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Tacloban airport contract variations adverse, says council
TACLOBAN CITY — Members of the regional project monitoring committee of the Regional Development Council in Eastern Visayas has urged the Office of the Ombudsman and the Commission on Audit to look into the contracts between the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and the private contractor of the new terminal building of Daniel Z. Romualdez airport here. This comes as RDC private sector representative for multimedia communication Buenaventura Go-Soco disclosed that there were glaring red flags in the implementation of the project which should not be ignored as there are prescribed processes under the law on how this should be addressed. Go-Soco is referring to the variations made to the original contract to make the contractor appear compliant on schedule and the scope of work, adding that based on the CAAP report submitted to the RPMC, slippage of the project implementation was at 38.65 percent as of 27 July 2023. The contractor is the joint venture of MAC Builders and ML Builders. But in a press conference after the RDC meeting last 26 August, the National Economic and Development Authority regional office announced that the problem on the compliance of the contractor has already been fixed due to a variation order signed between CAAP and the contractor. “The negative slippage has been remarkably reduced to less than 1 percent. This is because of the approved catch-up plan approved by the CAAP central office, it being the implementing agency for this particular project,” said NEDA regional director Meylene Rosales. The post Tacloban airport contract variations adverse, says council appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Second release of Fukushima wastewater next week
Japan is releasing next week the second batch of treated wastewater from a crippled nuclear power plant. Fukushima nuclear power plant operator TEPCO said Thursday the second release to the Pacific Ocean will start on 5 October. “As was the case for the first discharge, we will continue to monitor the tritium levels. We will continue to inform the public in ways that are easy to understand based on scientific evidence,” TEPCO official Akira Ono told reporters Thursday. TEPCO says that the water has been filtered of all radioactive elements except tritium, which is within safe levels. That view is backed by the United Nations atomic agency. Some 1.34 million tons of wastewater accumulated when the plant was disabled by a tsunami in 2011. Water was used to cool the reactor of the plant. The first release of wastewater from 24 August to 11 September, measuring 7,800 tons, angered China. Beijing banned all Japanese seafood imports despite assurance by Tokyo that the discharge poses no risk to marine food. China has accused Japan of using the ocean like a “sewer.” Ironically, Chinese boats are reportedly continuing to catch fish off Japan in the same areas that Japanese vessels operate. Rahm Emanuel, the United States ambassador to Japan, last week posted photos of what he said were Chinese fishing boats off Japan on 15 September. Russia, whose relations with Japan are also frosty, is reportedly considering following suit on a seafood ban. The Fukushima wastewater releases, which are expected to take decades to complete, aim to make space to eventually begin removing the highly dangerous radioactive fuel and rubble from the wrecked reactors. WITH AFP The post Second release of Fukushima wastewater next week appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Second round of Fukushima wastewater release to start next week
Japan will begin releasing a second batch of wastewater from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant from next week, its operator has said, an exercise that angered China and others when it began in August. On 24 August, Japan began discharging into the Pacific some of the 1.34 million tons of wastewater that has collected since a tsunami crippled the facility in 2011. "The inspections following the first release have been completed... The (second) discharge will start on 5 October," TEPCO said on Thursday. China banned all Japanese seafood imports after the first release, which ended on September 11, despite Tokyo's insistence that the operation poses no risk. Russia, whose relations with Japan are also frosty, is reportedly considering following suit on a seafood ban. In the first phase around 7,800 tons of water were released into the Pacific out of a planned total of 1.34 million tons, equivalent to more than 500 Olympic swimming pools. TEPCO says that the water has been filtered of all radioactive elements except tritium, which is within safe levels. That view is backed by the UN atomic agency. China has accused Japan of using the ocean like a "sewer", accusations echoed at the United Nations last week by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare of the Solomon Islands, who has developed close relations with Beijing. The release, which is expected to take decades to complete, is aimed at making space to eventually begin removing the highly dangerous radioactive fuel and rubble from the wrecked reactors. "As was the case for the first discharge, we will continue to monitor the tritium levels. We will continue to inform the public in ways that are easy to understand based on scientific evidence," TEPCO official Akira Ono told reporters Thursday. Despite China's ban on Japanese seafood imports, Chinese boats are reportedly continuing to catch fish off Japan in the same areas that Japanese vessels operate. Rahm Emanuel, the US ambassador to Japan, last week posted photos of what he said were Chinese fishing boats off Japan on 15 September. "They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Chinese vessels fishing off Japan's coast on September 15th, post China's seafood embargo from the same waters," Emanuel said on social media platform X. The post Second round of Fukushima wastewater release to start next week appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ombudsman vindicates (2)
The Ombudsman was correct in his unsolicited recommendation that Audit Observation Memorandum or AOMs should not be published to prevent prejudging those involved. But AOMs with biased, political undertones and color, if released within a conspired time frame and raising issues as critical as huge Department of Health or DoH money intended to combat Covid-19 being stolen, can cause a rebellion. More than ever, these justify graft buster Martires’ anger over the publication of AOMs. Amazingly, this scenario reappeared with an almost repeat performance by the same personalities like the lady who poured out her tears over the plea bargaining agreement, Heidi Mendoza, who suddenly appeared from nowhere crying again and asking everyone to pray for the soul of her colleague, UN Auditor, Atty. Jake Cimafranca, who worked hard on the DoH report, died of a heart attack. She posted about it in time for Cimafranca’s burial. Also suddenly appearing was Grace Pulido Tan of the “kahindik-hindik (hideous)” PDAF audit report, echoing the same statement of her tandem Heidi that the release of the DoH audit report was regular and not premature. Astonishing everyone, including CoA state