Actors, artists put on red lipstick as Angel Locsin calls for 'notoredtagging
Actors and artists showed solidarity with Angel Locsin and female celebrities vocal about social causes by painting their lips red. Locsin denounced the red-tagging aimed at her and her family members in an Instagram post last Friday, Oct. 23, where she used the hashtags #NoToRedTagging and #YesToRedLipstick. She declared that she, her sister Ella Colmenares and […] The post Actors, artists put on red lipstick as Angel Locsin calls for #notoredtagging appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
No idle hours at franchise-less but booming ABS-CBN
Content supplier ABS-CBN seems to be amply rewarding the stars and talents who have chosen to stay put with the company after it lost its broadcast franchise. The loyal ones are hardly without a project that keeps them busy and (hopefully) well-compensated for what they do best. These stars include Maricel Soriano, Angel Aquino, Kathryn Bernardo, Andrea Brillantes, JM Guzman, Belle Mariano and screen sweetheart Donnie Pangilinan, Chie Filomeno, Kaori Ozuma and Anthony Jennings. Actors, hosts, singers, record producers and comic talents who have stayed with the network remain “well-oiled” cogs in the ABS-CBN entertainment machine. With Cory Vidanes and Lauren Dyogi as the media company’s top honchos, as well as production divisions that conceptualize and execute projects from beginning to end (such as Dreamscape, JRB Creative Production, Project 8 and Rise), there are no idle hours in the ABS-CBN corporate offices and studios. There are also directors (such as FM Reyes, Emmanuel Palo, Richard Arellano and Jojo Saguin), creative managers (such as Carmi Raymundo and Jay Fernando) and musical scorers who get projects one after the other even if only on a contractual basis. Romantic leading men A change of mindset and attitude has occurred among the big stars. They have become really professional entertainment artists who have realized they don’t have to play lead roles all time. They remain adored and respected even when they portray vicious personalities who make life hard for the lead characters. They can then reemerge in their next projects as virtuous lead characters. Romantic leading men Ian Veneracion and JM de Guzman did contemptuous characters in the action series Iron Heart, topbilled by Richard Gutierrez, Jake Cuenca and Albert Martinez. The show is slated to end in two weeks (with major scenes shot in Japan though the series’ main setting is Cebu). De Guzman has just attended the media conference for the series Linlang (Deception), which he headlines along with Paulo Avelino and Kim Chiu. A major supporting actor in the new series that begins airing on 5 October is Maricel Soriano, whose “special participation” in the afternoon series Pira-pirasong Paraiso started only a few weeks ago. Soriano portrays a well-off grandmother in Pira-piraso and Linlang. Linlang is helmed by FM Reyes, who directed the ongoing ABS-CBN and TV 5 co-produced afternoon series Nag-aapoy na Damdamin. The new series is a suspense-thriller that will stream exclusively on Prime Video, available in the Philippines and in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide. Linlang has only 14 episodes, and new episodes drop every Thursday at midnight. Surely favorable to the finances of stars and talents is the invariably large cast of ABS-CBN series these days. For instance, Iron Heart features in major roles Albert Martinez, Dimples Romana, Christian Vasquez, Sofia Andres, and young actors Enzo Pineda, Louise Abuel (who is male) and Iggy Boy Flores. It has had as guest actors Maja Salvador, Sue Ramirez, Meryl Soriano, Maricel Laxa, Joem Bascon, Pepe Herrera, Roi Vinzon, Carmen Soo, Fabio Ide, Richard Quan, Ruby Ruiz, Anna Luna, Ruben Soriquez, Krystal Brimner, Cris Villanueva, Alex Medina, Anna Marin, child star Althea Ruedas, Al Tantay, Diether Ocampo, Karina Bautista, Victor Silayan, Kyle Echarri and Lou Yanong. The show also has four directors: Richard Arellano, Lester Pimentel Ong, Wang Yan Bin and Ian Loreños. As for Linlang, its support cast includes Karla Estrada, Jaime Fabregas, Raymond Bagatsing, Albie Casiño, Jake Ejercito, Heaven Peralejo, Adrian Lindayag, Race Matias, Benj Manalo, Lovely Abella, Frenchie Dy, Ross Pesigan, Hanna Lexie, Juno Advincula, Connie Virtucio, Lotlot Bustamante, Meann Espinosa, Danny Ramos, Bart Guingona, Vance Larena and Marc McMahon. Whew! Who said ABS-CBN was a goner with the loss of its franchise? The post No idle hours at franchise-less but booming ABS-CBN appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Artists, colleagues call to 'FreeJadeCastro after warrantless arrest of director
Filipino actors, actresses, friends, and colleagues from the industry rally online for the immediate release of the director and his friends.....»»
Kimson Tan gustong papakin ng mga beki; hindi pa kering magpakita ng pwet
MAS dumami pa ang mga bading na nagpapantasya at natatakam sa Kapuso actor na si Kimson Tan. Ito’y matapos ngang bumandera sa social media ang mga litrato niyang naka-swimwear kasama ang mga kapwa Sparkle artists na sina Bruce Roeland at Migs Villasis. Ginawa ito ng tatlong Kapuso actors para sa December 2023 issue ng isang.....»»
Gen Z actors get acting break in ABS-CBN’s new series ‘Zoomers’
The ABS-CBN has just introduced a fresh breed of artists in their new youth-reality series “Zoomers.”.....»»
