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Joey de Leon kontra na gawing National Artist ang TVJ: ‘Ngek, WAG NA!’
MAY mga nagpu-push pala na kilalaning National Artist ang iconic showbiz trio na sina Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto at Joey de Leon. Ayon sa mga supporters ng TVJ, ito na raw ang tamang panahon na ibigay sa tatlong TV at movie icon ang naturang parangal dahil sa kanilang di matatawarang ambag sa entertainment industry. Bukod.....»»
Regine bet na bet gawing National Artist For Music, aprub kayo?
MGA ka-BANDERA, payag ba kayo sa panawagan ng mga fans na gawin nang National Artist for Music ang Asia’s Songbird na si Regine Velasquez? Ito ang isinusulong ngayon ng mga supporters at social media followers ng OPM legend at TV icon matapos niyang tanggapin ang kanyang award sa Billboard Philippines’ Women in Music. Talagang naging.....»»
Unmask NFA exec blocking documents – Laurel
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. is trying to unmask the official of the National Food Authority (NFA) who was allegedly blocking the release of documents to the Office of the Ombudsman......»»
DA chief orders transfer of suspended NFA supervisors’ authority
The transfer of authority of suspended warehouse supervisors of the National Food Authority has been ordered by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. yesterday as NFA facilities remain closed amid the suspension order of the Office of the Ombudsman......»»
Barrio boy Pedro Penduko becomes an urban warrior
The original Pedro Penduko was a comic book character created by the posthumously awarded National Artist for Literature Francisco V. Coching. Serialized in Liwayway, the Filipino magazine of choice in the mid-‘50s to ‘70s, Coching’s Penduko is an ordinary young man from the barrio who is bumbling and cowardly but also resourceful, quick-witted and pure-hearted. Lamentably, no prints are known to exist of the first Pedro Penduko film made by the great Gerry de Leon, National Artist for Film, who directed from a screenplay by Coching himself. Efren Reyes Sr. was the original actor who played Penduko on the silver screen. The second motion picture incarnation of Coching’s comic book character happened in the late ’70s, with the Philippines’ Bruce Lee counterpart Ramon Zamora as lead under Celso Ad Castillo’s direction. More recent incarnations include remakes that starred Janno Gibbs, plus the successful ABS-CBN series that catapulted Matt Evans to teen stardom. Pedro Penduko will once again be reborn this December with the Metro Manila Film Festival entry Penduko, starring Matteo Guidicelli as the iconic character and Jason Paul Laxamana writing and directing the film. Laxamana said he has uprooted Pedro Penduko from the barrio and made him an urban daily survivor. Guidicelli’s Penduko is now an everyday Juan in the city struggling to make ends meet because he does not want to follow the footsteps of his arbularyo father, Apo Tisot (John Arcilla), offering a millennial story of the main character journeying to find one’s self and the hero within. “Majority of people now have seen so many superheroes from Marvel, DC, Disney and the like. So, in this Penduko, we have expanded his story. The common threads in all the Penduko movies and TV show are its folklore and mythical elements. That is what we maintained in this film, but we added a fuller story to strengthen the folklore and magical elements.” Guidicelli, who said he was “overwhelmed and grateful” to be doing the role, trained hard to be physically fit, undergoing extensive arnis, eskrima and kali sessions with a Philippine martial arts master. He also worked closely with his acting coach Ruby Ruiz to get the character right, especially his feelings and sense of truth. “When I was presented the screenplay by direk Jason Paul, I was blown away,” recalled Guidicelli. “Anything and everything about Penduko, how he envisioned him to be and the world we are presenting in the movie, was in the script. And it was written in the old style, almost lyrical Tagalog. Nakaka-intimidate! As an actor, pag ganun ka-kumpleto na ‘yung ibinigay sa iyo (if you were given something that complete), you really need to bring your A-game.” Guidicelli is bullish about thebox-office prospects of his film. “It has been quite some time for an action-fantasy movie to be part of the annual MMFF. Aside from that, we have a gripping and relatable narrative. There are twists to the folklore and mythical creatures. Its sensibilities, passion and heart are truly Filipino.” Penduko is the first MMFF venture of Epik Studios and Sari-Sari Network Inc., in collaboration with Viva Films. It opens in cinemas this 25 December as an official MMFF entry. The post Barrio boy Pedro Penduko becomes an urban warrior appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Turkish city centenary holds special significance
Standing at the foot of the cliff overlooking Kemaliye, the golden statue of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the father of the nation, evokes the glorious past of this small town in eastern Turkey. Ataturk rewarded the loyalty of the town, nestled between the mountains and the sources of the Euphrates, by giving it his name ahead of creating the Turkish republic out of the ashes of the Ottoman Empire 100 years ago. “The whole country would have wanted to bear his name but he would never have accepted!” said retired hotelier Haci Omer Yalcinkayalar, referring to the modest nature of Ataturk, who will be celebrated on the nation’s anniversary on 29 October. General Mustafa Kemal, hero of the Dardanelles war against the Allies, in 1919 began confronting the Westerners who occupied the dismembered empire to found the independent nation he longed for. His forces found themselves nearing disaster at the gates of Ankara in 1921 when he received a telegram from Egin, a trading town at the crossroads of Anatolia and the Caucasus, with an Armenian population. The telegram read: “Dear Pasha, we have 500 horsemen ready to leave at your command,” recounted Yalcinkayalar. Situated on the caravan routes heading towards Baghdad, Iran and Georgia, the town was prosperous. This is evidenced by the persisting stone and wooden houses that were built along the steep slopes of the mountainside, which town authorities requested to be classified as a UNESCO world