auditors, was the rebuff by no less than CoA Chair Michael Aguinaldo of the directive of President Duterte telling him to audit the Philippine National Red Cross. He said the CoA needed more authority to audit the PNRC. State auditors were shocked by the answer of their chief to a presidential order. Something must be cooking. And there emerged the resounding call for an immediate investigation by the senators of the Republic on the DoH’s P67.32- billion fund intended to fight Covid-19. Soon, the call for an inquiry sounded worldwide. The internet showed news flashes in the world’s capital cities of allegedly massive Department of Health funds of the Philippines intended to protect the people of the archipelago from the onslaught of Covid-19 being stolen. But former fiscal and President Rodrigo Duterte could not be intimidated. “Pure bullshit”: Duterte says CoA-flagged DoH funds not stolen. Duterte tells Cabinet secretaries to ignore CoA reports: “Nothing will happen there.” All probes against DoH “can continue,” Palace says after Duterte scores CoA. In effect, Fiscal Digong was saying, you can go on with your investigation. Catch the crooks, but do not hinder government efforts to provide our people with the supplies they need to protect them from Covid-19. Here is how it all started. The annual audit report on the accounts and financial operations of the Department of Health for the calendar year ending 31 December 2020 disclosed, among other things, the following most significant observations contained in one of the collections of AOM released as an annual audit report on 11 August 2021: “1. Various deficiencies involving some P67,323,186,570.57 worth of public funds and intended for national efforts of combatting the unprecedented scale of the Covid-19 crisis were noted. These deficiencies contributed to the challenges encountered and mixed opportunities by the DoH during the state of calamity and national emergency and cast doubts on the regularity of related transactions. “We requested that the SoH (Secretary of Health) implement the recommendations contained in the Consolidated Management Letter on the audit of Covid-19 funds for the year ending 31 December 2020 and submit a status report on the actions taken on the audit recommendations stated therein.” On 11 August 2021, the preceding observation was reported by a local stream media as a blazing headline: “CoA finds DoH lacking in managing P67.32-B Covid funds.” “The Commission on Audit found deficiencies in how the Department of Health managed the P67.32 billion fund to fight the Covid-19 pandemic, adding that it contributed to challenges that the country faced during the crisis. “CoA’s annual audit report for DoH in 2020 revealed that the deficiencies are caused by non-compliance with pertinent laws and regulations, which led to missed opportunities for the department primarily tasked with managing the pandemic.” (To be continued) The post Ombudsman vindicates (2) appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘C you soon’: EXO’s Chanyeol back in Manila soon for solo fan meet
Filipino EXO-Ls are in for a delightful treat: Chanyeol is coming back to the Philippines! On 26 August, Filipino cosmetic brand Ever Bilena dropped a grand announcement that surprised Yeolmaes (or Chanyeol’s fan base). “Catch our Cherry Prince at the Chanyeol for Ever Bilena–Fun Meet in Manila on 1 October at the PICC Plenary Hall,” Ever Bilena wrote on its social media accounts. Chanyeol was recently unveiled as the new face of Ever Bilena, making him the first international ambassador and the first male endorser of the cosmetics brand. He is also one of the ambassadors of the popular Filipino clothing brand Penshoppe. Not surprisingly, the announcement has garnered thousands of likes and positive reactions. Last May, Chanyeol came to the Philippines for a sold-out fan concert of EXO-SC with fellow EXO member Sehun. Together, they captivated their fans with a back-to-back concert at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Details on how to score tickets and the availability of fun meet kits are yet to be announced. The post ‘C you soon’: EXO’s Chanyeol back in Manila soon for solo fan meet appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
QC police chief urges road rage suspect to surrender
Quezon City Police District Director P/Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III on Sunday urged the road rage suspect, who went viral on social media for hitting a cyclist and brandishing a gun during their heated altercation at an intersection near the Welcome Rotunda area on 8 August 2023, to surrender. A concerned citizen recorded the incident on video and uploaded it on social media, earning hundreds of views and comments, including from Torre. In his comment, Torre urged the still unidentified suspect to surrender to the nearest QCPD Station and not wait for them to catch on him. "Pakidala at surrender na rin ng baril mo para di na kami mag-search warrant sa bahay mo. Baka kabahan ang SWAT ko, at makalabitan ka pa ng M16," Torre warned. The suspect appeared to be a government employee as he was wearing a blue polo shirt with a lapel pin. His red Kia car has a ULQ-802 license plate which the Land Transportation Office is now tracking to determine its owner. The cycling community condemned the suspect's arrogance for taking the bicycle lanes prompting the cyclist to avoid him, whom he sideswiped and almost lost his balance. The suspect got out of his vehicle, berated the unarmed cyclist, and drew his gun. The post QC police chief urges road rage suspect to surrender appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Gripping action drama ‘The Missing Husband’ begins 28 August
A unique action suspense drama is coming to GMA Afternoon Prime on 28 August. The Missing Husband is headlined by some of the country’s brightest stars: Yasmien Kurdi as Millie, Jak Roberto as Joed, Sophie Albert as Ria, Joross Gamboa as Brendan and Rocco Nacino as Anton. Also starring are Nadine Samonte as Nona, a devoted wife and mother; Shamaine Buencamino as Sharon, Anton’s clingy and dependent mother; Michael Flores as Banong, Anton’s happy-go-lucky and lazy brother-in-law; Maxine Eigenmann as Leila, the grumpy and rude sister of Anton; Cai Cortez as Glenndolyn, Millie’s fierce yet funny best friend; Bryce Eusebio as Norman, the nerdy and aloof son of Leila and Banong; and Patricia Coma as Arya, the smart and achiever daughter of Nona. The Missing Husband follows the story of OFWs in Qatar, Anton and Millie, who venture to work abroad away from their families to save enough money for their future. However, their plans change when Millie gets pregnant. They try to start anew in the Philippines, getting married and signing up for an investment opportunity that eventually turns out to be a scam, becoming a nightmare for the couple. The gripping series is produced by the award-winning GMA Entertainment Group headed by senior vice president Lilybeth G. Rasonable; vice president for drama Cheryl Ching-Sy; assistant vice president for drama Ali Marie N. Dedicatoria; senior program manager Antonio R. Pastorpide; and executive producer Mavic O. Tagbo. The creative team behind The Missing Husband is composed of creative director Aloy Adlawan; creative head Dode Cruz; head writer Marides Severino; writers Renato Custodio Jr., Mark Duane Angoas and Maria Christina S. Velasco; and brainstormer Cynthia A. Paz. The Missing Husband — under the helm of esteemed director Mark Reyes — unreels Mondays to Fridays, 4:05 p.m., on GMA Afternoon Prime and Pinoy Hits. Global Pinoys can also catch the program via GMA Pinoy TV. The post Gripping action drama ‘The Missing Husband’ begins 28 August appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
