We are sorry, the requested page does not exist
Road rage
Those with sharp memories and local crime story buffs will never forget three road rage cases that hogged print and broadcast news headlines toward the end of the 20th century and into the millennium. These high-profile cases involving detainees Inocencio Gonzales, Rolito Go, and Jason Ivler ended in their conviction and sentencing to long prison terms, with their names forever etched in the annals of heinous crimes recorded in the country. A brief refresher. On 2 July 1991, a De La Salle University engineering student was driving on a one-way street in San Juan City, Metro Manila, when he ran into construction firm executive Rolito Go, plying the road from the opposite direction. After a brief altercation, Go shot Eldon Maguan in the head, who died in the aftermath. Go served 25 years in prison before he was released. Seven years later, in the middle of a heated argument over a parking slot, real estate developer Inocencio Gonzales Jr. lost his cool, which led to the fatal shooting of a pregnant woman and the wounding of two younger children with her and her husband at the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City on 21 October 1998. Gonzalez was meted a 14-year prison term. In 2009, a nephew of music celebrity Freddie Aguilar, Jason Ivler, shot dead a son of former Malacañang official Renato Ebarle Sr. after a tiff on a Quezon City road. An earlier road incident in 2004 that snuffed the life of another Malacañang official, Nestor Ponce, also pointed to Ivler as the accused in Ponce’s death. A Quezon City court found Ivler guilty of the murder of Renato Ebarle Jr. and sentenced him to 40 years in jail. There are no available statistics on road rage incidents in the Philippines, but observers have noted an alarming increase in recent years. But in the United States, statistics show 413 people were hurt in road rage shootings in 2022, or a 135 percent increase from 2018. US traffic experts say confrontational driving is more often the case that could be caused by traffic conditions, inconsiderate motorists, and high stress levels among motorists with ages ranging from 19 to 39. Not too long ago, two road rage incidents that have gained public attention because of social media posts that had gone viral involved men in uniform. In the viral video of an incident in Quezon City, Wilfredo Gonzales, a policeman dismissed from the service for grave misconduct in 2018, was shown brandishing a gun and threatening a cyclist in a traffic row. Even more controversial was a press conference conducted by the QC police days later that suggested they were “lawyering” for Gonzales, a former QC policeman. The PNP has no mandate to host such a press conference, it was later learned. In a separate incident, a Pasay City policeman, SSgt. Marsan Dolipas was also shown in a video post holding down an armed Angelito Velasquez Rencio, who said he was an Intelligence agent, after a traffic dispute in Makati City when the latter allegedly sideswiped the policeman. Both incidents prompted the usual calls for an investigation. Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senator Rafael Tulfo have called for a Senate probe into the escalation of road rage cases in the country. It is interesting to note that even President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. filed Senate 2923 when he was still a senator back in 2011. The bill “hopes to once and for all stomp rood rage as on unnecessary and reprehensible evil, and define such as a circumstance that could aggravate, or even qualify, on offense occasioned by it. The incidents involve public order and safety, particularly “road sharing,” a concept that they said is often ignored or alien to many Filipino motorists, added the senators. For his part, Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos, whose jurisdiction includes the control of the PNP, said: “For the sake of a peaceful and orderly society, we cannot allow a culture of impunity. We cannot allow bullies to intimidate people with deadly weapons. There must be consequences here.” Still, the incidents persist. Behavioral scientists attribute road rage to several reasons: A need to control other drivers who violate their space, unchecked anger or aggression, huge egos, or a need to be dominant. Others think the rise in incidents lately came about by the advent of Covid-19 when stress levels reached abnormally unreachable heights caused by depression, the loss of jobs or loved ones to the pandemic, and the inability to cope with such. Solutions have been suggested. Push for continuing driver anger management education. Discard the “it’s the other driver’s fault” excuse. Don’t allow anyone to push your “rage buttons” by staying calm and collected when an altercation appears to be headed your way. Yield to others. These may be easier said than done, but why not take the chance? As an anger management expert said: Realize road rage is ridiculous, life-threatening, and not something you have to participate in — ever. And you can arrive at your destination safe and sure. The post Road rage appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Off duties
There are as many ways to lose a job as to get one. Supermarket employee Santino Burrola encountered shoplifters at the King Soopers in Colorado, USA, on 18 June. When three thieves carted away $500 worth of detergents and ran to the parking lot for their getaway, Burrola went after the men and with his mobile phone recorded them loading their loot in the back of a car. Burrola captured the heist on his gadget, including the thieves driving off and the plate number of their car. He posted the video on TikTok and it went viral which helped the police quickly find and arrest one of the thieves. The management of King Soopers, however, suspended Burrola the following day and fired him a week later for violating the company’s policy of not chasing after thieves or intervening in theft to avoid risking employees’ lives and lawsuits from wrongful accusations, Fox Business reported. Canadian teacher Kristin MacDonald was fired on 16 June for refusing to deactivate her social media accounts under an alias. Her termination followed a student’s reporting of MacDonald’s TikTok videos showing her in a bikini, which the school deemed an egregious conduct. The teacher defended her TikTok, Instagram and OnlyFans accounts, saying they were not illegal and she needed to augment her income with content creation, to no avail. A British nurse was dismissed by a hospital in Wrexham, Wales, UK, in May after she admitted having a relationship with a kidney patient undergoing dialysis. The affair of Penelope Williams, 42, with the man ended earlier, in January 2022, when she met him for the last time in the hospital parking lot. The tryst inside his car went awry as the patient suffered a heart attack. A colleague she called for help at the time urged her to call medics but a distraught Williams did not immediately heed the advice. When emergency personnel eventually arrived, they found the patient partially naked and unresponsive, according to New York Post. The post Off duties appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
UST draws flak for censoring photo
A lawmaker and various groups criticized the University of Santo Tomas, particularly UST’s Office of Student Affairs, for its move to censor the school’s online campus media organization over a photo that went viral on social media......»»
