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Britney Spears set to hit bestseller list with tell-all memoir
Two years after escaping her father's guardianship, Britney Spears recounts her years as a superstar who became a victim of her success in a highly anticipated memoir being published on Tuesday. One revelation from "The Woman in Me" has already made headlines: Spears saying she felt pressured into having an abortion while dating fellow popstar Justin Timberlake between 1999 and 2002. "If it had been left up to me alone, I never would have done it," she writes. "It's one of the most agonizing things I have ever experienced in my life." The publishers have kept a tight lid on most of the contents -- unsurprising since Simon & Schuster reportedly paid more than 15 million dollars for the rights. It was not a risky bet, however -- the book is already topping the pre-sale chart at Amazon US. It is being released on Tuesday in around 20 countries and 10 languages. "Reliving everything has been exciting, heart-wrenching, and emotional, to say the least," Spears told People magazine. The emotional turmoil means the 41-year-old singer has only recorded a small section for the audiobook, leaving the rest to actress Michelle Williams. "There are so many hard things to read in the news about my book," she wrote on her Instagram this week. "Then I woke up this morning and said it's all relative... nothing really matters at this point." Up and down Spears came from a very humble background and found early fame on "The Mickey Mouse Club" alongside other future stars Ryan Gosling and Christina Aguilera. At 16, she became one of the most famous women on the planet with 1998's iconic "...Baby One More Time", which sold 10 million copies to become one of the biggest hits of all time. Eight more albums followed, often selling in the millions, including "Oops!...I Did it Again" and "In the Zone", combined with spectacular world tours. Growing up in the media glare, relentlessly sexualized by her marketing from a young age, Spears lost her footing in 2007. A highly public breakdown in which she shaved her head and was filmed attacking a paparazzi's car led to her father, Jamie Spears, taking legal control over her life. It meant he controlled her finances, career decisions, and even whether she could see her children or marry -- which Spears described as tantamount to "abuse". Her fans organized a campaign -- #FreeBritney -- aided by media investigations that finally led a court to remove her father as guardian in September 2021. She apparently no longer speaks to her family. Her life has hardly been smooth sailing since then -- her marriage to model Sam Asghari ended in August after just 14 months. But Spears at least looks set to add a number one bestselling book to her list of artistic accomplishments. The post Britney Spears set to hit bestseller list with tell-all memoir appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Chona Mejia Lopez: tireless club woman
I recently interviewed Angelina “Chona” Lopez, a dear friend whose daughter, Bettina Osmeña, is as much a dear friend of mine, and the grandmother of, yes, another chum, Eduardo Lopez, a champion polo player. I have had the opportunity to see Chona on many social occasions, a number having to do with her involvement in the Zonta International. A long time ago, I worked for a club woman who was hosting the awarding ceremonies of the Best Asian Leaders. At one point of the program, I realized that the person assigned to give the flowers to the honoree had not arrived, so I was in a quandary as to who I should ask to do the honors. Then, I saw Chona, who sat quietly in one corner, happy being part of the audience, and asked her if she would go up the stage later to hand over the bouquet. She smiled and said that she couldn’t do it because “I may be performing a role that is intended for someone else.” I had no time to think of her answer but, later, I realized this was one lady who knew her manners and protocol. In what I would learn as her typically gracious way, she told me she could not do it, while reminding me that someone should be up there on the stage, and not she. Talk about propriety and grace and Chona Mejia Lopez comes to my mind to this day. Of course, here is one lady who does not care about any opportunity to shine. Almost self-effacing but simply relaxed and unmindful of attention, Chona remains in my book to be one of the sweetest ladies of Manila’s 400. I wish there were more women like her! Networking Recently, I had a brief tete-a-tete with the ageless Chona. As our conversation geared toward her involvement in civic work, I asked her why she joined Zonta, originally a club for professional women. Or, for that matter, why did she join clubs at all? Her response: “I join clubs for various reasons. As a minority Asian woman working in the United States as a financial advisor at Prudential Bache, I joined the Filipino-American Chamber of Commerce of San Francisco as a way of networking. Prudential Bache was then the third largest investment house in the world. After a few years as a member of the chamber, I was elected as the first woman president in the 20-year history of the chamber. Its membership was made up of top executives of US companies with presence in the Philippines, such as Bechtel, Bank of American, Citibank, Dole Foods, etc., and Filipinos working in top level positions in San Francisco. “But business networking is just one aspect of joining clubs. I also join as a way of giving back to society or serving the less fortunate. While living in San Francisco, California, I joined The Little Jim Club, a non-profit fund-raising auxiliary for Child Development Services of the California Pacific Medical Center. The main objective of the club is to support orthopedic and other medical services for children of indigent families who do not have medical insurance coverage. Eventually, I became a director of the club, whose members are women movers and shakers of San Francisco society.” 