heritage site. The entire district had around 20,000 inhabitants including some 6,000 in Kemaliye itself in Ataturk’s time, compared with 1,500 residents today. “In the end, they didn’t have to do it,” Yalcinkayalar said of the offer to send horsemen. But Ataturk did not forget the gesture and, a year later, he wrote to the Egin municipal council to offer his name. “It was given to us as a gift,” said the 73-year-old who has devoted his retirement to his town’s history. “It honors us: With the republic, we joined the civilized world.” Kemaliye has been home to many celebrations including concerts, football tournaments and banquets on every October 29 since the birth of the republic in 1923. In Guzide Tufekci’s family, the story is passed down with enthusiasm: The 60-year-old former literature professor, an enthusiastic Kemalist, recalled what Turkish women owe to Ataturk and the republic. “He opened the way for enlightened Turkish women, intellectuals, to have access to education, to have a profession. We’re proud of him,” she said. Facing a small train station that has served Kemaliye since 1938, a modest cafe is decorated like a museum. Erdal Erdurk, 59, has hung portraits of Ataturk on all the walls — in color, in black and white, in a soldier’s uniform, in a tuxedo or wearing his Astrakhan hat — and hung a huge red flag bearing his image above the entrance. WITH AFP The post Turkish city centenary holds special significance appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Anak Datu’ opens a rush of truth from ripples of trauma
A year after it premiered, Anak Datu is returning to the stage, opening the 37th season of Tanghalang Pilipino, the resident theater company of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. When it debuted, it immediately became a landmark production in several ways. It was one of the first plays to be mounted with a live audience after the lockdowns and restrictions of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 and 2021. And it was the first play to be staged at the newly opened CCP Black Box Theater or Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez. Anak Datu is one of the few plays on the Tausug and Moro people and cultures of Mindanao, portrayed with marked sensitivity and apparent diligence. It was lauded by critics and audiences, with former Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo as one of the prominent people who trooped to CCP to watch the play on 1 October 2022. The play went on to win six awards at the 13th Gawad Buhay and five at the 35th Aliw Awards. [caption id="attachment_192618" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] the tausug pangalay dance is incorporated into the play.[/caption] Fine-tuned production Despite the accolades and being one of the most important theatrical events in 2022, the play was faulted by some for what was seen as its confusing storytelling, its shifts in timeline and milieus, and the cumbersome sets. The second staging afforded the creative team the opportunity to fine-tune these and other aspects of the production. According to director Chris Millado, former CCP vice president and artistic director, they were able to make the storytelling clearer and supply an elevated platform to make the designs of the light projections more visible. For Dennis N. Marasigan, current CCP vice president and artistic director, “[o]n its rerun, Tanghalang Pilipino's Anak Datu is tighter, its storytelling and technical aspects clearer and crisper, and its staging even more affecting, effectively overlaying story, myth and history.” The restaging marks another milestone in the journey of the play, which started in 2018 from talks that artist Toym Imao, son of the late National Artist for visual arts Abdulmari Asia Imao, had with Millado and veteran actor and TP artistic director Fernando “Nanding” Josef about making a stage adaptation of the elder Imao’s short story for children, written in 1968, the year Toym was born. The team recruited award-winning playwright Rody Vera to write the script. The plan became more concrete when Josef decided to make the project TP’s first original play after the pandemic lockdowns. By then, the play has evolved into something larger than the original story. Serving as Anak Datu’s set designer, Imao recalled the anxieties they felt during the first stages of production, especially the prospect of one of them getting sick and shutting down the show. “But we were able to tell an essential story that was important, especially for a nation that was coming out of the devastating election of May 2022 for a lot of people. It is something important for us na nakapagkuwento kami (we were able to tell a story),” he said. [caption id="attachment_192619" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Ramli Abdurahim as the pirate Jikiran.[/caption] Three stories Anak Datu tells three stories — Toym’s childhood with his father (Paul Jake Paule) and mother, Grace de Leon (Toni Go-Yadao); his father’s short story; and the recent history of his father’s people, the Muslim Tausug in Sulu Archipelago and the Moro, the collective Muslim ethnic groups, of Mindanao. The Imao family portion shows Toymie (Carlos Dala) growing up with Voltes V and other preoccupations of middle-class children in Metro Manila. Then there is the story of the disputed 1968 Jabidah Massacre, told through Jibin Arula (Gie Onida), the lone survivor — how young Tausug men, mostly illiterate, were recruited by the military, transferred to Corregidor and then massacred upon the discovery of a suspicious plot. Also dramatized is the 1974 Palimbang Massacre, in which the military allegedly murdered more a thousand Moro men inside the Malisbong masjid in the province of Sultan Kudarat, while 3,000 women and children were detained and about 300 homes were burned down. These incidents were said to have sparked the conflicts and armed struggle in Mindanao that would scar the region for decades. Along with the contemporary scenes is the retelling of the short story Anak Datu, set in a pre-colonial time and rendered in mythical mode, combining both the familial and the tragic. The Tausug village of datu Karim (Hassanain Magarang) and his wife Putli Loling (Tex Ordoñez-De Leon and Lhorvie Nuevo) is attacked by pirates, led by Jikiran (Ramli Abdurahim), who kidnaps the pregnant Putli Loling. She gives birth to Karim, who grows up knowing Jikiran as his father but later learns the truth. [caption id="attachment_192620" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] Artist Toym Imao taking a picture with the cast and creative team.