We are sorry, the requested page does not exist
Chinese sci-fi steps into the spotlight
Once effectively banned, Chinese science fiction has exploded into the mainstream, embraced by the government and public alike –- inviting scrutiny of a genre that has become known for its expanding diversity and relative freedom. Its new status was epitomized by this week's Worldcon, the world's oldest and most influential sci-fi gathering, which closed Sunday after taking place in China for the first time. Held in the gleaming new Chengdu Science Fiction Museum, the event's star was Liu Cixin, author of the international phenomenon "Three-Body" series and inspiration for the domestic blockbuster "Wandering Earth". But the wider science fiction fandom has become a rare space where diverse voices have flourished and a vast array of issues -- social, environmental, even sometimes political -- can be explored. "In its nature, part of sci-fi is talking about the present," award-winning author Chen Qiufan told AFP. "It takes advantage of talking about outer space, or being set in different times, but reflects the human condition right now." Chen's own novel "The Waste Tide" is set in a dystopian future in China, where migrant e-waste workers toil in hazardous conditions, exploited by corrupt conglomerates. He grew up near Guiyu, once one of the largest e-waste dumps in the world. Ecological destruction, urbanization, social inequality, gender, and corruption, to name just a few –- "these issues are intersectional and intertwined with each other", said Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University's Liu Xi. Together, they "allow everyone to understand Chinese writers' exploration of Chinese society", she said. That can be rare to find in today's China, where the space for political and artistic expression has shrunk drastically over the last decade under President Xi Jinping. Spiritual pollution Historically, science fiction has had a turbulent relationship with Chinese authorities -– it effectively disappeared during the Cultural Revolution and then was banned as "spiritual pollution" in the 1980s. Though it returned, it remained relatively obscure. Writer Regina Kanyu Wang said it was only at university that she met other fans -- together they formed one of the smaller clubs on campus. Sci-fi was not taken seriously, and seen as something for children and young adults, Chen said. That had its advantages. "There was a lot of freedom... because nobody was reading science fiction, (authors) could just do whatever they wanted," the University of Zurich's Jessica Imbach told AFP. The global success of the "Three-Body" series changed everything, catapulting its epic themes of technological prowess and the fate of humanity into the public consciousness. "Whether you like science fiction or not, the social reality we are facing is becoming more and more like science fiction," said Yu Xuying from Hong Kong Metropolitan University. "We live in a high-tech era. And then your daily life is completely technological," she said. The pace of digital change in China, already fast, was accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic. Cash has all but disappeared, and stringent health regulations further enhanced the state's significant surveillance capacity. The international interest spike in Chinese sci-fi is also related to real-world concerns, Chen believes. "I think there are different layers of reasons for the phenomenon," he said. "But a major one is the rising economic and technological power of China on the world stage." A good vehicle China's government has been happy to capitalize on all this. "At a national level, science fiction is a good vehicle for conveying the country's discourse on its science and technology strength," said Yu. It can also help "highlight the relationship between the Chinese dream (a Xi-era aspirational slogan) and science", she said. Authorities have put their money where their mouth is. The nebula-shaped Chengdu Science Fiction Museum, designed by the renowned Zaha Hadid Architects, was built at lightspeed in just a year to coincide with Worldcon. The event, historically fan-led and funded, this year was a "capitalistic initiative, coming top-down from the Chinese government", said Chen. "They want sci-fi to be the name card of the city, showing China's openness and inclusiveness to the world," he said. Government attention comes with potential risk. "The Three-Body Problem" has a different structure in English, with the narrative beginning with a violent Cultural Revolution scene. In the original Chinese, it was buried halfway through the book to make it less conspicuous, the translator Ken Liu was told. Liu told the New York Times in 2019 that increasingly, "it's gotten much harder for me to talk about the work of Chinese authors without... causing them trouble". Some works he has translated into English, deemed too sensitive, have never been published in Chinese at all. "If you're very marginal if you have low print numbers in China, then it's OK, you have more leeway. If you're doing a mega big-budget movie... it's much more complicated," said Imbach. "That's what's now also happening with science fiction," she said. "As it's becoming more mainstream, there is increased scrutiny." The post Chinese sci-fi steps into the spotlight appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Emma Stone stars in sex-mad Frankenstein-like tale at Venice
With Emma Stone as a sex-mad reanimated corpse in "Poor Things" and Wes Anderson presenting his take on Roald Dahl, the Venice Film Festival was taken on some wild rides on Friday. "Poor Things" was set to premiere on the Lido without its star to light up the red carpet, due to the ongoing Hollywood strike barring actors from publicity work. Rumors at the festival suggest the horror-comedy, in which Stone plays a woman brought back from the dead by a mad scientist, could be an early awards frontrunner. Its Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos has established himself as one of the most imaginative and daring filmmakers of his generation. His previous film "The Favourite", also starring Stone, won the Jury Prize in Venice in 2018 and best actress for Olivia Colman, paving the way to her Oscar triumph. "Poor Things" is among 23 movies competing for the top prize, the Golden Lion, to be awarded on September 9 by a jury including directors Damien Chazelle, Jane Campion and last year's winner Laura Poitras. Anderson's Dahl Meanwhile, another indie darling, Wes Anderson, was feted in Venice with a lifetime achievement award. He