carlos Agassi released a transphobic rap song, ‘aspires’ to be Rendon appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Fisherman from Naga aspires to catch dream for his children’s future
MANDAUE CITY, Cebu – Armel Lamata learned to fish when he was just seven years old. He learned the skill from his late grandfather, Marcelino Sasan. Fishing has been his life since. The 31-year-old Armel has tried working elsewhere but he would always go back to fishing whenever he could. Catching fish has been the […] The post Fisherman from Naga aspires to catch dream for his children’s future appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»