S. Korea’s filmmaking diaspora: telling their ‘own stories’
The rise of South Korean diasporic cinema has allowed the artists involved to feel less alone, one filmmaker told Busan International Film Festival attendees on Friday. Six films from the diaspora are unspooling as part of a special sidebar this year in the South Korean port city, including Isaac Chung's Oscar-winner "Minari" and Celine Song's Sundance favorite "Past Lives". Since "Parasite" became the first non-English-language film to win a Best Picture Oscar, films made by the Korean diaspora have experienced a remarkable surge, with filmmakers delving into culture-spanning narratives that encompass their varied experiences. "(The) main thing it's done, at least for myself, is to know that as I tell my own stories, people are finding common ground to relate with one another," Justin Chon, who directed 2021 adoption drama "Blue Bayou", told reporters. He has since directed four episodes of the successful Apple TV+ series "Pachinko", the story of an ethnic Korean family living in Japan, based on the novel by Min Jin Lee. When "other immigrants and minorities in the United States are telling their stories, the only thing it does is signal to me that I really wasn't alone this entire time", he said. "Minari" director Chung said as a second-generation Korean-American, he had always felt "a loss of a place that I don't fully understand that is far away from me". Korean-American actors Steven Yeun and John Cho were unable to comment on their American projects due to the ongoing Screen Actors Guild strike, but both freely discussed why they believed the work stoppage was important. "I think the strike is a very righteous act of making sure that we ensure and protect artists and those who are living an actor's life and a writer's life," Yeun said. "And there are many people who don't have safeguards.... I sit here with so much privilege to be here and to be able to talk about it." Cho, who starred in the 2018 thriller "Searching" which is screening at this year's BIFF, said artificial intelligence -- a key concern for striking actors -- has "put people out of work" in the entertainment industry. "When I go to see a movie (it's) to see people enacting a human drama and to have an experience with an audience watching human expression," he said. "And so behind the scenes, if we start taking out people, the art form is going to suffer." Collaboration The festival's diaspora section features several intriguing collaborations between diasporic and South Korean artists as well as those from other nationalities. "Burning" (2018), for example, is based on Japanese writer Haruki Murakami's novel, directed by acclaimed South Korean filmmaker Lee Chang-dong, and stars Yeun. Korean-Canadian director Song's "Past Lives" (2023), meanwhile, co-stars South Korean actor Teo Yoo and Korean-American actress Greta Lee. Yoo, who is fluent in English, on Thursday candidly expressed the challenges he faced in trying to present himself as an appealing love interest to the American audience. In "Past Lives", he plays a South Korean character who speaks English with a heavy accent and less-than-perfect fluency. Director Chon's latest film "Jamojaya", which features a collaboration with Indonesian rapper Rich Brian and actor Yayu Unru, had its Asian premiere at BIFF. "So this is my fifth film, and the first three were centered around Korean Americans," Chon said after a BIFF screening on Friday, when asked about his collaboration with Indonesian artists. "To really create empathy and understanding for ourselves as a whole, we should start telling each other stories, especially in the whole Asian diaspora." The post S. Korea’s filmmaking diaspora: telling their ‘own stories’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Why Marian Rivera has a ‘no English, please’ policy at work
If there’s one thing utterly admirable about Marian Rivera, it is her guts and gumption to say what she wants and to express what she dislikes. Rivera, a consummate actress, has a “no English, please” policy whenever she’s at work – whether it be tapings, photo shoots or other professional activities. Rivera is never in her comfort zone when she hears people conversing in English, openly acknowledging that English is her Waterloo. So when she works, she is most effective when she is not forced to use the King’s language. Another admirable trait of Rivera is her humility. In a recent interview, she almost clammed up when she was told she’s now being called the new TikTok Queen, due to her dance videos that have racked up millions of views and likes. “Hay, parang hindi naman. Nahiya ako bigla. Basta enjoy lang ako” (It doesn’t seem like that. Suddenly I’m shy. I just want to enjoy), she said during her launch as endorser of a medicine brand. [caption id="attachment_192267" align="aligncenter" width="525"] SETH Fedelin[/caption] Seth him free When Seth Fedelin was just starting, his parents were very much alarmed over the constant presence of a young actress in their abode. The actress, seemingly smitten by Fedelin’s charm, would not only drop by to surprise the actor. She’d stay more than long enough to be called a visitor. The parents became so worried as Fedelin’s then-fledgling career was at stake. They were afraid that the actress’ perennial presence would cause their son’s career to falter, that the juvenile love clearly budding at that time would progress into something serious so soon. The parents heaved a sigh of relief when the actress stopped dropping by the actor’s house. Fedelin, the family breadwinner, could finally concentrate on his career. Now, he’s been doing TV projects one after the other. Right on the heels of the actor’s participation in the top-rating drama show Dirty Linen, Fedelin can be seen next playing Oca, a vlogger obsessed with doing pranks, in the thriller Fractured. Among the characters in the series, it’s Fedelin’s Oca that was given a back story: a young man dead set on making himself a popular vlogger so he can send his sister to school. A case of life imitating art? [caption id="attachment_192268" align="aligncenter" width="525"] KAORI Oinuma[/caption] Scene-stealer Kaori Oinuma is living proof that there are no small roles, only small actors. Oinuma appeared in three scenes in A Very Good Girl, topbilled by Kathryn Bernardo and Dolly de Leon. Her scenes lasted no more than one minute each, but they were replete with shock and force, especially her last scene where she was a scene-stealer. Oinuma’s presence in the movie is not something to sneer at, as it necessitated audacity which she displayed in great abundance. Her bewildered character’s interaction with De Leon is truly one of the movie’s highlights. Now we understand why Chie Filomeno, her co-star in the movie, wanted to switch roles with Oinuma. Oinuma is a teen star by way of Pinoy Big Brother Otso. She has since appeared in She’s Into Her, Paradise Island, Tara G and the ongoing iWant TFC series Fractured, with Seth Fedelin and Francine Diaz. She is also one of the first batch of stars under Rise Artists Studio, a talent management arm of ABS-CBN Films. The post Why Marian Rivera has a ‘no English, please’ policy at work appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
A feast for the senses – but doesn’t quite coalesce in the heart