'I do club work to have a meaningful life, a purpose for my existence. We are here not just to indulge ourselves but to help others.' “When I returned to the Philippines after 11 years living in California, I joined the Zonta Club of Makati and Environs Foundation. It is part of Zonta International, a leading global organization of professionals whose main objective is to advocate for women’s rights and to empower women worldwide through service and advocacy. After two years of joining the club, I was elected as a director, and the following biennium, I became president of the club. I was later on elected as Area 5 director, with 19 clubs under my supervision. I have been a member for 19 years now.” Scholarship She next talked about the Zonta projects that she is so passionate about. She said, “The three projects of Zonta Club of Makati and Environs that are closest to my heart are the DUYAN project in Marillac Hills, which provides psychological care and assistance to minors who are victims of sexual abuse. Another project is our 30 unit Zonta-GK Village in Taguig, It provided funds for building homes for 30 indigent families. This was a project during my term as president of our club. The pride of having a decent home has had great impact on the lives of these 30 families. We also have an educational project that funds the scholarship of young women taking up male-dominated courses like engineering. This has greatly improved the lives of the scholars and their families when after graduation, they got employed in large corporations. Some are now gainfully employed in Europe.” While club work occupies much of her time, Chona knows her priorities. In their order, she said: “These are family, business and club work.” That she has kept to the last instead of enjoying life as a lady of leisure, she explained, “I do club work to have a meaningful life, a purpose for my existence. We are here not just to indulge ourselves but to help others. By joining a club, your job or position has clear-cut responsibilities, time set aside for meetings and project work, etc. It is a structured way of giving back to society which relieves me of the effort of thinking and planning how to do so.” “Because I am now in my rather late senior years, I am no longer as active and as busy as I have been the past 30 years. For the past five biennia, I was always appointed as chair of a district committee. I now devote my time more for the club, not in the district level anymore. Even in the club level, we have so many younger, active, dynamic and very efficient members so the older ones can relax a bit and guide the highly motivated younger ones to take over the reins of the club. The club is truly in good hands to continue Zonta’s work and mission in the next 10 years and beyond.” The post Chona Mejia Lopez: tireless club woman appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Puregold buys 14 Divimart stores
Amid an ongoing business expansion, Puregold Price Club Inc., a supermarket chain owned by retail tycoon Lucio Co, has acquired 14 DiviMart branches nationwide. In a report to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Wednesday, the company disclosed that the buyout deal with DiviMart Supermarkets includes “leasehold improvements, furniture, fixtures, equipment and merchandise inventory.” The stores are located in Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Bataan, Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija and Olongapo, as well as the cities of Pasig and Manila. Puregold pointed out that this new investment will provide the company instant access to Divimart stores that may eventually be converted into Puregold stores “under a sublease transaction.” 18 other branches evaluated Additionally, the company is also evaluating 18 other Divimart locations that can be transformed into Puregold stores. “The consideration for the acquisition is below 10 percent of the Corporation’s book value,” it also noted. In 2022, Puregold booked a double-digit increase in its bottom line due to the increase in consumer demand as economies reopened. The company’s net income increased by 13.5 percent to P9.287 billion from P8.180 billion the past year. It was Driven by a 12.3 percent to P184.303 billion net sales jump from P164.125 billion a year ago. The post Puregold buys 14 Divimart stores appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Dad’s Day treats
Escape at The Pen [caption id="attachment_144658" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Photograph courtesy of the peninsuLa manilaTRIUMPH motorcycle[/caption] The Peninsula Manila offers dads a weekend staycation while indulging in Escolta’s Sunday brunch buffet. Make sure he also gets to experience Salon de Ning’s one-afternoon-only pop-up Pen Ultimate Father’s Day Dream Lounge, where he’ll enjoy complimentary cocktails and pica-pica and snazzy grooming services. The Dream Lounge will offer complimentary male grooming services from Back Alley Barbershop; a display of Triumph motorcycles and automobiles from Rolls-Royce, Lotus and Mini Cooper; For Him skincare by VMV Hypoallergenics whose expert technicians will provide complimentary hand treatments; funky and functional ceramic art from Pottery Sessions, custom-made menswear crafted in Singapore by Common Suits; pens and inks for fountain pen aficionados by Manila Pen; bespoke