[/caption] Graceful movements All throughout, the play shifts among these threads of stories, each one compelling and multi-layered. Counterbalancing the oral storytelling is the dramatization through graceful movements, choregraphed by Magarang using the pangalay or Tausug traditional dance, a shared art form with the Yakan (pamansak) and Sama (igal) peoples, thus rendering the stories more visual and adding allure and distinctive cultural flavor to the play. The dances are accompanied by a live kulintangan or gong ensemble. The stark interiors of the theater come alive and burst with colors courtesy of the lighting by Katsch Catoy and projection design of GA Fallarme, who uses Abdulmari Imao’s paintings and traditional Tausug and Meranaw motifs such as the okir as inspirations. Toym’s set pieces are highly movable to keep up with the constant shifts in storytelling, and the bigger ones are like art installations, contributing to the visual richness of the production. Harnessing memory, myth and history, Anak Datu is able to weave its stories into an enthralling whole, establishing interconnectedness and consolidating the story of a person, a family and a community into the very story of a nation, like three or more streams converging into a great river. Tanghalang Pilipino’s Anak Datu runs 29 September to 15 October at Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (CCP Black Box Theater). The post ‘Anak Datu’ opens a rush of truth from ripples of trauma appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PhlPost launches PSA anniversary stamps
PhlPost Postmaster General Luis D. Carlos and Undersecretary Claire Dennis S. Mapa, Philippine Statistics Authority National Statistician and Civil-Registrar General PSA) will soon unveil the commemorative stamps to celebrate a decade of genuine public service with the theme: “PSA @ 10 Providing Quality Services through Digital Transformation.” The PSA was created by virtue of Republic Act 10625, otherwise known as the Philippine Statistical Act of 2013 dated 12 September 2013 and with mandates that are enhanced and expanded by the establishment of the Philippine Identification System pursuant to RA 11315 or the Community-Based Monitoring System Act. The CBMS is a data collection and analysis system that uses volunteers to collect data from households in rural and urban areas. The data collected through CBMS is used to track progress in various development indicators, such as poverty, education, and health. The PSA is responsible for the implementation of the Civil Registration System for registering births, deaths, marriages, and other vital events. The CRS data is used to track population trends and to issue birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage certificates. The PSA is also the implementing agency in charge of the PhilID which is being issued as identification cards to all Filipinos. The PhilID card is used to verify identity and to access government services. The PSA commemorative stamp features the agency’s 10th anniversary logo and the imposing façade of the PSA main building to celebrate its achievements over the past decade. It also emphasizes the agency’s enhanced cooperation and partnerships with other government agencies and local government units. PHLPost has printed 40,000 copies of the stamps to be sold at P16 each. In house graphic artist Eunice Beatrix Dabu layout the stamps. The PSA 10th Anniversary Commemorative Stamps will be available soon at SM City Manila Postal Counter. The post PhlPost launches PSA anniversary stamps appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
A history of storytelling through art collections
Narrative art is art that tells a story. It uses visual images of a sequence of events unfolding over time or an ongoing story to evoke emotions and capture one’s aspirations or culture. Narrative art preserves the past for future generations across diverse cultures. One of the country’s top bankers, Edwin Bautista, president of Union Bank of the Philippines, and his wife, professor Aileen Beltrano Bautista, debuted their private collections at the Salcedo Auctions titled Private Art, Public Lives, featuring A Passion for Connections: Objects and their narratives from Edwin and Aileen Bautista collection. “It’s a full story,” said Edwin when asked about the collections’ narrative. “The exhibit starts with the pre-colonial era. Basically, (Ferdinand) Magellan. There’s a portion that shows trade with China. Some ceramic pieces and gold pieces of jewelry that ancient Filipinos wore. This is like telling the story of how life was before the Spaniards came. That portion ends with the arrival of Magellan and his death at the Battle of Mactan.” The Bautistas’ collection of pre-colonial art pieces illustrating historical events of life before the Western World discovered the Philippines brings our imagination to life and provides us insights into our ancestors’ sophisticated artistry and rich culture. Philippine birth certificate An interesting collection is the map section that tells the story of the Philippines through maps and how the Philippines was seen in the eyes of the Western World. The collections trace the evolution of the Philippines through maps, Edwin said. The first Philippine map, which is also called the Birth Certificate of the Philippines, shows the first time the whole archipelago was officially named the “Philippines.” According to Edwin, there are only about three or four copies of that map. Some of the original maps do not show the island of Luzon. “Remember it was only after the third expedition of (Miguel Lopez de) Legazpi that the Spaniards landed in Luzon. Before him, there was only the Visayas. So you have Magellan and then Villalobos.” One of the most important collections in that section is the Murillo Velarde map or the Carta Hydrographica y Chorographica de las Islas Filipinas (Hydrographical and Chorographical Chart of the Philippine Islands). The map was the first map made in the Philippines and first published in Manila in 1734 by the Jesuit cartographer Pedro Murillo Velarde, the engraver Nicolás de la Cruz Bagay