“Baka maiyak ako” (I might cry), the lady seated behind me intoned to her companion just before the show started. “Pero ‘di bale. Madilim naman” (But that’s okay since it’s dark). Her concern of tearing up during the show was triggered by the unusual configuration of the stage and the audience seats for this particular show — a low, slim platform that straddled the entire length of the venue right smack in the middle of two layered/staggered seating sections. The viewers on both sides faced each other. Apparently the lady didn’t want others to see her cry. My guess is the tears didn’t come. That’s not necessarily the fault of anyone involved in this production of The Last Five Years, Jason Robert Brown’s acclaimed 22-year-old musical that had its debut in Manila in 2003 after premiering in Chicago in 2001 and Off-Broadway in 2002. Now, the Barefoot Theatre Collaborative is staging its own version of the musical (at the Power Mac Center Spotlight in Ayala Circuit), with real-life couple Gab Pangilinan and Myke Salomon, both accomplished theater artists, playing the leads. Reverse timelines On paper, The Last Five Years sounds like a whopper of an emotional rollercoaster ride. It’s about the five-year relationship between rising novelist Jamie and struggling actress Cathy that starts, as all romances usually go, with happy hellos and ends, as theatrical pieces usually go, with sad goodbyes. What sets it apart from the usual is its storytelling: While both characters narrate the same story simultaneously, Jamie tells it from the first year to the last while Cathy recounts it from the last year to the first. Parallel lives in reverse timelines. It’s a novel, ingenious take on the he said, she said conceit that adds an extra layer of friction and tension to the songs in this sung-through piece. And it is creatively visualized by director Topper Febregas and production designer Joey Mendoza with the inventive runway-like stage made up of two parallel platforms with a hollow middle section where a small mobile platform is placed to carry the actors to various spots of the stage throughout the show. Jamie and Cathy are only ever together — side by side, hand in hand, wrapped in a tight, warm embrace, bodies entwined in a waltz — on this tiny piece of the performance stage for one number, during their marriage proposal and wedding halfway through the show. If only the source material gave us more of this “show,” the tears would’ve probably come to the audience. But it’s mostly tell, the piece made up of a string of vignettes from Jamie and Cathy’s relationship. We hear them sing individually about their joys, frustrations, dreams, aspirations, struggles, victories and despair, as lovers and as professionals, from one musical number to the next, and every song highlights a particular conflict between the couple. Little drama But none of it draws us very deeply into their woundedness, their brokenness. There’s little drama, really: Although we see how their marriage crumbles in the second half of the last five years, we don’t get a sense of and feel for what they have lost. In a way, the catwalk-style stage is perfect as the show feels more like a fashion extravaganza, with songs standing in for couture: It’s enjoyable as a spectacle but does not engage as a narrative piece can and should. Not that stars Gabbi Pangilinan and Myke Salomon don’t pack any heat with their performances. Salomon, in particular, is arresting as Jamie, his highly expressive face registering a full range of emotions without overselling anything, and his full, creamy, commanding baritone growing in color, weariness and edge as his character ages over the years. Pangilinan certainly has the more difficult part, a character whose narrative arc is the opposite of the convention — starting the show as a weathered, emotionally battered if not defeated woman and ending it as a wide-eyed, hopeful romantic girl. It’s a major challenge for any performer, and Pangilinan certainly hits all the musical notes perfectly, effortlessly. But perhaps only seasoned artists have what it really takes to hurdle it and bring Cathy to full, thrilling, cutting life within just 90 minutes. The Last Five Years, with its inventive material and clever design, surely is a feast for the senses. It just doesn’t quite coalesce in the heart. There’s little chance of being caught crying under the lights. The Last Five Years runs from 29 September to 15 October at Power Mac Center Spotlight, Circuit Makati, Makati City. Tickets available at Ticket2Me. The post A feast for the senses – but doesn’t quite coalesce in the heart appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
From Niño Muhlach to today’s child wonders: The kids are all right
This is not a tribute piece to my favorite Annette Bening and Julianne Moore movie. But the movie title is the most appropriate description for all the Filipino child stars that have been amazing and wonderful on the silver screen and television, and that have made a lasting impact on the Generation X demographic (that includes me, a proud Gen Xer). This also serves as a warm welcome and mabuhay to the latest set of kids who are set to spread joy and bring their own kind of magic to our entertainment scene. The most important child actor in Philippine movie history, bar none, is Niño Muhlach. The nephew of movie queen Amalia Fuentes and cousin of Aga Muhlach had the charisma, confidence, talent and star quality that was never before seen in any child actor this side of Hollywood. Adjectives such as precocious, innocent and lovable captured perfectly the child wonder like no other. His stellar reign during the mid-‘70s to to the mid-‘80s was solid and supreme, with box office hits, endorsements and epic collaborations, with, among others, the late great King of Philippine movies, Fernando Poe Jr. in Ang Leon at Ang Kuting, movie queen Vilma Santos in Darna at Ding, and the one and only Comedy King, Dolphy, in the movie that is now considered a pink motion picture classic, Ang Tatay Kong Nanay. Muhlach became the standard by which all Filipino child stars have since been measured. The after-Niño child wonders include Aiza Seguerra, Eat Bulaga’s biggest child discovery from the show’s Little Miss Philippines contest, who achieved almost the same footing and popularity as the original; Matet de Leon, Seguerra’s closest rival; the other EB boy finds Steven Claude Goyong and BJ Forbes; and last but not least, everybody’s lovable one-time Aling Maliit, Ryza Mae Dizon. Credit must be given to the parents, guardians and support system of the kids mentioned here because their popularity did not spoil them. They were never branded as juvenile delinquents, becoming responsible adults who found what made them truly happy and content. A handful of them are still in show business, now working as competent and respected artists, while others are living private and fruitful lives. Interesting kiddie show Following in the footsteps of these league of extraordinary child wonders are Sebreenika Santos, Honey Love Johnson, Cheska Maranan and Tom Leaño. These clever kids are the hosts of Kids: Toy Kingdom Show, an online program with a second season airing by end-September. What makes this kiddie show interesting, according to its resident uya Tom, is that “All of us are given the opportunity to play with different toys, whether they are the latest finds or vintage collections. I like the fact that our show, ginigising ‘yung imagination and creativity ng mga bata. We hope as they see us play with the toys, ‘yung audience namin, sila rin, they will close whatever