Francine Diaz on balancing student-work life, creating good social media content
Francine Diaz is thankful to the people who have been helping her balance her work and studies as she aims to finish her senior high school this year......»»
Comeback is real : It s Showtime! return surges to top tweets, viral memes
After serving its two-week suspension, popular noontime show "It's Showtime" returns with a bang as its episode today and hosts trended on social media platforms. .....»»
Subscription plan promises boosted replies at X, formerly Twitter
X on Friday unveiled a $16-a-month subscription plan allowing users who pay more to get the biggest boost for their replies posted at the platform formerly known as Twitter. The "Premium+" plan is ad-free and designed to provide "the largest reply boost" at X, the company said in a post. The plan builds on features offered in a Blue subscription plan costing $3 monthly and a Premium Plan priced at $8 monthly, according to X. Listed features of Premium+ include a blue tick next to names in profiles along with "a visible ID verification label," according to X. The platform recently started charging new users in New Zealand and the Philippines for basic features such as posting messages in a trial aimed at reducing spam. Musk has suggested charging all X users, but the idea was widely panned. Industry analysts said it would make X even less appealing to advertisers. Musk has made a number of controversial changes to the social media firm's management and product since he acquired Twitter a year ago for $44 billion. In the days after his purchase, Musk quickly fired many Twitter executives and took the publicly traded company private. He also laid off most of the San Francisco-based company's workers, cutting ranks to fewer than 1,500 from 8,000. In the months following his takeover, Musk gutted content moderation, restored accounts of previously banned extremists, and allowed users to purchase account verification, helping them profit from viral -- but often inaccurate -- posts. Musk defended such changes in the name of free speech. Over the past year, the platform's advertising business partially collapsed as marketers soured on X. Musk started charging for features once free at Twitter, such as blue tick marks originally intended as badges of authenticity, in an effort to make money from subscriptions. X is tinkering with video and audio calling at the platform formerly known as Twitter, according to a recent post by Musk. Musk in July rebranded Twitter as X, saying it would become an "everything app" inspired by China's WeChat that would allow users to socialize as well as handle their finances. The post Subscription plan promises boosted replies at X, formerly Twitter 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......»»
Dark side of Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence, or AI, has undeniably revolutionized various aspects of our lives, from enhancing industry efficiency to providing personalized recommendations. However, as AI continues to evolve, it brings with it a set of challenges and ethical concerns. One of the alarming trends is the use of AI-generated impostors in advertisements, creating a ripple effect that negatively impacts individuals, public trust, and the very fabric of authenticity in our society. The use of AI-generated impostors in advertising has become a growing concern, exemplified by the case of award-winning Hollywood actor Tom Hanks, who complained about a video advertisement he said he had nothing to do with. In this digital age, where AI algorithms can seamlessly replicate the appearance and even the voice of well-known figures, the lines between reality and simulation blur. Advertisements featuring these AI-generated impostors can mislead the audience, leading to unintended consequences. When AI-generated impostors are used in advertisements, the first casualty is the reputation of the individuals being impersonated. In the case of Tom Hanks, a beloved figure in the entertainment industry, the use of his likeness in deceptive advertisements not only damages his personal brand but also creates confusion and mistrust among his fanbase. Fans may find it challenging to distinguish between genuine endorsements and those featuring AI-generated impostors, eroding the authenticity that defines a celebrity’s connection with their audience. The broader consequence of AI-generated impostors in advertising is the erosion of public trust. As consumers become increasingly skeptical of the content they encounter, distinguishing between real and simulated information becomes daunting. This erosion of trust extends beyond the realm of advertising, impacting how people perceive information in general. The pervasive use of AI-generated content contributes to a culture of suspicion and skepticism, hindering meaningful communication and undermining the foundation of a trustworthy society. The use, therefore, of AI-generated impostors raises significant ethical concerns, particularly regarding consent. Celebrities and public figures have a right to control the use of their likeness, and AI-generated content often circumvents these rights. The creation and deployment of AI-generated advertisements featuring impostors may occur without the knowledge or consent of the individuals being impersonated. This not only violates their privacy but also challenges the ethical boundaries of technological advancements. Beyond the immediate impact on individuals and public trust, the prevalence of AI-generated impostors in advertising has cultural and social ramifications. As our interactions with AI become more commonplace, the blurring of authenticity in media content challenges our perception of reality. This distortion can influence societal values and norms, making it imperative to address the ethical implications of AI in advertising to safeguard the integrity of our cultural landscape. To mitigate the adverse effects of AI-generated impostors in advertising, there must first be increased awareness and education about AI-generated content’s existence and potential consequences. This includes educating consumers about the technology and its potential misuse in the advertising landscape. There is a need for stricter regulations governing the use of AI in