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Masculinity with Responsibility’: Who will win the 10th Misters of Filipinas pageant? ?
After months of casting calls and competitions in the Philippines and Filipino communities abroad, Prime Event Productions Philippines Foundation, Inc. formally introduced the 10th Misters of Filipinas official candidates on Sunday evening, 5 August, at the Grand Ballroom of Winford Hotel Manila Resort and Casino. The candidates strutted down the runway in stunning all-white ensembles, showcasing their impeccable ramp skills and physiques in Julius Peggaro swimwear. But the candidates will not just be pageant figures who can strut in swimwear and formal wear. What’s more important is how they can become positive role models to their communities and the country. “That is why the slogan of Misters of Filipinas and Man of the World is Masculinity with Responsibility,” said PEPPS president Carlo Morris Galang. “More than having a handsome face and a gorgeous body, every man who has passed through Misters of Filipinas and Man of the World should have developed a sense of community and have evolved in becoming the best versions of themselves so that they contribute to society. Everyone who became part of our 10 years is just that,” he added. Adding glamour and sophistication to the event were hosts Ryan Tercero, Miss Fitness Super Model World Philippines Kristel Galang and Mr. Fitness Super Model World Philippines Mayko Toledo. “It was a long search for the official candidates, but I am confident that we have a good batch this year,” said Galang. “These men came from various backgrounds such as event hosting, film acting, modeling and other occupations. They will now set off on their journey for the titles that will have the winners competing in various international competitions.” The candidates are hoping to win one of the coveted titles of the competition and follow on the heels of Man Hot Star International 2023 Jovy Bequillo, Mister Runway Model Universe 2022 Junichi Yabushita, Mister Model Worldwide 2018 Carlo Pasion, Mister Universe Tourism 2018 Ion Perez, Mister Tourism and Culture Universe 2018 Yves Campos, Man of the Year 2016 Karan Singhdole and Mister International 2014 Neil Perez. The finals night will be held at 7 p.m. on Sunday, 17 September, at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Makati City. The post Masculinity with Responsibility’: Who will win the 10th Misters of Filipinas pageant? ? appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
First lady Liza Araneta Marcos promotes inclusivity in phl arts and crafts
Patronage of the arts and promotion of Philippine culture are two endeavors that have always been the domain of Philippine First Ladies. The approach, of course, varies, whether through the presentation of Filipino folk dances and fashion shows featuring Filipiniana designs during state dinners, showcasing the best of the Philippine arts on the walls of Malacañang Palace or highlighting Philippine crafts in during international expositions. When the presidential couple visits other countries, they bring with them gifts of Philippine crafts for the kingdom’s monarch and their escort or the republic’s president and his first lady. Presidential wives, too, have always been the foremost models of Philippine costume, which they wear during state visits abroad, formal functions at the presidential palace and when attending big events such as raising the Filipino flag in Rizal Park on Philippine Independence Day. Liza Araneta-Marcos, almost in all activities that she graces, whether right in the Palace or outside, wears a knee-length version of the terno, its butterfly sleeves defining its uniqueness and versatility. With her, terno has become an almost everyday get-up, which she accessorizes with heeled shoes, mostly Marikina-made. Cultural mapping The current First Lady’s support for arts and crafts and her involvement in cultural development manifested early on in her public life when her husband was the governor of Ilocos Norte in the early years of the millennium. Right in her husband Bongbong’s home province, she spearheaded efforts in the documentation of Ilocano culture. Under her auspices, a full-scale cultural mapping of Ilocos Norte took place. Then a new thing in the country, its aim was to list and document everything about the inherent culture of each barangay — songs, dances, oral and written literature, zarzuela and other dramatic forms, crafts using indigenous materials, historical sites, architectural marvels including ancestral houses, native delicacies and festive fare, musical instruments, gardens, parks, tourist spots and, of course, the people who make these things happen and exist — the weavers, painters, cooks, writers, local historians, harpists and so on in the vast field of arts, culture and heritage. It was trailblazing in that only years later would local government units be required to identify their cultural assets and provide the data needed for development, especially in education, tourism and creative industries. Eager to know more about her husband’s home province and absorb its culture, she even joined the team in its fieldwork in the seashore towns like the Pagudpud coastline and the highland town of Adams which they reached