spectacles by R.E.M. Rapid Eye Movement Manila; rare timepieces from Vintage Grail, collectible vinyls and DJ music; artisanal chocolates from Auro Chocolate; and small bites and innovative cocktails. E-mail ReservationPMN@peninsula.com. Toast to Dad Conrad Manila has an exclusive Father’s Day promo. Brasserie on 3, the hotel’s signature restaurant, presents “Feast to Fatherhood” on 17 to 18 June, with P3,500 nett lunch and dinner buffet. As a special treat, dads dine for free with every four paying adults. China Blue by Jereme Leung has the “Father’s Day Feast Set Menu” from 16 to 18 June, priced at P49,880 nett for 10 persons. At C Lounge, it’s time for “Dad’s Night Out” until 18 June. Starting at 5 p.m., this extraordinary experience is priced at P2,288++ and includes a three-glass whiskey flight, one cigar and five truffle chocolate balls. Bru, Conrad Manila’s beloved café, invites guests to “Treats for Tatay” throughout the month of June. With a minimum purchase of P1,000, dads receive a complimentary Father’s Day mini cake. Conrad Spa offers the ultimate rejuvenation experience for dads with the exclusive “Father’s Day Rejuvenation” package. Visit www.conradmanila.com or call 8833 9999. Day delights [caption id="attachment_144645" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Photograph courtesy of city of dreamsCrystal Dragon’s Chilled Spicy Marinated 25 Heads Chilean Abalone with squids, shrimps, and clams.[/caption] City of Dreams Manila’s Crystal Dragon presents an exclusive Father’s Day menu until 18 June. Choices include Chilled Spicy Marinated 25 Heads Chilean Abalone with squids, shrimps and clams; Double-boiled Sea Treasure Soup with maca, fish maw, conpoy and pork stomach; Roasted Farm Duck with black truffle sauce; Sauteed Australian Asparagus with shrimps and morel mushrooms; and Braised Fujian Fragrant Rice with assorted seafood and eryngii mushroom. Nobu Sunday Brunch features a lavish spread of new-style Japanese cuisine popularized by world renowned chef Nobu Matsuhisa at P4,388. Restaurants at The Shops at the Boulevard are not to be missed. Jing Ting, specializing in Northern Chinese cuisine including fresh hand-pulled noodle dishes, and Red Ginger, which offers authentic Southeast Asian dishes, are both offering menu exclusives for the month of June. Rossi Pizza, Hidemasa, TungLok Signatures, Mango Tree, J. Park Garden, Modern Table and the newly opened Wolfgang’s Steakhouse and Grill are equally worth a visit. Call 8800-8080 or e-mail guestservices@cod-manila.com or visit www.cityofdreams manila.com. Drink of choice [caption id="attachment_144657" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Photograph courtesyof new world makati‘SHAKEN Not Stirred’ gin.[/caption] New World Makati Hotel’s “A Toast to Dad” room package includes breakfast and dad’s cocktails of choice, a hearty buffet feast at Café 1228, all-you-can-eat dim sum at Jasmine, as well as decadent cakes and sweets at The Shop. Whether dad’s drink of choice is a whisky, gin or rum-based concoction, the “A Toast to Dad” room package starting at P8,500++ comes with two creative cocktails from Bar Rouge as well as a complimentary bowl of chips and dip. Room package also includes an overnight stay in a Deluxe or Residence Club Deluxe room with breakfast for two. Book online via bit.ly/NWMFathers DayStay. Superb treats With three delectable combos to choose from, Pizza Hut has Superb Treat for six to nine persons at a P1,899. For a more intimate Father’s Day celebration, there’s the Superb Treat for four, at P1,199. If your dad is the biggest pizza lover that you know, then you’ll never go wrong with the Superb Triple Pizza Treat at P1,199. If you order Pizza Hut ahead of time for your Father’s Day celebration, you’ll get six pieces of WingStreet Buffalo wings for free. Call 8911-1111 hotline or visit www.pizzahut.com.ph. Happy Papi Gringo’s Chicken and Ribs rolls out its Father’s Day special with Papi’s Paboritos. Papi’s Paboritos has all-time Gringo like the Cuban Beef Lechon. Gringo’s Cerveza Wings even makes a comeback in this one, fried chicken wings fried to crisp perfection and flavored with the malty goodness of beer. Pair it with starters like the Caesar Salad and the meaty Angus Bolognese Linguine. Cap the meal with its new Classic Tres Leches, a light and soft sponge cake soaked with three kinds of milk. This limited offering is only P2,198 and is available in all Gringo branches. Visit gringo.ph. Ebi awesome [caption id="attachment_144660" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Photograph courtesy of tokyo bubble teaBIBIMBAP[/caption] For the entire month of June, Tokyo Bubble Tea offers Ebi Tempura Meal Sets featuring three pieces of Tokyo Bubble Tea’s Ebi Tempura, two Tokyo Big Plates and two large drinks. Specially made set meals for those in Cagayan de Oro are also available. Metro Manila branches are located in Banawe, Greenhills, SM Megamall, and Bonifacio Global City. Each set is P899.Tokyo Bubble Tea branches in Cagayan de Oro are located at Centrio Mall and SM CDO Downtown Premier. Each set is only P650. Visit www.tokyobubbletea.com, Grab Food, and FoodPanda. The post Dad’s Day treats appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Cormac McCarthy, revered American novelist, dies at 89