One giant step: Moon race hots up
Russia's plan to launch its lunar lander on Friday is the latest in an international push to return to the Moon that includes the world's top powers but also new players. Technology, science and politics are all essential factors in the Moon race. Here is the latest: China's great leap China is pursuing plans to send a crewed mission to the Moon by 2030 and plans to build a base there. The world's second-largest economy has invested billions of dollars in its military-run space program in a push to catch up with the United States and Russia. China was the third country to put humans in orbit in 2003 and Tiangong is the crown jewel of its space program, which has also landed rovers on Mars and the Moon. The unmanned Chang'e-4 rocket landed on the far side of the Moon in 2019, with another robot mission to the near side raising the Chinese flag there in 2020. That moonshot brought rock and soil samples back to Earth, the first time that has been done in more than four decades. NASA's Artemis NASA's Artemis 3 mission is set to return humans to the Moon in 2025 including its first woman and first non-white astronaut. Under the Artemis program, NASA is planning a series of missions of increasing complexity to return to the Moon and build a sustained presence in order to develop and test technologies for an eventual journey to Mars. The first, Artemis 1, flew an uncrewed spacecraft around the Moon in 2022. Artemis 2, planned for November 2024, will do the same with crew on board. NASA sees the Moon as a pit stop for missions to Mars and has done a deal with Finnish mobile firm Nokia to set up a 4G network there. However, NASA said this week that the Artemis 3 mission may not land humans on the Moon, depending on whether certain key elements, including the landing system developed by SpaceX, were ready. Elon Musk's firm won the contract for a landing system based on a version of its prototype Starship rocket, which remains far from ready. An orbital test flight of the uncrewed Starship ended in a dramatic explosion in April. Russia's Luna Russia's launch of Luna-25 on Friday will be its first to the Moon since 1976 and marks the beginning of Moscow's new lunar project. President Vladimir Putin is looking to strengthen space cooperation with China after ties with the West broke down following the start of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. New players Recent technological progress has reduced the cost of missions and opened the way for new players in the public and private sector to get involved. India's latest space mission Chandrayaan-3 entered the Moon's orbit in August ahead of the country's second attempted lunar landing later this month. But getting to the Moon is not an easy task. Israeli non-profit SpaceIL launched its Beresheet lunar lander in 2019, but it crashed. And in April this year Japan's ispace was the latest company to try, and fail, at the historic bid to put a private lunar lander on the Moon. Two other US companies, Astrobotic and Intuitive Machines, are set to try later in the year. The post One giant step: Moon race hots up appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Why JK Labajo’s Cinemalaya 2023 entry is one big party
The Cinemalaya 2023 entry When This Is All Over is about a group of privileged young adults desperately trying to organize a party at a posh condominium complex they were living in during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, but at the expense of the people working there. Making the movie turned out to be one big party, too. “Hindi mo maramdaman ang trabaho aspect,” lead star Juan Karlos (aka singer-songwriter JK Labajo) said just after the gala screening on 6 August at the Cinema Rizal of the Philippine International Convention Center. “We were just genuinely having fun. We became friends, as you can hear,” he added, referring to the peals of laughter coming from where his costars were happily chatting. “Masaya, masayang experience.” [caption id="attachment_168661" align="aligncenter" width="525"] DIRECTOR Kevin Mayuga | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF ANIMA STUDIOS[/caption] JK plays a character invariably referred to as “The Guy” (by his clients in an illegal trade) and “Unit 610” (by the condo staff) who, beneath his cool and carefree demeanor, is actually hurting from his past and longing for his mother’s love. He said he connected with his character “in some sort of ways especially the connection with the mom. I think that’s where I can relate the most.” A month before When This Is All Over premiered at Cinemalaya, director Kevin Mayuga talked about his first full-length film (after working for years on commercials, digital content, music videos and short films) at an event celebrating the seventh anniversary of ANIMA Studios, which served as executive producer of the movie. Mayuga recalled being impressed with JK’s “breakthrough performance” in last year’s Cinemalaya award-winning entry, The Blue Room. He also noted the actor’s name getting consistent mentions during casting for his movie. “What’s funny is he just randomly added me on Facebook before we were casting, so I think it’s kinda serendipitous,” Mayuga said of the actor, who’s also a singer, musician and songwriter. They then started communicating online. “We got along super well.” Even better, “We found out the story of the film matches how his life story was going,” said Mayuga. “As an actor, JK really put a lot of himself in the film… When we say, ‘Action,’ he just snaps straight to the scene. He really brings that energy to the set as an actor. A lot of the energy came from JK. He was just happy to be in the film. When he read the script, he said, ‘Let’s go f**king do this.’ We just went from there.” As for the moviegoers, Mayuga said he wanted them to “have fun, feel very entertained, maybe enlightened and think about the theme of the film,” which is the stark contrast among social classes. He also expressed his excitement at making the cut for the annual film festival’s main competition. “I think Cinemalaya is a chance for filmmakers to find their voice. We’re grateful I got this chance from Cinemalaya. Catch When This Is All Over at Cinemalaya XIX: IlumiNasyon, which runs until 13 August. Screenings are held at the PICC’s Cinemas Rizal, Bonifacio, Felipe and Palma, as well as at select cinemas of Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Glorietta, UP Town Center and Trinoma. The post Why JK Labajo’s Cinemalaya 2023 entry is one big party appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Liza, Janine, Iza bring star power to Cinemalaya’s ‘Rookie’ gala screening