by riding a dump truck. Among the highlights of her undertakings for heritage tourism was her support for the Museo Ilocos Norte, which housed artifacts and the local textile, inabel. Most significantly was her commitment to the revival of the local weaving industry that produces the exquisite inabel. In an interview, the young and smart wife of the governor said, “I was looking for a viable project that would help boost the livelihood of the Ilocano, one that was low-key, which was not difficult to fund and uniquely Ilocano.” According to Liza, “Ilocano women love multi-tasking.” She explained that in the past, each home would have a loom, “so the mothers could weave while doing their home chores, including taking care of the baby.” Indeed, well spoken by a career woman who, while lawyering, made sure she was at the top of her family home and the care of her children. What she was telling them was it was possible to earn one’s livelihood while fulfilling one’s duties as a homemaker and parent. She thus advocated for the putting up of weaving centers where the young Ilocano may learn the craft. Embroiderers, woodcarvers and basket makers Fast forward to 2016, Liza joined the Board of Trustees of the Asian Cultural Council which fosters cultural exchange and unity by widening the exposure, knowledge and expertise of individual artists, scholars and art professionals. All her years spent on supporting Ilocano crafts had not only been beneficial to the local weavers. It also became a model, a small-scale version of what she would eventually achieve from her day one as First Lady. This time, she would widen the scope of her advocacy by supporting as well the other crafts in the regions. In Feburary 2023, the Office of the First Lady, in cooperation with the Office of the Social Secretary of Malacañang, other government agencies and private creative industry practitioners put together an exhibition that introduced the talented weavers of the country. It was a success as it showcased the best of Philippine weave from the Ilocos region to Laguna, Aklan and Zamboanga. A few months later, she expanded the project to “Likha” to showcase not only talented weavers — but also our skilled embroiderers, basket makers, woodcarvers, pottery makers and shell craftsmen,” among other Filipino artisans in cities, shores and hinterlands of our beautiful country. Community of artisans Hers was a most welcome support to the local artisans and craftsmen, anthropology scholars, tourism workers and educators. Dr. Marygrace Ac-ac, an associate professor of De La Salle College of Saint Benilde, who accompanied her father, Paete master sculptor Luis Ac-Ac, shared her thoughts about the First Lady, who spoke at the opening ceremonies of the three-day exhibit. [caption id="attachment_163255" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos with master sculptor Luis Ac-ac and his daughter Marygrace.[/caption] Marygrace said, “What impacted me the most about the First Lady’s speech is her promise to support talented Filipinos and the traditional crafts, which is in keeping with the words of President Bongbong Marcos in his first State of the Nation address. It was, to me, giving hope to the industry and to Filipino artists and artisans. I am happy that she herself said she is looking forward to “Likha” 3, 4, 5 and so on. “Beyond the First Lady’s support for livelihood among the local communities, just as important is that, through the “Likha” exhibitions, she is fostering a national community of artisans, which cultivates a sense of cultural identity among our people. Moreover, this gives us national pride as through the First Lady’s initiatives we are able to show to the world what we are capable of creating.” Of her father, the master craftsman Luis Ac-ac, she said, “he is grateful to the First Lady for her initiative and for spearheading the advocacy to uplift the traditional crafts of all the artists and artisans.” Goldenberg fashion series On her new home grounds, the Malacañang compound, the First Lady has imprinted her passion for heritage through the renovation of three iconic structures, long out of use and run-down Teus Mansion, which is now the presidential museum containing memorabilia of past presidents; Bahay Ugnayan, which houses memento of President BBM; and the Goldenberg Mansion, which the First Lady has designated as a venue for cultural and artistic events. All three are now open to the public for free. Last May, the Goldenberg Fashion series started with a fashion show featuring the creations of Puey Quiñones, who collaborated with weavers, embroiders and artisans, thus elevating Filipino style as he used them in his interpretation of the modern terno, suits and barong for men. [caption id="attachment_163256" align="aligncenter" width="928"] With designer Puey Quiñones at the Goldenberg Mansion fashion show.