advertising, especially when it involves the likeness of public figures. Clear guidelines on obtaining consent, disclosing the use of AI-generated content, and enforcing penalties for violations can help protect individuals and maintain the public’s trust. While, indeed, AI holds immense potential to transform various aspects of our lives positively, its misuse, as seen in the case of AI-generated impostors in advertising, poses serious challenges. The negative effects extend beyond individual reputations, impacting public trust, ethical standards, and cultural values. As we navigate this digital era, it is crucial to address these issues proactively through a combination of education, regulation, and ethical considerations. Only through a concerted effort can we ensure that the power of AI is harnessed responsibly, preserving the authenticity and trust that underpins a healthy and vibrant society. The post Dark side of Artificial Intelligence appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ready for it? Belgian university offers literature course on Taylor Swift
A hubbub grips the class in the Belgian city of Ghent as university students eagerly discuss whether US pop star Taylor Swift is a "literary genius". The question elicits passionate responses from students, and it's an exercise their professor hopes will enliven their engagement with more traditional figures of the English Literature canon. The course is among a handful that have popped up at universities around the world as pop titan Swift has racked up hits and awards and as her Eras Tour is expected to set a record for the first billion-dollar tour. "To read her lyrics without the context of the song, it can feel like poetry," one student says, after the teacher opens the floor to discussion. Another student pipes up to suggest it's too soon to say Swift, 33, has had the same cultural impact as William Shakespeare, known around the world for many centuries. While Shakespeare wrote at least 38 plays, Swift has recorded 10 albums. Some will wonder what Shakespeare and his peers share in common with today's biggest US singer-songwriter. Well, they are all the subject of Elly McCausland's course called "Literature (Taylor's Version)" for Master's degree students at Ghent University, which will run until the end of the year. During the first class on Monday, assistant professor McCausland piqued the students' curiosity with controversial questions, including why certain authors and literature are considered timeless, while other books are not valued the same way. McCausland's goal? To make literature more accessible. "I'd like to get people excited about literature, thinking about literature in a new way and realizing that actually even literature from centuries and centuries ago still has something to add to our conversations," she told AFP at the class. 'Swift is a real poet' The 10-session course will use Swift's songs as references for themes and will focus on a series of historic texts including Charlotte Bronte's Villette, lesser known than Jane Eyre. The course has proved popular, with 61 students signed up, twice as many as usual. There are even students from other parts of Belgium. Zina Ringoot, 20, had learned just hours before that she could attend the course and made the 90-minute trip to Ghent from Antwerp in the northeast. "I'm a huge Taylor Swift fan," said Ringoot, an English literature Master's student. "I'm hoping to write my thesis on Taylor Swift's album 'folklore' and how it connects to romanticism. So I thought I would get a lot out of this class." Not everyone in the class is a Swiftie, as her fans call themselves. Joris Verschelde, 21, admitted he was "not that big of a fan" but wanted to "see the connection between the songs and what what we already learned" in the older texts. Laughter often fills the windowless auditorium, despite the fact that serious themes are on the agenda, including feminism, sexism and misogyny. When McCausland asks: "Who are the gatekeepers" of English literature, one student quips: "A bunch of old men!" Even if critics reject comparisons with the canonical greats, Swift has fans even among Shakespeare experts including British academic Sir Jonathan Bate. After attending a concert during Swift's record-breaking Eras tour, Bate wrote in the Sunday Times in April: "I came away with confirmation of a thought I first had 15 years ago: this isn't just high-class showbiz, Taylor Swift is a real poet." Beyond Belgium University courses looking at Swift have been popping up around the world. New York University's Clive Davis Institute launched its first-ever course on Swift last year, and Queen Mary University of London offered a summer school this year looking at Swift through a literary lens. In Arizona, PhD student Alexandra Wormley is hosting a course on the social psychology of Swift at Arizona State University this autumn. Critics online and even some media pundits have pondered just what it is about Swift that is so appealing. For Clio Doyle, an academic who hosted the summer course at Queen Mary, "Swift is a really fascinating songwriter". The lecturer in early modern literature added that another reason she looked at Swift was because of her popularity and the discussions surrounding her work. "A course about Swift would be an opportunity for students both to deepen their readings of Swift's lyrics and to think about what it means to study something as literature," Doyle, who runs a similarly-themed podcast about Swift, told AFP. The summer course will be offered again next year, and interest is not limited to the United States or Europe. The University of Melbourne will host a three-day "Swiftposium" looking at Swift's cultural, economic and global impact in February 2024, the same month her tour arrives in Australia. The post Ready for it? Belgian university offers literature course on Taylor Swift appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Review: ‘Video City: Be Kind, Please Rewind’, too reel to be real