and the artist Francisco Suárez. The Velardo map played a critical role in the Philippines case in The Hague for our claim over the West Philippine Sea islands as the 1734 map showed that the Spratly Islands, named Los Bajos de Paragua, and Scarborough Shoal, named Panacot, were part of “Las Islas Filipinas” constituting the Philippine archipelago during the Spanish regime. There were also old Philippine flags captured by the American soldiers during the Philippine-American war. But Bautista traced most of them and bought them from private collectors. Personal collections Edwin said all of the art pieces in the exhibit were from his and his wife’s own collection. They did not even know most of the artworks existed before they started their collection. His passion for the arts was ignited when he started collecting amulets (anting-anting). “My focus then was how to make the narrative full. It’s easy to collect amulets because there is an organized group of Filipinos who believe in them.” As for the source, he used to scour eBay, visit auction houses or even get tips from Buddhists and other religious groups. But for the Salcedo Auction exhibit, the Bautista couple commissioned well-known playwright and director Floy Quintos, who also owns the Art Gallery Deus in Manila. Floy shared: “The exhibition begins with two large ivory corpus that embody the very pinnacle of both Filipino craftsmanship and spirituality. It ends with contemporary folk amulets and carvings that speak for the enduring, resilient folk spirit of the Pinoy.” “In between these objects, many narratives have unfolded. The range of objects offers perspective and insights into our history, spirituality and creativity. The collection of Edwin and Aileen Bautista brings all these objects together to tell a story of our evolving nationhood. “From the blood, sweat, tears and passion of Edwin and Aileen Bautista comes the art collections worth preserving. The art pieces are the stars of our history, but the collectors connect all their stories to create a wonderful narrative. They inspire, educate and even entertain the public with their passion for the arts and gripping perspectives on our history and heritage.” The post A history of storytelling through art collections appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
How ‘Here Lies Love’ co-producer found his mark on Broadway
When Here Lies Love, the hit musical about former First Lady Imelda Marcos, made history by debuting on Broadway debut with an all-Filipino last July, one of its co-producers, Don Michael H. Mendoza, also reached a career milestone. His goal of putting his name on a Broadway show before turning 40 came true now that he’s 34. [caption id="attachment_172743" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Don Michael Mendoza with Daily Tribune’s (from left) Dinah Ventura, Jojo G. Silvestre, Gigie Arcilla, Vangie Reyes, Marc Reyes, Raffy Ayeng, Gibbs Cadiz and Nick Giongco.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_172742" align="aligncenter" width="525"] ‘Always ask for what you want because the worst that can come back is a no.’ | Photographs Courtesy of Daily Tribune.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_172741" align="aligncenter" width="525"] DON Mike Mendoza with Daily Tribune’s Jojo G. Silvestre and Dinah Ventura.[/caption] It happened, and it’s not just any show. It’s the first Filipino musical on Broadway,” he tells Daily Tribune’s Dinah Ventura and Jojo Silvestre in an interview on their online show Pairfect. “It’s very important to me because a lot of my career is based on the idea of D,E & I — diversity, equity and inclusion — especially in a country like America that’s a melting pot. “It’s very important to make sure that unrepresented voices and communities are brought to the front. To be part of that, for me personally, is an incredible honor because it’s exactly aligned with how I live my professional life every day, every year.” “For the Fil-Am community,” he adds, “I think it’s important for people to see themselves in that arena, whether be as a producer, an actor, or a stagehand, or on the creative team as an assistant director. You know, it says a lot when someone tries to reach that can see themselves in a role that they want to achieve. “Because for a long time, my role models were very few. They’re mostly Americans, they’re white people. And I wanted to be an actor and my only acting influences in the media was Paolo Montalban. He was in Cinderella, American Adobo… He’s now a friend — which is amazing! But I didn’t really have many role models. So, to our community, both Filipino and Fil-Am, they can now look at this production and say, whatever they feel is their career path, ‘I can do it, too.’ So, it’s very powerful.” Beginnings Don Michael Hodreal Mendoza, nicknamed Don Mike, was born in Washington D.C., the capital city of the United States, to immigrant parents. His father Donald Mendoza’s family hails from Cavite and is involved in local politics. His mother Maria Leonila Hodreal has families in Marinduque (maternal side) and Bicol (paternal side). His grandfather Querubin Hodreal created what is now known as the Easy Rock Manila radio station. “My mom, who’s part of that legacy, says even though we’re in the States I somehow ended up doing what our family does, in entertainment and media,” he says, beaming. From Washington D.C., Mendoza’s nuclear family moved to the city of Pittsburgh in the Pennsylvania state, where he grew up. “But I was also raised here in Manila, in Ayala Alabang, for a couple of years,” he points out. He was then between the ages of six and eight, also starting his education at Montessori Manila in BF Homes. “We’re lucky we’re able to come home a lot, so even though I grew up on majority in America, we’d come home every other year.” That explains why he also has exposure and gets inspiration from Filipino movies and entertainment. Mendoza started performing in school plays and high school musicals “for fun.” For college, though, he “needed to study that wasn’t the arts because immigrant families want you to do something that makes money in their eyes.” So he took up broadcast journalism and political science at the American University in D.C. But he didn’t like political science, so he dropped it and added musical theater to his studies without telling his parents until