Celebrated author Cormac McCarthy, an unflinching chronicler of America's bleak frontiers and grim underbelly, died on Tuesday aged 89, his publisher said. The Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist who wrote "The Road" and "No Country for Old Men" -- both of which became feature films -- passed away at his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Over his nearly six-decade-long career, McCarthy won major literary awards and gained international acclaim for a dozen sparsely written, soul-wrenching novels. Considered a demanding but honest writer, his clinical descriptions of inner torment and the backwoods of America won him a fiercely loyal following. Born on July 20, 1933, in Providence, Rhode Island, McCarthy's family moved to Tennessee when he was four years old. His father worked as a lawyer there. His given name was Charles, but he changed it to Cormac (after an Irish king) as he opted not to finish university and instead embark on a full-time career in writing. McCarthy wrote his first novel, "The Orchard Keeper," while working at a car parts shop in Chicago in the 1960s -- it was published by Random House. His editor at the time, Albert Erskine, had also worked for William Faulkner, a writer who McCarthy admired and with whom he is sometimes compared. The raw and violent book is an ode to the savage natural environment of the mountains of Tennessee, the southern US state where McCarthy grew up. McCarthy's focus on the dark contours of humanity remained the through line of his work, gaining him an ardent fan base and critical success. Following "The Orchard Keeper," McCarthy received multiple writing fellowships, including one from the Rockefeller Foundation. In 1968, he published "Outer Dark," the story of the fallout from an incestuous relationship. His next book, "Child of God," published in 1973, is about a man who heads into the Appalachian mountains to live apart from society. It contains descriptions of murder and necrophilia. By contrast, McCarthy's "Suttree," published six years later, is often described as his most humorous novel. He worked on the book, which depicts an outcast community living on the Tennessee River, on and off for some 20 years. The road In 1981, McCarthy received one of the MacArthur Foundation's so-called genius grants, and he spent the next part of his life living in El Paso, Texas on the border with Mexico -- a time that had a profound impact on his work. His next book, "Blood Meridian," was published in 1985 and marked a turning point in his career. Set in Texas and Mexico during the 1840s, it was a post-apocalyptic Western. The 1990s brought the publication of The Border Trilogy -- "All the Pretty Horses," "The Crossing," and "Cities of the Plain" -- all set in the American West. Despite Erskine's lament that "we never sold any of his books," "All the Pretty Horses" became a surprise hit, garnering a spot on the New York Times bestseller list. Hollywood took notice, and the film version was released in 2000, starring Matt Damon and Penelope Cruz. In 2008, an adaptation of his novel "No Country for Old Men" by directors Joel and Ethan Coen won four Oscars, including one for Spanish actor Javier Bardem. A year earlier, McCarthy was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for "The Road" -- the story of a father and son making their way across a post-apocalyptic landscape. Oprah Winfrey earlier named the novel one of her book club selections, giving McCarthy a massive publicity boost, and it was made into a film starring Viggo Mortensen. Sixteen years after "The Road," McCarthy's final works were a pair of companion novels -- "The Passenger" and its prequel "Stella Maris" -- both published in 2022 and tackling complex issues of grief and the nature of knowledge. Reclusive and known for living a life with few material pleasures -- for years, he lived in motels -- McCarthy was married three times and had two sons. The post Cormac McCarthy, revered American novelist, dies at 89 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pat Robertson, who made Christian right a political force, dead at 93
Pat Robertson, the soft-spoken televangelist who helped make America's Christians a powerful political force while demonizing liberals, feminists, and gays as sinners, died Thursday at the age of 93, his organization announced. The longtime host of "The 700 Club" on his huge Christian Broadcasting Network and one-time presidential candidate died at his home in Virginia Beach, according to a network statement. Robertson promoted "a worldview that believes in the inerrancy of the Bible," CBN said. "Today, his influence and legacy crisscross interests and industries that have broken barriers for countless Christian leaders and laypeople." Broadcasting "The 700 Club" daily since 1966, the avuncular Robertson promoted a literal belief in "end of times" prophecies of the Old Testament Book of Ezekiel that forecast the destruction of the world to become a Christian paradise. In practice, he advocated for an extremely conservative Christianity focused on "traditional" families and a country founded on the Bible, rejecting the longstanding US principle of separation of church and state. He defined the world as riven by an epochal fight between Islam and Christianity, and meanwhile spearheaded US Christian support for Israel as the land of the "chosen" Jewish people. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu once called Robertson "a tremendous friend of Israel and a tremendous friend of mine." But he also drew loathing from progressives with his condemnations of feminism and LQBTQ culture as destroying America. His powerful support in 2016 for Donald Trump -- arguably helping seal Trump's presidential victory -- further widened the cultural chasm dividing the country. Marine, lawyer, minister Robertson was born on 22 March 1930 in Lexington, Virginia, the son of a conservative Democratic member of the US House of Representatives and then the Senate for 34 years. After graduating from Virginia's Washington and Lee University, in 1948 he joined the US Marines, serving in Korea. He then graduated from Yale Law School, was ordained a Baptist minister, and in short order launched in 1961 what became the massive CBN empire from a small television station in Tidewater Virginia. After CBN's early financial struggles, he named "The 700 Club" for an early core of 70 supporters who pledged $10 each month. The program mixed news, spiritual and lifestyle stories along with interviews of public figures, and became a hit, especially in rural communities across the country. That made it a mainstream stop for political candidates courting Christian voters: guests included Republican Ronald Reagan and Democrat Jimmy Carter. Robertson expanded into other media businesses, launching what became the popular, conservative "Family Channel" on cable television, and the influential Christian-based Regent University in Virginia Beach. Push into politics In 1987, he launched the Christian Coalition, seeking to bring together different Christian denominations as a force for the conservative values he espoused. Ever since, the organization has been at the forefront of the US culture wars, pressuring Congress and the White House on moral and religious issues such as abortion and the separation of church and state. In 1990, he launched the American Center for Law and Justice, a legal lobby to advance Christian religious rights against secularism in the courts. Robertson himself sought political office, running unsuccessfully in the Republican presidential primary in 1988. But what he built had a lasting impact: a conservative Christian voter bloc instrumental in bringing Trump to power and still exercising enormous influence over the Republican Party. "He shattered the stained glass window," TD Jakes, a Dallas pastor said in CBN's statement. "People of faith were taken seriously beyond the church house and into the White House." Controversies But there were controversies along the way. He courted Democratic Republic of the Congo dictator Mobutu Sese Seko and Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe, hoping to convert their countries to Christian states where gay people were banned -- while investing in diamond mining in a deal with Mobutu. In 2001, as America reeled from the September 11 attacks, Robertson endorsed the view that tolerance for lesbians, gays, and doctors carrying out abortions had drawn God's wrath on the country. In 2005, he called for the United States to assassinate then-Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez. "It's a whole lot cheaper than starting a war," he quipped on "The 700 Club." And last year, he said Russian President Vladimir Putin was "compelled by God" to attack Ukraine because it was predicted in the Book of Ezekiel as a step toward the end of times. Washington's political establishment was remarkably quiet Thursday in response to Robertson's death. Republican presidential hopeful Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor, said Robertson "touched so many lives and changed so many hearts." "He stood for America -- and more importantly, for truth and faith," she said. But on the left, there was little sympathy. "Robertson's death doesn't mean we must overlook his long record of extremist rhetoric," wrote Rob Boston of Americans United for Separation of Church and State. "Robertson spent most of his time spreading hate, conspiracy theories, and lies," he said. The post Pat Robertson, who made Christian right a political force, dead at 93 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘The Little Mermaid’ makes a splash on SM Cinema screens
The much-awaited live-action reimagination of Disney’s classic, "The Little Mermaid," is currently showing at SM Cinemas nationwide. Dive into a world of underwater adventure, finding love and realizing dreams with Ariel, portrayed by American singer-songwriter, Halle Bailey. Swim with the young mermaid as she trades her voice for legs so she can discover the world above water. [caption id="attachment_138530" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] Young moviegoers dress as underwater characters while they pose with Ariel and her friends at SM Cinema. (Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Studios.)[/caption] At SM Cinemas, movie screens are equipped with cutting-edge technology that offers the highest quality of pictures and sounds. Be a part of Ariel’s world through the SM IMAX experience of crystal-clear scenes, with a wider view of life under the sea. Watch films on a state-of-the-art screen that is twice the size of a regular cinema where one can feel the crashing waves through a cinematic surround sound system. The comfort and convenience of moviegoers have always been a top priority. The plush seating, spacious theaters and efficient ticketing systems ensure that the movie-watching experience is hassle-free and fully immersive. [caption id="attachment_138531" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] Moviegoers can enjoy plush seating and spacious theaters for a comfortable and immersive cinema experience at SM Cinema.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_138532" align="aligncenter" width="1008"] ‘The Little Mermaid’ fans dress up in underwater costumes for the film showing at the SM Mall of Asia’s Director’s Club.[/caption] SM Supermalls is committed to creating a welcoming atmosphere for families. It is the go-to place to celebrate important milestones or to simply bond and have a great time with loved ones. SM has been and is always being true to its mission to provide family-friendly and fun entertainment memories that make every day better for all. [caption id="attachment_138534" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] Moviegoers and their kids play with their underwater friends at the premiere of The Little Mermaid in SM City Cebu.[/caption] Special offers and promotions Keep an eye out for special discounts and deals that make cinema experiences even more meaningful. Book movie tickets with SM IMAX 3D as well as 2D cinemas available at 74 SM Cinemas nationwide. To know more about SM Cinemas’ promos, deals, and exciting activities, visit www.smcinema.com or visit @SMCinema on social media. The post ‘The Little Mermaid’ makes a splash on SM Cinema screens appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ariel Nepomuceno — Man of his word