[/caption] Next was Avel Bacudio’s “Avel,” which, in turn, was a spectacle in black and white as the designer paid tribute to the handiwork of Filipino artisans all over the country, his creations manifesting virtuosity even as he downplayed extravagance and over-the-top ornamentation by focusing on well-defined structure, casual elegance, comfortability and versatility, the last allowing the wearers to mix and match to suit the occasion. In a way, the whole collection resonates with the overall style of the First Lady who has insisted on simplicity, function and comfort in her wardrobe, while now and then showcasing the innate artistry of the Filipino through indigenous textiles. Finally, when we celebrated the nation's Independence Day, with the President and the First Lady hosting a vin d’honneur in Malacañang Palace, the various lady ambassadors assigned to the Philippines attended in their most beautiful and exquisite Filipiniana, thanks to the First Lady who made the collaboration between top Filipino designers and the ladies possible. It was an evening that did not only enhance the beauty and charm of the lady ambassadors, but also made our designers proud. Indeed, our artisans and fashion designers, as well as performing artists, are fortunate to have a friend, ally and benefactor in a First Lady whose sense of nationalism combined with her heartfelt admiration for Filipino ingenuity has made her the best ambassador for Filipino craftsmanship and artistry. The post First lady Liza Araneta Marcos promotes inclusivity in phl arts and crafts appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
National Health and Beauty Caravan 2023 culminates at SM Mall of Asia
Beauty and wellness reigned supreme at the culmination of the biggest health and beauty caravan in the country at the SM Mall of Asia on June 28 and 29, 2023. In partnership with the Philippine Hairdressers Association (PhilHair) and the Philippine Red Cross, this year’s National Health and Beauty Caravan aimed to give new life to the beauty industry through an exhibition of health, beauty, and wellness products, a showcase of Filipino talent through a hair and makeup competition, and a search for beauty and wellness ambassadors from all over the country. “I would like to thank PhilHair on behalf of Mr. Hans Sy and the SM family for launching the Health and Beauty Caravan in 22 malls nationwide, with the goal of discovering and awarding our creative and innovative local talents,” said SM Supermalls Senior Vice President for Marketing Joaquin San Agustin. Mr. and Ms. Health and Beauty Ambassadors 2023 Fifty candidates from 25 SM malls nationwide competed for the most-coveted title of Mr. and Ms. Health and Beauty Ambassadors 2023 at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall on June 28. The candidates flaunted their stunning physiques at the competition and showed the crowd what they got during the activewear and formal wear competitions. From there, the judges chose the Top 5 female and male candidates who then advanced to the Question and Answer portion of the competition. In the end, Mr. SM Muntinlupa Louie Faundo and Ms. SM Olongapo Central Missia Ishikawa were hailed as this year’s Mr. and Ms. Health and Beauty Ambassadors and took home Php 40,000 worth of prizes. “This is the best contest in the country! Here, we talk not only about beauty but also focus on health. With the Mr. and Ms. Health and Beauty Ambassadors 2023 competition, we’re able to show that beauty and health go hand in hand,” said PhilHair president Ricky Reyes. The competition’s panel of judges included the country presidents of the Asia Pacific Hairdressers & Cosmetologists Association including Airene Wang (Malaysia), Sun Heang (Cambodia), Edward Wong (Singapore), Wong Kwok Wa (China), Sherly Sheik (Hong Kong), Chao Ka Cheong (Macau), Theresa Tam (Thailand), and Chen Jiong Ming (Thailand). Completing the judges were Carousel Productions’ Peachy Veneracion and Miss Philippines Earth-Water 2022 Angel Santos. Hair and Makeup Trends 2023 Meanwhile, the caravan’s makeup and hair competition culminated on June 29, 2023. Participants showcased their talents and skills in Masquerade Evening Party Makeup, Bridal Makeup, Unisex Color Styling Competition, and Rebond Plus. Each had a model to stylize and beautify who then came up onstage to showcase the stylized hair and makeup. Daniel Forro was named the champion of the Masquerade Event Makeup, Paulo Torda for Bridal Makeup, Trisha Marquez for Rebond Plus, and Marvin Habla for the Unisex Color Styling Competition. It’s a celebration of beauty and health like no other Aside from the exhibition of beauty experts, well-being was also underscored during the caravans. Representatives from the Philippine Red Cross conducted blood typing and medical training and provided medical assistance to women and children in the communities surrounding the mall. “Beauty and health work in tandem and SM is proud to partner with PhilHair to reach more communities in the country with this important message,” Mr. San Agustin closed. The National Health and Beauty Caravan 2023 was made possible with the help of China Bank, Watsons, Binondo Beauty Supply, Bremod, Bio-Reach, Kemans, and the Philippine Cancer Society. To know more about exciting deals on anything wellness and beauty at SM, make sure to log on to www.smsupermalls.com or follow @smsupermalls on all social media platforms. The post National Health and Beauty Caravan 2023 culminates at SM Mall of Asia appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Decorum