he got into the program. After graduation, he was torn between two goals: becoming a Broadway actor like Jose Llana, who currently plays the late President Ferdinand Marcos in Here Lies Love, and becoming the “Filipino Anderson Cooper.” He ended up staying in D.C with a job in marketing, which eventually became his master’s degree. Mendoza started auditioning and trying to get into shows. “But I wasn’t getting cast the way I wanted to,” he recalls, “because it’s very hard for a Filipino, an Asian male actor to get parts, unless you decided to be in Miss Saigon, which was one of the only very few shows that hire Asian people. So, I kinda fell into producing.” That was when he met a fellow Fil-Am, Regie Cabico, who’s 20 years older than him and became his mentor. He remembers Cabico telling him, “The way to be successful for someone like us in the arts is to start your own opportunities.” Thus, the birth, in 2012, of their company, La Ti Do, which is into production of cabarets and concerts. “I met so many people and worked with so many actors and performers without knowing it’s producing,” he says, smiling at the memory. “I just realized producing means organizing. It means you’re in charge, you’re putting things together and hire people. In those 10 years, I was able to produce small musicals and concerts and special events.” He then put up his own DMH Mendoza Productions, which has La Ti Do as its cabaret-concert arm, to allow him to “produce bigger and more incredible things.” For starters, he produced the off-Broadway play Hazing U that tackles violence in fraternities. Around that time, February 2023, he heard about Here Lies Love being restaged, this time on Broadway. The musical created by David Byrne and Fatboy Slim originally premiered off-Broadway in 2013 at The Public Theater in New York City. A year later, it moved to the Royal National Theater in London, England, and then was restaged at Seattle Repertory Theater in the US in 2017. Mendoza admits with regret that he missed seeing Here Lies Love’s off-Broadway premiere and thought he’d never see it ever again “just because Filipino things don’t usually last very long in America.” So when he heard it was coming to Broadway, he basically called everybody he knew who’s involved in the production to ask how he could help. “I wasn’t really looking for a producer stature,” he says. “I said to many people I’m willing to sell t-shirts in the lobby just to support this show.” It turned out his good friend Lora Nicolas Olaes, who he stayed with in New York, was in the first workshop of the show in 2011, and she personally knows one of the lead producers, Clint Ramos. Olaes then connected Mendoza and Ramos via email, which led to Mendoza joining the Here Lies Love production team. “I’m still having trouble today saying I’m a co-producer. I’m so used to just doing rather than labeling,” he says. “It’s been a wild ride from then till now. I don’t regret any of it. It’s been the best experience so far.” He then shares that having an all-Filipino cast and a predominantly Filipino production team is very important for the lead producers. Two of the five are Filipino: Clint Ramos, a Tony award-winning costume designer, and Jose Antonio Vargas, a Pulitzer prize-winning journalist. This extends to other producers, such as Hal Luftig, Diana DiMenna and Patrick Catullo, as well as to musical writers David Byrne and Fatboy Slim. “They wanted to reach beyond the cast and make sure that the show is escorted into Broadway by Filipinos because it’s a Filipino story,” Mendoza points out. Aside from Llana, the main cast is made up of Arielle Jacobs (as Imelda) and Conrad Ricamora as (Ninoy Aquino), with Lea Salonga (as Ninoy’s mother Aurora) in a limited run until 19 August. “It’s beyond the cast. So our creative team, our production team, our stagehands, everybody. Even our house staff, some of them are Filipinos. We really wanted to make a mark on Broadway. That’s how it came about. So that was an early decision. Because the off-Broadway production was mixed. It was not all-Filipino. It had Ruthie Ann Miles as Imelda. She’s not Filipino. It was hard to move from her and bring in Arielle Jacobs, who is just as amazing, but, you know, it was very important for the team to be culturally accurate. Because it’s our story.” “It’s our show,” he reiterates. “Let’s bring it to the world. Our people are playing themselves. I’ve said this in an interview: The general public is trained to love Filipino as other ethnicities. This is the first time we’re training them to love us, Filipinos, as ourselves.” Musical textbook Mendoza’s fellow co-producers include Salonga and Fil-Am celebrities like comedian Jo Koy, musical artist H.E.R. and rapper Apl.de.ap. “Our show is a musical textbook,” he explains. “It’s a musical built around facts, what happened historically during her lifetime. Our whole goal for the show is to present to you what happened with, of course, entertainment attached to it. There’s a misconception that it’s a documentary. It is not. It’s musical theater. It’s supposed to be fun. You see what happened. “We empower our audience to make their own decision. We don’t tell them, ‘This was a bad person. This was a good person.’ Here’s what this person did in their life and how she was affected by her surroundings, and go home and do the research. You figure it out. We liken it to giving someone a Zip file of Philippine history in the 21th century and you go home and unzip the Zip file to get into the details. “But we give you an overview. It’s really up to the audience when they leave the show. I know it’s the goal of our writers and directors to not impose an opinion. We’re just here to entertain and make you learn. When you leave, it’s up to you.” Mendoza happily reports that Here Lies Love is being received “very well.” He adds, “The critics have come and said really wonderful about the show, especially the ones we’re nervous about, like the New York Times, or The Washington Post, or the Wall Street Journal. It trickles down to everyone who’s seen the show. I think we’re so proud and excited that it’s well-received. Audience members love it, they keep coming back.” He also notes that audiences are “pretty diverse. You see Filipinos, you see Americans, you see visitors. It’s really a big hodge-podge of different people. We’re happy about that, too. It’s not biased to just one community.” Indeed, Mendoza is living his dream and he has this piece of audience for the younger generation who also hopes to break into theater or arts in general: “Always ask for what you want because the worst that can come back is a no.” He then shares what she’s picked up from Kris Jenner: “If somebody says no to you, you’re asking the wrong person. Keeping asking for what you want. Not just manifesting, but really it’s just speaking up. Nobody can read your mind. Nobody can see what’s happening in your mind and in your heart. So if you express it, you ask and you’ll get there. It may not happen in the timing that you want, but it will happen if you keep pushing.” The post How ‘Here Lies Love’ co-producer found his mark on Broadway appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