gadgets they have and play, use their imagination and interact with other kids.” Leaño also looks forward to doing Filipino games. “From what I know, aside from playing with toys, we will also be doing and participating in Filipino games like the patintero, luksong baka, luksong lubid, piko, tumbang preso and many more. I believe that these games build character, discipline, diskarte and genuine friendships. Gusto namin na ‘yung mga bata will discover the fun in these games at hindi lang sila laging nakaharap at nakababad sa computers at gadgets nila.” The girls’ unanimous toy of choice is Barbie. They like dressing up their dolls and pretend that Barbie converses with her friends. They are also fond of toys that allows them to build, create and think, and giggle and laugh with friends. The kids in the show are appreciative of the fact that aside from all the playing and toys, their hosting talents are also being honed, and that they learn plenty from listening and observing during the tapings and being surrounded by the community of artistic and creative people that bring the show to life. We can safely say that these child actors are all right, and that in time, we will witness their own blossoming — a welcome addition to the adorable roster of Filipino showbiz child sensations through the years. The post From Niño Muhlach to today’s child wonders: The kids are all right appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
20 years later, Bea Alonzo, Dennis Trillo reunite in ‘Love Before Sunrise’
Twenty years since working together at ABS-CBN’s K2BU show, two of the Philippines’ most celebrated stars, Bea Alonzo and Dennis Trillo, are reuniting for a TV series under GMA Network and Viu Philippines. Their latest collaboration, Love Before Sunrise, promises to be an intricate tale of lost love and missed opportunities that will mine the maturity and skills of the two well-honed artists. The press conference for Love Before Sunrise was held at Cinema 2 of SM Megamall on a rainy Saturday afternoon, 16 September, graced by key members of the cast including Andrea Torres, Sid Lucero, Ricky Davao, Jackie Lou Blanco, Isay Alvarez, Rodjun Cruz and Matet de Leon. But all eyes, of course, were on the two lead stars who were back in each other’s company after two decades. “For me, it feels familiar, but at the same time it feels all new, so it’s a different feeling. But I love this feeling because there’s this level of trust kasi pareho kaming ni-launch sa (because both of us were launched at) Star Circle,” said Alonzo of her co-star. “I feel na I can trust him and I feel na kahit na magkalayo kami ng matagal na panahon, naging fan niya ako from the sidelines (I feel that I can trust him and I feel that even though we were apart for a long time, I became his fan from the sidelines),” she continued. The 35-year-old actress added, “I’ve seen him grow as an actor so I just feel lucky and honored working with him on this one.” Alonzo admitted to feeling a touch of unease on the first day of filming for Love Before Sunrise. “At first, mahirap kasi kailangan ninyo munang makilala ulit ‘yung isa’t isa (At first, it was hard because you had to get to know each other again).” “But then, we’re professional actors, so we got over that easily. We had to make the scene work,” she added. Love Before Sunrise will premiere in advance on Viu Philippines starting 23 September, offering 48 hours of exclusive streaming before it officially airs on GMA Telebabad on 25 September. The series unravels the story of ex-lovers Atom (Dennis) and Stella (Bea) who parted ways upon realizing they had found love at the wrong time. But years later, their paths cross again, and they find themselves regretting the loss of each other while trapped in unhappy marriages. This reunion drama is helmed by Mark Sicat dela Cruz with associate director Carlo Cannu assisting, and produced by the GMA Entertainment Group. The post 20 years later, Bea Alonzo, Dennis Trillo reunite in ‘Love Before Sunrise’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
SB19, Hori7on to join more K-pop stars at 2023 AAA
P-pop acts SB19 and Hori7on are joining the 2023 Asia Artist Awards night at the Philippine Arena on 14 December. Aside from the initial list of artists, local producer Pulp Live World revealed that Seventeen’s BSS unit, Oneus, Kingdom, ATBO and LUN8 are the latest additions to the confirmed K-pop stars that will grace the event. So far, the K-pop and K-drama stars who have confirmed their attendance are actors Lee Jun-ho, Jung Sung-il, Kim Young-dae, Lee Jun-young, Ahn Dong-goo, Park Jae-chan, Moon Sang-min, Yoo Seon-ho, Ahn Hyo-seop, Kim Se-jeong, Kim Seon-ho, Moon Ga-young, Lee Joon-hyuk, Lee Dong-hwi, Cha Joo-young, Lee Eun-sam, Lee Jun-ho, Jung Sung-il, Kim Young-dae, Lee Jun-young, Ahn Dong-goo, Park Jae-Chan, Moon Sang-min and Yoo Seon-ho. [caption id="attachment_185655" align="aligncenter" width="1146"] SB19[/caption] They will be joined by Kpop groups NewJeans, LE SSERAFIM, NMIXX, ZEROBASEONE, BoyNextDoor, Stray Kids, ITZY, The Boyz, Kwon Eun-bi, &TEAM, Kim Jae-joong, DinDin, Lee Young-ji, STAYC, Kep1er, KARD, Yao Chen, Dreamcatcher, Ash Island, Lapillus and TEMPEST. IVE’s Jang Won-young of IVE, Kang Daniel and ZEROBASEONE’s Sung Han-bin will serve as hosts. Tickets for 2023 AAA will be available on 12 November. The post SB19, Hori7on to join more K-pop stars at 2023 AAA appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
More artists to attend Asia Artist Awards in Phl
Organizers of the 2023 Asia Artist Awards announced on Monday the next set of artists who will attend the awards ceremony to be held on 14 December 2023 at the Philippine Arena. Seventeen’s subunit BSS, SB19, HORI7ON, Oneus, Kingdom, ATBO, and LUN8 are the latest additions to the roster of star performers who will grace the much-awaited event, to be emceed by Jang Won-young of IVE, Sung Han-bin of Zerobaseone, and Kang Daniel. This brings to 44 the total number of artists and performers who have confirmed their presence at the 2023 Asia Artist Awards, which will be held for the first time in the Philippines. Here are the artists who will attend the awards night, as of 18 September: ACTORS: Lee Joon-hyuk Lee Dong-hwi Cha Joo-young Lee Eun-sam Kim Seon-ho Ahn Hyo-seop Kim Se-jeong Moon Ga-young Lee Jun Ho Jung Sung-il Kim Young-dae Lee Jun-young Moon Sang-min Yoo Seon-ho Ahn Dong-goo Park Jaechan SINGERS: Stray Kids The Boyz ITZY Kwon Eun-bi &TEAM NewJeans Le Sserafim BoyNextDoor, NMIXX Zerobaseone. Kim Jaejoong DinDin Lee Young-ji Dreamcatcher KARD Ash Island Yao Chen STAYC Kep1er Tempest Lapillus Seventeen’s BSS SB19 HORI7ON Oneus Kingdom ATBO LUN8 The post More artists to attend Asia Artist Awards in Phl appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Chris Evans, Alba Baptista marry in Massachusetts