One thing that can be said about Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno, the administrator of the Office of Civil Defense of the Department of National Defense, he is results-driven. Right after graduating from the University of the Philippines, where he received Magna Cum Laude honors, Nepomuceno applied for a Congressional Fellowship program, to which he was accepted. He then became the National Capital Region Youth Representative to the House of Representatives when it reopened in 1987. [caption id="attachment_137206" align="aligncenter" width="525"] PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF CHRISTIAN MAR BARACENA FOR THE DAILY TRIBUNE | (FROM left) Daily Tribune editor-in-chief Gigie Arcilla, Director of the Office of Civil Defense of the Department of National Defense (rank of Undersecretary) Ariel Nepomuceno and Daily Tribune’s executive editor Chito Lozada.[/caption] Of his legislative stint, he shared, “It was like we had a mini-Congress for seven months and we, youth representatives, received a salary. I had a seat in the session hall, but we were not allowed to talk. We just observed the proceedings and learned about the whole legislative process. “It was the House’s way of encouraging us to appreciate democracy. In the end, after those seven months, I realized legislative work was not for me. I am the kind who wants to see results immediately.” Business mind Nepomuceno next engaged in business with his friends. “I was always interested in business. We put up a fish pen in Malabon and started with three hectares until we gradually grew and reached the maximum 50 hectares. We got lucky in this venture. We stopped only when a strong typhoon hit the country,” he recounted. “Next, we put up a trucking or logistics company. Then we organized an insurance company and reinvested our earnings.” To raise his initial capital, he borrowed from his father and friends. The group assigned him as the general manager. His first formal job outside of private business was with the Food Terminal. It was in his time when they “initiated its privatization.” Finally, he ventured in the energy sector. “We put up Orion Energy and developed Liquified Natural Gas or LNG. We linked up with traders in Singapore and the Middle East. On our end, we developed the power plants. At the time I joined the Department of National Defense, we were entering the field of renewable energy by developing solar and offshore wind resources. Government work It wasn’t long before he would join the Department of National Defense in 2010. “I was the Executive Officer of Civil Defense. And then, during the administration of President Benigno Aquino III, he aimed to introduce reforms at the Bureau of Customs. I was given a position there along with other generals. Through it all, he has kept his moral ascendancy. That he was honest in government work, he attributes to his having done well in business, which allowed him economic independence. “Many are tempted to steal or engage in graft and corruption because the salary is too tiny. “Of course, my ATM card is with my wife,” he said, laughing. As a manager, he has stuck to “what I learned from my Armed Forces of the Philippines training. I am more on the authoritative side, but I encourage participation.” He has had to deal with certain issues and problems. “Here at the Office of Civil Defense, I have had to remove the head of Finance. [caption id="attachment_137194" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Photograph Courtesy of FB.com Office of Civil Defense[/caption] “I came in with an attitude of fairness. Whatever shortcomings or mistakes they had in the past, I overlooked them. I realized that they were just following orders, but when I came in, I made clear I expected everyone to do right.” It has helped that he acquired his Master in Business Administration at the Asian Institute of Management. He was already 50 years old in 2022 when he received his degree. His experience in business, his love for reading and writing, all have contributed to his continuing success. He is now writing a book where he is sharing his thoughts on possible solutions to the energy crisis. Family time When he took his government position, he promised his sons that no matter how busy he is at work, he will take their calls. Ariel takes time to be with his wife and his two sons. “My boys are now managing our family companies.” He is a fortunate man. The elder one took up Economics from the University of the Philippines. “Like me,” he said. “The younger one attended Ateneo, like his mother.” Both sons are athletic, being enthusiasts of Taekwondo. As a father, he has always thought of himself “as their friend and gangmate. When the father is good, the sons are good,” he shared. “I taught them how to drink. This way, they would know how to manage their drinking and socializing. So, we go out together. We enjoy our glass of wine.” A favorite father-and-sons haunt is the Peninsula Manila lobby, “also because of the good live music. It is also the time when they open up