We are sorry, the requested page does not exist
Jaime Ponce de Leon — Art world’s man of the hour
To say that Jaime de Leon gave us his most prized treasure by sharing his “Hymen, Oh Hymenee” by Juan Luna would be an understatement. Jaime has not only made legions of art lovers happy and ecstatic; what he has achieved, by allowing the exhibition of this missing masterpiece, the holy grail of Philippine art, is an earthshaking development — one that, as it were, had ignited an intense movement of the “tectonic plate” of Philippine cultural heritage. [caption id="attachment_145553" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Photographs courtesy of leon gallery | ‘Hymen, oh Hyménée,’ in its finest details, manifests Juan Lu-na’s genius as an artist.[/caption] What had been missing for more than a century finally found its way home, right at the renowned Ayala Museum, thanks to Jaime, the trailblazing founder of the game-changing Leon Gallery, which has been responsible for the change of hands of the most valuable masterpieces of our renowned artists from the Spanish times, through antebellum Philippines and the postwar years, all the way to the new millennium. [caption id="attachment_145552" align="aligncenter" width="525"] JAIME de Leon, NCCA chairman Ino Manalo and Ayala Museum’s senior director Mariles Gustilo.[/caption] His discovery of Luna’s most sought-after painting in a royal house in Europe is a story that will be told through the coming generations of art lovers, enthusiasts, collectors and scholars. Just a few days ago, I visited Jaime in Leon Gallery, and art gallery and auction house that he founded in 2013. He shared with me his life story and how he had stumbled upon a new epicenter around which would revolve the life that he had wanted for himself. Jaime was still pursuing his business management degree in Silliman University when he was elected as the chairman of the barangay located right along the main boulevard of Dumaguete City. Realizing that politics was “not cut for me, I thought that I had bigger dreams. It’s like a fish that you put on a pond. It would only grow up to that size. I wanted to go to the big city. I wanted to live in the ocean and allow myself to be bigger. So, I moved to Manila.” In the big city, he started out as a real estate salesman, one of those guys who gave away brochures at the mall. But he would not last long, as he explored other possibilities. He next spent a year in Malaysia where he worked at the office of a construction firm. “It was a time for discovering myself,” he says. “I also learned how to be truly independent, away from the support of one’s family and home. It was an eye opener for me. After a year, when I got back to the Philippines, I thought, ‘Oh my God. What would I make of my life? I didn’t know which direction to take.” He then decided on taking up interior design at the Philippine School of Interior Design. While he admitted to not being good at drawing, he grew up appreciating “the nice things and antiques in my grandmother’ home.” In time, he was designing for clients. “Of course, when you decorate houses, you put paintings on the walls and you advise your clients and tell them this doesn’t go here. And the client would tell you that since they did not need them anymore, could I find a buyer for them? I ended up selling for clients. From those initial transactions, I started my business. In 2010, I opened a small gallery in Corinthian Plaza. So, I put everything there that I was selling from the houses of people who didn’t want them anymore because they were transferring to smaller houses or they were leaving the country. And she asked me if I was interested to help them liquidate the collection of an insurance company. “So, I said, why don’t I just broker them if all they wanted was to liquidate the art works? That would be easier. I told myself I could probably just borrow money to buy everything and I could just sell them. “But she pointed out that the mandate of their corporation required an auction. And I had zero knowledge about auctions. So, I said, ‘What can I do? I cannot lose this.’ I mean, I had nothing to lose, so should just do it. I told them, ‘I’ll do it.’” Jaime next called Cid Reyes, the art expert and critic. “And he agreed. I had to call all my friends to help. I didn’t have the resources to hire, so it was all request. And so we did our first auction in January 2013. We auctioned everything, all 54 lots.” “The rest,” Jaime said, “is history. I started to acquire my knowledge by going to Christie’s in New York to study the courses they offered. I went to London and studied Art Law. I went to the University of Arts London (UAL). Just to get the feel and just to be able to learn as much as I can. At least I would have more knowledge because I didn’t have any background in art in school. It was his knowledge, along with his network of friends, that would lead him to more breaks. One friend who would make a big difference in his life was Dr. Teyet Pascual, in his time one of the foremost collectors of the country’s masters. It was also with this friendship that his quest for the holy grail of Philippine art would be inspired until it became a lifelong longing to find it. The following is a continuation of my interview with Jaime. Daily Tribune: What is the most important for someone to succeed in the auction business? Jaime Ponce de Leon (JPDL): You know, reputation is the most important in this business. When we were starting, it was difficult to get the trust of these old families. And you know how guarded these old families are. And here comes a new kid on the block, how can he be trusted with our most prized possessions. So, I had to build trust slowly and slowly, brick by brick. DT: Have there been issues and challenges? JPDL: Definitely. When you’re in this business, sometimes you also make mistakes. These happen when things are deemed to be not it was meant to be what it is. Any dealer who says he has not gotten through that is a liar. These things happen. But for as long as you don’t do things knowingly, you know what I mean? I mean, if you don’t do such things knowingly, the world excuses people who are honest. And I think that is essential. DT: How do you go about finding all these treasures? JPDL: You know what? It’s probably through my gut and my grit. And I tend to have the personality of someone with a thick face. Not that I would just knock at anybody’s house, but I am not shy to speak to people, to introduce myself to people. Biggest finds DT: What has been your biggest find? JPDL: Well, in terms of find, of course this Luna. DT: Well, aside from this, can you mention some names? JPDL: Well, of course, in 2015, I was able to find this cachet of Zobels that people never thought existed. I found it in Boston, somewhere in New England. I remember very well there was a party at one of the galleries and I saw Paulino Que and I saw Ken Esguerra and told them, ‘Guys, I have discovered 83 pieces of Fernando Zobel.’ Sabi nila, ‘No, impossible. How come we don’t know anything about it?’ DT: Where exactly did you find it? JPDL: In an attic. The Pfeufer collection. The collector was the guardian of Fernando Zobel in Harvard and in Rhode Island. And when I found this in the attic, I couldn’t believe what I saw. I was already two years in the business. So, I auctioned them one by one. So, it was another white glove sale. Because at that time we made the world record for the most expensive Zobel. At that time, it was just P30 to 35 million in 2015. [caption id="attachment_145551" align="aligncenter" width="525"] at Harvard Business School where Jaime is pursuing his graduate studies.[/caption] So, we were selling fantastic pieces that no one could believe it was found. I mean, how can you find in one attic 80-plus pieces of Fernando Zobel, right? So, we did that. And over the years, of course, this and that. That I would find. DT: Tell me about the Magsaysay-Hos and the others. JPDL: Almost the same. The best ones are also found abroad. The last one was a world record. We sold it for P84 to P85 million. The Jim and Reed Pfeufer collection. So, this is the one I found in New England. The Joya that we sold here, P112 million. The Joya of Josie Baldovino. I’ll tell you a story. Mrs. Baldovino, the sister of Jose Joya, and I were always close. In this business, it’s all about trust. Once you establish the trust with your client, I think you’re already one step ahead. So, Mrs. Baldovino comes to me and tells me that she was already old. She felt she was nearing her run. So, she said, “Jaime, I trust you.” So, she sent me her piece. Her beautiful piece. I went to India, I had a trip and I got a call from her, “Jaime, you know, this collector came to me and offered me P50 million for my Joya.” Of course, that amount was life-changing, It was P50 million. I told Mrs. Baldovino, “Ma’am you know, I truly respect your decision on this. It’s really up to you.” She said, “Jaime, what should I do? This is already P50 million right in front of me.” We already had it with us, so I said, “Ma’am, we will do all our best to make it sell well. But please, I will not hold you to it. I will not get in the way of your decision to sell it for P50 million. But we will do everything we can to make this sell well. Just trust us.” So, finally, she called me back, “Okay, I’ll leave my trust to you. I will leave the piece.” So, three weeks after, the auction happened. And it became the highest painting ever sold in the Philippines. It was P112 million. DT: She must have been very happy. JPDL She was able to build a building in Fairview. A beautiful building, and she was so thankful. Of course, the stars aligned, the blessings were there. DT: What is your advice to anyone who wants to invest in the arts? Which artists should they buy? JPDL: You know what, a lot of them. But, you know, my advice? First, it’s never a good thing when you buy something immediately for investment purposes. When you buy something, buy first something you like. (Enjoy it). If the price goes up, (that’s a) bonus. If it doesn’t, then you enjoy the piece. ‘Taste changes’ DT: Why are some artists expensive, and why do art works of the same artist vary in peso value? JPDL: You know, art has so many factors involved. So much variables involved. There is a conglomeration of things on why an artist becomes successful. They’re all good. But it’s dependent on certain factors. Like, mister something bought the work. People see it. People feel that he’s a good artist because mister something bought the work. He’s exhibited by the right gallery. He’s exhibited in a museum, in a fair. You know, all these, once all these variables conglomerate together, and then, viola. DT: Why do some collections sell fast and some stay with you up to the next auction? JPDL: Well, sometimes there are things that really don’t sell. I mean, probably because of the prices that we put are high. Taste changes. I’ll give you an example. Manansala was very popular in the 1980s. And everybody, all these women, they all wanted to undress themselves in front of Manansala and get themselves painted. But now, it’s no longer the taste of today. People don’t buy nudes. People don’t have themselves painted in the nude. Many people are born again. They’re not allowed to put nudes on their walls. All these reasons. So, taste changes. And it’s a cycle. Editor’s note: The Leon Gallery Spectacular Mid-Year Auction 2023 takes place today June 17, 2023 starting at 2:00 PM, featuring art works from the collections of Manila’s society doyens, Zita Fernandez Feliciano and Delly Tambunting Ongsiakio The post Jaime Ponce de Leon — Art world’s man of the hour appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