The blue plaques of London: An overlooked embellishment
Ask any visitor to London or a resident of the United Kingdom, they all have their all-time treasured landmarks or favored activities. From the regal Buckingham Palace to the historic Tower of London, to the dramatic Changing of the Guard Ceremony and the revered British Museum with a collection of over 8 million works, they form a core part or a nucleus of London’s history and heritage. Not to mention the vibrant West End plays and musicals, the exhibits and concerts in opulent palaces and well-attended halls, or even the red double decker buses and the Hackney carriages, fondly known as the London black cabs, which spice up the truly UK experience. For foodies, they often bring up English Roast Beef, Shepherd’s Pie and Fish and Chips, which are go-to must-have dishes while in town. Despite these hallmarks of culture and tradition — either permanent, mobile or edible — somehow, I wonder why my thoughts keep on wondering and wandering back to the Blue Plaques of London! Each 20-inch round badge of recognition with blue background and white lettering, features the name, the year of birth and death, plus their relationship with the abode where it is erected. These are commemorations which invite the passersby to delve into the lives of its illustrious past inhabitants. Affixed to the facades of buildings, it whispers fascinating tales of extraordinary individuals who have shaped London’s identity over the centuries. Meticulously administered by the charity English Heritage, the plaques have since become synonymous with historical preservation. The origins of this iconic tradition can be traced back to 1866 when the Society of Arts, now known as the Royal Society of Arts, initiated the concept of memorial plaques. The idea fully took off in 1867, when the first Blue Plaque was installed at the birthplace of English Poet Lord Byron, at 24 Holles Street. This inaugural plaque set the stage for an enduring legacy of remembrance. These more-than-just-nameplates signify stories of exceptional individuals who have contributed to various fields of human endeavor. From renowned artists and writers to groundbreaking scientists and social reformers, the Blue Plaques celebrate the diverse accomplishments that have shaped London’s cultural, scientific, and intellectual landscapes. The process of awarding is rigorous and impartial. A committee of historians, experts, and representatives from English Heritage carefully considers nominations, ensuring that the candidates recognized have made a significant impact on society. The concerned individual must have been dead for 20 years or passed the centenary of their birth, be esteemed by peers of their field or have greatly aided humanity, plus have worked or lived in the pertinent building. Foreigners and overseas visitors are likewise included in the selection process. To be honored is akin to a major laurel, being immortalized in history. Though major names are always a standout, the council remembers lesser-known figures who have made a significant impact in their respective arenas, to include suffragettes and social reformers to musicians and architects. While residing in the city for more than a decade, I played a self-made game where I challenged myself to know more about the personalities whose plates I usually passed by. Walk with me through some notable figures who have been engraved on these memorial medallions: [caption id="attachment_155031" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Photograph courtesy of creative commons/Simon Harriyott (CC BY 2.0)Charles Babbage’s plaque.[/caption] Charles Babbage (1791 — 1871) A mathematician and astronomer, he is considered by some as the father of the computer. The plaque is located at Dorset Street, Corner of Larcom Street and Walworth Road. Harold Bride (1890 —1956) He was the wireless operator aboard the RMS Titanic during her ill-fated maiden voyage. He relayed messages to ships in the vicinity which allowed survivors to be rescued. He remained at his post until the vessel lost power. His is situated at 58 Ravensbourne Avenue, Shortlands, Bromley. Anne Brontë (1820 — 1849) She was an English novelist and poet and the youngest member of the Brontë literary family. She authored The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, considered one of the first feminist novels. Hers is positioned at Grand Hotel, Scarborough, North Yorkshire. Charlie Chaplin (1889 — 1977) A comic actor and filmmaker, he is one of the masters of silent film and is treated as one of the most important figures in the industry’s history. His medal is posted at 39 Methley Street, Kennington, London. Sir Henry Cooper OBE KSG (1934 — 2011) Undefeated in the British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles for three years, he is the only boxer to have been awarded a knighthood. Spot his at 4 Ealing Road, Wembley. [caption id="attachment_155033" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Photograph courtesy of creative commons/Simon Harriyott (CC BY 2.0)SIR Arthur Conan Doyle’s plaque.