and share their plans, challenges and accomplishments.” Both sons are bachelors. With his wife, he loves to drive and visit places. “Recently, we read that the halo-halo in Cavite is good, so we went to Digman. Another time, we drove all the way to Lucban to buy their longganisa.” Although he has since 1989 become a vegetarian. When driving to work, which he enjoys, “I sing a tune or hum what’s playing, usually piano or violin pieces.” He is an active member of the Rotary Club in Chinatown. “We conduct medical missions regularly.” Ariel has reached a level of success that puts a smile on his face. He has done well in his career and in his family life. No, he has not chosen to rest on his laurels. In fact, he is getting ready to pursue his Ph.D in Management. We won’t be surprised if he makes it to the top of his class. It would all be keeping true to his form. The post Ariel Nepomuceno — Man of his word appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Muntinlupa pushes for higher literacy
The local government of Muntinlupa is aiming with a renewed emphasis on one of the most essential building blocks of learning — reading. This, as the local government recently launched Muntinlupa Readers Book Club, which is currently making the rounds of the city, conducting free book reading sessions with the help of energetic volunteers. “This reading program aims to develop basic literacy skills such as reading, listening, and comprehension, especially among young learners, to give them the necessary skills to achieve in life,” Mayor Ruffy Biazon said. Currently, the MRB Club has reached the communities of Southville 3, NHA Phase 1-4 and Sto. Niño, Aplaya, all in Barangay Poblacion. “We also aim to encourage Muntinlupeños to be part of the MRB Club by volunteering as readers to kids in their community under the Make Your City Proud volunteer program,” Biazon said. At present, the MRB Club through the Tourism, Culture, and the Arts Department is calling for volunteer readers. Residents of Muntinlupa 18 years old and above, with clear speaking voice and good storytelling and communication skills, are in good health and are willing to commit at least an hour to the program, may apply. Under the Make Your City Proud volunteerism program, Qualified Volunteer Readers will undergo free workshops and are entitled to MYCP points which can be used to redeem benefits and incentives from the city government and accredited partners. The post Muntinlupa pushes for higher literacy appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Legarda starts mentoring Padilla about nature, culture
MANILA - Senators Robin Padilla and Loren Legarda shared on Wednesday a part of their discussion during their meeting at The Manila Polo Club in Makati City through a Facebook live posted by the former.Legarda, a veteran senator, showed the book titled, "The Rules of the Senate," saying they.....»»
Donald Trump’s club in Florida is losing its members
Laurence Leamer, author of a book about the mansion and resident of that Florida city, said the Palm Beach Mar-a-Lago club is losing members after.....»»
Dustin Johnson emerges from a pack to lead PGA Championship
By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Dustin Johnson supplied the birdies, eight of them Saturday at the PGA Championship, the most he has ever made in his 157 rounds of major championship golf for a 5-under 65 and a one-shot lead. Brooks Koepka supplied the needle. Koepka recovered from three straight bogeys to salvage a 69 and stay within two shots of a leaderboard more crowded than any of San Francisco's congested highways. At stake is a chance to become only the seventh player to win the same major three straight times. He surveyed the cast of contenders, and focused on the guy at the top. “I like my chances,” Koepka said. “When I've been in this position before, I've capitalized. He's only won one. I'm playing good. I don't know, we'll see.” As he stepped away from the microphone, Koepka smiled and said to Jason Day, “How about that shade?” They laughed. Too bad this isn't a two-man show. The final round at Harding Park figures to be wide open, just like it was on a Saturday so wild that eight players had at least a share of the lead during the third round. Johnson lost his yardage book and still found his way through an enormous crowd of contenders. He made a double bogey on the ninth hole and still bounced back with a 31 on the tough, windy back nine. He needed all eight of those birdies on a day of low scores, long putts and endless possibilities. One possibility is Koepka hoisting the Wanamaker Trophy for the third straight year, which hasn’t happened since Walter Hagen won four in a row in the 1920s when it was match play. The last player to win any major three straight times was Peter Thomson at the British Open in 1956. Koepka was two shots behind on a board that features only two major champions among the top six. Scottie Scheffler, the PGA Tour rookie from Texas, ran off three straight birdies only to miss a 6-foot par putt on the final hole. He still shot a 65 and was one shot behind, in the final group at his first PGA Championship. Cameron Champ, who has the most powerful swing on tour, shot 67 and joined Scheffler one shot behind. Johnson was at 9-under 201 as he goes for his second major title. For all the chances he has had, this is only the second time he has led going into the final round. The other was down the coast at Pebble Beach, his first chance at winning a major. He had a three-shot lead in the 2010 U.S. Open and shot 82. Now he is more seasoned with experiences good (21 tour victories) and bad (five close calls in the majors). “I'm going to have to play good