Writer-director Raynier Brizuela’s time-travel whirlwind romance Video City: Be Kind, Please Rewind (a collaboration between Viva Films and GMA Pictures) is an ambitious project tragically forced within an obviously limited budget, resources and creative restrictions. Brizuela, setting his film mainly in the year 1995, uses tight framing and a shaky cam technique, but not so much as to direct our focus on Ruru Madrid’s frequently teary eyes, but to avoid the movie’s lack of era-specific looks. Knowing that it’s a copyright nightmare for a low-budget movie such as Video City to recreate 1995, we are severely deprived of nostalgia. Then there’s the restriction issue: the 1990s are marked by the Eraserheads, the launch of the Windows 95 operating system, the O.J. Simpson trial, Tiger Woods, Michael Jackson, Jolina Magdangal, Smokey Mountain and some major Philippine news and current events. But the production obviously cannot and will not show anything outside of Viva Entertainment’s world. Hence, the concept itself — a period piece — is already a failure. The inability of the film to recreate the ‘90s in the Philippines is the least of the movie’s problems. The film’s wobbly script from an unfocused story reduces the experience to something of an endurance test. Video City traps the audience within the suffocating four walls of Video City, a popular VHS rental shop in the ‘90s owned by Viva Entertainment, Inc. We watch a love story develop between Han (Ruru Madrid), a student from 2023, and Ningning (Yassi Pressman), a Video City worker from 1995. Suffocating, because of the tight framing combined with hackneyed, cringy dialogue and the severe lack of chemistry between the two leads. Independently, both actors give their best to bring life to their thinly written characters from a largely unremarkable, bizarre storytelling. Yet together, they cannot even produce a mild spark. Pressman’s Ningning, with her permed wig colored with blondie highlights (definitely not a Pinoy ‘90s look), is an energetic actress-wannabe, while Madrid’s Han is a depressive filmmaker-wannabe. Movies are the duo’s mutual passion, yet the script does not allow this passion to take root, further weighed down by the need to promote Viva’s past products, such as the movie Maging Sino Ka Man. There is no build-up in the romance. Ningning, upon realizing that Han comes from the future, is just very surprised for mere minutes. This rip in the space-time continuum does not inspire shock from Ningning, and she bizarrely does not ask questions about this supernatural occurrence. Even Han is just mildly surprised by his ability to time-travel via — get this — a VHS tape rewinder. Han is also inexplicably hired by the Video City branch, clearly the script’s excuse to “build” the bond between him and Ningning. But he never gets a Video City uniform. He is always in civilian clothes. Why? [caption id="attachment_187907" align="aligncenter" width="1356"] RURU Madrid delivers an effortless performance (please give this guy more nuanced roles!) but his talent is wasted here. | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF GMA pictures[/caption] In order to provide conflict and threat to the love story, Brizuela set a “limited time” — Han’s daily visit in 1995 gets shortened every day. With this restriction, Han also has to understand the “purpose” of his time travel really fast. But then the movie suddenly loses interest in Han’s initial angst: His uninspired thesis, the pressure to be as creative as his retired filmmaker mother (Suzette Ranillo), whose paralyzing health issues (we never know what her actual health issue is) is also affecting his mental health. Sure, these are mildly tackled and Han gets an “instant cure” for himself and his mother after attending a 1995 movie presscon (was it really open to the public back in the day?). But all of these issues are sidestepped to give way for the unengaging love story. Brizuela, the creative director of the social-media humor page PGAG, also utilizes the tiresome rain effect to “enhance” the romantic thrills. But with the way the rain suddenly appears (alongside Wency Cornejo’s song “Tag-ulan”), you find yourself recoiling instead of falling in love. The old Filipino nursery song “One Day, Isang Araw, I Saw, Nakakita” is also given an unusual prominence in the paper-thin script, making you wince even more. Madrid delivers an effortless performance (please give this guy more nuanced roles!) but his talent is wasted here. Not even his commendable performance can save this movie. Video City is difficult to sit through. The entire time, I was placed in an existential dread — I could neither forward the time to speed up the movie nor rewind back in time and avoid this altogether. 0 out of 5 stars Now showing in cinemas The post Review: ‘Video City: Be Kind, Please Rewind’, too reel to be real appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Too reel to be real
Writer-director Raynier Brizuela’s time-travel whirlwind romance Video City: Be Kind, Please Rewind (a collaboration between Viva Films and GMA Pictures) is an ambitious project tragically forced within an obviously limited budget, resources and creative restrictions. Brizuela, setting his film mainly in the year 1995, uses tight framing and a shaky cam technique, but not so much as to direct our focus on Ruru Madrid’s frequently teary eyes, but to avoid the movie’s lack of era-specific looks. Knowing that it’s a copyright nightmare for a low-budget movie such as Video City to recreate 1995, we are severely deprived of nostalgia. Then there’s the restriction issue: the 1990s are marked by the Eraserheads, the launch of the Windows 95 operating system, the O.J. Simpson trial, Tiger Woods, Michael Jackson, Jolina Magdangal, Smokey Mountain and some major Philippine news and current events. But the production obviously cannot and will not show anything outside of Viva Entertainment’s world. Hence, the concept itself — a period piece — is already a failure. The inability of the film to recreate the ‘90s in the Philippines is the least of the movie’s problems. The film’s wobbly script from an unfocused story reduces the experience to something of an endurance test. Video City traps the audience within the suffocating four walls of Video City, a popular VHS rental shop in the ‘90s owned by Viva Entertainment, Inc. We watch a love story develop between Han (Ruru Madrid), a student from 2023, and Ningning (Yassi Pressman), a Video City worker from 1995. Suffocating, because of the tight framing combined with hackneyed, cringy dialogue and the severe lack of chemistry