Liza Soberano, Janine Gutierrez and Iza Calzado were among the celebrity attendees at the gala screening of "Rookie", an entry in the ongoing Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival. The event was held on 6 August at Cinema Rizal of the Philippine International Convention Center. "Rookie" is a coming-of-age queer film about high school volleyball players played by lead stars Aya Fernandez and Pat Tingjuy, who are both making their feature film debut. [caption id="attachment_168526" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Janine Gutierrez (Photo by Jo Valle)[/caption] The film is written by Natts Jadaone ("Lucid") and directed by Samantha Lee ("Baka Bukas", "Billie and Emma"), with Dan Villegas of Project 8 Projects and Bianca Balbuena of ANIMA Studios as executive producers. Project 8 Projects is the film production company founded by Villegas with his fellow filmmaker and fiancée Antoinette Jadaone. Soberano, Gutierrez and Calzado gave support to the movie and the people behind it, especially those they’ve worked with. Soberano starred in Jadaone’s 2019 romantic movie "Alone/Together"; Gutierrez in Lee’s 2022 TV miniseries "Sleep With Me"; and Calzado in Villegas’ 2017 horror flick "Ilawod". [caption id="attachment_168527" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] Cast and crew of the Cinemalaya 2023 film "Rookie" (Photo by Jo Valle)[/caption] Catch "Rookie" at Cinemalaya XIX: IlumiNasyon, which runs until 13 August at the PICC’s Cinemas Rizal, Bonifacio, Felipe and Palma. The film festival also has screenings at elect cinemas of Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Glorietta, UP Town Center and Trinoma. The post Liza, Janine, Iza bring star power to Cinemalaya’s ‘Rookie’ gala screening appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Aya Fernandez, Pat Tingjuy make debut in volleyball film ‘Rookie’
Rookie, an entry to the ongoing Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival, is not only the first Filipino volleyball movie but also the big screen debut of its lead actors Aya Fernandez and Pat Tingjuy. Aya plays Jana, the team captain of a high school volleyball team, and Pat takes on the part of awkward new player Ace who falls for Jana. aya and Pat went through several rounds of audition before they got their roles in this coming-of-age queer movie directed by Samantha Lee and written by Natts Jadaone under ANIMA Studios. “We were paired with different beautiful women,” recalled Aya at an after-party dinner celebrating ANIMA Studios’ seventh anniversary. They then emerged as the perfect pair. Having known each other for a long time surely helped the onscreen partners be at ease and connect well while working. “We went to the same grade school,” said Aya, now 25 years old, and gestured to Pat. “She was our star volleyball player.” Pat could only blush in shyness. Yes, Pat went on playing volleyball, like for the University of Santo Tomas’ College of Architecture’s team, but she’s now embarked on an acting career. “This is my first time ever to be exposed like this. Acting was harder for me than playing volleyball.” For Aya’s part, the Mutya ng Pilipinas 2018 winner admitted volleyball is not her main sport. “So I had to train for almost more than a month to really correct and master the form, as well as immerse with the volleyball players,” she explained. “I’m privileged to be friends with the volleyball players.” Aya, a contract artist of Star Magic talent agency, drew from her acting experience in past ABS-CBN teleseryes Ang Sa Iyo Ay Akin, Ang Probinsyano and A Family Affair, as well as in her current projects Stand-in Love and Nag-aapoy na Damdamin in playing her character. She then found acting while playing volleyball “a new form of art,” in which “you can never fake your reaction.” She then said of Rookie, “Through this film, we hope to show that to play like a girl means to compete like a champion.” Catch Rookie at Cinemalaya XIX: IlumiNasyon, which runs until 13 August at the Philippine International Convention Center and select cinemas of Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Glorietta, UP Town Center and Trinoma. The post Aya Fernandez, Pat Tingjuy make debut in volleyball film ‘Rookie’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Icon Grandmaster Flash leads the Bronx in 70s-style hip-hop jam
As a teenager Grandmaster Flash began pioneering the turntable-as-instrument, playing the now iconic Bronx block parties that gave birth to hip-hop and revolutionized music. On Friday, he was back home, commemorating 50 years of the genre with a performance that had New Yorkers born in the mid-20th century reliving their youth -- and hip-hop's. "This is not a concert -- this is a jam!" Flash, now in his 60s, shouted from the stage, as hundreds of fans roared in applause in the South Bronx's Crotona Park. The audience swayed with their hands in the air as Flash threw it back to the jams of the early 1970s, which ushered in the genre that's profoundly impacted music as well as fashion, dance and the culture at large. The community parties offered teens and families a lifeline in an era of financial crisis that left much of the borough in crippling poverty. "It was the music that really resonated at the time in New York," said Quentin Morgan, 54, who rolled into the park on his bike to catch the event that's part of a series of festivities commemorating hip-hop's birth. "It was gritty in New York -- barely any laws," he said with a chuckle. "It was a different era." Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five in 1982 released "The Message," delivering a raw portrait of urban life and bringing a socially conscious element to the genre on a grand scale. On Friday night, the air was electric as Flash brought MCs Melle Mel and Scorpio onstage where they delivered a rendition of the iconic hit. That preceded a fierce appearance from MC Sha-Rock, widely considered the first woman to MC during hip-hop's nascent years. And KRS-One, who also hails from the South Bronx, freestyled to a chorus of cheers as Flash scratched and transformed, manipulating the vinyl, using now-standard techniques he pioneered half a century ago. Earlier in the evening as opening acts warmed up the crowd, Coke La Rock -- who on 11 August 1973 joined DJ Kool Herc at the party many musicologists consider hip-hop's official conception -- told AFP that for him, hip-hop and the Bronx are one and the same. "I can't see no division of it," the 68-year-old said, calling offshoots of the genre across the United States and even the world "my kids." "They all my kids, if I'm the patent, they the product." 'Biggest music on earth' Speaking to AFP backstage, Flash said Friday's event was meant to emulate the jams of his youth. "It was recreation -- moms said go outside and play," he said. "Never... did I think it would become part of the biggest music on earth." Organizers also relayed a message from the mayor of New York, as the city officially declared August 4 "Grandmaster Flash Day." Keisha Harmon joined the event with her partner of 27 years -- "my Teenage Love," she said, quoting the rap classic by Slick Rick. She'll be 50 in October: she was born in the Bronx just months after the genre she grew up on. "I have chills, look, goosebumps," she told AFP. "All the songs that are playing -- I'm a mother of seven and I'm a grandmother of eight -- and they take me back to No Kids." She described how the hip-hop jams of her childhood spread by word of mouth: "Hey, DJ-such-and-such is in the park, and we would have parties and sing, and it was just fun." "And this reminds me of that," Harmon added, motioning to the park crowded with partygoers on a humid August evening. The celebration "shows our talent" as citizens of the Bronx, she added. "It shows what we contributed to the arts," Harmon said. "Hip-hop has a substance." "The artists were storytellers." "South South Bronx, South Bronx!" the audience shouted throughout the evening, singing the song by Boogie Down Productions produced by KRS-One and DJ Scott La Rock. According to city organizers, Friday night was Grandmaster Flash's first time playing the Bronx in two decades. Along with fellow hip-hop pioneers, he was joined by a troupe of breakdancers who wowed the audience with a throwdown. "Where's my old-schoolers at?" Flash asked the joyous crowd. "I wanna keep it in the 70s." "Somebody say Bronx!" The post Icon Grandmaster Flash leads the Bronx in 70s-style hip-hop jam appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Volcano erupts near Icelandic capital