presented "The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar", a 40-minute film based on a short story by beloved children's author Roald Dahl. It is one of four Dahl adaptations the whimsical director has made for Netflix featuring Benedict Cumberbatch, Ben Kingsley, Dev Patel and Ralph Fiennes. As always, there is a meticulous, chocolate-box feel to Anderson's film. "It's more like a little theatrical presentation that we found a way to film," Anderson told reporters. The director, who previously adapted Dahl's "Fantastic Mr Fox", said he was strongly against moves to alter the author's books for "sensitivity" reasons. Asked about recent revisions to Dahl's books to remove character descriptions like "fat" and "crazy", Anderson said: "No one who is not an author should be modifying someone's book." He added: "I understand the motivation for it, but I'm in the school where, when the piece is finished... the audience participates in it, we know it, so when it's done, it's done." Strikes and waivers Also premiering on Friday was "The Promised Land" starring Mads Mikkelsen, described by The Hollywood Reporter as a "gripping historical epic" about a low-born soldier seeking to better himself. Mikkelsen was able to attend the festival for the Danish film, but Venice has lost out on several star appearances due to the actor and writer strike in Hollywood, which is primarily over pay and the potential threat of AI. Some independent films have been given a waiver, including Michael Mann's "Ferrari" which premiered on Thursday, allowing lead actor Adam Driver to attend. But others such as Stone and Bradley Cooper (for his Leonard Bernstein biopic "Maestro") are not coming, costing the studios valuable PR shots of their stars arriving by gondola and working the red carpet. Still to come in Venice are new movies by Sofia Coppola ("Priscilla" about Elvis Presley's wife) and David Fincher ("The Killer" starring Michael Fassbender and Tilda Swinton). There are also out-of-competition premieres for controversial directors Woody Allen ("Coup de Chance") and Roman Polanski ("The Palace"). The post Emma Stone stars in sex-mad Frankenstein-like tale at Venice appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Russian court orders arrest of theater director and playwright
A Moscow court on Friday ordered the arrest of a theater director and a playwright on charges of "justifying terrorism" over an award-winning play about Russian women recruited online to marry radical Islamists in Syria. Director Yevgeniya Berkovich and author Svetlana Petriychuk were placed in custody until 4 July, Russian news agencies reported. The case comes as Moscow has launched an unprecedented crackdown on dissent at home as troops fight in Ukraine and as much of the Russian arts community has fled the country. Berkovich is also an outspoken critic of President Vladimir Putin's more than year-long Ukraine offensive, publishing poems criticizing the military campaign. Unlike many members of Russia's liberal arts scene, the 38-year-old refused to leave the country during the offensive. The charges carry a maximum penalty of seven years in prison. The women were detained a day earlier, a move that shocked Russia's shrinking theatre community. They were accused of "justifying terrorism" in their play titled "Finist, the Brave Falcon." The women-only performance about Russian women who went to marry men in Syria won two prestigious Golden Mask theatre awards last year. Berkovich was a student of Kirill Serebrennikov, one of Russia's most innovative and successful directors, who left the country. "Such people in culture in a normal country are a rarity, a miracle, pride. But in Russia, everything is now the other way around," Serebrennikov said after her arrest was announced. "You are a star," he said, calling Berkovich his "most talented" student. Ukraine poems Russia's exiled community rushed to the two women's defense, with many suggesting the director was targeted because of her position on Ukraine, and decrying charges they called absurd. "It is a bit like arresting Dostoyevsky for justifying killing old ladies after writing 'Crime and Punishment'," the journalist Alexander Baumov was quoted as saying on the Meduza news website. A book that featured Berkovich's poems had recently been published in Israel, according to her Instagram page. Her emotional poems were heavy with the victims of Moscow's Ukraine offensive. "We need clothes for a woman / 70-years-old / from a city that no longer exists," one of them read. "Size M -- for Mariupol," read another extract, referring to the city captured by Russian forces after being virtually razed to the ground last year. An AFP journalist saw about 100 people outside the court, including 2021 Nobel Peace Prize winner journalist Dmitry Muratov. At least 2,000 people signed an online petition in defense of the two women. The letter calls on Russian authorities to "persecute murderers instead of poets". Berkovich, who is from Saint Petersburg, is the granddaughter of a well-known writer from Russia's second city. She has adopted two teenage girls. "Her children are waiting for her at home. Her mother and grandmother are waiting in Saint Petersburg," the letter in her support said. The post Russian court orders arrest of theater director and playwright appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
New JK Rowling children’s book coming in October
Harry Potter author JK Rowling will release a new children’s book entitled “The Christmas Pig” this autumn, her publishers announced on Tuesday. The Scottish author’s latest will be released simultaneously in 20 different countries and multiple languages on 12 October, French publisher Gallimard said. It will tell the story of a young boy named Jack, […] The post New JK Rowling children’s book coming in October appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Zachary Levi, Zooey Deschanel may kakaibang adventure sa upcoming movie
IKA nga nila, “dreams come true.” Kaya naman, samahan natin sa kakaibang adventure ang Hollywood stars na sina Zachary Levi at Zooey Deschanel sa upcoming movie na pinamagatang “Harold and the Purple Crayon.” Ang pelikula ay ang kauna-unahang film adaptation ng 1995 children’s classic book na may kaparehong titulo na isinulat ng American cartoonist na.....»»
Q& A: Filipina author Mixkaela Villalon on writing and publishing her book ‘Interregnum’
Villalon talks 'Interregnum,' why she highlights the Filipino social conditions in her work, and how she unlearned viewing the male experience as universal when reading.....»»