between the two leads. Independently, both actors give their best to bring life to their thinly written characters from a largely unremarkable, bizarre storytelling. Yet together, they cannot even produce a mild spark. Pressman’s Ningning, with her permed wig colored with blondie highlights (definitely not a Pinoy ‘90s look), is an energetic actress-wannabe, while Madrid’s Han is a depressive filmmaker-wannabe. Movies are the duo’s mutual passion, yet the script does not allow this passion to take root, further weighed down by the need to promote Viva’s past products, such as the movie Maging Sino Ka Man. There is no build-up in the romance. Ningning, upon realizing that Han comes from the future, is just very surprised for mere minutes. This rip in the space-time continuum does not inspire shock from Ningning, and she bizarrely does not ask questions about this supernatural occurrence. Even Han is just mildly surprised by his ability to time-travel via — get this — a VHS tape rewinder. Han is also inexplicably hired by the Video City branch, clearly the script’s excuse to “build” the bond between him and Ningning. But he never gets a Video City uniform. He is always in civilian clothes. Why? [caption id="attachment_187907" align="aligncenter" width="1356"] RURU Madrid delivers an effortless performance (please give this guy more nuanced roles!) but his talent is wasted here. | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF GMA pictures[/caption] In order to provide conflict and threat to the love story, Brizuela set a “limited time” — Han’s daily visit in 1995 gets shortened every day. With this restriction, Han also has to understand the “purpose” of his time travel really fast. But then the movie suddenly loses interest in Han’s initial angst: His uninspired thesis, the pressure to be as creative as his retired filmmaker mother (Suzette Ranillo), whose paralyzing health issues (we never know what her actual health issue is) is also affecting his mental health. Sure, these are mildly tackled and Han gets an “instant cure” for himself and his mother after attending a 1995 movie presscon (was it really open to the public back in the day?). But all of these issues are sidestepped to give way for the unengaging love story. Brizuela, the creative director of the social-media humor page PGAG, also utilizes the tiresome rain effect to “enhance” the romantic thrills. But with the way the rain suddenly appears (alongside Wency Cornejo’s song “Tag-ulan”), you find yourself recoiling instead of falling in love. The old Filipino nursery song “One Day, Isang Araw, I Saw, Nakakita” is also given an unusual prominence in the paper-thin script, making you wince even more. Madrid delivers an effortless performance (please give this guy more nuanced roles!) but his talent is wasted here. Not even his commendable performance can save this movie. Video City is difficult to sit through. The entire time, I was placed in an existential dread — I could neither forward the time to speed up the movie nor rewind back in time and avoid this altogether. 0 out of 5 stars Now showing in cinemas The post Too reel to be real appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
OTS on fire anew as passenger loses $300
As a video of two US-TSA screening officers taking things from bags in trays lined up at the x-ray machine went viral over the weekend, another episode of theft at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 has allegedly included the Office for Transportation Security. A press release from the OTS only came out on Monday afternoon, confirming the incident involving one of their Security Screening Officers at NAIA. But the issue began circulating in social media group chats as early as last week. Notably, the press release was also issued after a member of the Airport Press Club confirmed with the OTS public information office that such information was true. The said release did not contain vital details of the incident, referring to when, where, and how the alleged theft happened. Information revealed that the incident happened as early as 8 a.m., at Terminal 1 of NAIA. After going through the final security check, a departing passenger who is a foreign national, reportedly complained of having lost $300 in cash and was creating a commotion about the incident. The alleged theft was reportedly committed by one of the OTS SSO at that time, a female, while the passenger was passing through the final security check on the said terminal. It can be recalled that six months ago (22 February 2023), five personnel of the OTS assigned at the NAIA Terminal 2 were suspended after two videos of them went viral on social media, taking money from a transiting Thai tourist identified as Kitja Thabthim. The amount involved was 40,000 yen. A few days later, another screening officer was caught on CCTV stealing a watch of a Chinese passenger at the NAIA Terminal 1. Passenger Sun Yuhong complained that his watch was missing in his bag after he was screened by Valeriano Ricaplaza Jr., 31. Ricaplaza was later nabbed by members of the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group. Closed-circuit television footage at NAIA Terminal 1 reveals a female personnel from the OTS swallowing the $300 taken from a departing Chinese passenger in what appears to be an effort to get rid of the evidence after the passenger complained about losing his money shortly after his bag had passed through at the final security checkpoint. Records from the airport authorities, which identified the involved OTS personnel as a female SSO and stated that an x-ray operator and her supervisor also had a part to play in the incident, provided evidence to support this. The post OTS on fire anew as passenger loses $300 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Trump says his problem with Biden is competence, not age