golf if I want to win. It's simple,” Johnson said. “I've got to hit a lot of fairways and a lot of greens. If I can do that tomorrow, I'm going to have a good chance coming down the stretch. ... I'm just going to have to do what I did today. Just get it done." Among the cast of contenders are major champions like Koepka, Jason Day and Justin Rose, and fresh faces like Scheffler, Champ and Collin Morikawa. Also right there was Bryson DeChambeau, thanks to a 95-foot putt for birdie on his last hole. Turns out he can hit long putts, too. Missing from all this action is Tiger Woods, who didn't make a birdie until the 16th hole and is out of the mix for the fourth straight major since his emotional Masters victory last year. A dozen players were separated by three shots. Li Haotong, the first player from China to lead after any round at a major, was leading through 12 holes until his tee shot didn't come down from a tree. He made double bogey, dropped two more shots and finished four shots out of the lead. Johnson didn't have smooth sailing, either, especially when he couldn't find his yardage book. He thinks it slipped into the bottom of the golf bag, and he didn't feel like dumping his 14 clubs all over the ground to find it. Austin Johnson, his brother and caddie, had a spare yardage book. Johnson shot 65 even with a double bogey on the ninth hole. Mistakes like that might be more costly on Sunday with so many players in the mix. Even those who struggled — Rose, Daniel Berger, Tommy Fleetwood all settled for 70 — are only three shots behind. Adding to the drama will be the lack of atmosphere, this being the first major without spectators. Paul Casey said he still didn't feel nerves from the lack of people. Perhaps that helps with younger players in the hunt for the first time. It also could make it difficult for players to know what's happening around them without any cheers. Then again, Johnson won the U.S. Open in 2016 at Oakmont without knowing the score as the USGA tried to decide whether he should be penalized for a potential rules violation earlier in the round. He had to play the last seven holes without knowing his score. It's just one example of what Johnson has endured in the majors. There was a penalty that knocked him out of a playoff in the 2010 PGA at Whistling Straits for grounding his club in sand without realizing it was a bunker. He had a 12-foot eagle putt to win the 2015 U.S. Open at Chambers Bay, only to three-putt for par and a silver medal. But he's back for another shot, and his game looks to be in order. He has the power, and on this day, he had the putting. “I definitely have experience in this situation that definitely will help tomorrow,” Johnson said. “I’ve been in the hunt a bunch of times in a major. I’ve got one major. ... Still going to have to go out and play really good golf.”.....»»
Miss Universe queens join global Pinoys in TFC& rsquo;s & lsquo;Bahay Book Club& rsquo;
The storytelling continues as TFC launches the second season of “Bahay Book Club,” narrated both in Filipino and English languages by some global Filipinos like Catriona Gray, Pia Wurtzbach, Apl De Ap, Jaime Kailani, Bobby Rubio, and Ali Ewoldt......»»
Rombawa, Diaz twin champs in Escudero netfest
Aljhon Rombawa proved to be an unstoppable force at home, claiming two titles in the boys’ category, while Bacoor, Cavite’s Jana Diaz dominated the girls’ division in the Don Arsenio Escudero Sr. National Juniors Tennis Championships at the Aera Tennis Club in San Pablo City......»»
CAB: Expect no changes in airfares next month
Travelers planning to book a summer trip can expect airfares to remain the same in April, as the government made no changes in the fuel surcharge that airlines can pass on......»»
Zachary Levi, Zooey Deschanel may kakaibang adventure sa upcoming movie
IKA nga nila, “dreams come true.” Kaya naman, samahan natin sa kakaibang adventure ang Hollywood stars na sina Zachary Levi at Zooey Deschanel sa upcoming movie na pinamagatang “Harold and the Purple Crayon.” Ang pelikula ay ang kauna-unahang film adaptation ng 1995 children’s classic book na may kaparehong titulo na isinulat ng American cartoonist na.....»»
Austria leads Grumpy Joe to CJHGC Corporate Cup triumph
Jonar Austria recorded a consecutive 54 points to anchor Grumpy Joe to victory in Group 1 at the close of the 18th Corporate Cup at Camp John Hay Golf Club here Friday......»»
USC NABC Finals unwraps on Sunday
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The much-awaited finals of the “The Last Dance” North Alumni Basketball Club (NABC) Congressman Bingo Bagtik Matugas Cup of the University of San Carlos (USC) will fire off this weekend at the USC North Campus gymnasium. Four of NABC’s divisions will clash in the finals to determine the champions for this.....»»
AEBC Corporate Cup: Deo tows CBM Engineering past Davies Paints
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The CBM Engineering cruised to its second straight win behind Ivan Deo’s 30-point game against Davies Paints, 88-77, in the Architects and Engineers Basketball Club (AEBC) 7th Corporate Cup 2024 on Friday evening, March 22, at the University of San Carlos (USC) main campus gymnasium. Deo erupted for 30 points, and.....»»
Cebu Football Club introduces new faces for the upcoming PFL season
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Cebu Football Club (CFC) Gentle Giants continues to overhaul its entire roster after welcoming new faces, including key homegrown players, as the Philippines Football League (PFL) season unfolds in April. The Gentle Giants presented 10 new players, including four Cebu homegrown players, who will comprise its official roster for the.....»»