China claim record 13th Sudirman Cup badminton title
China claimed a record 13th Sudirman Cup title on Sunday, defeating South Korea on home soil at the first major sporting event in the country since the lifting of pandemic restrictions. Cheered on by a raucous crowd brandishing red and white thundersticks and loud horns in the eastern city of Suzhou, China made short work of the Korean side, beating them 3-0. Chen Yufei defeated world number two An Se Young, 21-16, 22-20, in the women's singles to seal the victory, prompting the packed stadium to erupt in cheers and the entire Chinese team to rush onto the court to dance in a circle. The mixed team event is one of badminton's most important tournaments, and the stakes were higher than usual this year because performances will count towards qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympics. "I am very happy to play at home," men's singles player Shi Yuqi said. "When you can feel that the audience is cheering you on, your own state will also be mobilized very well." Virtually all international sports events ground to a halt in China after the coronavirus pandemic emerged there in late 2019, with the notable exception of last year's Beijing Winter Olympics which were held in a virus-secure "bubble". China had come through a tricky semi-final against Japan on Saturday, with the men's doubles pair of Liu Yuchen and Ou Xuanyi saving four match points before finally prevailing. "Watching the game yesterday gave me a stomach ache and a little dizziness, so I didn't sleep until after two o'clock," Shi said. South Korea beat Malaysia 3-1 on their way to the final on Saturday. On Sunday, Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong lost the opening game of the mixed doubles but pulled it back in a tense point-for-point second game to eventually triumph 18-21, 22-20, 21-8. A jubilant Zheng jumped up and down in excitement, ripped off his shirt, and threw it into the crowd. His partner Huang threw her racket to a delighted spectator. Asked afterward about how they were preparing for the Olympics, they said, "Let's just get the (qualification) points first". South Korea's Lee Yun Gyu was easily outmatched in the men's singles, unable to deal with Shi's powerful smashes and laser focus. The long rallies between Chen and An drew gasps from the crowd, with the world number two looking increasingly frustrated as the match wore on. But Chen managed to get the upper hand, ensuring that China defended its title yet again. The post China claim record 13th Sudirman Cup badminton title appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Benilde seals perfect season
College of Saint Benilde crushed Lyceum University of the Philippines, 25-19, 25-11, 25-20, to retain the Season 98 National Collegiate Athletic Association women’s volleyball crown via sweep yesterday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan. The Game 2 victory in the best-of-three series was the Lady Blazers’ 29th stretching back to January 2020 and was made possible by the precious contributions of Gayle Pascual, who hit 15 points, and Finals Most Valuable Player Jade Gentapa, who had 13. Also making her presence felt was Cloanne Mondonedo, who had 23 excellent sets. The win, which culminated its perfect season, allowed Saint Benilde to hold a double celebration as it was also head coach Jerry Yee’s 49th birthday. “Honestly, this championship was harder. We had a few five-set games along the way and we had to adjust,” said Yee, who gave the school its third league title. “I’m happy that in the end, we were able to get the championship,” he added. Johna Dolorito was the only Lady Pirate to score in double digits with 11 points. Meanwhile, San Beda University clawed out of a 0-2 hole for a 17-25, 25-27, 25-22, 25-23, 15-11 win over University of Perpetual Help System Dalta in Game 2 of the men’s volleyball tournament. Kenrod Umali and rookie Ralph Cabalsa both scored 19 points each as the Red Spikers snapped the Altas’ 32-game winning streak that started back in Game 2 of the Season 93 Finals against Arellano University on 19 February 2018. Both San Beda and Perpetual will play for all the marbles on Sunday in the same San Juan venue. Red Spikers head coach Ariel de la Cruz said the team’s positive mindset despite the odds proved vital. “It has to start with me. I have to motivate them and elevate them so that whatever mistake that happens, we work together and fix it,” De la Cruz said. “It starts when you enter the court with a smile and enjoy the game.” San Beda started the fifth set with a 6-2 lead and never looked back as Cabalsa fired an off-the-block kill for the win. Season 98 MVP Louie Ramirez led the way for the losers with 32. An awarding ceremony took place before the matches kicked off with individual awards being given to the tournament’s other top performers. John Benedict San Andres of Mapua University was hailed as the 1st Best Outside Spiker while Emilio Aguinaldo College’s Joshua Ramilo took home the 2nd Best Outside Spiker award. Letran College’s Vinze Himzon won both Rookie of the Year and 1st Best Middle Blocker awards while Jethro Cabillan of Arellano University took the 2nd Best Middle Blocker award. Adrian Villados of the Chiefs was hailed as the Season 98 Best Setter with Perpetual’s Joshua Zareno taking the Best Opposite Spiker plum and Lawrence Briones of EAC getting the Best Libero honors. In the women’s tournament, Mary Rhose Dapol was hailed as both the MVP and the 1st Best Outside Spiker of Season 98 with teammates Shaila Omipon and Marian Anday picked the Rookie of the Year and Best Libero, respectively. Gentapa likewise took home the 2nd Best Outside Spiker while teammate Pascual got the tournament’s Best Opposite Spiker title. Lyceum team captain Venice Puzon picked up her second Best Setter diadem with fellow Lady Pirate Jaja Tulang voted as the 2nd Best Middle Blocker. Arellano’s Trina Abay took home the 1st Best Middle Blocker award. The post Benilde seals perfect season appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
WHAT IF… National U failed in must-win run to historic title
History lesson: From 1954 to now, National University only has two titles to show in UAAP Men's Basketball. The Bulldogs won it all in 1954 before going through a six-decade wait for another championship. The wait was finally over when the blue and gold side coached by Eric Altamirano and led by Gelo Alolino, Glenn Khobuntin, and Troy Rosario took home the trophy to Sampaloc. Without a doubt, it was a happy ending to a colorful story, but it was, also without a doubt, a shock to just about everybody. Sans back-to-back MVP Ray Parks Jr., National U wound up with a 9-5 standing at the end of the elimination round. That was pretty good, relative to the long-suffering squad, but that also meant they stood on level ground with University of the East. And if they were to get the better of the Red Warriors for the fourth-seed, they would then be matched up opposite top-seed Ateneo de Manila University and eventual MVP Kiefer Ravena and eventual Mythical selection Chris Newsome. The other bracket wasn't a slouch either as it featured a Far Eastern University with Mac Belo or a De La Salle University with Jeron Teng. Against all odds, though, the Bulldogs did it - coming out on top of UE, coming through against Blue Eagles twice, and claiming the crown in three games at the expense of the Tamaraws. At long last, Jhocson Street was to be the venue of a championship celebration anew. To do so, thought, they had to walk the knife's edge as, aside from the Finals, their first three games after the elims were all must-win. What if they failed there? What if, even in just one of those three tries, the odds proved to be insurmountable? While the Red Warriors, despite the presence of Roi Sumang and Charles Mammie, would remain to be a tall task, there's still a better than good chance that they still fall to Khobuntin, Rosario, and company. And so, we have the blue and gold moving on to a duel with Ateneo. On a high from staying alive, the Bulldogs have a good chance at still stealing the playoff game behind J-Jay Alejandro's breakout game. Game 2, however, should have been where, ultimately, their dreams were dashed. In the real world, National U eked out a two-point triumph over the Blue Eagles on the back of Alfred Aroga's 14-point, 12-rebound double-double. In the what if world, Ateneo shows them the door once and for all in the do-or-die game as Ravena comes out way more determined than his five-point, 2-of-10 effort in the first half. In the Finals, though, FEU gets the better of the Blue Eagles and wins the first of its back-to-back championships. Newsome still fails to graduate on the highest of highs, but at least, he gets to go out in the championship round. Ravena and Von Pessumal return for their fifth and final seasons hungrier than ever, but also fall short of going out on top. For National U, the waiting game continues - and with Khobuntin and Rosario graduating, making the Final Four in Season 78 wouldn't even be a certainty. They still do so, but will also still be booted out by Finals-bound University of Sto. Tomas. Just like the real world, the what if world will then see the exit of Coach Eric and the Bulldogs will be searching for a brand new mentor. It could have still been one-time NCAA champion coach Jamike Jarin, but it could also have been Jeff Napa who gets promoted after winning three titles in UAAP Jrs. What's certain is the National U Bulldogs would still be longing for its first championship since Ramon Magsaysay was President of the Philippines. --- Follow this writer on Twitter, @riegogogo......»»