Joe Biden, America's oldest president, received support from an unexpected ally over his age: Donald Trump said the Democrat was "not too old" to seek a second term, while quickly adding: "I think he's incompetent." The former president's comments, made in an interview with NBC's "Meet the Press" to be aired Sunday, come as America faces a profound debate over the aging of its political class, a major factor ahead of the 2024 elections -- when Biden will be just shy of 82 and Trump himself 78. Polls show that while the age gap between the two men is small, Americans worry more about Biden's age, with one survey finding that three in four people doubt his ability to last a second term. That Trump ended his own term in office as the second-oldest president ever (Ronald Reagan was 77 at the end of his term) presents the real estate magnate with a challenge, however, in repeatedly portraying Biden as too "sleepy" to do the job. But that hasn't stopped the Republican, who would be 82 at the end of a second term, from trying to thread that needle. "Some of the greatest world leaders have been in their 80s," he told NBC. "I'm not anywhere very near 80, by the way. "And Biden's not too old," Trump added. "But I think he's incompetent, and that's a bigger problem." Biden, who overcame a stuttering problem as a youth, has often been mocked for his verbal stumbles. But he remains trim, physically active, does not drink and is often seen riding his bicycle during weekends at his Delaware home. Democrats say he also fares well on the competency front, having overseen the passage of major legislation, including a massive infrastructure bill, the largest gun-safety bill in decades, and the Build Back Better social spending program. Biden has also been active on the global stage. Indeed, during his just-ended trip to Vietnam -- which analysts say was staged partly to highlight his vigor -- that country's 79-year-old Communist leader smilingly complimented Biden on his relative youth. Trump, for his part, has gotten mostly positive marks during annual physicals -- though he has been classed as overweight and does no exercise other than golf. Like Biden, he does not drink. Trump, too, has had his share of bizarre verbal moments, mangled pronunciations and physical stumbles. But in the NBC interview, he said his own age does not concern him, noting that his parents had long lives. "So genetically, that's a good thing." His insistence on his own competency was ridiculed during the 2020 presidential campaign when Trump said he had scored an "amazing" result on what he said was a test of mental acuity. He said he had to remember, in order, these words: "Person, woman, man, camera, TV." His proud and repeated recitation of those five words was ridiculed by political rivals and went viral on social media. Still, in an apparent reference to that test made in the NBC interview, Trump said, "I aced it. I got everything right." The post Trump says his problem with Biden is competence, not age appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Trump says his problem with Biden is competence, not age
Joe Biden, America's oldest president, received support from an unexpected ally over his age: Donald Trump said the Democrat was "not too old" to seek a second term, while quickly adding: "I think he's incompetent." The former president's comments, made in an interview with NBC's "Meet the Press" to be aired Sunday, come as America faces a profound debate over the aging of its political class, a major factor ahead of the 2024 elections -- when Biden will be just shy of 82 and Trump himself 78. Polls show that while the age gap between the two men is small, Americans worry more about Biden's age, with one survey finding that three in four people doubt his ability to last a second term. That Trump ended his own term in office as the second-oldest president ever (Ronald Reagan was 77 at the end of his term) presents the real estate magnate with a challenge, however, in repeatedly portraying Biden as too "sleepy" to do the job. But that hasn't stopped the Republican, who would be 82 at the end of a second term, from trying to thread that needle. "Some of the greatest world leaders have been in their 80s," he told NBC. "I'm not anywhere very near 80, by the way. "And Biden's not too old," Trump added. "But I think he's incompetent, and that's a bigger problem." Biden, who overcame a stuttering problem as a youth, has often been mocked for his verbal stumbles. But he remains trim, physically active, does not drink and is often seen riding his bicycle during weekends at his Delaware home. Democrats say he also fares well on the competency front, having overseen the passage of major legislation, including a massive infrastructure bill, the largest gun-safety bill in decades, and the Build Back Better social spending program. Biden has also been active on the global stage. Indeed, during his just-ended trip to Vietnam -- which analysts say was staged partly to highlight his vigor -- that country's 79-year-old Communist leader smilingly complimented Biden on his relative youth. Trump, for his part, has gotten mostly positive marks during annual physicals -- though he has been classed as overweight and does no exercise other than golf. Like Biden, he does not drink. Trump, too, has had his share of bizarre verbal moments, mangled pronunciations and physical stumbles. But in the NBC interview, he said his own age does not concern him, noting that his parents had long lives. "So genetically, that's a good thing." His insistence on his own competency was ridiculed during the 2020 presidential campaign when Trump said he had scored an "amazing" result on what he said was a test of mental acuity. He said he had to remember, in order, these words: "Person, woman, man, camera, TV." His proud and repeated recitation of those five words was ridiculed by political rivals and went viral on social media. Still, in an apparent reference to that test made in the NBC interview, Trump said, "I aced it. I got everything right." The post Trump says his problem with Biden is competence, not age appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ivana Alawi kumasa sa ‘bawal umihi sa pader’ challenge, lalaking vlogger niregaluhan pa ng P50k
IN FAIRNESS, talagang hinanap ng Kapamilya actress na si Ivana Alawi ang kapwa niya content creator na nasa likod ng viral “bawal umihi” photo sa social media. Na-challenge kasi ang actress-vlogger sa ipinost ng lalaking nagngangalang Armando sa kanyang Facebook account ang litrato ng kanilang pader na kung saan nakasulat ang pangalan ni Ivana. Ang The post Ivana Alawi kumasa sa ‘bawal umihi sa pader’ challenge, lalaking vlogger niregaluhan pa ng P50k appeared first on Bandera......»»