A Book about Critically Endangered Animals is now Out
"The question is, are we happy to suppose that our grandchild may never be able to see an elephant except in a picture book? "- David Attenborough (epigraph)The writer of this collection of essays tells engaging stories of endangered animals, vividly, lovingly, and with passionate concern. It started as a series initially written for Pressenza. The author says, wri.....»»
A Book about Critically Endangered Animals is now Out
"The question is, are we happy to suppose that our grandchild may never be able to see an elephant except in a picture book? "- David Attenborough (epigraph)The writer of this collection of essays tells engaging stories of endangered animals, vividly, lovingly, and with passionate concern. It started as a series initially written for Pressenza. The author says, wri.....»»
Spirits of Christmas
“Estrellita, the little wishing star,” a Carlos Palanca award-winning children’s book, tells of how the paths of Estrellita, one of the millions of stars in the sky who dreamed to make someone happy, and Noel, a sick orphan boy who wished to see his mother he had never seen, had crossed......»»
‘Palestinian children should be killed’
No, that heartless advice did not come from a mentally deranged man or an ordinary man on the street. It came from a top Filipino diplomat who has worn many hats in government. He is in fact a lawyer, journalist, former Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador to the United Nations, Press Secretary, Congressman, and presently Philippine Ambassador to the Court of St. James’s (United Kingdom) and concurrently Special Envoy to China for special concerns. In my book, those bona fides could easily qualify him as a revered Filipino statesman — but for his indiscretion, uncouth words, and disrespect for the feelings of others. I refer, dear readers, to Teodoro Lopez Locsin Jr. I have to emphasize the descriptive word “Jr.” because, from accounts I have read, he is far different from his namesake, Teodoro Locsin Sr., who fought the Japanese and the dictatorial regime of Ferdinand Marcos Sr., a fearless publisher of the news magazine Philippines Free Press for which he was imprisoned during the Marcos martial law regime. Did the “apple fall far from the tree?” In his Twitter account, Locsin Jr. said: “That’s why Palestinian children should be killed: they might grow up to become as gullible as innocent Palestinians letting Hamas launch rockets at Israel ...They are Muslims...” In the diplomatic community, we call that a faux pas. Perhaps realizing the callousness of his gaffe, he immediately deleted the tweet with the following lame expression of mea culpa: “I immediately deleted my sarcastic response to a tweet as I realized it could be misconstrued ...My apologies to those who did misconstrue my sentiments and did, in fact, get triggered...” That statement did not wash away the disastrous effect of his slip. If one reads between the lines, they were subtle words to camouflage the booboo, not a real entreaty for clemency. His admission of his mistake, though, may work to mitigate the imprudence. Remarkably, the Department of Foreign Affairs, anticipating its far-reaching negative effect, disassociated itself from the statement, saying it was made in Locsin’s “personal capacity.” I wanted to distance this column from the ensuing uproar. But being the de facto medium for Filipino Muslims’ concerns and sentiments on political and social issues, it cannot default from its moral responsibility. I was afraid that repeating the obnoxious remark might gain traction — and psychologists warn about the “repetition-induced truth effect.” I did not want to dignify it. After all, he had shown remorse and apologized for the impropriety of his words, and, as a sage says, “There is no need to beat a dead horse.” But the storm of controversy has spread like wildfire in Morolandia that I have to add my voice of indignation. Silence amid the din of protest is a sin. I have not seen in a long time such a display of revulsion and rage from the Moros, reminiscent of the time foreign invaders came to their shores and, for 300 years, the Moros dug in, resisted, and repelled the hegemonistic colonization campaign. Muslim netizens promptly denounced the statement as xenophobic, insensitive, and unbecoming of a diplomat. Their protest and outcry reverberated from the halls of the Houses of Congress, the Regional Parliament of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to the cramped temporary shanties of the Marawi war evacuees and the shores of the Sulu seas. For a single moment in their lives, the tribes of Morolandia set aside their tribal identities. They spoke in one thunderous voice, calling for a sanction for what they perceived was the misconduct of a diplomat who, to preserve his honor, must perform a Japanese seppuku or self-sacrifice by resigning from his post. Articulating the collective position of the Deputies of the BARMM interim Regional Parliament, Speaker Pangalian Balindong issued a public statement rich in a poignant message condemning the “insensitive and irresponsible social media post ...for its Islamophobic, racist, and anti-Semitic undertones.” (To be continued) amb_mac_lanto@yahoo.com The post ‘Palestinian children should be killed’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
An enchanted evening with the JSSP
Any party with the Johann Strauss Society of the Philippines is sure to blossom into something meaningful yet fun! We recently got together for an enchanted evening of music, culture and friendship at the South Pacific Night Fellowship Event. Inspired by the beloved book-turned-Broadway musical, the night paid homage to it from the invitation inspired by the musical’s poster, the tropical colors and decor, floral dress code, down to the performances. Those who showed up in the most authentic and best costumes won a special prize, too — congratulations, Chuck Gueco and Joy Melendres! US Ambassador, MaryKay Carlson Singapore Ambassador, Constance See Roselle Del Rosario and Rosalinda Wee Norman Jison and Lovelyn Segovia Monaco Consul, RJ Ledesma and India Ambassador, Shambhu Kumaran. Laos Ambassador, Sonexay Vannaxay, Cambodia Ambassador, Phan Peuv, Thailand Ambassador, Tull Traisorat. Seated- Egypt Ambassador, Ahmed Shehabeldin. Joy Melendres and Amelia Ting Gerry and Virginia Lane Fanny Blanco Dr. Elton See Tan n Carolyn Tan Dana Silverio, Ruby Chua, Manolyn Taylor and Michael Rosero Consul. Agnes Huibonhoa and Mayenne Carmona Chuck Gueco and Aiza Sun Bong Prada Lim and Mags Cue Bo and Hans Hauri Lilibeth Campos, Marissa Fenton, Consul General of Monaco, Fortune Ledesma and the author But all the fun aside, this is really all about JSSP’s mission to make a significant impact on our local community through art and music. South Pacific Night perfectly captured the enchantment the arts has over us, and the vibrant spirit the organization wishes to share with the community in whatever ways it can. JSSP has extended its support to talented music students and notable initiatives like the Arts for the People Program of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Philippine National Red Cross, and more in the education and arts spaces. It’s always fulfilling getting together with JSSP members. As you can see, we’re all smiles ‘til midnight! I raise a toast to JSSP, especially its devoted members who are tirelessly contributing their time to keep the organization’s mission alive. I raise my glass to the co-chairs of the event, Marissa Fenton and Lilibeth Campos, and to the entire JSSP. Cheers! The post An enchanted evening with the JSSP appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Message of PM Anwar Ibrahim