In the hope of relieving the paucity of Mr. Robinhood Padilla’s English vocabulary, he needs to be informed of “d”-letter words related to decorum, a word that he recently got hilariously entangled with. Novice pol Mr. Padilla, in case you haven’t yet heard, got it into his head that he’s a daunting bête noire to former Senator Franklin Drilon, who recently aired a disturbing critique about some members of the current Senate lacking in decorum. But before that, decorum, as defined by the Cambridge Dictionary, means “behavior that is controlled, calm and polite.” It’s a definition that goaded in me a train of words related to decorum: Deportment, demeanor, decorous, decent, dignity, degenerate, debauched, despicable, depraved, degraded, deplorable and devastating. I may have missed other words, but the relevant point of the word parade is that it’s in agreement with Mr. Drilon’s gloomy prognosis that current senators lacking in decorum are a death threat to his beloved Senate. Hear Mr. Drilon: “With all due respect — and I hope that my former colleagues are not onion-skinned — I’m compelled to speak out on what the public perceives to be the erosion of prestige in the Senate, principally by what is perceived to be the lack of decorum by some senators.” Isn’t that a long way of saying there’s an ongoing Senate Apocalypse Lite? Mr. Drilon, however, didn’t name any guilty senator. But Mr. Padilla oddly enough reacted, and in the process made himself the defendant in the issue, despite prefacing that he wasn’t one of the alluded to villains. In obvious defiance of the four-term former senator, Mr. Padilla attacked the decorum critique as deplorable flummery. He asserted that the new Senate members were doing their respective jobs with utmost civility and dignity. Yet, Mr. Padilla’s virtue signaling that he’s up to the job sounded fatuous, of absurd self-importance even, which ended with us having a problem with his cosmetic muscularity rather than assuring us of a dignified Senate. His failure to impress us with Olympian-like rightness even became surreal when he pronounced the current roster of senators as belonging to the “new generation,” that their work was not based on being “honorable looking,” that they were of the masses and had their feet on the ground. Such a debauched litany of self-serving qualities, however, do the masses a disservice, considering that the masses often comport themselves properly by respecting societal mores when attending, for instance, mass or court hearings. Certainly, the masses don’t publicly denigrate themselves by picking their noses, much less combing their mustache, in the middle of mass or a court hearing. The masses aren’t that depraved when it comes to their manners. A Senate hearing, of course, has the same decorous gravitas as a court hearing and the masses won’t certainly do anything like Mr. Padilla’s disgusting indiscretion of publicly combing his newly grown mustache. The actor-turned-politician, in case you haven’t seen the video, did just that last May, nonchalantly during a Senate hearing combing his mustache — a spirited hairy appendage that he says he needs for his forthcoming movie role as Marcelo del Pilar. It is sad to learn that Mr. Padilla will get to portray a heroic, talented revolutionary with a knack for turning vulgarity, which often comes with rebellion, into elegant and eloquent Spanish. Subsequently drubbed, Mr. Padilla surprisingly didn’t expiate for his piss-smelling crassness with sincere regret. Instead, he cynically excused himself, asserting “The rules of the Senate do not prohibit combing a mustache. If there’s a rule on that and it is prohibited, I’d comply.” Disparate though that remark is, it needs no further comment. Except that now we can count Mr. Padilla grooming his mustache as among the Senate’s exceptional past and present follies. Still, Mr. Padilla’s indiscretion “has the lifespan of fresh flowers on a grave.” But, there’s always something, if not a lot, to learn by watching the Filipino postmodern populist political theater — we are both amazed by and sorry for an inane populist egotist. Email: nevqjr@yahoo.com.ph The post Decorum appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Elections without politics
Contrary to what many foreign nationals and even Filipinos themselves believe, partisan politics is prohibited in the synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in the Republic of the Philippines on 30 October 2023. No less than Filipino lawmakers themselves have advised the people against engaging in partisan politics during the barangay and SK elections, citing the prohibition against it under the Omnibus Election Code and Section 93 of the Local Government Code of the Philippines. Under Section 93 on Partisan Political Activity, it is stated that, “No local official or employee in the career civil service shall engage directly or indirectly in any partisan political activity or take part in any election, initiative, referendum, plebiscite, or recall, except to vote, nor shall he use his official authority or influence to cause the performance of any political activity by any person or body.” He may, however, express his views, on current issues, or mention the names of certain candidates for public office whom he supports. Elective local officials may take part in partisan politics and electoral activities, but it shall be unlawful for them to solicit contributions from their subordinates