Wave of violent Indonesia muggings sparks ‘shoot-to-kill’ calls
A spate of violent muggings by machete-wielding thieves in Indonesia has drawn coded calls from prominent politicians for them to be killed-on-sight by police, in comments condemned by rights groups as condoning extrajudicial murders. Last month, police in the northern Sumatran city of Medan shot dead a "begal" -- a term used to describe a type of street thief known for their brutality -- as part of what the force said was a bid to "eradicate" them. Bobby Nasution, Medan mayor and President Joko Widodo's son-in-law, lauded the officers involved, saying such criminals should be shot dead on the spot. "I appreciate this because begal and criminals have no place in Medan," he wrote in an Instagram post on July 9, sharing footage of the suspect's dead body. President Widodo has not commented on Nasution's statements. Other leaders, including the governor of North Sumatra province, have supported the comments. Rights groups want an investigation into the killing, and have condemned the rhetoric as giving officers and citizens the right to take the law into their own hands. "It is inappropriate for public officials to declare support for such extrajudicial actions," Amnesty International Indonesia director Usman Hamid told AFP. "The shooting not only violates human rights principles –- such as the right to life, the right to a fair trial -- but also the regulations." Indonesian police rules state that firearms should only be used as an officer's last resort. Indonesia's Institute for Criminal Justice Reform called Nasution's words "irresponsible". Some public sentiment, however, is on the mayor's side. Under viral videos of the begal attacks, social media users call for the thieves to be shot dead or to face the death penalty. And in a village east of Jakarta, local leaders have issued a 10 million rupiah ($662) bounty for the capture of begals. 'Begal' terror Begals have savagely attacked their victims with sickles, airguns and rocks, terrorising Indonesians in the capital Jakarta, Medan and other urban centres. They approach their victims on scooters, usually in carefully chosen areas that have few security cameras, so that they can rapidly escape after the robbery. "They have to do it quickly and cruelly to make the victim surrender," said Adrianus Meliala, a criminologist at the University of Indonesia. "Begal run away using the city labyrinth they have mastered." Medan, Indonesia's fifth-largest city, has been hit by 45 begal attacks since January, police say, and one brutal case two months ago caused an uproar. Student Insanul Anshori Hasibuan was riding a scooter home when a man hacked him in the head with a machete, stealing his wallet. Hasibuan, 22, died in hospital after the attacker and several accomplices escaped with the contents of the wallet: just 70,000 rupiah ($4.60). Four suspects were later arrested, and face up to 15 years in jail if convicted. Such brutal attacks have been splashed across Indonesian media, raising public fear and allowing Nasution to cast himself as a champion for law and order. According to official data, the rate of robberies has risen in 2023, but experts say Indonesian criminal data is often incomplete due to underreporting. Indonesia's national police force did not respond to an AFP request for comment. The issue is a complex culmination of factors, including rising poverty in one of the world's most unequal countries, the difficulty of countering such quick and violent attacks, weak rule of law and crumbling public trust in the police. "The begal phenomenon cannot be separated from the social economic order of society," said Ida Ruwaida of the University of Indonesia. Rights groups say they are concerned that calls by prominent politicians such as Nasution to kill suspects on sight could lead to chaos on the country's streets. "We are concerned that the statement by the mayor of Medan can serve as legitimacy for more extrajudicial killings," said Hamid. "This is very dangerous." The post Wave of violent Indonesia muggings sparks ‘shoot-to-kill’ calls appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PBBM: Fight fake news, propaganda
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday urged Filipinos to identify credible sources of information and to be critical of what they read online as the internet has made it easier for people to spread misinformation and disinformation. During the official launch of the Media Information Literacy Project in a ceremony in Pasay City, Marcos said Filipinos should learn how to tell the difference between truth and propaganda. "The first casualty of all of these sometimes sinister, sometimes just mistaken, misguided activities is the truth," Marcos said. "And we must allow everyone to discern for themselves; we will help them. But people have to learn to discern for themselves what is real and what is not, what is propaganda, what is fact, what is data, and what is speculation," Marcos added. The Chief Executive said that the digital world has made spreading misinformation easier, as anyone can now create and share content online. While Marcos said that the internet has become a "great equalizer," he acknowledged that it has also become a great enabler of disinformation. "Anyone can now create and share content online, regardless of their expertise or credibility," the President said. Marcos said that the MIL campaign is urgent, as the spread of misinformation and disinformation is a growing problem in the Philippines. He urged everyone to get involved in the campaign and help fight for the truth. Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cheloy Garafil, who was present during the launch, said the MIL Project aims to ensure that every Filipino student is equipped to fight fake news. "We will enable them to navigate the digital world with discernment and responsibility. In doing so, we hope to raise a society of synthesizers, those who are able to use the right information at the right time for the right purpose to make the right choices," Garafil said. The post PBBM: Fight fake news, propaganda appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Mental health awareness conversations for student-scholars