Crisis brings out the best and the worst in man. It reveals his true persona behind the façade of photo-shopped and public relations-created images. Amidst the Israel-Hamas war, former president Rodrigo Duterte outrageously advised Israel President Benjamin Netanyahu to make “Gaza the world’s biggest cemetery.” And just recently, our ambassador to the United Kingdom twitted on social media (taken down later) that “Palestinian children should be killed . . .” These comments went viral among Moro netizens who unleashed a barrage of angry libelous words against the source. Now, juxtapose this with the public statements by regional leaders about the crisis. And from the gallery of regional statesmen, I pick Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’Seri Anwar Ibrahim whose poignant messages earned the praise of not a few, including non-Muslims. The reaction of these leaders betrays the dichotomy of opinions along religious lines. The Muslim countries, true to their affiliation with the Muslim Palestinians, as members of the World Brotherhood of Muslims or “Ummah Islamiyyah” stood should-to-shoulder with the Palestinians. On the flip side are the non-Muslims led by the United States which condemned the 7 October surprise attack by Hamas on Israel. The world is now on edge because of the strong words of revenge of rightist President Benjamin Netanyahu using the world media stage for his threats of annihilation and cutting off of basic supplies of food, medicines, water, electricity, and fuel to the Palestinians of the Muslim City of Gaza. According to jurists, these are crimes against International Humanitarian Law and other UN covenants and Geneva Conventions. And they claim that while Israel has the right to defend itself, that is not a license to commit genocide. Prime Minister Ibrahim stood tall among Muslim leaders in expressing the sentiment of his government. He had been vocal at every turn of the crisis. He must have had a premonition of the impending catastrophe. His eloquent speech before the United Nations General Assembly on 22 September, which in my book is in the same league as the “What it means to be a Muslim” speech of King Abdullah of Jordan, has earned praise from many observers. He said, “In the Middle East, the politics of dispossession continues with a vengeance with more illegal settlements being built, stripping Palestinians of land that rightfully belongs to them. This constitutes a gross violation of international law. It also poses an insurmountable obstacle to a two-state solution, not to mention the continued killings. There is also flagrant hypocrisy in dealing with the issue of Palestine. The international community must speak up against the atrocities committed towards the Palestinians even as they so vehemently speak out against human rights violations, injustice, and abusive regimes.” When the war broke out on 7 October, one of the countries that reacted immediately was Malaysia. PM Ibrahim issued a statement expressing his country’s solidarity with the struggles of the Palestinians and reiterated his indictment of the international community for its “one-sided actions regarding . . . cruelty and oppression against the Palestinians. The confiscation of land and property belonging to the Palestinian people . . . done relentlessly by the Zionists.” After the bombing of the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza, which killed more than 500 innocent civilians, PM Ibrahim described it as being “on an insane and inhumane level. What is most regrettable is that Western countries, which speak about human rights, seem to differentiate between peoples, with some considered first-class and others as subordinates.” PM Ibrahim knows how geopolitics works. There will be consequences for standing up against the position of the world powers, the US and Europe, which had expressed total support for Israel. There might be a price to pay. Economic, trade, and political relationships might be put in jeopardy. But the Islam in him outweighed other interests. And for that, Muslims salute him. We are proud to belong to the Malay race. amb_mac_lanto@yahoo.com The post Message of PM Anwar Ibrahim appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Toxic? Britney tells of troubles in new memoir
Britney Spears, the dewy-eyed child star who became a global pop phenomenon and then melted down in full view of the world, tells her story Tuesday with the release of her already bestselling memoir. "The Woman In Me" is the pop princess in her own, unvarnished words, shot through with the anguish of a family she believes has failed her at every step of the way, in an industry that mercilessly devours its talent. From sharing daiquiris with her mother as a young teenager -- two years after she became a regular on "The Mickey Mouse Club" -- to the 13 years she spent as an adult in a conservatorship, the memoir details how she struggled to escape the influence of her controlling father. Until two years ago, when she got out from under the conservatorship legal relationship that she says dictated everything from her birth control choices to the set list at lucrative Las Vegas gigs. In the intervening months, Spears has married a former dancer, announced then lost a pregnancy, and is now on the road to her third divorce. The book, whose pre-orders catapulted it to the top of the Amazon best-seller list, was produced too early to include that coda with husband Sam Asghari. But readers will still have plenty to chew on. 