or subject these subordinates to any of the prohibited acts under the Omnibus Election Code. To be elected on 30 October are 42,027 punong barangay or chairmen and 294,189 barangay councilors or kagawad, and the same numbers for the SK chairmen and councilors or kagawad. The barangay election shall be non-partisan and shall be conducted in an expeditious and inexpensive manner. No person who files a certificate of candidacy shall represent or allow himself to be represented as a candidate of any political party or any other organization and/or group. The barangay is the basic political unit that serves as the primary planning and implementing unit for government policies, plans, programs, projects and activities in the community, and as a forum wherein the collective views of the people may be expressed, crystallized and considered, and where disputes may be amicably settled. No person shall be eligible to be a barangay official unless he is a citizen of the Philippines, a registered voter, and an actual resident of the barangay for at least six months immediately preceding the election; able to read and write, and on the date of the election is at least twenty-one years of age. A German national asked: Is the barangay captain a politician? A barangay captain or barangay chairman is the highest elected official in a barangay, the smallest level of administrative division of the Philippines. Also within the barangay are sitios and puroks or sub-divisions of the barangay. The barangay captain does not belong to any political party, nor allow himself to belong to any of them to serve their interest. He works for and serves solely the interests of his constituents within the village. Another foreign national asked: Is a barangay political? A barangay is a political unit but the behavior, official actions and motivations of its leader are not partisan. The chief officials and officers of each barangay are the punong barangay, seven sangguniang barangay members, the SK chairman, a barangay secretary and a barangay treasurer. Are officials of the 42,027 barangays considered government employees of the Republic of the Philippines? Yes, absolutely. The punong barangay, sangguniang barangay members, the KB chairman, the barangay secretary and the barangay treasurer are regular government employees and, as such, are entitled to fixed salaries, alliances, insurance, medical and dental coverage, retirement and benefits. The SK was created in 1975 to train and develop the youth into a strong workforce to serve and protect the homeland. There are lingering voices of dislike for the KB. In fact, many barangay captains find them unnecessary, a nuisance, and a waste of huge amounts of money. Their abolition would be a boon to the thousands of villages in the entire country, they say. The post Elections without politics appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Rabiya Mateo bonds with other candidates by teaching them Filipino words
CEBU CITY, Philippines— Candidates of the 69th Miss Universe pageant may be working on a tight schedule but these ladies made sure to still have some fun. Miss Universe Philippines Rabiya Mateo shared a glimpse of her fun moments with the other candidates while she taught them some Tagalong words or phrases. In a video […] The post Rabiya Mateo bonds with other candidates by teaching them Filipino words appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Choose: Filipino or Filipinx?
BY JOHN TOLEDO Bulatlat.com There’s a specter haunting the Filipinos today. I came across its presence when I stumbled upon a Facebook post by Gio Caligiua, a fellow scholar in the university, one cool September evening. He was analyzing the emergence of #Filipinx and #Pinxy. This month, media made a buzz about Dictionary.com’s standardization of… The post Choose: Filipino or Filipinx? appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Filipino skincare brand tapped as Miss Universe Philippines 2024 presenter
Miss Universe Philippines has ushered in the summer season by presenting the 55 gorgeous and diverse candidates to the press on February 18 at the Grand Ballroom of Hilton Manila......»»
Araneta earns world title shot with dominant TKO over Magramo
CEBU CITY, Philippines— Christian “The Bomb” Araneta finally earned a world title shot in devastating fashion after scoring a technical knockout victory against fellow Filipino Arvin “Hurricane” Magramo in the main event of “Kumbati 16” at the NUSTAR Resort and Casino on Friday evening, January 26, 2024. Araneta made easy work on Magramo, stopping the.....»»
Digital backwater
As in everything else we have failed to do to make us competitive, we are today still a digital backwater. According to the Oxford dictionary, a backwater is a place or condition in which no development or progress is taking place, for example, “the country remained an economic backwater.”.....»»
Trendy Filipino slang every Fil-Am should know
Filipino slang is basically another language—well, almost. Here are some terms used words to get you started. Much like people, languages change over time. The introduction, evolution, and contexts of words change—which means we always have to keep up. For Filipinos living abroad or visiting the Philippines, it’s not always enough just to know Filipino......»»