Revealing the impact of layoffs on the gaming industry | Latest gaming news – The Daily Guardian
Title: Layoffs in Video Game Industry Cause Concern Despite Financial Growth Subtitle: Unionization Efforts Provide Some Protection for Workers Amidst Increasing Layoffs Layoffs within the.....»»
The Daily Guardian: NFL Power Rankings, Week 8 – Chiefs regain No. 1 spot; Ravens skyrocket into top five
Title: Patriots’ Hoyer Struggles in Recent Game, Raises Questions About Coaching Decision (Word count: 372) In a recent NFL matchup against the Chicago Bears, the.....»»
Nicole Borromeo moves up to 2nd spot in Miss International poll
MANILA, Philippines — Nicole Borromeo of the Philippines jumped to the No. 2 spot in the Asia-Pacific region, in the latest Miss International pageant’s online poll. On Oct. 15, the Cebu-based Borromeo ranked third in her region, following Vietnam’s Nguyen Phuong Nhi and Bangladesh’s Farzana Yasmin Ananna. The Vietnamese beauty maintained her lead in the latest partial count on Oct. 17. READ: Cebu City’s Nicole Borromeo is Bb. Pilipinas International 2022 But Ananna was dislodged of her spot in the Top 3, with a new delegate moving up, former Miss Philippines Australia and Charity Queen Australia Jazel Mae Alarca, who is representing the Land Down Under in the 2023 Miss International pageant. The votes were taken from an online poll on the Miss International mobile app, powered by Choicely, and available for free on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. The top delegates from three geographic regions will earn automatic spots in the Top 15. For the Americas, Itzia Garcia from Mexico maintained her lead, while Yamilex Hernandez from the Dominican Republic moved up to the second spot. Andrea Rubio from Venezuela who was second in the initial partial count has left the Top 3 in the latest tabulation, with Vanessa Hayes from Bolivia placing third. Europe and Africa, lumped in one geographic region for the poll, has a new leader. Nassita Diako from Cote D’Ivoire who was not even among the top vote-getters in the initial partial count now tops the group, dislodging Lilene Vieira Sarrao from Portugal who is now out of the Top 3. Lysia Allaire from France and Zoi Asoumanaki from Greece are still in second and third places, respectively. “Keep on voting for your favorite delegates by downloading our Miss International App” the pageant reminded the public on social media. READ: Nicole Borromeo is not just a pretty face Nicole Borromeo is not new to pageants. She was crowned Sinulog Festival Queen in 2019 and took home the Millenial Queen title that year. Last year, first runner-up Stephany Amado from Cape Verde and second runner-up Tatiana Calmell from Peru topped the voting for Europe, Africa, and the Americas, respectively. Savanna Delos Santos from the Northern Mariana Islands, who topped the poll for Asia-Pacific, finished in the Top 15. The results of the online voting will be announced during the coronation show at the Yoyogi Gymnasium No. 2 in Tokyo’s Shibuya ward on Oct......»»
IT-BPM seen key economic driver
The head of the Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines or IBPAP, Jack Madrid maintained that the Informatiorn Technology-Business Process Management, or IT-BPM, sector will remain the Philippine economy’s essential pillar, given its large contribution to the government coffers for its nation-building. “This is an important message that we always communicate to our partners in the government and to our employees and to their families. What we do is more than what people think as we are not just call center or contact center work.” “The nature of what we do range from basic customer service to more complex industries such as healthcare, engineering, IT software development, and even creative industries such as animation and game development, “Madrid said in an interview with the DAILY TRIBUNE’s online digital show ‘Straight Talk’. “We do not just do call center work and I think we need to respect the kind of work that we do even more than before, more than what people think it is,” continued Madrid., Export service revenues Madrid said in terms of export service revenues, the IT-BPM sector this year earned a growth rate of 8.8 percent, which translates to an estimated $35.4 billion in revenue, exceeding the global industry’s 7.7 percent average. “We started 2023 with 1.7 million direct jobs for Filipinos, while by revenue, in 2022 the industry generated $32.5 million, the second largest source of foreign exchange to the country, next to OFW remittances. But we are almost at par with them,” he said. “This year, we will grow over $35 million in revenues,” according to Madrid, coming from close to 2,000 IT-BPM firms that are operating in the country. US biggest client GHe said the United States remains the Philippines’ biggest client, in which over two-thirds of businesses come from US companies, serving US customers. “That is why as the flagship association, we oversee all the different industry verticals. But you will be amazed at the number of multinational companies that have been doing very successful shared services operations here in the Philippines. You name the multinational, they are here whether it is in banking, financial services, or healthcare. Even energy. They are all here,” he said. According to Madrid, healthcare companies doing business in the country are at 15 to 20 percent, while the creative side has the smallest workforce, but is considered a sector that has large potential. “The creative side will be quite a bit smaller than that in terms of number of employees but it’s still a sector that has large potential. I think another significant sector would be the global in-house centers. These are all the multinationals who have moved their back-office operations here. Hard to classify by industry because they belong to many different industries. And then, of course, the contact center sector is still the biggest one. About 60 percent of our employees are in the contact center sector and that includes many multinational and global BPO companies who have set up operations here,” Madrid explained. Caring for employees As contact center employees work at odd times, Madrid said the mental well-being of their employees is very important to the industry, which goes along with their aim to make the industry continue growing. “I’m happy that our membership and our industry players are paying a much stronger focus on the mental health and well-being of the employees. Our industry relies primarily on human capital. This is very much a people’s industry. It is the bedrock of how our industry has grown. So, this topic is very important. I think it’s all about balance. I think balancing the demands of work and personal life is very important and nowhere was this more evident than the challenging years of the pandemic, wherein we had to mobilize our employees from working in the office to a work-from-home setup. Something that was not done before,” he said. Madrid said working from home is not as easy for Filipinos as it is for the rest of the world, as Filipinos don’t typically have a home office, unlike Americans and Europeans. Challenging transition “So, the transition for us was quite challenging. Many of our employees don’t have very big homes with an extra room to be used as an office. So, I think I spent a lot of time describing this to investors and locators because it demonstrates the agility, resilience, and survival instinct of the Filipino people,” he said. “And I think we have shown to the world that we were able to perform the work in those challenging years of Covid without any impact on productivity or customer satisfaction. We were able to perform the work so much that there was even more demand from our customers for more jobs to be done here in the Philippines,” he continued. Madrid said that during the pandemic, the ITBPM industry grew as an industry to 255,000 new jobs and will continue to grow. The Philippines is a clear number in terms of ITBPM, next to India, but the Philippines is the number one nation when it comes to delivering customer experience, according to Madrid. The post IT-BPM seen key economic driver appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Chinese Taipei s Pan, Yu ready to challenge in Sanderson Farms Championship
Chinese Taipei’s C.T. Pan is hoping to launch a title challenge in the Sanderson Farms Championship this week at a happy hunting ground that reminds him of his home course......»»