'Harlot' Tidbits that have leaked ahead of publication include news of an abortion Spears says fellow Mickey Mouse Club alum Justin Timberlake urged her to have after she became pregnant while the couple was together. When the pair split, and his hit "Cry Me A River" appeared to be about the way he felt she had betrayed him, Spears was painted as the "harlot who'd broken the heart of America's golden boy," she writes. In reality, he was "happily running around Hollywood" while she was "comatose in Louisiana." Readers have also learned of a brief but intense affair with Irish actor and Oscar nominee Colin Farrell, what she calls "a two-week brawl." "Brawl is the only word for it -- we were all over each other, grappling so passionately it was like we were in a street fight." The noughties brought fame and notoriety to Spears in equal measure, with a passionate fan base eager for every last scrap of news about her. That collided with an aggressive paparazzi culture that delighted in capturing her partying alongside hell-raisers like Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan. Spears insists there were never hard drugs and that she did not have a drinking problem, but admits that she was taking Adderall, the ADHD medication. A publicly played-out bust-up with second husband Kevin Federline, and an ensuing custody fight over their two children, presaged the emotional low watermark: shaving her head and attacking a photographer's car. "Flailing those weeks without my children, I lost it, over and over again," she writes. "I didn't even really know how to take care of myself. "I'd begin to think in some ways like a child." A year later, the courts appointed her father Jamie Spears to control her money and her personal life. Over the next 13 years, she was told who she could see, and how much she could spend, and even ordered not to have more children. Yet under Jamie Spears, she would still perform as a pop icon. "Too sick to choose my own boyfriend and yet somehow healthy enough to appear on sitcoms and morning shows, and to perform for thousands of people in a different part of the world every week." "From that point on, I began to think that (my father) saw me as put on the earth for no other reason than to help their cash flow." Jamie Spears has always insisted that he had the best interests of his daughter at heart and was seeking to protect her from exploitation. The conservatorship was dissolved in 2021, but -- aside from collaborations with Elton John and will.i.am -- it has not heralded a return to creativity for Spears. "Pushing forward in my music career is not my focus at the moment," the now-41-year-old Britney writes. "It's time for me not to be someone who other people want; it's time to actually find myself.".....»»
A positive difference
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others,” Mahatma Gandhi once said. Marian Wright Edelman states, “Service is the rent we pay for being. It is the very purpose of life, and not something you do in your spare time.” Two memorable statements capture the essence of Attorney Kelvin Lester Lee, hailed by Dean Antonio La Viña of Ateneo School of Government as “one of the finest and most visionary individuals to have emerged from Ateneo Law School.” It’s no surprise that Atty. Lee became a Commissioner at the Securities and Exchange Commission in 2019. While his position may be formidable, those who have met him in person can attest to his kind-hearted nature and willingness to devote his time generously. When expressing his views, he displays a remarkable level of candor, always taking the time to carefully consider his words before speaking. Aside from his sense of humor, Lee possesses a remarkable ability to engage in meaningful conversations. When he speaks, he has a way of looking directly into your eyes, underscoring the significance of his words. Even in intense situations, he maintains a calm demeanor and is known to offer a comforting smile, lightening the atmosphere. In his role as Commissioner at the SEC, Atty. Lee assumes the responsibility of overseeing various crucial departments and divisions. These include the markets and securities regulation department, the information and communications technology department, the PhiliFintech innovation office dedicated to Philippine financial technology, and the international affairs and protocol division. Moreover, he holds authority over capital markets, sustainable finance, Fintech and information technology, and international affairs, ensuring their effective management and implementation. While the enormity of those tasks might induce vertigo in most individuals, Atty. Lee remains unfazed. “It is perhaps the best job I have ever had,” he admitted. “I enjoy making a positive change in the sector I am handling. I enjoy pushing innovations and encouraging improvements in the financial sector and capital markets.” With great responsibility, Lee adopts a heightened level of caution. Recognizing the potential impact of his words, he expressed the need to exercise carefulness in his public statements, as any statement he makes can influence the stock market. This awareness underscores his commitment to acting with prudence and considering the far-reaching implications of his words. Let’s delve into the life of Lee, who began his journey in the humble city of Davao, his birthplace. He embarked on his educational path at the Ateneo de Davao University for his grade school education, followed by his enrollment at Davao Central High School, then called Davao Chinese High School. After completing his schooling in Davao, he ventured to Beijing, China, where he pursued studies in the Chinese language and gained work experience with a foreign company. However, after two years, he returned to the Philippines and enrolled in Ateneo de Manila University to pursue a law degree. This journey showcases his diverse experiences and the foundation of his educational and cultural background. “The Ateneo de Manila entrance exam was the only one I could take that year when I came back from China,” he said, adding that he never dreamed of becoming a lawyer. “I just wanted to give it a try. And found I was a surprisingly good fit for it.” As a lawyer, he has five ideal lawyers. Only one is a foreigner: Sir Thomas Moore, an English lawyer, social philosopher, author, and statesman whom Roman Catholics venerated as Saint Thomas More. “He stood by his faith and principles,” he said. Fresh from hurdling the Bar exam, he worked at the Siguion-Reyna Montecillo and Ongsiako law firm, where he learned the importance of being enterprising and putting in a diligent effort to succeed. However, despite his professional growth, he decided to quit and return to his hometown of Davao, placing the deeply rooted value on family and prioritizing personal and familial responsibilities above career pursuits. As a father to two daughters, Atty. Lee expressed that fatherhood has had a profound impact on him, bringing about significant changes. He considers it one of the greatest blessings he could ever receive. According to him, the love that his children show him is genuine and unmatched. He believes that the love of young children is unparalleled. Experiencing this level of love is indescribable, knowing someone loves you unconditionally. This extraordinary bond makes fatherhood one of the most precious and fulfilling aspects of his life. “The love your kids show you is real,” he said. “You will never be as loved as you are by your young children. There is no feeling quite like it to