Filipino devotees flock to the return of Black Nazarene procession | The wRap
The wRap highlights: Nazareno 2024, Diego Loyzaga, Jo Koy at the Golden Globes.....»»
Tapales bares taking advice from Donaire ahead of Inoue showdown
Filipino boxing champion Marlon Tapales said he has received some words of wisdom from the man who had shattered Japanese superstar Naoya Inoue’s aura of invincibility......»»
Right groups condemn deportation, blacklisting of Filipino-Swiss youth leader
By Nica Hernaez Bulatlat.com Human rights groups denounced the illegal detention and deportation of Filipino-Swiss activist Edna Becher by Philippine immigration authorities on December 7. On Dec. 7, Thursday evening, Becher arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 to celebrate the holidays with friends and relatives in the Philippines. However, she was… The post Right groups condemn deportation, blacklisting of Filipino-Swiss youth leader appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
‘Rizz’ charms Oxford wordsmiths to win word of 2023
A shortened form of the word charisma, “Rizz” has been named “Word of the Year” by Oxford Languages, publisher of the Oxford English Dictionary......»»
Valderrama: A year after
Valderrama: A year after Anniversaries hold a special place in our lives, marking significant moments in our relationships and businesses. But what about a death anniversary? Does the pain still linger? Is it the same pain? Can we find healing by letting go? Recently, we commemorated the death anniversary of my brother Joel. Last year, my columns were filled with his memory and the pain of losing a loved one. Unexpected deaths are truly tragic. They shatter our dreams of a future with that person and leave us heartbroken, unprepared. They say the pain of losing someone stays with us forever, but life goes on. We can empower ourselves by carrying their memories and cherishing them, leading to a more fulfilling life. Grieving is a natural response to loss, something we cannot avoid when we are hurting. But as we remember the beautiful moments we shared with our departed loved ones, shouldn't we remember them with a smile? I often think back to how my brother would call me late in the evening, surprising me with his caring words. His advice to explore, to not confine myself to one place, and to allow myself to grow still resonates with me. But along with these memories, regrets start to surface. The wh.....»»
LIST: Meet the Miss Universe 2023 candidates
The Philippines' own Michelle Dee is one of 86 beauty queens hoping to succeed Filipino-American and reigning Miss Universe R'Bonney Gabriel......»»
‘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......»»
Maarte, maldita, at maganda: How Jovie Galit reclaims Filipino derogatory words through art
'I wanted these workshops to be spaces that validate our experiences as Filipinas. Those that allow us to have that sense of power and safety over our own identity,' says Jovie......»»
Observe ‘cyber hygiene,’ judicial personnel urged
The Supreme Court has directed all judiciary officials and personnel to strengthen the courts’ cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive data and minimize the risk of cyber threats. Acting Chief Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen issued the directive as Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo is on official travel abroad, citing the recent data breach involving the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation or PhilHealth. In Administrative Order 150-2023 on “Proper Cyber Hygiene in Judiciary,” the SC said, “One of the most common ways of ransomware attacks is done through phishing emails, which usually contain malicious links or attachments.” The SC warned, “Do not open these links or attachments unless they have been verified to be legitimate.” Court officials and employees were advised to examine carefully the sender’s email address to avoid being victimized. “Phishers often use email addresses that look similar to ones used by legitimate organizations but may have small misspellings or inconsistencies. Always take a close look at the sender’s display name when checking the legitimacy of an email,” the SC said. Court officials and personnel were also instructed to protect personal information and double-check email attachments by scanning the same for viruses. On password security, the SC suggested that “under no circumstances should judiciary personnel use personal information and dictionary words in creating passwords.” Judiciary officials and employees were also urged to use a longer password containing numbers, symbols, and both uppercase and lowercase letters; to avoid the same password for multiple accounts; to consider passphrases or a sequence of random words instead of passwords; to use a password manager; and to enable a multifactor authentication system in their accounts. They were advised never to share their passwords with others, even those who claim to be from trusted institutions, and to ensure that any written passwords are stored securely. In protecting important files and ensuring their recovery in case of data loss, the guidelines recommend that court officials and personnel follow the “3-2-1 backup rule” to ensure data redundancy and availability in case of hardware failure, data corruption, or other catastrophes. The rule requires users to keep three copies of their data on two different media types, with one copy stored offsite. The post Observe ‘cyber hygiene,’ judicial personnel urged appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»