Chris Evans and Alba Baptista are now husband and wife. In an intimate ceremony on 9 September, the Captain America star and Warrior Nun actress exchanged vows in front of their family and friends including Emily Blunt, John Krasinki, and Marvel actors Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth and Jeremy Renner. The wedding, which took place at the couple’s Boston home, had guests sign NDAs and phones surrendered for privacy. Chris, 42, and Alba, 26, were first spotted together on a casual stroll in New York City in November 2022. A source told People that the two had been dating since 2021. The same year, the Knives Out actor made their relationship Instagram-official when he posted a series of flirty photos and prank videos with the Portuguese star for Valentine’s Day. “I introduced her to Mario Bros 3. She hates this video but I LOVE it,” Chris wrote in one of the clips. Earlier this year, he hinted at wanting to settle down. Chris told Elle, “That’s absolutely something I want: wife, kids, building a family. When you read about most of the best artists, whether it’s actors, painters, writers, most of them [admit] it wasn’t the work they made [that they are most proud of], it was about the relationships; the families they created, the love they found, the love they shared.” Chris and Alba attended the premiere of the new film Ghosted yet they did not pose for photos together. Alba, born in Lisbon, Portugal, has starred in the films and TV shows A Impostora, Filha da Lei, A Criação, Jogo Duplo and Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris. Evans, meanwhile, has appeared in a slew of Marvel movies and Netflix’s Don’t Look Up and The Gray Man. Best wishes, Mr. and Mrs. Captain America! The post Chris Evans, Alba Baptista marry in Massachusetts appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Helmut Lang and Ralph Lauren kick off New York Fashion Week
Amid sweltering heat and jitters over the Hollywood strike, New York kicked off its Spring-Summer 2024 Fashion Week on Friday, with heavyweights Ralph Lauren and Helmut Lang returning to the industry's flagship event with fresh ideas. American luxury brand Coach unveiled its collection of sensual translucent dresses at the New York Public Library in Manhattan on Thursday, but the event was briefly disrupted by animal rights activists. As Vogue editor Anna Wintour and Jennifer Lopez watched the show, two female protesters from the animal rights group PETA -- one covered in body paint that mimicked animal flaying and another holding a poster that read "Coach: Leather Kills" -- joined the models on the runway before security led them away. At another unofficial kick-off event on Wednesday, featuring Naomi Campbell, Doja Cat, Naomi Osaka and Gigi Hadid, the iconic lingerie label Victoria's Secret teased a film meant to showcase the brand's new and more inclusive identity after it was criticized for designing garments that objectify women. The film, entitled "The Victoria's Secret World Tour," to be released on Amazon Prime at the end of September, highlights the work of creators and artists from Lagos, London, Bogota, and Tokyo. Yellow taxi This year, New York Fashion Week will feature young talents and emerging brands, along with heavyweights such as Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Altuzarra, Gabriela Hearst, Carolina Herrera, Tory Burch, and Luar. The city will then pass the baton to London, Milan, and Paris. "New York has always been a cornerstone of Fashion Week," said Steven Kolb, CEO of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. "It really underscores how strong it is, in terms of presenting creative thinking." Under the humid heat of the New York summer, the six-day marathon kicked off Friday afternoon in Manhattan's Lower East Side with a show by Helmut Lang, who rose to fame in the 1990s and 2000s, thanks to the minimalist aesthetic of the Austrian artist. Helmut Lang, the designer, left fashion in 2005 but Helmut Lang, the brand, lives on, bought by Prada and then by the Japanese group Fast Retailing, which owns Uniqlo. The brand now returns to the runways of the Big Apple with a collection concocted by its new artistic director, Peter Do, widely considered a fashion prodigy. The show had nostalgic undertones, a bow to the 1990s when it became the first fashion brand to advertise on New York yellow taxi signs. Fewer red carpets Another brand to make its return on Friday, albeit in Brooklyn where many of the fashion shows have migrated, was Ralph Lauren, the legendary brand that defined American elegance and embodied preppy US style with an annual turnover of more than $6 billion. The brand, whose founder was born in the Bronx, has not held a show in New York since 2019. This fashion season is marked by the double strike of Hollywood screenwriters and actors seeking better compensation, which has reduced the number of red carpet previews to a minimum, thus depriving brands of a chance to dress stars and promote themselves in the process. "Certainly, the red carpet is a way to speak to the audience," said Kolb, adding that fashion shows were no less important. The "content that they create for social channels will contribute to a very loud, very visible Fashion Week," he added. The post Helmut Lang and Ralph Lauren kick off New York Fashion Week appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
New characters join ‘FPJ’s Batang Quiapo’
FPJ’s Batang Quiapo is adding new characters and actors, led by Jaclyn Jose and Ivana Alawi, who are set to add more excitement to the new chapter of Tanggol’s (Coco Martin) life as they join the hit Kapamilya primetime series. Aside from Jose and Alawi, the star-studded cast of also welcomes Robert Seña, Soliman Cruz, Lao Rodriguez, Jess Evardone, Vandolph, Romy Romulo, Zeppi Borromeo, Michael Rivero, Pambansang Kolokoy and Haprice. [caption id="attachment_178691" align="aligncenter" width="1792"] JACLYN Jose in ‘FPJ’s Batang Quiapo.’[/caption] The new characters will get involved in Tanggol’s life as he braces himself for more hardships and begins his sentence of life imprisonment. Amid the challenges, Tanggol will also get to meet Bubbles (Alawi), an alluring lady who could possibly open up Tanggol’s heart to love once again while he spends time away from his long-time love, Mokang (Lovi Poe). Meanwhile, Tanggol’s loved ones will encounter challenges of their own. More family problems will pile-up for Marites (Cherry Pie Picache), while Tanggol’s half-brother, David (Mccoy De Leon), will go to extreme lengths and continue to pretend to be Tanggol so that he can take advantage of his father’s wealth. With over 2.7 billion total online views since its premiere in February, FPJ’s Batang Quiapo continues to win the hearts of viewers for its heartwarming lessons about family and its non-stop action-packed scenes. With the new addition of actors, the action-comedy series promises a lot more exciting twists and dramatic confrontations as it continues to level-up its roster of artists who join the likes of award-winning actors Poe, Picache, Charo Santos, Christopher de Leon and many more. FPJ’s Batang Quiapo, which is inspired by the original story of Regal Films, shows on weeknights at 8 pm on Kapamilya Channel, A2Z, TV5, iWantTFC, and Kapamilya Online Live on ABS-CBN Entertainment’s YouTube channel and Facebook page. Viewers who use any digital TV box at home such as the TVplus box only need to rescan their device to be able to watch FPJ’s Batang Quiapo on TV5 and A2Z. The show is also available to viewers in and out of the Philippines on iWantTFC, while viewers outside of the Philippines can watch on The Filipino Channel on cable and IPTV. The post New characters join ‘FPJ’s Batang Quiapo’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Annyeonghaseyo, Philippines! Manila to host Asia Artist Awards 2023