North Korea expels American soldier
North Korea has expelled an American soldier who entered the country from South Korea through the demilitarized zone in July. Travis King was escorted to the Chinese border with the help of Swedish diplomats and handed over to the United States ambassador and a senior miliary officer on Wednesday. He then flew out to a US miliary base. “We can confirm that Private King was very happy to be on his way home,” a senior US administration official told reporters. “He is very much looking forward to seeing his family.” Earlier, North Korea’s state news agency announced that Pyongyang decided to expel King, who was in good health. Last month, Pyongyang confirmed it was holding King, saying he had defected to North Korea to escape “mistreatment and racial discrimination in the US Army.” Intense behind-the-scenes diplomacy resulted in his release. The Private Second Class soldier figured in a drunken pub fight, an incident with police and a stay in South Korean jail before he crossed the DMZ. From the jail, King was being taken to the airport in July to fly back to Texas. He was traveling to Fort Bliss for disciplinary hearings when he snuck away, joined a DMZ sightseeing trip and slipped over the border. Pyongyang said King illegally intruded into the DPRK, the Korean Central News Agency said Wednesday, using the North’s formal acronym. The post North Korea expels American soldier appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
From Niño Muhlach to today’s child wonders: The kids are all right
This is not a tribute piece to my favorite Annette Bening and Julianne Moore movie. But the movie title is the most appropriate description for all the Filipino child stars that have been amazing and wonderful on the silver screen and television, and that have made a lasting impact on the Generation X demographic (that includes me, a proud Gen Xer). This also serves as a warm welcome and mabuhay to the latest set of kids who are set to spread joy and bring their own kind of magic to our entertainment scene. The most important child actor in Philippine movie history, bar none, is Niño Muhlach. The nephew of movie queen Amalia Fuentes and cousin of Aga Muhlach had the charisma, confidence, talent and star quality that was never before seen in any child actor this side of Hollywood. Adjectives such as precocious, innocent and lovable captured perfectly the child wonder like no other. His stellar reign during the mid-‘70s to to the mid-‘80s was solid and supreme, with box office hits, endorsements and epic collaborations, with, among others, the late great King of Philippine movies, Fernando Poe Jr. in Ang Leon at Ang Kuting, movie queen Vilma Santos in Darna at Ding, and the one and only Comedy King, Dolphy, in the movie that is now considered a pink motion picture classic, Ang Tatay Kong Nanay. Muhlach became the standard by which all Filipino child stars have since been measured. The after-Niño child wonders include Aiza Seguerra, Eat Bulaga’s biggest child discovery from the show’s Little Miss Philippines contest, who achieved almost the same footing and popularity as the original; Matet de Leon, Seguerra’s closest rival; the other EB boy finds Steven Claude Goyong and BJ Forbes; and last but not least, everybody’s lovable one-time Aling Maliit, Ryza Mae Dizon. Credit must be given to the parents, guardians and support system of the kids mentioned here because their popularity did not spoil them. They were never branded as juvenile delinquents, becoming responsible adults who found what made them truly happy and content. A handful of them are still in show business, now working as competent and respected artists, while others are living private and fruitful lives. Interesting kiddie show Following in the footsteps of these league of extraordinary child wonders are Sebreenika Santos, Honey Love Johnson, Cheska Maranan and Tom Leaño. These clever kids are the hosts of Kids: Toy Kingdom Show, an online program with a second season airing by end-September. What makes this kiddie show interesting, according to its resident uya Tom, is that “All of us are given the opportunity to play with different toys, whether they are the latest finds or vintage collections. I like the fact that our show, ginigising ‘yung imagination and creativity ng mga bata. We hope as they see us play with the toys, ‘yung audience namin, sila rin, they will close whatever gadgets they have and play, use their imagination and interact with other kids.” Leaño also looks forward to doing Filipino games. “From what I know, aside from playing with toys, we will also be doing and participating in Filipino games like the patintero, luksong baka, luksong lubid, piko, tumbang preso and many more. I believe that these games build character, discipline, diskarte and genuine friendships. Gusto namin na ‘yung mga bata will discover the fun in these games at hindi lang sila laging nakaharap at nakababad sa computers at gadgets nila.” The girls’ unanimous toy of choice is Barbie. They like dressing up their dolls and pretend that Barbie converses with her friends. They are also fond of toys that allows them to build, create and think, and giggle and laugh with friends. The kids in the show are appreciative of the fact that aside from all the playing and toys, their hosting talents are also being honed, and that they learn plenty from listening and observing during the tapings and being surrounded by the community of artistic and creative people that bring the show to life. We can safely say that these child actors are all right, and that in time, we will witness their own blossoming — a welcome addition to the adorable roster of Filipino showbiz child sensations through the years. The post From Niño Muhlach to today’s child wonders: The kids are all right appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
The standouts at Fashion Forte XVIII
After more than two decades in the United States, the enterprising fashion designer Nardie Presa came back to the Philippines. Though he had a lucrative practice in California, home is where his heart is. But then Presa saw that budding designers were relegated to showcasing their creations at malls or clubs. He thought that a hotel was a more proper venue for rising talents to present their collections. The idea not only became a clever business venture; it also became the irrepressible Presa’s advocacy. Together with his longtime friend Audie Espino as director and the Crowne Plaza Galleria as the host, more and more design upstarts are getting their breaks at Presa’s Fashion Forte series held at least four times a year. The lineup is usually composed of neophyte talents but established designers such as Presa also participate to show the newbies how it’s done. At the 17th staging, it was barong Tagalog designer Barge Ramos who gave a master class. At Fashion Forte XVIII, Albert Andrada displayed his universally loved designs of romantic and dreamy confections. Mikaela Rose Fowler, Miss Grand Australia 2023, gushed on her Instagram: “What an honor to not only walk for Sir Albert Andrada during the latest Fashion Forte runway show. I had the privilege of closing the show as the grand finale.” Here are some of the standouts and their thoughts: [caption id="attachment_188837" align="aligncenter" width="525"] TONI Kimpo recommends using local fabrics to promote the country to the fashion world. | photograph courtesy of Bert Briones[/caption] TONI KIMPO “The title of my collection is Rise of the Phoenix. My inspirations are the mystical bird phoenix while the emotion behind my creations is the power to rise again like a phoenix. “My materials are sourced locally. I used some indigenous material like pearls and shells. I recommend using local fabrics to promote the country to the fashion world. “I said yes to Nardie and Audie because of their integrity, and the high fashion production that only Fashion Forte can make. [caption id="attachment_188833" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Albert Andrada displayed his universally loved designs of romantic and dreamy confections. | photograph courtesy of Mike Zuniga[/caption] “When I was a child, I grew up being influenced by the works of Tito Albert Andrada. His first shop was in my grandmother’s building. I studied fashion at Slim’s Fashion School and worked at the Carolina’s fabric store.” [caption id="attachment_188834" align="aligncenter" width="525"] CARL Acusa’s latest collection speaks of political movement through fashion. | photograph courtesy of Bert Briones[/caption] CARL ARCUSA “Luncheon At The Palace is a political movement through fashion. A collection that is intended to raise awareness to the historical past and to not forget the mistreatment, injustices, killings and power abuse during the… regime. “The materials I used are silk, organdy, piña cloth, tulle, red Swarovski crystals, beads and metal religious emblems. [The challenge of procuring the materials] is their availability to suppliers because some are sourced out abroad and the piña cloth’s availability to the market. ‘My recommended remedy] is fast supplier-to-market transport and communications. “[I said yes to Nardie and Audie] because they are both professional and friendly. Their taste and professionalism established a good foundation of trust to us designers. “I’m a self-taught. I was mentored by Rocky Gathercole and Olé Morabe. My inspirations are Christian Dior, Alexander McQueen, John Galliano, Joey Samson, Ivarluski Aseron and various Filipino veteran designers. My celebrity clients include Andrea Brillantes, Kim Chiu, Vice Ganda, Sanya Lopez, Lea Salonga and Miss Glenda.” JEZELLE AMORADO “My collection is entitled Imprint. As a fashion designer, one of my primary roles is to create pieces for clients that reflect their identity and persona. It is very seldom that I get to create something that would reflect who I am as an artist. Thus, the ‘Imprint’ collection was born. “For this collection. I wanted to do away with traditional floral and lace details. Instead I focused on the idea of how I can imprint my own DNA as a designer into each piece. The hand-beaded details of each piece were carefully crafted to show my personal way of sketching, yarn and beadwork to mimic my fingerprints and the waves in various colors were created to represent my sound waves when speaking. The Jezelle Hautea Amorado signature book folded details can also be seen in the collection as a representation of my unfolding fashion design story. “The emotions that I wanted the collection to evoke is a sense of identity and self-love for who I am as an artist. I wanted the audience to see who I truly was as an artist and experience the same level of love and admiration I felt when I was allowed to be myself and create what my heart wanted. “I wanted to present a collection that would let people realize and feel that it is OK to be themselves, to love who they are and to not let society dictate who they should be. Imprint is a collection that focuses on the idea of ‘self’ and that no person could ever alter who you are as a person. “I wanted people, women in particular, to have that profound sense of acceptance despite what society would expect of us in terms of how we dress, talk and present ourselves. Hopefully, ‘Imprint’ was able to do that. “The materials that were used were a mixture of silk gazaar, fine crepe, organza and tulle. The finer details were crafted using multicolored yarns, crystals and multi-cut beads. All of my materials were sourced from both local and international vendors that I have worked with in the course of my career. “The main challenge that I face when procuring fabrics was the fear that another designer would be using the same thing as me. My solution for this is that I stay away from already pre-beaded or pre-printed textiles. “Instead of purchasing such textiles I have my team of skilled beaders craft custom prints or details that would guarantee me a unique piece every single time. At times, it is an unavoidable circumstance that I would have to use pre-detailed fabrics such as lace, so to address this situation I would deconstruct the said fabric and have my team rework it by creating new textures, or beading details to give my clients that unique look. “I have a Bachelor’s degree in Consular and Diplomatic Affairs from De La Salle College of Saint Benilde and an Associate’s degree in Fashion Design at Raffles Design Institute Singapore. I apprenticed under Albert Andrada, who is also my mentor and design influence along with Christian Dior, Coco Chanel and Iris Van Herpen.” [caption id="attachment_188836" align="aligncenter" width="525"] ‘Fashion Forte’ expresses Nardie Presa’s specialty and strength in conceptualizing clothes and designs. | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF MIKE ZUNIGA[/caption] “To be invited back by Nardie Presa and Audie Espino was a wonderful experience and great honor. I had my first show with them back in 2020 before the pandemic and this would have given me another opportunity to work alongside two of the most-sought after personalities in the fashion industry. “Another reason for me to say yes was that Tita Nardie had informed me that this would be a wonderful opportunity for me to continue the Mentor-Protegee story that was unfolding between me and my beloved mentor and fashion father, Albert Andrada. “The period that I got the invite for Fashion Forte was when Sir Albert and I were preparing for our ‘Marry Me at Marriott’ show and it just felt like the perfect fit. Any chance I would get to work alongside Sir Albert and share the runway with him is an opportunity that I would never want to miss.” The post The standouts at Fashion Forte XVIII appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