A volcano erupted near Iceland's capital on Monday, the country's meteorological office said, marking the third time in two years that lava has gushed out in the area. Local media footage shows a massive cloud of smoke rising from the ground as well as a substantial flow of lava at the site around 30 kilometers (19 miles) from Reykjavik. According to an AFP reporter, the smoke can be seen from the road connecting the capital to the international airport, with cars pulled over and people taking pictures. "The eruption is taking place in a small depression just north of Litli Hrutur ('Little Ram' in Icelandic) from which smoke is escaping in a north-westerly direction," the meteorological office said. "There are three fissures with lava basically running in all directions," Thorvaldur Thordarson, Professor in Volcanology at University of Iceland, told AFP. He added that the fissures are in total around 200 to 300 meters long and "it is a low intensity, effusive eruption." This means "it's not causing widespread threats due to explosive activity" but "if the eruption continues for long enough it could be a threat to infrastructure." Thousands of small earthquakes were recorded in the area in the week leading up to the eruption, signaling that the magma below the ground was moving and an eruption was imminent. The Icelandic authorities advised against going to the site, located in difficult terrain without a road connection before they assessed the situation. The magma broke through the ground at around 1640 GMT, just a few kilometers from two previous eruptions in the last two years. The first was on 19 March 2021 in the Geldingadalur Valley and lasted six months, while the second occurred on 3 August 2022 in the Meradalir Valley, lasting three weeks. Prior to the 2021 eruption, the region had remained dormant for eight centuries, but volcanologists believe the new cycle of increased activity could last several years. The effusive eruptions that have occurred in this area so far have not been very dangerous, nor have they had any impact on air traffic. The 2021 and 2022 eruptions attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors hoping to catch a rare glimpse of an active volcano. Thordarson said the eruption could last anywhere from "a few days" to more than half a year like in 2021, or even longer. Land of fire and ice Iceland has 33 volcanic systems currently considered active, the highest number in Europe. It has an eruption every five years on average. The North Atlantic island straddles the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a crack in the ocean floor separating the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. In April 2010, some 100,000 flights were canceled, leaving more than 10 million travelers stranded, following the massive eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano. Other volcanoes, such as Askja in the uninhabited highlands of central Iceland, have recently shown signs of activity. One of the country's most dangerous volcanoes is Katla, near the south coast. It last erupted in 1918, with an unusually long pause suggesting an imminent reawakening. The 1783 eruption of the Laki volcanic fissure in the south of the island is considered by some experts to be the most devastating in Iceland's history, causing its biggest environmental and socio-economic catastrophe. Between 50 to 80 percent of Iceland's livestock was killed, leading to a famine that left a quarter of the country's population dead. The meteorological impact of the eruption also had repercussions for several years, with some experts suggesting it may have played a part in triggering the French Revolution. The post Volcano erupts near Icelandic capital appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Crash ends Cavendish Tour de France record quest
Mark Cavendish crashed out of the Tour de France on Saturday ending the star British cyclist's quest to break the all-time record of stage wins. The 38-year-old sprint specialist was forced to exit after suffering a suspected broken collarbone in a fall about 60km from the finish line on stage eight. Cavendish was racing in what is likely to be his final Tour de France in an effort to break the all-time record of 34 stage wins he shares with Belgian great Eddy Merckx. The Astana rider remained on the road for a couple of minutes rolling in agony every time he reached towards his right shoulder. Medics were swiftly on the scene and lifted him into an ambulance placing smelling salts under his nose and applying balm on his road burns. Cavendish was ashen-faced as doctors closed the ambulance door with organisers later confirming his withdrawal. On Friday, his bid to set the new record escaped him by a whisker on stage seven at Bordeaux. The exit is all the sadder given the peloton was speeding up to over 50kph attempting to catch an escape with another bunch sprint possible at Limoges. Cavendish burst onto the Tour de France map in 2008 with his first four wins when he was just 23 years old. His celebrations made such good television he attracted a new generation of fans to the sport. Bullish competitor A student of the fine art of the sprint lead out and a bullish competitor the Isle of Man native matched Merckx on 34 wins in 2021. He missed the cut in 2022 but changed teams for 2023 where he appeared capable of clinching the all-important stage for which he strived so hard. Although Cavendish originally said this would be his final Tour de France he left the door open to another year on the eve of this tour. "I'm still racing, still loving it, and I'll keep doing it until I stop," he said. "The biggest thing I can say is never give up, do what you want and enjoy it, but commit to it. It's a good rule to live by." Cavendish appeared to be about to bag a record-breaking 35th win on Friday at Bordeaux where he hit almost 75kph before a chain slip allowed Jasper Philipsen to burst back past him. He was also in the mix on the two other stages that ended in mass bunch sprints. The Manx Missile reached 73kph at one point on the first bunch sprint on stage three in Bayonne, where he came sixth. No rider had gone faster on the Tour until he himself smashed that on Friday. At the Nogaro motorbike racetrack on stage four, he came fifth and said he had been blocked by a fall as the 25-year-old Philipsen won a second straight stage. A Netflix television crew for a series to be aired in August has been following Cavendish's every move. The post Crash ends Cavendish Tour de France record quest appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Traffic violations ‘surge’ blamed on NCAP suspension