Get ready to say “Annyeonghaseyo” as the Philippines prepares to host the prestigious Asia Artist Awards on 14 December at the Philippine Arena. Organized by Money Today, StarNews and MTN, the Asia Artist Awards have honored outstanding accomplishments in the entertainment sector every year since 2016. The awards have traveled to South Korea, Vietnam and Japan, and the eighth edition is about to make its debut in the Philippines. Hallyu fans all over the nation are in for a treat as Asian stars converge for this vibrant celebration. The event will be orchestrated by the AAA organizing committee, TONZ Entertainment and PULP Live World. Happee Sy-Go of PULP Live World confirmed the exciting development on her social media platform and expressed appreciation for PULP’s selection as the Philippine partner to host this year’s awards. The event serves as a tribute to Asian artists working in music, television and film, with a focus on South Korean idols in particular. Prizes like the Grand Prize, Asia Celebrity, Idol Plus Popularity Award and Rookie of the Year will be given to the best in the business. Famous Korean idol groups, musicians and actors have graced the awards’ stage to accept accolades, host segments and give dazzling performances. Last year’s star-studded event saw NewJeans, SEVENTEEN, TREASURE, IVE, Han Sohee, Bona, Lee Jae Wook and many more. Legendary performers like BTS, SEVENTEEN, Lim Young-woong, TWICE and Kang Daniel are on the list of musicians who’ve been feted at the awards, along with international artists such as MAX and Anne-Marie, who won the Best Pop Artist Award in 2020. The Philippine Arena has a 50,000-seating capacity, so the Asian Artist Awards evening will certainly be a monumental event celebrating Asian heritage — all set to unfold right here in the Philippines. The post Annyeonghaseyo, Philippines! Manila to host Asia Artist Awards 2023 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Hollywood strikes sap glamour of Venice Film Festival
Historic Hollywood strikes have robbed the Venice Film Festival of some of its usual glitz as it launched its 80th edition Wednesday, but a raft of big-name -- and controversial -- directors are keeping the film world buzzing. The world's longest-running film festival was due to start with "Challengers", a tennis romance with one of the biggest stars of her generation, Zendaya. But it was replaced at the last minute by an Italian war drama, "Comandante", due to the ongoing strikes by Hollywood actors and writers -- primarily over pay and the threat of AI -- that has barred them from publicity work. The rest of the line-up was largely unaffected: the festival will see Emma Stone as a Frankenstein-like creature in "Poor Things" and Bradley Cooper as legendary conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein in "Maestro", among several Oscar contenders. But the strikes mean those stars will not be lighting up the red carpet. Adam Driver has been given an exemption to show up for "Ferrari" on Thursday because the biopic by Michael Mann ("Heat") was made outside the studio system. Jessica Chastain is also expected for the premiere of "Memory" at the end of the festival, according to Variety. It is her first outing since her Oscar-winning turn in "The Eyes of Tammy Faye". 'Apocalyptic ideas' All are competing for the top prize Golden Lion, to be awarded on 9 September by a jury led by Damien Chazelle, director of "La La Land". He told AFP he understood the anxiety around AI -- which many fear could lead to computer-generated actors and scripts replacing humans -- but said some of the fears may be overblown. "People have some apocalyptic ideas about it," said Chazelle a few hours before the festival opening. "I agree it's a major technological change like the internet or radio, and it will overturn a lot of things, but the art will survive." Other attention-grabbing entries include Sofia Coppola's "Priscilla", about Elvis Presley's wife, and "The Killer" by David Fincher, who returns to the Lido two decades after "Fight Club" was famously booed at the festival only to become a cult hit later. 'Absolutely incomprehensible' But with less star gossip, a lot of attention risks being absorbed by the inclusion of Woody Allen with "Coup de Chance" (his 50th film and first in French) and Roman Polanski with "The Palace", both in the out-of-competition section. Allen, 87, was investigated for an alleged assault on his adopted daughter in the 1990s. Though cleared by police, he has been effectively blackballed by Hollywood. Festival director Alberto Barbera defended Allen's inclusion, telling AFP: "He has been completely absolved. Twenty-five years have passed and, for me, the hostility towards him, especially in the United States, is absolutely incomprehensible." Polanski, 90, remains a fugitive from the United States over a conviction for raping a minor in the 1970s. The victim has long since forgiven him, but he faces other assault allegations. The festival says he is not attending. Barbera acknowledged it was more complex with Polanski but said: "The history of art is full of artists who were criminals, and we nonetheless continue to admire their work." There are also out-of-competition premieres for a 40-minute Wes Anderson film, "The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar", based on a Roald Dahl tale, and a new feature from indie favorite Richard Linklater, "Hit Man". "The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial", the final film from William Friedkin ("The Exorcist"), who died this month at 87, is also playing out of competition. The post Hollywood strikes sap glamour of Venice Film Festival appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Family Matters’ wins big at 39th Luna Awards
Family Matters won big at the 39th Luna Awards held Saturday night, 26 August, at the Quezon City Sports Club. The family drama produced by Cineko Productions Inc. was named Best Picture by the award-giving body made up of the Film Academy of the Philippines and supported by the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation Inc. Its cast members Noel Trinidad and Mylene Dizon bagged the trophies for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress, respectively, while production designer Elfren Vibar got his own award in his category. “Nakuha sa dasal, kaya thank you, Lord,” Trinidad said in his acceptance speech. “I want to share this award sa lahat na-involve sa pelikula. Para na rin kaming isang pamilya talaga. Nagmamahalan, may tampuhan.” He then thanked director Nuel Naval and screenplay writer Mel Mendoza-Del Rosario. The 82-year-old actor, who plays the patriarch of a family worried sick about him and his wife (Liza Lorena), added, “Shini-share ko ang award na ito sa lahat ng actors at actresses na nakaeksena ko na kasama sa pelikula dahil ang gagaling nilang lahat. Kaya bawat eksena na kasama sila, nagiging very challenging and exciting. So, hindi lang para sa ’kin ’to. Sa atin lahat ito.” He also thanked his real-life wife Lally “for supporting me all these years sa lahat ng projects ko. I love you.” Trinidad bested other lead actors Sid Lucero (Reroute), Cesar Montano (Maid in Malacañang), Christian Bables (Mahal Kita, Beksman) and Jerome Ponce (Katips). In the Best Actress category, Heaven Peralejo emerged as the winner for her impressive performance in the thriller Nanahimik ang Gabi. She won over Liza Lorena (Family Matters), Cristine Reyes (Maid in Malacañang), Cindy Miranda (Reroute) and Belle Mariano (An Inconvenient Love). “Thank you so much to FAP for making a kid’s dream come true,” Peralejo said while accepting her award. “Seven years ago, pangarap ko lang po ’to. Ngayon, this is a big thing