REVIEW: ‘HAMILTON’ — Astonishing stagecraft
“Hamilton,” Lin-Manuel Miranda’s rap musical about the eponymous Founding Father, has finally landed in Manila — the first stop of a new international tour that replicates the exact production currently running on Broadway and London’s West End. This is, in other words, essentially the same production that’s won every major theater award conceivable in the West, and whose live stage recording released on Disney+ three years ago was a global success among Covid-captive home viewers. You wouldn’t immediately know all that, however, just from watching this production: Even as it brims with dazzling theatricality and refreshing erudition, it also feels surprisingly small, rid of its status as a phenomenon, pared down to human size. It’s a show that’s almost oblivious to its own celebrity, even as entrance applause (erupting to diminishing returns) dotted the first 15 minutes of its 21 September gala performance at The Theatre at Solaire. Instead, it knows when to build up to the big musical moments, which are few and far between, and does so organically and therefore quite satisfyingly. The logical progression of the narrative and individual character drama — the musical’s unassailable structural precision — are rendered very clear; put bluntly, it is a storytelling apologist’s wettest dream. Never mind that the musical itself — evidently a product of modern-day liberalism, the politics of the American Dream made manifest through the eyes of 21st-century immigrants — is by now indivisible from the very valid criticisms it has received from many corners of American scholarly thought. For the uninitiated, Hamilton tells through rap the rise of the Founding Fathers, including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, as they built America in the latter half of the 18th century. Admittedly, given what we know now and what we’ve been through since the musical premiered in New York in 2015, it feels weird, to say the least, to be watching a show that hero-worships to varying degrees the likes of Washington, Jefferson and Hamilton — all products of and complicit to the sins of their time. Moreover, the way the musical intentionally casts non-white actors to play these historically white figures (and slavers) can, depending on how one looks at it, come across as a stroke of meta subversion or “revisionist and insulting nonsense,” to quote one critic. Unique brilliance Again — all valid criticisms, which some have suggested are actually part of the musical’s unique brilliance. Watching the musical (through this particular production) in Manila, however, you entertain those thoughts mainly in retrospect. Inside the theater, it’s all those aforementioned merits — and more! — that surround you: a show that’s so technically precise in ways that highlight the material’s inventiveness, a feast of astonishing stagecraft, a display of just how good musical theater can get when given vast resources. [caption id="attachment_187901" align="aligncenter" width="1148"] DeAundre’ Woods as Aaron Burr. | photograph courtesy of IG/dre_woods[/caption] Despite the title, the crux of this production is DeAundre’ Woods’ Aaron Burr (Hamilton’s archrival, if you will). It’s a performance for which the phrase “no notes” seems to have been coined. Whenever Woods disappears from the stage, you look for him. But, more importantly, the genius of Woods’ performance is in how it becomes the anchor through which the musical itself can be better understood: as a story of wanting and longing, a warning against the folly of ambition, a morality tale run parallel to the uncertainty and messiness of nation-building. When Woods sings (and brings down the house with) Burr’s first big solo “Wait for It,” you instantly comprehend the song — and, for that matter, the musical. Arguably, Burr is the central and meatiest role here. Next to Woods’ interpretation, however, the smallness and silliness inherent to the story Hamilton tells become all the more coherent. You grasp how Hamilton and his posse were essentially just kids bumbling their way through a revolution. It’s all very grand on paper, but it’s also a journey chockfull of pettiness and foolishness — and on that stage, a history lesson that revels in its occasionally juvenile, highly accessible nature. [caption id="attachment_187903" align="aligncenter" width="1432"] JASON Arrow as Alexander Hamilton. | photograph courtesy of ig/jason arrow[/caption] Three other male performances stand out in the process: Jason Arrow’s Hamilton, who convincingly pulls off the title character’s transformation from “young, scrappy, and hungry” to world-weary; Darnell Abraham’s Washington giving gospel-preacher-showdown realness; and Brent Hill’s King George literally putting the “mad” to delectably comic effect in his interpretation of the famed mad king. [caption id="attachment_187906" align="aligncenter" width="1512"] DARNELL Abraham as George Washington. | photographs courtesy of ig/darnell abraham[/caption] [caption id="attachment_187900" align="aligncenter" width="1348"] BRENT Hill as King George. | photographs courtesy of ig/darnell abraham[/caption] Dreamcasting Elsewhere, this is a production that’s supplied with all the right parts — but, on a local stage as technologically impressive as the Theatre at Solaire (the best acoustics in Metro Manila, hands down), it also invites “dreamcasting” — permitting you to imagine in real time how certain Filipino theater performers cast in certain roles would, without a doubt, totally slay those parts. No matter: As it is, this Hamilton is one that lives up to the hype surrounding its supposed brilliance — while simultaneously earning that reputation before a live audience night after night. Among others spots of pure artistry, it has a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it onstage costume change involving the terrific ensemble early in Act I, a historical battle conjured through frenzied dance, and entire scene changes and moments evoked simply through the deliberate arrangement of performers’ bodies (that climactic bullet scene, anyone?). In lieu of an arduous and expensive trip to New York or London, this production more than does the job. Hamilton runs at the Theatre at Solaire, Pasay City, until 26 November. The post REVIEW: ‘HAMILTON’ — Astonishing stagecraft appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Biggest-ever Asian Games ready for liftoff in China after Covid delay
The biggest Asian Games in history, boasting about 12,000 competitors -- more than the Olympics -- will open on Saturday in the Chinese city of Hangzhou after a year's delay because of Covid. Athletes including world and Olympic champions will fight for medals in 40 sports from athletics, swimming and football to eSports and bridge. Nine sports, among them boxing, break dancing and tennis, will serve as qualifiers for next year's Paris Olympics. The Games were supposed to take place last September but were postponed because of China's strict zero-Covid rules, before China's ruling Communist Party abruptly abandoned the policy. The 19th edition of the Games, which were first held in New Delhi in 1951, throws together competitors from 45 countries and territories across Asia and the Middle East. For China, which hosted the 2022 Winter Olympics in a Covid-secure "bubble" in Beijing, it is a chance to show off its organizational, sporting and technological prowess after the pandemic years cut the country off from the sporting world. "We have overcome a lot of challenges but we are now fully conditioned to hold a successful Games," Chen Weiqiang, chief spokesperson for the Games, said on Wednesday. Sport meets politics The Games will be staged at 54 venues -- 14 newly constructed -- mostly in Hangzhou but also extending to cities as far afield as Wenzhou, 300 kilometres (180 miles) south. The centerpiece is the "Big Lotus" Olympic stadium with a capacity of up to 80,000 where athletics and the opening and closing ceremonies will be staged. President Xi Jinping will attend the opening ceremony and meet Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad there, along with other visiting leaders, Chinese state media says. Assad is making his first visit to ally China since the war erupted in Syria in 2011. Russian President Vladimir Putin likewise attended the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics, along with Xi, and weeks later launched the invasion of Ukraine. Hangzhou, a city of 12 million people an hour's bullet train from Shanghai, is famed in China for its ancient temples, gardens and its beloved West Lake. It is also the unofficial home of China's tech industry, notably the birth place of Jack Ma's Alibaba. The Games will showcase some of the latest tech to come out of the city, including driverless buses, robot dogs and facial recognition. China medal dash Hosts China have topped the medals table at every Asian Games since 1982 and are expected to do so again by the time the curtain comes down on October 8. They should reign in swimming, with Qin Haiyang fresh from his heroics at the world championships, where he announced himself as the new undisputed breaststroke king. The 24-year-old swept all three men's events and set a new world record in the 200m. In athletics, another of the most closely watched sports, India's Olympic and world champion Neeraj Chopra will defend his Asian Games javelin crown. His nearest competitor should be world silver medalist Arshad Nadeem from arch-rivals Pakistan and the countries are also on a collision course in cricket and hockey. ESports, in what is seen as a step toward Olympic inclusion one day, will make its full Asian Games debut having been a demonstration sport five years ago. Lee Sang-hyeok, better known as "Faker", has god-like status in League of Legends and will lead the South Korean charge at the futuristic-looking China Hangzhou Esports Centre. There is an added incentive which has caused controversy in South Korea -- winning gold will exempt them from having to do military service. A feature of the Asian Games is that it includes sports that are a little more quirky than the Olympics. Xiangqi -- also known as "Chinese chess" -- the card game bridge and the ancient wrestling discipline of kurash are all on the menu. Although the Games officially open on Saturday, the sporting action began on Tuesday, when North Korea returned to major international competition for the first time since the pandemic with a 2-0 win over Taiwan in men's football. The post Biggest-ever Asian Games ready for liftoff in China after Covid delay appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Azerbaijan claims victory after Karabakh separatists surrender