know that someone loves you as much as that. That’s what makes it one of the best things.” Working in government “It is an honor to serve. Very few people get an opportunity to help the country and serve the president and the people,” said Lee, who is a former assistant secretary at the Office of the Executive Secretary in Malacañang, where he was also designated to sit on the Board of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority. Atty. Lee’s dedication to public service earned him well-deserved recognition in his field. In March this year, he received two international accolades for his role in driving the advancement of financial technology in the Philippine business sector, highlighting his visionary thinking and influential impact solidifying his reputation as a trailblazer in the field. In the 10th annual Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, Lee was bestowed the Gold Stevie award for his outstanding contributions as a Thought Leader of the Year. These awards celebrate workplace innovation across all 29 countries in the Asia-Pacific region. From a vast pool of over 800 regional nominations, winners were selected in various categories, including the Award for Excellence in Innovation in Products & Services, the Award for Innovative Management, and the Award for Innovation in Corporate Websites, among others. “It feels great. It’s always wonderful to be recognized for all the hard work and changes you pursue at a government agency. And I was quite surprised to get the Gold Stevie Award, the highest level of the award for thought leadership. I feel so honored!” In the next decade, Atty. Lee, now 44, envisions continuing his career in law, possibly incorporating elements of technology, and hopes to stay actively involved in government work and make a significant impact by fostering meaningful transformation. “Working in government can be quite fulfilling. I encourage young lawyers and professionals to enter the arena and work in government to try and make a positive difference.” The post A positive difference appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Britney Spears set to hit bestseller list with tell-all memoir
Two years after escaping her father's guardianship, Britney Spears recounts her years as a superstar who became a victim of her success in a highly anticipated memoir being published on Tuesday. One revelation from "The Woman in Me" has already made headlines: Spears saying she felt pressured into having an abortion while dating fellow popstar Justin Timberlake between 1999 and 2002. "If it had been left up to me alone, I never would have done it," she writes. "It's one of the most agonizing things I have ever experienced in my life." The publishers have kept a tight lid on most of the contents -- unsurprising since Simon & Schuster reportedly paid more than 15 million dollars for the rights. It was not a risky bet, however -- the book is already topping the pre-sale chart at Amazon US. It is being released on Tuesday in around 20 countries and 10 languages. "Reliving everything has been exciting, heart-wrenching, and emotional, to say the least," Spears told People magazine. The emotional turmoil means the 41-year-old singer has only recorded a small section for the audiobook, leaving the rest to actress Michelle Williams. "There are so many hard things to read in the news about my book," she wrote on her Instagram this week. "Then I woke up this morning and said it's all relative... nothing really matters at this point." Up and down Spears came from a very humble background and found early fame on "The Mickey Mouse Club" alongside other future stars Ryan Gosling and Christina Aguilera. At 16, she became one of the most famous women on the planet with 1998's iconic "...Baby One More Time", which sold 10 million copies to become one of the biggest hits of all time. Eight more albums followed, often selling in the millions, including "Oops!...I Did it Again" and "In the Zone", combined with spectacular world tours. Growing up in the media glare, relentlessly sexualized by her marketing from a young age, Spears lost her footing in 2007. A highly public breakdown in which she shaved her head and was filmed attacking a paparazzi's car led to her father, Jamie Spears, taking legal control over her life. It meant he controlled her finances, career decisions, and even whether she could see her children or marry -- which Spears described as tantamount to "abuse". Her fans organized a campaign -- #FreeBritney -- aided by media investigations that finally led a court to remove her father as guardian in September 2021. She apparently no longer speaks to her family. Her life has hardly been smooth sailing since then -- her marriage to model Sam Asghari ended in August after just 14 months. But Spears at least looks set to add a number one bestselling book to her list of artistic accomplishments. The post Britney Spears set to hit bestseller list with tell-all memoir appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Manila libraries not dead
In the age of the Internet, Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna has emphasized the relevance of physical libraries, as well as the books and other reading materials they keep as veritable treasures of knowledge. Lacuna urged people, especially the youth, to visit city libraries as she greeted the Manila City Library headed by its Director Mylene Villanueva, on the occasion of its 77th founding anniversary celebrated throughout the month of October. “For those who don’t know, we have many libraries. We are striving to improve the level of service provided by our libraries, which is why we have more and more clients, from young to old,” she said. “Now that it’s the digital generation, most research is done at home using the internet. But nothing can beat opening a book,” she added in the vernacular. She said that by visiting libraries, people can learn, hone their skills, even as she emphasized that not everything that people read using the search engine platform Google is true. She explained that at times, what’s available through the Internet is “incomplete” or “even false.” “That’s why I encourage everyone, especially those with children, to visit our libraries,” Lacuna said. The MCL will continue providing quality educational services that would raise the level of intellect of the student population of Manila, the mayor said. The MCL had received various recognitions from the national government in recent years. The total library services that it has provided the public to date has reached 156,856. Villanueva reported to the mayor that the figure covers those served from January to September alone, notwithstanding the fact that five branches of the library are currently not functional since they are under rehabilitation. According to Villanueva, the MCL registered a total of 61,269 library users. Those who used the library’s computers and Wi-Fi reached 15,099 while those who borrowed books totaled 21,762. She added that the number of children served is 47,891 while the senior citizens served totaled 425. The MCL was also able to visit 167 barangays and 11 schools. The post Manila libraries not dead appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Rose petals heal cancer patient