for me. I love my job so much, and this means a lot. Thank you.” The 23-year-old actress expressed her gratitude to Lauren Dyogi, who heads the Star Magic talent management agency she was under contract with when the offer to do Nanahimik ang Gabi came. She’s now under the care of Viva Artists Agency. She also gave props to her mother Shirley Luanne, a.k.a. “my mommyger,” saying, “I hope I made you proud. Promise, I’ll keep making you proud.” For her part, Dizon bested in the supporting actress category her Family Matters costar Agot Isidro, as well as Beverly Salviejo (Maid in Malacañang), Elizabeth Oropesa (Maid in Malacañang) and Lara Morena (Relyebo). Dizon, who plays a daughter worried about her parents while also busy raising her own family, thanked her movie’s director and screenplay writer “for choosing me to play Fortune.” She then turned to the people behind the Luna Awards. “It’s such a privilege to work in a film like Family Matters po. Maraming salamat po ni-recognize n’yo ang pelikula namin, na akala namin inisip lang namin na maganda ang pelikula namin. Totoo pala.” Best Supporting Actor winner John Arcilla sent his two sisters to accept his award. The internationally acclaimed actor won against Nonie Buencamino (Family Matters), Keempee de Leon (Mahal Kita, Beksman), Vince Tañada (Katips) and Mon Confiado (Nanahimik ang Gabi). The award for Best Director went to Mikhail Red (Deleter), besting Nuel Naval (Family Matters), Perci Intalan (Mahal Kita, Beksman), Darryl Yap (Maid in Malacañang), Vince Tanada (Katips) and Shugo Praico (Nanahimik ang Gabi). For Best Screenplay, Martika Ramirez Escobar (Leonor Will Never Die) prevailed over Mel Mendoza-Del Rosario (Family Matters), Eric Ramos (Mamasapano), Darryl Yap (Maid in Malacañang) and Joaquin Enrico Santos (An Inconvenient Love). The technical awards went to Carlos Mauricio (Best Cinematography, Leonor Will Never Die), Elfren Vibar (Best Production Design, Family Matters), Lawrence Ang (Best Editing, Leonor Will Never Die), Jazz Nicolas and Mikey Amistoso (Best Musical Scoring, Blue Room) and Andrea Idioma (Best Sound Design, Nanahimik ang Gabi). Four special awards were given out in recognition of the outstanding contributions to the cinematic arts and the entertainment industry. Senator Imee Marcos received the Golden Reel Award through her representative, Elizabeth Marcos. Actor Leo Martinez, who also served as FAP director general from 2003 to 2019, accepted the FPJ Lifetime Achievement Award from Mowelfund chairperson and actress Boots Anson-Roa. National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee was given the Manuel de Leon Award for Exemplary Achievements as a writer and an educator. Cinematographer Conrado Baltazar was honored posthumously with the Lamberto Avellana Memorial Award for his timeless works, such as in the classic films Jaguar, Angela Markado, Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang, Insiang and Gumising Ka, Maruja. The post Family Matters’ wins big at 39th Luna Awards appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Make way for a new Atayde in showbiz: Gela, the younger sibling of Arjo and Ria
There are now five Ataydes in Pinoy showbiz, although two of them do not use the surname for their showbiz work. There used to be only two actor Ataydes: Arjo and Ria. A third one will be introduced on 28 August as an actor in the latest ABS-CBN series Senior High: Gela Atayde, who has just made a name for herself as part of a team that emerged world champion in an international hip-hop dancing competition in the US. So who are the two Ataydes who don’t go by that surname in showbiz? Sylvia Sanchez and Maine Mendoza. The former is the mother of Arjo, Ria and Gela, while Maine is the brand-new Mrs. Arjo Atayde. She married Arjo on 28 July in Baguio City. [caption id="attachment_175680" align="aligncenter" width="893"] Sylvia Sanchez And Maine Mendoza-atayde. | Photograph Courtesy of Ig/sylvia Sanchez[/caption] Businessman Art Atayde is the father of Sanchez’s actor children. They have another son, Xavi, the youngest in the family. There are no talks (yet?) about Xavi wanting to join showbiz. Sanchez having three children active in front of the camera may be matched by Pen Medina, who has four sons who are actors, too, though not as prominently as Sanchez’s children. Medina’s thespian sons are Ping, Karl, Alex and Victor. Ping now appears with his father Pen in ABS-CBN’s Batang Quiapo. Alex, Karl and Victor, meanwhile, have played major roles in indie films. We personally know that Pen also has a lovely grown-up daughter, but she is not interested to become an actor. (Pen and I had theater workshops in our youth conducted by Joonee Gamboa and the late Adul de Leon. It was in those workshops that Pen met the would-be mother of their children.) Further back, it’s actually actor Eddie Gutierrez who used to have three sons and one daughter in showbiz: Tonton Gutierrez, Ramon Christopher (who started in showbiz without using a surname), Ruffa Gutierrez, Richard Gutierrez and his twin Raymond Gutierrez. Just a few years ago, another female Gutierrez — Janine — joined showbiz. She is the daughter of Ramon Christopher, more popularly known as “Monching,” whose mom is the singer Pilita Corrales. Janine’s mother is actor Lotlot de Leon, one of the two adopted daughters of then-couple Nora Aunor and Christopher de Leon. Tonton is Eddie’s oldest child, and his mother is beauty queen-actress Liza Lorena. A few years after he had a son with Corrales, the elder Gutierrez married Annabelle Rama, and Ruffa is their first child and only daughter. They had another son, nicknamed Rocky, before they had the twins Richard and Raymond. World championship Gela Atayde has just gotten back from the World Hiphop Dance Championship in Phoenix, Arizona where her team, Legit Status, won the world championship on 6 August by beating 54 other teams. Gela, 21, speaks with as much overflowing self-confidence as her Kuya Arjo and Ate Ria. At her media launch in Morato, Quezon City a few days ago, Gela declared that she really likes to be recognized as a dancer and to be able to hone her acting career at the same time. “One of the big reasons why I really wanted to enter showbiz was to introduce dance. I guess as a dancer, I realized that it is not as appreciated as we hope it would be. So I guess for me since I was given the opportunity to do it, I want to explore and show everyone what dance is all about — not just hip-hop but maybe other styles so it can be talked about more often,” she said. Her first ABS-CBN project is the series Senior High, which will see her playing a campus dancer and acting alongside her mother Sylvia as well as young stars Andrea Brillantes and Kyle Echarri. The series, produced by Dreamscape Entertainment, replaces Iron Heart, topbilled by Richard Gutierrez. The upcoming show recently trended on social media as it featured SB19’s hit song “Bazinga.” Also in the show’s cast are Juan Karlos, Elijah Canlas, Zaijian Jaranilla, Xyriel Manabat, Daniela Stranner, Miggy Jimenez and Tommy Alejandrino, along with Angel Aquino, Baron Geisler and Mon Confiado. Senior High will be released on 28 August, 9:30 p.m. via the Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, JeepneyTV, A2Z and TV5. It will also stream on iWantTFC and on TFC. It’s a season of “revenge” entertainment at ABS-CBN. The just-concluded series Dirty Linen had a family avenging the death of their loved ones in the hands of a greedy well-off family, while the forthcoming film A Very Good Girl, starring internationally acclaimed actor Dolly de Leon and Kathryn Bernardo, is likewise powered by a revenge yarn. The post Make way for a new Atayde in showbiz: Gela, the younger sibling of Arjo and Ria appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Gaza open-air cinema a breath of fresh air for Palestinians