Azerbaijan said Wednesday it had regained control over breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh for the first time in decades after separatist Armenian fighters agreed to lay down their arms in the face of a military operation. The stunning collapse of separatist resistance represents a major victory for Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev in his quest to bring the Armenian-majority Nagorno-Karabakh back under Baku's control. Armenia and Azerbaijan have fought two wars over the mountainous region since the collapse of the Soviet Union. The years of conflict have been marked by abuses on both sides, and there are concerns of a fresh refugee crisis as Karabakh's Armenian population fears being forced out. A day after Azerbaijan launched its military operation in the region, Baku and the ethnic Armenian authorities in Karabakh announced a ceasefire deal had been brokered by Russian peacekeepers to stop the fighting. "Azerbaijan restored its sovereignty as a result of successful anti-terrorist measures in Karabakh," Aliyev said in a televised address. Aliyev claimed that most of the Armenian forces in the region had been destroyed and said the withdrawal of separatist troops had already begun. The attack left "at least 200 killed and more than 400 wounded," Nagorno-Karabakh separatist official Gegham Stepanyan said. Late on Wednesday, Armenia's defence ministry said that Azerbaijan had fired on its positions along the border between the arch-foes. Such skirmishes are frequent along the border. Truce deal Under the truce deal, the separatists said they had agreed to fully dismantle their army and that Armenia would pull out any forces it had in the region. Azerbaijan's defence ministry said that "all weapons and heavy armaments are to be surrendered" under the supervision of Russia's 2,000-strong peacekeeping force on the ground. Both sides said talks on reintegrating the breakaway territory into the rest of Azerbaijan would be held on Thursday in the city of Yevlakh. President Vladimir Putin said Russian peacekeepers would mediate the talks. Moscow has said several of members of its force in Karabakh were killed when the car they were travelling in came under fire. Latest violence Baku's operation marked the latest violence over the rugged territory. After the Soviet Union fell apart, Armenian separatists seized the region -- internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan -- in the early 1990s. The war left 30,000 people dead and forced hundreds of thousands from their homes. In a six-week war in 2020, Azerbaijan recaptured swathes of territory in and around the region. President Aliyev on Wednesday praised the "political competence" of his country's historic rival. "The developments that took place yesterday and today will have a positive impact on the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia," he said. Azerbaijani presidential foreign policy advisor Hikmet Hajiyev promised safe passage for the separatists who surrendered and said Baku sought the "peaceful reintegration" of Karabakh Armenians. A separatist official said over 10,000 people have been evacuated from Armenian communities in Nagorno-Karabakh and "forced to find a shelter" elsewhere in the territory. Russia's President Putin said he hoped for a "peaceful" resolution, adding that Moscow has been in contact with all sides in the conflict. Putin held talks with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan Wednesday evening, but the Kremlin insisted the crisis was "Azerbaijan's internal affair". 'War is over' Jubilant residents in Azerbaijan's capital expressed hope the deal heralded a definitive victory and the end of the decades-long conflict. "I was very happy with this news. Finally, the war is over," 67-year-old pensioner Rana Ahmedova told AFP. In Armenia, there was fury at a second defeat in Karabakh in three years. Clashes broke out in Armenia's capital Yerevan, where thousands of protesters waving the separatist region's flag blocked a main road and riot police guarded official buildings. Demonstrators threw bottles and stones at police as they slammed the government's handling of the crisis, while officers used stun grenades and made arrests. The loss in Karabakh ratchets up domestic pressure on Pashinyan, who has faced stinging criticism at home for making concessions to Azerbaijan since the 2020 defeat. "We are losing our homeland, we are losing our people," said Sargis Hayats, a 20-year-old musician. Pashinyan "must leave, time has shown that he cannot rule. No one gave him a mandate for Karabakh to capitulate," he said. The Armenian leader has insisted that his government had not been involved in drafting the latest ceasefire deal. Again denying his country's army was in the enclave, he said he expected Russia's peacekeepers to ensure Karabakh's ethnic-Armenian residents could stay "in their homes, on their land". International pressure Azerbaijan's assault came as Moscow, the traditional power broker in the region is bogged down and distracted by its war on Ukraine, which has left it isolated in the West. But its peacekeepers there appeared to have played a key role in helping to negotiate the ceasefire and will now oversee its implementation. Turkey, a historic ally of predominantly Muslim Azerbaijan that views mostly Christian Armenia as one of its main regional rivals, had called the operation "justified". The EU and United States have been mediating talks between Baku and Yerevan in recent months aimed at securing a lasting peace deal between the two foes. The White House said Wednesday it was concerned by the humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh. "We're obviously still watching very, very closely the worsening humanitarian situation inside Nagorno-Karabakh," US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters. He added the situation "has been exacerbated by the hostilities perpetrated by Azerbaijan" in Karabakh, where there are now fears of a refugee crisis. The post Azerbaijan claims victory after Karabakh separatists surrender appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BBM: Our calm, kind, gentle President
The most challenging thing is to write an essay about the country’s President who is celebrating his birthday. I should probably go back to the years when he was the “crush ng bayan.” From London, he would come home for vacation and would be met at the airport by his doting parents, with his mother kissing him on the forehead. He was very fashionable, from his haircut to his clothes and, well, he was the epitome of “cuteness” as cute could be. He did not sport long hippie hair but had bangs and his lips were well-pronounced. His mom took pride in his looks. “Kamukha ko (he looks like me),” she would say. Bongbong grew into the Oxford student who would come home and occasionally appear on television. I recall in 1973, he and his friends danced the latest craze on live television. He was, by then, oozing with appeal, his shy and boyish smile adding to the enigma that comes with being the president’s son. Many years later, I saw him when he and his sister Irene graced the opening of a project in Isabela. I am trying to remember if it was for natural gas or the largest dam in Asia. But he was there on the stage set up at the Cauayan airport, looking fresh and friendly, although he was smiling at everyone and no one in particular. I stood alone, away from the other welcomers, and somehow got him to look at me. I looked at him like I was telling him I know you or we know each other, and he stared back, smiling too, looking like he was wondering if he might have seen me before somewhere. It was one of my tricks. [caption id="attachment_183135" align="aligncenter" width="525"] The President has a long way to go, but that’s no reason for him to relax and wait for things to happen. | Photograph courtesy of BBM FB[/caption] Much would be said of the young gentleman, of his not being who he was supposed to be because he had died somewhere. Also, that he had killed someone who had called his father a dictator. Bongbong Marcos, for better or worse, was the fodder for both favorable and malicious talk. He became governor of Ilocos Norte in the mid-1980s when he took over from his aunt, Elizabeth Keon. At the same time, he wore the military uniform of the officer rank bestowed on him by his father, the President. Moving fast forward, Bongbong Marcos became a congressman and a senator, ran for vice president, and lost. Sometime after he caught Covid-19. After he had lost the vice-presidential contest and was protesting its result, he appeared on Daily Tribune’s online show, Spotlight. I remember only a little, not because he or his remarks were forgettable, but I blame my old age for not remembering. But I recall a pleasant interview, for he was relaxed and calm, and while he seemed occupied by his electoral protest, he was at the same time accepting of it. It was the Marcoses’ turn to be cheated, people said. The next presidential election had him and Leni Robredo, along with others, slugging it out. And while everyone had taken to microphones to condemn and attack him and his father, martial law and the dictatorship, he remained silent. He chose not to participate in the debates, leaving it to his supporters and fans to fight back for him. One UP professor who may have been unbiased took a liking to him, like an older woman in love for the first time, gushing over the assets of a fine, young, sexy gentleman. But that was not unexpected. Bongbong Marcos, after all, was the “crush ng bayan” from the time he was a teenager. Today, he is the President of the Philippines. I was talking with one youthful matron who possesses both beauty and wisdom and whose family was best known to be in the opposition against the Marcoses. She said that when President Rodrigo Duterte began his term, she gave him a chance to prove himself because he had been elected. As her gauge for the success of a presidency had much to do with how the stock market fared, she was disappointed because stocks dived very low to the depths. She gave RRD a failing mark. When BBM became President, she also gave him a “chance.” She told me, “I have yet to see what will happen next because he has just finished his first year, and it is too early to know how well or evil he has done. The people elected him, he is now the President, so let’s give him a chance.” The woman’s statement, I believe, more or less sums up the general feeling of the Filipino people. Here is one President perceived to be good and kind, and one who is not to be feared compared to his father or even his daring and feisty elder sister. One would hear, “Matatakot kayo pag si Imee ang presidente (You would be afraid if Imee were president),” which is people’s way of saying what they feel and think about the Marcos siblings. So, we have a kind President who has had to deal with all kinds of issues and problems: Typhoons, the pandemic, and now the rice shortage. I have always been a BBM fan (after all, he was “crush ng bayan” in our youth), and even if he had not become a statesman in the tradition of many of our top legislators, one thinks of him as a pleasant guy who plays it cool and is lovable. Now comes a wife who is perceived to be running the show. All because, like it or not, she has the educational credentials; she proved herself in the Big Apple; and as her husband himself would tell one and all, she has excellent organizational abilities. She ran the campaign, many would assume, although she much preferred to keep to the sidelines. Like it or not, Liza Marcos, the First Lady, is a potent mover in this administration. Her many worthy projects in the creative industry, health care, education, and environment, along with her brand of diplomatic maneuvering using Filipiniana fashion as a vehicle for international friendship, bode well for this administration. We got two leaders for one vote, and we are better off as a nation. To the President’s credit, he recognizes the role his wife plays in his administration, and that speaks of a man secure in his position as the head of his family. Regarding cronyism, BBM has his friends in the business sector, top men and women, titans and tycoons, czars and magnates, who accompany him on his travels abroad. One of them described their roles as similar to those of club guest relations officers — entertaining guests and clients. We are told that they talk with their counterparts on the international scene, wherever the presidential itinerary takes them. Hence, the public does not see the usual kind of cronies who are there for what they could take. These friends want to help because if this administration succeeds and the economy improves, the Filipino people, including the business sector, will live better lives. The greatest challenge to BBM, everyone perceives, is the conflict with China over the West Philippine Sea. In this regard, BBM has proved to be wise, circumspect and decisive. He has the backing of the international community and his people. We hope he will pass the test, because if he passes it we are all together the victors. BBM deserves our prayers and hopes for the best of his administration. If he succeeds, and we hope he does, we will rise as a people. The President has a long way to go, but that’s no reason for him to relax and wait for things to happen. There are some things that people feel he should handle with steel gloves, akin to his father’s style, and that is up for him to decide. A kind and gentle President may be all we need to make this nation great again, and there’s Bongbong Marcos to take on the role and fulfill the promise of a happy, progressive, and peaceful country and people. BBM is not only the best-looking President, but the kindest and, of late, the most eloquent, as he is proving himself to be. He is also the coolest. The post BBM: Our calm, kind, gentle President appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bradys Induction into Hall of Fame Next Year: The Daily Guardian
Title: Patriots Owner Robert Kraft Waives Waiting Period for Tom Brady’s Patriots Hall of Fame Induction Subtitle: Announcement Made during Sunday’s Season-Opening Game, Brady Expresses.....»»