[/caption] Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859 — 1930) A writer and physician, he is more popularly known as the creator of the pop culture character Sherlock Holmes, who has impacted the crime fiction scene since his conception. Sir Doyle’s green plaque — an updated color scheme — is found at 2 Upper Wimpole Street. John F. Kennedy (1917 — 1963) Better known as JFK, he served as the 35th president of the United States from 1961 until his untimely assassination. His tribute is on 14 Princes Gate, London, where the family lived when the patriarch served as the American Ambassador to the Court of Saint James. Karl Marx (1818 — 1883) The German-born philosopher is behind the 1848 pamphlet The Communist Manifesto and Das Kapital, which are defining pieces in the school of socialism and communism. His recollection is on 101-8 Maitland Park Road. [caption id="attachment_155035" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Photograph courtesy of creative commons/JOHN YUGIN (CC BY 4.0)KARL Marx plaque.[/caption] Sir Joseph Paxton (1803–1865) He is the architect behind The Crystal Palace, which housed the Great Exhibition of 1851. He likewise cultivated the Cavendish banana, the most consumed banana in the Western world. His memento is on Chatsworth Estate, Derbyshire. J. R. R. Tolkien (1892–1973) The one and only man behind the wildly popular Lord of the Rings books, which revitalized the fantasy genre and inspired many a writer to pick up a pen. His one of four — that’s right, he has a total of five — souvenirs may be seen at Sarehole Mill, Hall Green, Birmingham. Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804–1864) An American novelist and short story writer, he is most known for the groundbreaking novel The Scarlet Letter. You can find him on 4 Pond Road, Blackheath. [caption id="attachment_155034" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Photograph courtesy of creative commons/Spudgun67 (CC BY SA-4.0)NATHANIEL Hawthorne plaque.[/caption] Vincent van Gogh (1853–1890) A Dutch Post-Impressionist painter who is respected as one of the most influential figures in the history of art. His token may be seen at 87 Hackford Road, South Lambeth. [caption id="attachment_155028" align="aligncenter" width="525"] PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF CREATIVE COMMONS/Spudgun67 (CC BY-SA 4.0)Vincent Van Gogh’s plaque.[/caption] Jose Rizal (1861-1896) How could we ever forget the Philippine National Hero’s very own recognition? His acknowledgment may be explored at Chatsworth Estate, Derbyshire, 37 Chalcot Crescent, Belsize Park, London, where he lived as he fended off criticisms on his character and the revolutionary Noli Me Tangere. [caption id="attachment_155027" align="aligncenter" width="525"] PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF CREATIVE COMMONS/Spudgun67 (CC BY-SA 4.0)Jose Rizal’s plaque.[/caption] The post The blue plaques of London: An overlooked embellishment appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Maligning Miong
In most countries, the national hero is the one outstanding warrior who fought against foreign domination and gave birth to their nation. Thus, the United States has Gen. George Washington. Gen. Simon Bolivar was the leader who was responsible for the liberation of what was then Gran Columbia from the Spanish Empire, thus giving rise to several nations, one of which (Venezuela) named its currency in his honor. In Mexico, it is Benito Juarez, who fought both against the Spanish colonizers and then French invaders. Spain itself exalts the knight El Cid (Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar), who played a pivotal role in the Reconquista, the freeing of the Iberian Peninsula from Moorish control. I could go on and on, but I only have 650 words. This is why the Philippines is some sort of an aberration in that we have an assimilationist — Jose Rizal — as our national hero. To be sure, he was of towering intellect, and a true Renaissance Man: A great writer who produced some of our greatest literature in Spanish, a physical culturist and sportsman, a doctor, and an artist. But he was for greater participation of Las Islas Filipinas in Spanish political life: More autonomy, representation in the Spanish Cortes, among others, and not independence. And at a crucial point in our history, when the Revolution was about to reach critical mass he was on his way to Cuba to serve the Spanish forces fighting against the Cuban revolutionaries. Even more bizarre is the way by which it has become fashionable for some historians, for the past decade or so, to be bashing the leader of the Philippine Revolution, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo. Aguinaldo was — as we all know — the first President of the Philippine Republic who liberated Cavite Province first, and then several other provinces from Spain that later formed the core of the first republic in Asia. Worse, this vilification of Aguinaldo is always coupled with the exaltation of Andres Bonifacio as the epitome of what a revolutionary should be. Born of humble stock, Bonifacio was supposed to have transcended his origins and formed a proletarian society (the KKK) that catalyzed our independence. This was the same movement that was purportedly betrayed by Aguinaldo, first by supplanting it with a bourgeois leadership and later, by ordering the death of Bonifacio. Some even go so far as saying that Bonifacio was the first President, never mind if his rebels in Manila hardly constituted a government by any standard. In fact, the KKK in Manila was practically wiped out on 30 August 1896 in an attack on the polverin in San Juan. In contrast, at about the same time, Aguinaldo was going from strength to strength in the liberation of Cavite Province. Our history needs serious reexamination from serious historians to fix serious misconceptions that are harming our psyche as a nation. Maligning General Miong is not the way to do it. The post Maligning Miong appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ishawna, Ed Sheeran team up for dancehall track