(Author’s Note: This story is based on the book “Mary Mediatrix of All Grace” by the late Rene C. de Jesus, published circa December 2015, now out of circulation.) Mrs. Julie Hughes-Sikora, born of an American father and a Filipino mother from Ormoc, Leyte, migrated to the US in 1941. In 1948, she returned to the Philippines for a visit. Curious about the many stories about the miraculous “shower of rose petals” in Lipa, Batangas, she went there on a pilgrimage. During a Sunday mass, a strong wind suddenly encircled the pilgrims. A shower of rose petals from the sky followed. Julie picked up two petals — fresh, light red, and almost translucent. Returning to Manila, she examined the petals and found nothing unusual. She inserted them in the pages of her prayer book. Later, she discovered that one of the petals had an image of Our Lady Mediatrix of All Grace and the other of Our Lady of Sorrows. She promised the Blessed Mother that when she returned to the US, she would promote the Marian devotion through the petals and a two-foot Mediatrix statue given to her by the Carmelite Sisters. In the summer of 1950, she spoke to the high school students of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Chicago. The Catholic Women’s League president forbade her to talk of the apparitions and the rose petals. Knowing that the petals were not a hoax, she knelt in tears and prayed, “Blessed Mother, please help me. You must convince the people that these are rose petals from heaven.” Her prayer was answered immediately. A Felician sister borrowed the petals for a sick sister, Sr. Mary Angela, who was dying of bladder cancer. In fact, Sr. Mary Angela had her coffin made. She later recounted that a smiling lady in white came out of the rose petals and floated on a cloud. Sr. Mary Angela fainted from the extreme pain of the cancer. Her surgery scars were gone when she woke up, and she was completely healed. Her urologist, Dr. Dooley, a non-Catholic, was shocked to discover that she was instantly cancer-free. He gave her a copy of her medical records as evidence of a miracle. Sr. Mary Angela lived for another 12 years. The news of her miraculous healing spread like wildfire across the world, silencing the many “doubting Thomases.” Many years later, Julie returned to Lipa to return the rose petals to the Carmelite sisters, who regarded them as Marian relics. Julie signed an affidavit of her testimony before the sala of Judge Harriet Demetriou on 5 October 1999. The Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith or CDF, tasked to investigate the Mediatrix apparitions, regarded them as a hoax and ordered the rose petals burned, the very evidence that proved the apparition. If the CDF had done a proper investigation, they would have seen the evidence of the miracles. But they decided “with finality” that the Mediatrix apparitions were a hoax based on a Pius XII decree, which was discovered recently to be INVALID and NON-EXISTENT because it was not registered in the Vatican’s Acta Apostolicae Sedis, which is required by Canon Law to make it binding and effective. So, the Vatican committed the blunder of all blunders by suppressing the Mediatrix apparition for 70 long years based on a non-existent Papal decree. They manipulated the results of the first investigation in 1951 by ordering six Filipino bishops to change their findings to “not of supernatural origin” under threat and intimidation. This was discovered only when one bishop, on his deathbed, admitted that he was forced to change their original decision of authentic apparition to a hoax. The rest of the other bishops followed. They have all passed away. The Vatican kept the non-existent decree secret, blaming instead Filipino Bishop Mariano Gaviola and Archbishop Emeritus Ramon Arguelles for “violating” Vatican orders. In fairness, some cardinals did not know about the invalid decree, believing all the while that the apparitions were really a hoax. We are now asking Pope Francis to rectify the errors of the Vatican and restore the Filipino clergy and Marian devotees in the name of the Virgin. The more it is suppressed, the more Marian miracles there are, increasing the fold of Marian devotees despite Vatican suppression. The Virgin prevails over the Vatican. eastwindreplyctr@gmail.com The post Rose petals heal cancer patient appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Dissident author warns Russians in Europe to be on guard
Russian author Sergei Lebedev's novel "Untraceable", about an undetectable toxin used to target Kremlin critics, was released a few years ago but has taken on added resonance as alleged poisonings have multiplied. Now the dissident writer is warning that the Russian exile community in Europe faces an ever greater threat amid heightened tensions over the Ukraine war. "This emigre community in Europe is now one of the most important targets for the Russian security (services)," the 42-year-old, now based in Germany, told AFP in an interview at the Frankfurt Book Fair this week. "There will be attempts to infiltrate, to get informants... Of course, there will be some assassination attempts." In Germany -- which Lebedev describes as a "hub" for overseas Russians -- there have been a growing number of suspected cases of Kremlin critics being targeted. In May, German police said they were investigating the possible poisoning of exiled Russians after an activist, Natalia Arno, reported health problems following a Berlin meeting of dissidents. Meanwhile, Berlin-based Russian journalist Elena Kostyuchenko wrote in a Guardian article last month about how she fell ill last year after visiting Munich, and poisoning was suspected. Inside Russia, the most high-profile case in recent years of a Kremlin critic allegedly being poisoned was that of opposition politician Alexei Navalny. Moscow has repeatedly dismissed allegations that it has targeted critics in this way. But Western governments say evidence points to the contrary and for Lebedev, Russians in Europe are not taking the threat seriously enough. 