ROLLING WITH THE PUNCHES — Mananquil emerges as Phl boxing’s top power broker
When boxing promoter-manager Jim Claude Mananquil is not attending to his stable of fighters, he can be seen just before daybreak minding his family’s tuna export business in General Santos City. “This is what keeps my boxing promotion going,” said the 29-year-old Mananquil, who started promoting at the tender age of 15. Of course, Mananquil didn’t have the proper license to put up fights owing to his being a minor and somebody with a license had to pose as the promoter-on-record. But it was he who assembled all the fighters and took care of the finances, quite a feat for someone whose main weapon for staging a card was his unparalleled love for the fight game. Instead of celebrating, Mananquil had to endure 16 straight losses as most of his boxers — though solidly built — were all as raw and green as a harvested broccoli. “We got kids who had muscular bodies thinking that they would do well in the ring. But everyone lost and I was devastated,” recalled Mananquil, who manages two-belt world super-bantamweight Marlon Tapales. Born and bred in General Santos City, Mananquil fell in love with the fight game at an early age. “I looked up to, of course, Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather and Zab Judah,” he said. Mananquil didn’t just like boxing. He was so obsessed with the sport that he even wanted to proceed with a professional career after a triumphant debut in 2018. “But my mom objected and told me to just get involved in boxing as long as I don’t fight.” Mananquil was already busy promoting even before he turned 20 and in just a few years he was crisscrossing the United States accompanying his boxers signed up to see action under different promoters. At one time, his boxers set up camp in Miami under a Florida-based Cuban trainer but soon found himself relocating to southern California and Las Vegas with influential American fight guy Sean Gibbons lending a hand. Just a few months ago, Mananquil had two reigning world champions: Tapales and Melvin Jerusalem. But Jerusalem’s reign as World Boxing Organization minimumweight titlist was short-lived. After winning the World Boxing Organization 105-lb title in Tokyo in January, he surrendered the championship in Indio, California, several months later. Following Jerusalem’s loss, Mananquil is now left with Tapales, who is being groomed to figure in a megabuck matchup with Japanese Naoya “Monster” Inoue sometime in December. “My responsibility is to give Marlon the very best preparation so he can win this very important fight,” Mananquil said. The odds are stacked against the southpaw but Mananquil swears nothing is impossible. ‘It’s a tough decision but I really love boxing.’ Whether that multi-million dollar showdown happens or not will be known in the coming days and weeks as both camps are going to hold another round of talks very soon in the hopes of putting a deal in place. The youngest of three kids, Mananquil admits he is torn between the family business and boxing. And if somebody’s going to put a gun to his head, Mananquil would not hesitate to make his choice. “It’s a tough decision but I really love boxing.” Coming from a well-to-do family, Mananquil went to five schools during college. Once, he tried studying in America but went home after just a few weeks, saying his heart was not there. Back in the Philippines, Mananquil enrolled at Ateneo de Davao University, Enderun College and even tried schooling in a small college in General Santos City. Likewise, he went to school at Bonifacio Global City in Taguig but wound up backing out for the nth time and returned to General Santos City. He was always on-the-go. But one thing’s clear, though. Mananquil insists his first and only love is boxing. And if that big fight down the road happens in Tokyo before the end of the year, Mananquil says that would end up becoming the highlight of his young career provided his fighter emerges victorious. But in the meantime, Mananquil will continue to look after the tuna business in the morning to assure that boxing gets the sustenance it badly needs. Right now, Mananquil is rolling with the punches as the family business and boxing seem to be blending well. And if things fall into place, there could come a time when Mananquil won’t even have to be forced to sacrifice one but winds up mastering both. The post ROLLING WITH THE PUNCHES — Mananquil emerges as Phl boxing’s top power broker appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
The best tech finds to cop from this year’s Cyber Month at SM Supermalls
August is officially Cyber Month at SM Supermalls, and there are many huge tech deals in store to ramp up the festivities. Stay tuned for Cyber Month’s three main offerings: the Great Gadget Sale, Cyberzone Exclusives, and SMO Exclusives. From product bundles and discounts of up to 60% off on the latest gadgets, these offerings bring you money-saving Cyberzone promos for your tech needs. Just check SM Deals to see the different deals offered at SM Supermalls nationwide. So what are you waiting for? Get your game on and check out great tech deals at SM Supermalls this Cyber Month. Here are some of our top picks: Cyberzone Exclusives SM Supermalls offer deals exclusively available at Cyberzone. This includes big discounts on the hottest Samsung smartphones from BSD International, as well as promos on tech accessories and smart home finds from Anker to enhance your gadget experience. The latest smartphone Do you want to get your hands on one of 2023’s hottest Android smartphones? The recently released Samsung Galaxy S23 series presents three of the most coveted phone models in the market—the Samsung Galaxy S23, Samsung Galaxy S23+, and Samsung Galaxy Ultra. This Cyber Month, you can bring home any of these three Samsung Galaxy S23 models and take home FREE Galaxy Buds 2 worth P6,990 and Galaxy Watch 4 (40mm) worth P12,990 with the exclusive SM Deals voucher. Just purchase them via cash, debit, and straight payment at any BSD International stores in SM Supermalls from 1 to 31 August. Great Gadget Sale Cyber Month’s Great Gadget Sale brings you a wide selection of gadgets and gizmos from your favorite tech brands, which are all discounted for up to 60% off until 31 August! Stay tuned for more deals throughout the month, including these four great finds. High-powered gaming gears Cyber Month’s Great Gadget Sale brings you a wide selection of gadgets and gizmos from your favorite tech brands, which are all discounted for up to 60% off until August 31! Stay tuned for more deals throughout the month, including these four great finds. SMO Exclusives Do you want to shop for the latest gadgets without stepping out of your home? SM Supermalls also extends the Cyber Month promos to the SM Malls Online app, where you can also find exclusive deals such as discounted laptops with the lowest price guaranteed at Villman and Gigahertz and powerful desktop PCs just in time for the new school year. For your desktop PC upgrade Get the Acer Desktop Aspire TC-1750 Core I7 12th Gen DT.BHVSP.009 Black for only P57,999 at Silicon Valley via the SM Malls Online app. That’s P7,000 off its original price of P64,999—so hurry and score this promo while it’s available at SM City Bacoor, SM City Dasmariñas, SM City Fairview, SM City North Edsa, SM City San Lazaro, SM City Sucat, SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, and SM Southmall until 31 August! Get the best deals on the hottest gadgets with the Cyber Month celebration at SM Supermalls. For more exciting deals and discounts, visit SM Deals or download the SM Malls Online app! The post The best tech finds to cop from this year’s Cyber Month at SM Supermalls appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Michael Ted Macapagal: Making tracks in public service
If life were a train, then Michael Ted Macapagal’s has been quite a ride. Raised by a labor leader and human rights lawyer father who served the people of Olongapo, including the workers of the US American Base in Subic, Michael Ted Macapagal had always wanted to become a public servant. It took Ted, though, a long journey to reach his goal, first achieving success in the insurance field in the United States where he lived for 20 years starting in 1991. Today, he is the chairman of the Philippine National Railways, a position “that allows me to make a difference in the lives of my countrymen,” he shared during his recent visit to the Daily Tribune office in Makati. Ted, good-looking and affable, proudly spoke of a father, his namesake, Atty. Teddy C. Macapagal who, early on, exposed his son to a firsthand view of a gentleman who looked beyond himself and his personal interests, and instead dedicated his career to protecting the common man and bettering their lot. The elder Ted served as a city councilor for 10 years. In 1984, he ran for the Batasang Pambansa, and in the late 1980s, for city mayor. “In all these electoral processes, I was involved and saw for myself how my father related to the people. He was a sincere man who helped them in the best way he could. He provided free legal services to those in need,” Ted recounted. Ted grew up in Olongapo, his place of birth. It was in the neighboring province of Pampanga, though, at the Don Bosco Institute in Bacolor town, where he first studied, but he eventually returned home to Olongapo, where he finished high school at the St. Columban. Aiming to become a lawyer, he enrolled at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, where he majored in History, which he intended as his pre-law course. Not unexpectedly, he joined the Upsilon Sigma Phi, his father’s fraternity. He also joined rallies where he stood with those who wanted the retention of US bases in the Philippines, in