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority plans to appeal to the Supreme Court its suspension of the no-contact apprehension policy, or NCAP, in catching traffic violators. The SC suspended the scheme in August last year pending the resolution of a petition against the NCAP questioning its legality. “Having the no-contact apprehension policy really helps in deterring traffic violators from committing these traffic violations,” an official of the Metro Manila Council said in a TV interview yesterday. “Now, if there are no cameras in the streets, the tendency really is for them to violate,” he added, referring to the system that uses cameras to catch traffic violations. The MMC, which is composed of the mayors of the 17 local government units in the National Capital Region, backed the MMDA’s position that the NGCP needed to be brought back. It claimed that traffic violations had increased since the suspension of the NCAP. It said 32,700 traffic violations were logged in May this year. Prior to the NCAP’s suspension, an average of 9,514 traffic violations had been reported. “Am I saying that all of these are because of the suspension? Not really, but again data will show that the number of violations has increased,” the MMC official said. The post Traffic violations ‘surge’ blamed on NCAP suspension appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Experience Warner Bros. centennial celebration at SM Supermalls
Warner Bros. commemorates its 100th year in the Philippines with a series of exciting events starting this month at SM Supermalls. [caption id="attachment_137946" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Warner Bros. has been a trailblazer in the entertainment industry.[/caption] Mall goers will be treated to exclusive merchandise, activations and special engagements for WB fans to enjoy. For 100 years, Warner Bros. has been a trailblazer, standing at the forefront of the entertainment industry, and is home to one of the most successful portfolios of brands with millions of fans worldwide. The WB 100 will allow fans to step into 100 years of Warner Bros.’ story with an animation studio experience, costume area, props studio and a scale replica of the iconic Warner Bros. water tower similar to the one in Burbank, California. Fans can also bring home the exclusive WB 100 collectibles and other commemorative merchandise. [caption id="attachment_137945" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Batman cosplayers.[/caption] The campaign will also include meet-and-greet with the classic Looney Tunes characters dressed as DC Super Heroes. Numerous photo spots from iconic Warner Bros. scenes will also be showcased all over the malls. The celebration at SM North Edsa runs until 4 June. Catch the celebration across the key selected SM Malls: SM City Fairview, 10 to 22 July; SM City Novaliches, 16 to 31 July; SM City San Lazaro 19 to 30 June; SM City BF Parañaque, 13 to 20 June; SM City Sucat, 23 June to 2 July; SM City Bicutan, 7 to 16 July; SM East Ortigas, 28 July to 13 August; SM San Mateo, 4 to 20 August; SM Marikina, 18 August to 3 September 3; SM Taytay, 25 August to 10 September; and SM Masinag, 8 to 24 September. Experience the Warner Bros. celebration and get your hands on the range of WB 100 merchandise starring a unique mash-up of Looney Tunes and DC. The post Experience Warner Bros. centennial celebration at SM Supermalls appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Lakers hope James continues, but say he has ‘earned right’ to retire
Los Angeles Lakers team chief Rob Pelinka said Tuesday he hoped LeBron James would continue his NBA career but said the NBA superstar had "earned the right" to retire. James, 38, stunned the basketball world late Monday after telling ESPN he was considering calling time on his glittering 20-season career in the NBA. His comments came after a 40-point display in the Lakers' 113-111 defeat to the Nuggets, who advanced to the NBA Finals after completing a 4-0 sweep of the 17-time champions. James' retirement hint appeared to catch many -- including the Lakers front office -- off-guard, given that James signed a two-year contract extension with the team last August. Lakers general manager Pelinka said Tuesday that he and head coach Darvin Ham will hold talks with James soon to discuss his future while emphasizing the club would support whatever he chose to do. "Coach and I will speak to LeBron in the coming days," Pelinka said. "We all know that he speaks for himself and we'll look forward to those conversations when the time is right. "But I will say this -- LeBron has given as much to the game of basketball as anyone who's ever played. "And when you do that, you earn the right to decide whether you're going to give more." Pelinka said it was possible James had reached an "inflection point" in his career. "Our job at the Lakers organization is to support any player on our team if they reach a career inflection point," Pelinka said. "LeBron is surrounded by incredible people. I'm sure he'll have conversations with them. In the coming days we’ll be in contact with him and his team and really providing nothing but support for him. "Obviously, our hope would be that his career continues. But we want to give him the time to have that inflection point and support him in everything he does." Ham echoed Pelinka's comments, praising James for his input during a season that saw the Lakers make a disastrous 2-10 start before retooling their roster and making a deep run in the playoffs. "I think I was ready to retire last night too," Ham joked. "But in all honesty and seriousness, LeBron has earned the right to do whatever he wants to do. "I just want to thank him ... especially him, for being a consistent resource for me as a first-time head coach. "I've been around the game for a long time, and he was the most supportive, knowledgeable, communicative resource that I had all year. He was right there front and center for me and my staff. So he's earned the right to decide whatever he wants to do." Pelinka meanwhile said that the Lakers hoped to keep the core of the roster that finished the season as they build for the future. "We're incredibly proud of this group ...keeping that continuity is going to be very important," Pelinka said. "We ultimately got knocked out by a team that has great continuity. They've got a group of players who've been together for several seasons and it shows in the way they play. So continuity is a high priority for us." The post Lakers hope James continues, but say he has ‘earned right’ to retire appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Infrastructure expenses rise to P74 billion in August
The government increased its infrastructure spending to P74 billion in August as the administration tries to catch up with it’s expenditure targets for the year, according to the Department of Budget and Management......»»