PLDT and Smart, through their Better Today program, recently partnered with Passerelles numériques Philippines on a three-part mental health awareness conversation series for the benefit of the student-scholars of PNPh. The talks centered on key topics that impact the mental state and wellbeing of today’s youth such as stress, fatigue, anxiety and managing strong emotions. The series also discussed topics on self-care, self-worth and self-love and delved on topics such as the effects of the Internet and social media on mental health, as well as how to manage social media consumption to protect one's mental health and wellness. The speakers included Dr. Gia Sison, content creator Macoy Dubs and Riyan Portuguez or “Your Millennial Psychologist.” “We are grateful to Passerelles numériques Philippines for collaborating with us to promote safe spaces and raise mental health awareness among their scholars. These collaborations remain guided by the goal we had when we launched Better Today in 2020, and that is to create and cultivate a culture of safe spaces, highlighting digital wellness and mental health. We hope this series has served as a reminder to the PNPh students that there are people and spaces that can bring them a sense of comfort,” said Stephanie Orlino, assistant vice president and head of stakeholder management at PLDT and Smart. “This event is a platform for us to explore more insights and learnings about mental health, and later on, about technology which we will use in doing community service for our senior citizens. These conversations will drive us into a brighter future and we thank PLDT and Smart for doing this wonderful series,” said Marilou “Luchi” Flores, country representative of Passerelles numériques Philippines. Promoting digital wellness is a key part of PLDT and Smart’s continuing commitment to help the Philippines contribute to UN Sustainable Development Goal #3: good health and well-being. The post Mental health awareness conversations for student-scholars appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Vloggers warned: Watch what you’re posting
Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. reminded vloggers and content creators to be responsible in creating videos that they upload on social media and never to make jokes about crimes as they could be held accountable for tumultuous and other disturbances of public order. Acorda made the remark after rapid and resolute response to a highly controversial viral video. The PNP has taken into custody three individuals identified as Mark San Rafael, Mark Lester San Rafael and Eleazar Steven Fuentes all legal ages, have been apprehended on Aug. 1 based on a warrant of arrest on charges of Violation of RPC Art. 513 (Alarm and Scandal) as per Criminal Case No. 83313. “The PNP remains steadfast in upholding the law and ensuring that individuals are held accountable for their deeds. Pranks that induce panic and disrupt public order cannot be taken lightly. We commend our personnel for their swift action in this instance, “ Acorda said in a statement. The controversial case centers around their involvement in a staged kidnapping prank, which triggered widespread public outrage and concern. The incident, which happened 6 April, came under intense scrutiny following the dissemination of a viral video by the vlogger known as “TOKOMI.” The video portrayed a meticulously orchestrated kidnapping scenario. Staff Sergeant Ronnie Conmigo, a dedicated member of the PNP assigned to PNP IMEG, played a pivotal role in unraveling the prank and formally lodging a complaint against the responsible parties. The video, posted by the vlogger under the pseudonym “Tukomi Blog,” depicted a sophisticated fake kidnapping episode that transpired along Saging Street, Phase 2, Barangay CAA. Criminal complaint The ensuing public uproar prompted Conmigo to initiate a criminal complaint for Alarm and Scandal, subsequently filed before the Office of the City Prosecutor on 11 April 2023. The wheels of justice continued to turn, culminating in the issuance of an Arrest Warrant by Judge Lynnette May D. Deloria-Manarang of Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 124, Las Piñas City. Throughout the arrest process, the PNP meticulously adhered to prescribed protocols, capturing crucial incidents through body-worn cameras and alternate recording devices in accordance with the Rules on the Use of Body-Worn Cameras in Warrant Execution. Following the due legal procedures and bail payment, the accused were granted release from custody on 2 August 2023, as directed by Presiding Judge Lynnette May D. Deloria-Manarang of Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 124. As the legal proceedings continue to unfold, the arraignment of the accused is scheduled for 10 August at 2 p.m, before Judge Deloria-Manarang at MTC Branch 124. Acorda said this incident serves as a poignant reminder of the imperative for responsible online conduct and the far-reaching consequences arising from flouting the law. He said the PNP’s decisive and principled action in this case unequivocally underscores its unwavering commitment to preserving public safety and order in the digital age. The post Vloggers warned: Watch what you’re posting appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Chinese zoo denies rare sun bear is human in disguise
A Chinese zoo has been forced to deny that its sun bear is actually a human in a costume, after footage of one standing on its hind legs raised online accusations of a furry imposter. A video clip of a bear rearing up and interacting with a group of people at a zoo in eastern Hangzhou city went viral on Chinese social media. Many users posted comments doubting that the bear was real, with some alleging that its bipedal posture and wrinkled skin suggested that it was actually a human in costume. But the zoo dismissed the rumors, saying in a statement written from the bear's perspective on Sunday that the animal was real and its detractors "really don't understand me". "The zoo director called me after work yesterday and asked if I'd been slacking off by finding a two-legged beast to replace me," the bear, named Angela, said in the statement. "Some people thought the way I stand up looks too human... so I will stress again: I'm a sun bear!" Native to Southeast Asia, sun bears are named for a patch of bright orange or cream-colored chest fur that stands out against the rest of its jet-black coat. It is the smallest bear -- about the size of a large dog -- and is listed as a vulnerable species due to deforestation and the global wildlife trade. Other Chinese zoos have previously been accused of stocking their enclosures with animals that are not what they seem -- including a hairy dog passed off as an "African lion" and a pool filled with penguin-shaped balloons. The post Chinese zoo denies rare sun bear is human in disguise appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»