keeping with the sentiments of his townsmen. “It was the one concern where the whole of Olongapo was united,” he recalled, “because the people’s livelihood was connected to the base and the American presence in the community.” As a lawyer who specialized in labor, his father himself handled cases for the base employees. In 1988, his father lost his mayoralty bid in Olongapo. He fought against his fraternity brother, Richard Gordon. Actually, the two had been fighting it out for decades. “Olongapo became too small for them,” shared Ted. “A vivid memory to me to this day was the night I cried after my father lost. I was heartbroken because, for the most part of my life, I saw him give his all to the people. Throughout all those years, I just loved assisting my father. I followed him whenever he visited his constituents. I was a witness to everything that happened to him, his conflict with his political adversary and the loyalty of the people who believed in him and saw in him the man who would change the face of politics in our city.” The elder Macapagal became OIC-Mayor in 1986, but only two months after he received his appointment from the new president because the incumbent mayor did not easily give up his post which he was required to vacate under the new revolutionary government. “The next local election was the most expensive political exercise that our family ever waged,” Ted recounted. “It was then that my father decided that I pursue a new life in the United States, away from politics back home. “All the while, my heart never left the Philippines. Even before I left, I promised myself I would return to continue what my father started.” First non-white president Ted stayed in San Francisco for 20 long years. He had a tough time at the beginning of his new life. “I started off doing odd jobs. I worked as a security guard, janitor and waiter in a pizza parlor. “I also guarded the heavy equipment in a construction site in San Francisco. Thievery was a problem in that kind of situation. We would sleep in a trailer. “I transferred to a construction firm because I found out it offered a bigger salary. But I didn’t know the technical aspects of construction. Once, I made a portable ladder, but it fell apart, for which I was scolded by the owner of the company. I was fired on my third day on the job. Too bad because it paid high.” Ted then decided to pursue another degree, one that would be more useful in the United States. He took up Human Resource Management, a four-year course at the University of California in Berkeley. When he finally entered the corporate world, his first job was as a clerk. It wasn’t long before he became Division President of Stewart Title Company, one of the largest underwriters in the world, with offices across the United States, and in some 80 countries around the globe. He was based in the San Francisco Bay Area. “I may have been the first non-white president,” he said. “And I was a division president for the whole of North America. I was the first Filipino to reach that level.” Of his trailblazing accomplishments, he shared, “I was able to bring cultural diversity to the company, which enhanced its value. I got the top post because I asked for a meeting with the president. I told him we were not diverse enough to appeal to the non-white clients, and there were many of them who were first-time home buyers. Then, I told him to make the rounds. He would see that none of the home buyers was white. They were of different ethnic groups. I told him that if he appointed me as vice president, I would give him multi-cultural buyers because I would appeal to them and they would be our first-time buyers. So, he appointed me, and one month later, he made me president.” As an adjunct, he lectured on the topic of title insurance and escrow procedures in several community colleges in and around the San Franciso Bay Area. Through it all, he chose to keep his Filipino citizenship. The ‘Railway President’ For all the successes he was enjoying, the Philippines beckoned. He felt he still had a mission to accomplish. “My father was surprised. He asked me why I would still want to go home when I was doing well in the States. I insisted, so I came back and I plunged into political life. I worked on difficult campaigns, like the one for Rodrigo Duterte.” Back to his first love and passion, the political arena, he was in his element and served as president of PDP LABAN in Olongapo City from 2016 to 2021. In 2022, he joined LAKAS-CMD as its local chairman. This engagement led to his original target, as his father had achieved in his lifetime — serving the people. This time, he would be appointed to key posts in the government. He became director of the Clark Board and Gulf Oil Philippines. He took his oath of office as chairman of the Philippine National Railways on 28 April 2023. It is a job in a government agency where he is confident “I could make a difference because I can see that President Bongbong Marcos is really intent on improving the railway system of the country. “On my part, I want to make a difference. I want to be able to contribute whatever I can to help the president to achieve that objective. I call him now the ‘Railway President’ because I consider him the father of the railway system in our country.” Of course, he noted that many plans have been formulated during the time of President Rodrigo Duterte. Moreover, he recognized that President Gloria Arroyo “navigated our country through the global crisis. I was in the United States when the global economic crisis happened, and the Philippines was one of the countries spared, and I give credit to her. The economic fundamentals were very strong during her time. Being an economist, she was there at the right time when the country needed her the most.” With President BBM at the helm, he is confident “we will be able to push through with our development plan and finish the projects we have started, like the North-South Commuter Railway, which is a 147-kilometer stretch from Clark to Laguna. We hope to have the dry run in 2026 and it will be fully operational in 2027.” He also looks forward to the completion of the Bicol South Long Haul project. He is equally hopeful for the North Long Haul, the Subic-Clark and the Mindanao railways. He clarified that “we are now talking with the proponents, while some negotiations are being undertaken.” Working boots and a hard hat It would seem that this successful insurance executive was out of place in the railway sector. He pointed out, though, that “coming from the outside, I have the technical advantage of being able to look outside the box. So, I’m looking at it from outside the box, looking in. I am able to see the problems that need to be fixed. Stoppage is one of the problems so we have a bus augmentation program. We will also deploy UV Express units. We are closely coordinating with the LTFRB to provide emergency alternative transportation.” On the other hand, his exposure to people of all backgrounds from his youth, being his father’s son, has given him the advantage of “knowing how it is to be one of the boys. Something that I also experienced in the United States. “When people ask me what my management style is, I tell them straight I like to go down to the ground. I like hands-on supervision. I want my hands to be dirty. If you open the trunk of my car, you will find my working boots and my hard hat. I enjoy going to the construction sites and seeing for myself the progress, the problems, whatever it is that needs to be attended to. “Finally I want those working in the field doing the most difficult tasks to be satisfied and never to be hungry. Gusto ko, busog sila lagi. I am not happy when I get invited by the constructors and I am honored with a feast-like lunch or dinner, and not knowing what the workers are eating. I am on a diet anyway, so I make sure that my hosts bring the food to where the workers are eating. I can only eat so much and I would rather that the workers and the staff are full and happy. I am vocal about my displeasure when the construction workers are not eating the same food that is served to me. I may not be able to invite them to where I am eating but I can have the food brought to them.” Smiling from heaven Without a doubt, the old man Atty. Teddy C. Macapagal is smiling happily from his heavenly perch. He had served his fellowmen well, but he had done right as well by raising a son who took after his heart, to whom service to the people and compassion for the less fortunate matter more than any personal gain. His father, according to Ted, “died a broken man at the young age of 63. But whatever he lacked in longevity and riches, he made up for it with his compassion for others, for the free legal services that he gave to the people of Olongapo. “If you didn’t have money, you went to him because he was generous with his time and expertise. He would even give you some cash to use for your transportation fare to go home. That was my father. “The people whom he helped in turn would come to our home and bring him gifts like eggs, fruits, fish, vegetables and native chickens that they raised in their backyards. My father accepted them all. When I came home and saw all this, I teased him and said that he should probably open a sari-sari store so he could resell them. “Of course, we had a good laugh. But beyond the laughter, we both knew in our hearts that doing good to one’s fellowmen is its own reward and nothing in this world can take the place of personal fulfillment for having put a smile on people’s faces because you somehow made their lives better. “I am grateful that I have been raised by such a great father.” The post Michael Ted Macapagal: Making tracks in public service appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»