Detainee found dead in quarantine facility in Ronda
CEBU CITY, Philippines — A sick detainee, who decided to leave the hospital fearing he might catch COVID-19 there, was found dead inside a quarantine facility on August 14 in Ronda town in southwestern Cebu. Leodegario Tampus, 50, of Barangay Palanas, Ronda town in southwestern Cebu, was already dead inside the isolation room when […] The post Detainee found dead in quarantine facility in Ronda appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Behind the Scenes: The Heroes of ABS-CBN Sports
While the general public sees or hears the finished product on-air or online, most do not witness or appreciate those who worked tirelessly behind the scenes at ABS-CBN Sports. There’s an African proverb that says it takes a village to raise a child. Well, it took almost exactly that to make ABS-CBN Sports work. As we commemorate National Heroes Day in the country on the final day of ABS-CBN Sports, it is only fitting to acknowledge and thank those behind-the-scenes heroes who have been part of the amazing journey (DISCLAIMER: I may have left out some names, but it is purely unintentional so my apologies). Thank you, first and foremost, to our Chairman Emeritus Gabby Lopez, whose passion and love for sports led to the initiative that is ABS-CBN Sports. Thank you to our former President and CEO, Charo Santos-Concio, our current President and CEO, Carlo Katigbak, a true tennis fan, and our Chairman Mark Lopez, who showed us composure, class and grace as leaders. Thank you to our beloved COO, Cory Vidanes, who allowed ABS-CBN Sports to reach a broader audience when it aired special events on Channel 2 as well as feature athletes and sports personalities on entertainment programs. Thank you to the voice of ABS-CBN and former ABS-CBN Sports head, Peter Musngi, for leading the division during its early years. Thank you to Narrowcast head, Antonio “March” Ventosa, as well as his executive assistant, Trina Magallanes, for helping us navigate during the transtition period of ABS-CBN Sports. Thank you to the captain of our ship, ABS-CBN Integrated Sports head, Dino Laurena, who inspired us to work harder and better to serve our audience. Thank you to Sir Dino’s gatekeeper, his executive assistant, Donna Seat, who was our bridge whenever we needed to reach out to the boss. Thank you to S+A channel head and production head, Vince Rodriguez, LIGA channel head, Jojo Neri-Estacio and Business Unit Head, Jun Martinez. They were our constant guides who enabled us to provide quality content on broadcast despite immense internal and external pressure. Thank you to the people who made sure we never went beyond our budget and reached our targets – our Finance team made up of Berg Capiz, Jem Castro and Lorna Gendrano. Thank you to our S+A On-Air team of Rommel Noviza, Janice Rulloda, Princess Basye, Biboy Diga, Mark Marinay, Arnold Saclolo, Borge Raval and Hans Espiritu as well as our Liga Channel team of Anna Santos, Francis Patawaran, Aprille Signo and Joramie Roque, for ensuring everything airs on time. Thank you to our Digital Head, Mico Halili, for his innovative and fresh ideas on the digitial space. Thank you to the men and women who made our broadcast coverage as close to flawless – our Production Manager, Jennifer Jimenez, our directors, which include THE Abet Ramos, Al Neri, Raul de Ocampo and Rommel Pedrealba, and our technical directors made up of Elmond Salvahan, Jhonnald Garcia, Marvin Chavez, Bingbong Pangan, Arnold Bulaong and Joseph Vega. Thank you to the men and women who made sure our partner properties were happy with our coverage, and that everything was in place for each and every game or show we put out there – our Executive and Associate Producers Vic Caridad, Malou Neri, Ada Bayuga, Diana Sayson, Oxy del Rosario, Mae Mañalac, Aries Galot, Apples Dela Vega, Kristina Manzana, Roy Briones, Ledz Cahinhinan, JC Gonzales, Gab Gonzales and Manny Gabutina. Thank you to those who crafted and produced memorable segments – our segment producers Eva Evangelista, Carlo Grajo, Cha Lucero, Mark Morados, Jeff Sta. Maria, Jet Montebon, Sharon Muli, Alex Brocoy, Mika Barrios, Bill Barrinuevo and Volta delos Santos as well as our video editors Pido Cruz and Fonz Fajatin. Thank you to those who put the right words into play – our writers Monica Magpantay, Paul Loyola, Jigs Guardiano, Adrian Dy, Sheiden Dela Cruz, Ken Natividad, Syjin Reyes and Migs Gomez. Thank you to those who gave the right cues to our anchors, analysts and courtside reporters – our panel director Larry "Care Mo Naman" Deang, our floor directors Miky "Gandara" Mirabueno, Lyanne Ocampo-Tan and Fritz Dizon. Thank you to the people who made sure that the right moments were captured – our Camera Control Unit made up of George Austria, Joel Supremo and Edgar Guarte, our Cameramen Lloyd Villamor, Rovic Pacis, Gerald "Superman" Fermin, Ron Fermin, Ronald Mangcoy, Michael Pico, Emman Andes, Butch Pineda and Mark Nicolas. Thank you to those who made sure we heard the sounds and voices loud and clear – our audio engineers Elias Javier, Ramil Ciruano, Albert Agbay, Jancel Abobo as well as our audiomen Joseph Nicolas and Ameng Atienza. Thank you to the guys who allowed us to get another look at the action – our EVS/Slomo Operators Joejay Abarquez, Raymond Biojon and Dido Batallion and VTR men Christian Abarquez, Kenneth Abarquez and Oliver Sañez. Thank you to the people responsible for making things more visible on our screens –our Electrician/Lighting Directors Alvin Saavedra and Jorge Paraon and our lightman Calvin Liong. Thank you to those who create those cool graphics and effects that catch our attention during games and shows - our Graphic Artists/Operators Jam Memdoza, Denice Ylagan, Erol Corpuz, Sara Concepcion, Jeff Jugueta and Kevin Camero. Thank you to the team who put the little things in order – our set-up assistants Jerald Testor, Ivan Castillo, Ferdie Mangaong, Remus Taniengra, Daniel Dimaculangan, Eduardo Dacumos, Ryan Ancheta, Allan Porsioncula, Laurence Sosa, Illac Alvarez, Benjo Asiatico, Manny Cajayon, Lepoldo Bofill, Victor Taniegra, Caleb Bautista, Jeremiah Mallari and Bennett Cabus. Thank you to the guys who provided the correct statistics and graphics – our panel scorers/GFX feeders Rico Bayuga, Ronaldo Serrano, Arvin Estabillo and Gilbert Serrano. Thank you to those who made our on-cam talents look good – our makeup artists Mylyn Concepcion, Nina Concepcion, Estrella Besabe, Norma Calubaquib and Nizel Reduta and our stylist Lyle Foz. Thank you to those who were always ready to lend a helping hand – our production assistants, Lian Salango, Pau Hiwatig, Helen Trinidad, Riri Gayoma, Jade Asuncion and Lovely Dela Cruz. Thank you for the imagination and artistry of our Creative Communications Management (CCM) team composed of Elirose Borja, Jerome Clavio, Djoanna San Jose, Lara Mae Allardo, Robin Lorete, Cristy Linga, Christopher Eli Sabat, Archimedes Asis (the voice of S+A), Jan Dormyl Espinosa, Aila Onagan and Nyro Mendoza. They say that advertising is the lifeblood of media and that we wouldn’t be able to deliver high-quality content if not for advertisers brought in our by our Sports Sales team, so thank you to our Sports Sales Heads Jojo Garcia, Nicole Moro and Ken Ti, along with our account executives Tin Saw, Annalyn Herrera, Trina Vallarta, Joey Tang, Karlo Miguel, Paul Sembrana, Mike Tan, Ray Del Castillo, and Jason Gaffud. Thank you to those who constantly pitched ideas and presented to clients on our behalf, our Business Development Executive, Tonyo Silva, and our Sports Marketing team made up of Thirdy Aquino, Maui Tang, Jason Roberto, Danica Jose, Lala Cruz and Hanz Trajano. Thank you to the people who looked out for the wellfare and concerns of our division members – our Human Resources squad made up of Arvin Crisol, James Lee, Anika Gregorio and Donna Yabut. Social media has been a game changer and enabled people to relive key moments in sports events, so thank you to our social media team made up of Jon Rodriguez, Alvin Laqui, Danine Cruz, Aia del Mundo, Melvin Rodas, Clev Mayuga, Migs Flores and Lloydie Moreno. We would also like to give special thanks to our former bosses and colleagues who have moved on from this world, Rolly V. Cruz, Danilo A. Bernardo, George G. Padolina, Marco Franco, Gerald Gicana, Rhodora "Dhanda" Panganiban, Vernie Calimlim and Erwin Evangelista. Lastly, I personally want to thank the website content team made up of sub-section editors Santino Honasan, Mark “Mr. Volleyball” Escarlote, Norman Benjamin Lee Riego (Yes, it has to be his complete name) and Paul Lintag, former sub-section editor Milan Ordonez, former writer Philip Matel, videographers Nigel Velasquez, Rocio Avelino and Steph Toben, photographers Arvin Lim, Richard Esguerra and Joshua Albelda, former NBA Philippines website managing editor Adrian Dy, contributing writers Anton Roxas, Marco Benitez, “Doc Volleyball” AJ Pareja, Migs Bustos, Mikee “Diliman Legend” Reyes and Ceej Tantengco. While our journey in telling these stories with ABS-CBN Sports will abruptly come to a halt, it has been an honor and a pleasure serving the Filipino sports fans worldwide. We may no longer be around as an organization, but the great athletes will keep playing and inspiring and the games will continue. And so, with a sense of immense gratitude, we say: Maraming Salamat Kapamilya! Hanggang sa muli! --- Lorenzo Z. Manguiat has been the Editor-in-Chief of sports.abs-cbn.com since 2014 and Sports News Desk Head since 2015. He started as game writer for ABS-CBN Sports in 2000 and served in various other capacities within ABS-CBN. He is among the thousands of employees who will be retrenched on August 31, 2020. .....»»