'Very eerie' "They are not very much concerned with security," he said. "They do not understand the principles of how the security services work." "Untraceable", which tells the story of an ageing scientist who creates a highly toxic, undetectable poison, was inspired by the 2018 poisoning of former double agent Sergei Skripal in Salisbury, England. And it was around the time that the book was published in Russia that opposition politician Navalny was allegedly poisoned -- a development that Lebedev said he found "very eerie". While he has been vocal about his opposition to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, he does not believe he faces a threat himself. He has not found himself in the crosshairs of the authorities and feels he does not run the same level of risk as others, such as critical journalists, particularly those still trying to report from inside Russia. Still, Lebedev -- who moved to Germany five years ago with his wife -- said he has been taking extra precautions, particularly when it comes to exchanging sensitive information. Before becoming a full-time writer, Lebedev worked as a geologist and later as a journalist. He was motivated to write a novel after discovering his grandmother's second husband had been the commander of a Soviet labor camp. He was shaken by the revelation and faced the question of how to "deal with this personally -- with the fact that in your family (there) was a murderer". "I realized that the way out was to write a novel." 'Shocked' at Ukraine war The result was the book "Oblivion", about the legacy of the Soviet prison camp system, which was released about a decade ago and launched his literary career. He has since written several books and his latest is a collection of short stories, "A Present Past: Titan and Other Chronicles". It reflects what he believes is Russia's tortured relationship with the Soviet era -- and society's failure to come to terms with the past -- as well as aspects of its problematic present. Lebedev, who lives in Potsdam outside Berlin, did not flee his homeland. He first moved to Germany for professional reasons. But he has not returned since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, fearing it is not safe to do so. He said he was "shocked" when Moscow sent its forces into Ukraine. "I was the same idiot as many of us were, thinking that Putin is a... modern autocratic, modern dictator and not the blood-thirsty maniac that he is." He sees no swift end to the conflict. "The most difficult and problematic thing is that Russians are getting used to the fact that they are at war but still life is sustainable," he said. The post Dissident author warns Russians in Europe to be on guard appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Millions of children affected by climate disasters – UNICEF
The United Nations Children’s Fund warned on Thursday that weather disasters brought on by climate change caused 43.1 million child displacements between 2016 and 2021 and criticized the lack of attention given to the victims. Co-Author Laura Healy told American for Prosperity, or AFP, that the data only indicated the “tip of the iceberg,” with many more possibly affected, in comprehensive research on the subject that included the heartbreaking stories of some children affected. Khalid Abdul Azim, a child from Sudan, recalls his terrible experience in a flooded village that can only be reached by boat. "We moved our belongings to the highway, where we lived for weeks," he said. In 2017, sisters Mia and Maia Bravo watched flames engulf their trailer in California from the back of the family minivan. "I was afraid, in shock," Maia said. Statistics on internal displacements caused by climate disasters generally do not account for the victim’s age. The Internal Displacement Monitoring Center, a non-governmental organization, and UNICEF collaborated to analyze the data and uncover the hidden toll for children. Four types of climate disaster (floods, storms, droughts, and wildfire) has led to 43.1 million child displacements in 44 countries in which frequency of the said disasters has increased during global warming, the report says. Ninety-five percent of those displacements were caused by floods and storms. “It’s equivalent of about 20,000 child displacements every day,” Healy lamented on AFP highlighting how the afflicted children are then at risk of suffering other traumas, such as being torn away from their parents or being the prey of child traffickers. As one child may be uprooted more than once, the numbers reflect the number of displacements rather than the number of children affected. The number of displaced people as a result of drought is “radically underreported,” according to Healy because they are less abrupt and hence harder to measure. This is just the tip of the iceberg based on the available data that we have," she said. "The reality is with the impacts of climate change, or better tracking of displacement when it comes to slow onset events, that the number of children who are uprooted from their homes is going to be much greater." Healy added. UNICEF Report Reveals Alarming Predictions for Child Displacements Due to Climate Events In a recently released UNICEF report, startling forecasts have been unveiled for specific climate-related events. According to the report, the next three decades could witness a staggering 96 million child displacements due to flooding caused by overflowing rivers. Additionally, cyclonic winds are projected to force 10.3 million child displacements, while storm surges may result in 7.2 million displacements. It's worth noting that these estimates do not factor in preventive evacuation measures, raising concerns about the potential scale of displacement. UNICEF's Executive Director, Catherine Russell, emphasized the profound impact on those compelled to flee, including the fear of an uncertain return, disruptions to education, and the possibility of further relocations. Russell stressed that while migration may save lives, it also brings significant upheaval and challenges. "As the impacts of climate change escalate, so too will climate-driven movement. We have the tools and knowledge to respond to this escalating challenge for children, but we are acting far too slowly." She added. At the COP28 climate summit in Dubai in November and December, UNICEF urged world leaders to take up the climate issue. According to Healy, children, particularly those who have already been compelled to move must be prepared “to live in a climate change world”. While the effects of climate change are spreading across large portions of the planet, the UNICEF report highlights some of the most susceptible nations. The biggest number of displaced people (almost 23 million in six years) occurred in China, India, and the Philippines because of their massive populations, strategic positions, and precautionary evacuation measures. However, in proportional terms, Africa and small island states are most at risk; in Dominica, 76 percent of all children were uprooted between 2016 and 2021. More than 30 percent of the said amount went to Saint Martin and Cuba. The post Millions of children affected by climate disasters – UNICEF appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Paulo Coelho s The Alchemist film adaptation back in development
A movie adaptation of Brazilian author Paulo Coelho's best-selling book "The Alchemist" is back in the works after years in development hell......»»