Ishawna, one of the leading voices of a new generation of female dancehall artists, has teamed up with Ed Sheeran for the “Brace It” music video, Ed’s first official dancehall collaboration. Written by Cordel “Skatta” Burrell, Ed Sheeran and Ishawna with top Jamaican producers behind the production, the modern dancehall hit “Brace It” sees Ishawna officially induct Ed Sheeran into the dancehall fraternity. The track has topped the iTunes Reggae Chart and racked up over 6 million streams. Directed by Filmheads Cuban director Jose-Emilio Sagaro (Bad Bunny, J Balvin, Anuel AA), the official music video was filmed between London and Miami, mirroring the stars’ long-distance friendship. Their collaboration came together after Sheeran fell in love with Ishawna’s “Equal Rights” cover of his single “Shape of You” while he was in the Caribbean in 2017. The two began interacting over social media, leading to Ishawna sharing another track she was working on. Ed loved it and immediately sent an instrumental and blueprint idea which Ishawna blended into an eclectic mix of strumming guitar and old school dancehall rhythms, thus giving birth to “Brace It.” Representing a turning point in Ishawna’s career, the “Brace It” music video is her first official release on Payday Records and marks the beginning of a series of new music releases for the artist set for 2023. The post Ishawna, Ed Sheeran team up for dancehall track appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘All eyes’ on Albert Kurniawan
June is a significant time for our friends in the LGBTQIA+ community. It’s Pride Month, an “annual celebration of the many contributions made by the LGBTQ+ community to history, society and cultures worldwide,” according to History.com. Among their many notable contributions to society is their artistry in cosmetics. Think Drag Queens like Drag Race Philippines winner Precious Paula Nicole, Drag Den Philippines winner NAIA Black and their show sisters who displayed their astonishing talents of shape-shifting through makeup. There are also members of the community who established their own makeup lines with inclusivity as one of its core values. Enter Albert Kurniawan, makeup artist and founder of Téviant. [caption id="attachment_139387" align="aligncenter" width="525"] KURNIAWAN applies brow tint to his model.[/caption] Born and raised in Indonesia, Albert flew to the Philippines 15 years ago in search of his purpose in life. And he found his purpose through makeup artistry. Since then, he has established himself as one of the most sought-after makeup artists in the country. However, it wasn’t a smooth journey at the beginning. Arriving in a country without knowing the language or knowing anyone was a struggle, but his peers welcomed him with open arms. Albert’s first brush with cosmetics started when he struggled to look for faux lashes that fit his taste. He took matters into his own hands when he visited a factory, hand-weaved his own sets and shared them with his co-makeup artists. It was a light bulb moment for him to put up his own business. While he slowly found success in his business, he felt something was still missing. “I was having an anxiety so I decided to take a break for a while,” he said. “I was in Milan having dinner when I saw a girl I used to work with. I didn’t remember her at first so she introduced herself to me and told me she follows me on Instagram. She then asked me why don’t I open my own makeup line,” Albert recounted. He continued: “I was on the other side of the globe, a stranger approached me and gave me an opportunity. She worked with a good factory and tried to put my name on the lineup of new clients.” Thus, the birth of Téviant in 2018. It was officially launched in 2019. The brand name was inspired by his mother Tevianty, whom he watched putting makeup on while growing up. Téviant’s products are the Multi-Glaze, a versatile and easy-to-use eyeshadow pen duo with two formulas that can help achieve subtle to full glam eyes; and the Brow Tint, a four-pronged, super fine eyebrow liner that creates hair-like strokes on the brows to produce a 3D microbladed look. [caption id="attachment_139388" align="aligncenter" width="525"] MULTI-GLAZE eyeshadow.[/caption] Aside from being a business, Téviant is also Albert’s love letter to the people who welcomed him in the Philippines. It’s also his way of empowering Filipinos “in all possible ways.” Each product is meticulously developed and made in Europe. Available in teviantbeauty.com, department store counters, Look branches, Lazada, Shopee, Zalora, BeautyMNL, Edamama and TikTok Shop. The post ‘All eyes’ on Albert Kurniawan appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Top 5 Sarah Geronimo Movies to Watch
JULY has always been one of my favorite months. It reminds me of the best summers I’ve had abroad, school is over and of course one of my favorite artist’s birth month. Sarah Geronimo, the person extraordinaire that she is born on the month of July. To celebrate her birth month, I have chosen my top […] The post Top 5 Sarah Geronimo Movies to Watch appeared first on Pinoy Parazzi......»»
Sen. Grace Poe marks FPJ& rsquo;s 81st birth anniversary
Sen. Grace Poe commemorated the 81st birth anniversary of her father, the late National Artist Fernando Poe Jr., with donations of 50 tablets to help needy students cope with the shift to online and blended learning amid the COVID-19 pandemic......»»
PNVF forms coaching staff for world meet
Seasoned coach Dante Alinsunurin will make a comeback as one of the deputies for the national men’s team as host Philippines pulls out all the stops to parade a competitive squad against the best of the best in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championships 2025......»»
PH media slam Chinese foreign ministry’s claims of manipulating WPS reports
Philippine media groups criticized the Chinese foreign ministry for suggesting that recent reports on Chinese harassment of Filipino vessels in the West Philippine Sea involved video manipulation and sensationalism to portray the Philippines as a victim. The Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (Focap) and National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) expressed offense.....»»
Baltimore bridge accident: Freighter pilot called for tugboat help before plowing into bridge
BALTIMORE — The pilot of the cargo freighter had radioed for tugboat help and reported a power loss minutes before the Baltimore bridge accident, federal safety officials said on Wednesday, citing audio from the ship’s “black box” data recorder. The head of the National Transportation Safety Board also said that Francis Scott Key Bridge, a.....»»
China: PH is ‘straying down a dangerous path’
MANILA, Philippines — China continued to blame the Philippines and its ally, the United States, for the continued tensions in the disputed West Philippine Sea. In a statement on Thursday, Chinese Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Wu Qian warned that the Philippines is going down a dangerous path. READ: No letup in Chinese water cannon attacks.....»»