Gaza residents took their seats in front of a large projector screen set up on a sandy beach, a rare event in the Islamist-ruled blockaded enclave that has no operating cinemas. Over two weeks in summer, the "Cinema of the Sea" festival which ended Monday screened some 15 films, many of them with Palestinian actors or producers. Providing a respite from the heat, the waterfront "is the only outlet for the residents" in the impoverished territory, said Ali Muhanna, a theatre director involved in the initiative. Around 2.3 million Palestinians live in the Gaza Strip, which has been under a crippling Israeli-led blockade since the Islamist group Hamas seized power in 2007. Sitting barefoot in a pink dress at the open-air cinema on Gaza City's beach, seven-year-old Salma Shamaleh was transfixed by the screen. "I have never seen a TV this size," she told AFP as she watched "Ferdinand", an animated blockbuster that tells the story of a giant but soft-hearted black bull. The first film screenings in Gaza date to the 1940s, with the opening of the Samer Cinema, whose building now houses a car dealership. Cinemas were forced to close in the late 1980s during the first Palestinian uprising, or intifada. They reopened following the establishment of the Palestinian Authority in the 1990s but for years have largely been gathering dust. In 1996, Islamists set a Gaza cinema ablaze. While not explicitly banned, Hamas authorities fear cinemas may amplify what they view as foreign or Western beliefs that go against Islamic traditions. There have been some outdoor screenings in recent years, most notably amid the rubble of buildings destroyed in Israeli air strikes during wars fought with Gaza militants. Like across much of the eastern Mediterranean, Gazans have flocked to the seaside in recent weeks to escape soaring temperatures. Shamaleh was thrilled by the cinematic experience. "Our house is nearby, I'll ask my mum for us to come every day," she said. - 'Happy' - The festival's program featured "Farha", a Jordanian film which, through a young girl's perspective, depicts atrocities committed against Palestinians during the 1948 conflict that led to Israel's creation. The hard-hitting film resonated with Mona Hanafi, 50, who watched it with her daughter and dozens of other spectators. "The film is brilliant in addressing a realistic Palestinian story... The performance and directing are impressive," she said. "Seeing the children and people watching the open cinema in Gaza made me happy," added Hanafi. Another audience member, Hadeel Hajji, said she had "never seen anything like that in my life". "I was with my family when I saw the screen from far away, so I came to watch," she told AFP. "Cinema of the Sea" was organized by Al-Bahr Elna Cooperative Cafe in partnership with the culture ministry. The cooperative was established in 2020 by a group of artists, with start-up funding from Palestinian institutions. Since that initial cash dried up, the group has relied on donations. For Muhanna, the cafe's founder, the festival has been an opportunity to show films which demonstrate how "Palestinians contributed to producing (cinema) and conveying the values of society". Atef Askoul, head of the Hamas-appointed body responsible for approving public art events, said Gazans who suffer from miserable living conditions under the blockade have "the right to watch films and cinema". my-gb/rsc/jd/ami © Agence France-Presse The post Gaza open-air cinema a breath of fresh air for Palestinians appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Without ‘soul, progress is meaningless
Reduced budgets against big, supportive words paint a grainy picture of how the Marcos Jr. administration is prioritizing the arts and culture sector of the Philippines. In 2022, “proposed budget cuts for four key agencies tasked with preserving history and culture,” as said in a report, got critics’ hackles up, implying that the Marcoses had no love lost for history as it was allegedly bent on revisionism. However, a source from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts acknowledges that this has been a “period of recovery,” and that “the administration has continuously supported and assisted in the recovery of the sector, which is one of most adversely affected by the pandemic. Through the government’s cultural agencies, support to the culture still continues” to this day, one year into the term of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. For its part, the Duterte government, at the height of the pandemic, took steps to alleviate the needs of all those affected in the arts and culture sector. Assistance Data from the Cultural Center of the Philippines reveals that during that time, about 800 events were canceled, losing about 800,000 audiences or participants, and at least P90 million in revenues. About 3,000 artists, cultural workers and other kinds of workers were affected. This was the same all over the country and the world. The NCCA’s Assistance Program for Cultural Workers Under the State of Calamity aimed to provide quick cash assistance in the amount of P5,000 to around 800 beneficiaries. Artists and cultural workers who were not under an employer-employee relationship, without regular income or were working freelance, with no benefits, and/or had no employers to run to, and those whose source of income were gone due to the pandemic, were prioritized. The executive council members of the NCCA’s 19 national committees, which represent the different fields of culture and the arts, were tasked to list 35 priority beneficiaries. The NCCA “is the overall policy-making body, coordinating and grants-giving agency for the preservation, development and promotion of Philippine arts and culture; an executing agency for the policies it formulates; and tasked to administer the National Endowment Fund for Culture and the Arts — a fund exclusively for the implementation of culture and arts programs and projects.” Executive Order 80’s. 1999, under then President Joseph Ejercito Estrada, put the NCCA on top of other cultural agencies: the Cultural Center of the Philippines, National Historical Institute (now the National Historical Commission of the Philippines), National Museum, The National Library (now, The National Library of the Philippines) and the Records, Management and Archives Office (now, the National Archives of the Philippines). In 2001, Section 8 of Republic Act 9155 added the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino/Commission on the Filipino Language under the NCCA umbrella tied up with education goals. It states: “The Komisyon ng Wikang Pilipino, National Historical Institute, Record Management and Archives Office and the National Library shall now be administratively attached to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and no longer with the Department of Education. The program for school arts and culture shall remain part of the school curriculum.” Putting these cultural agencies together was meant to synergize efforts to strengthen the Filipinos’ sense of heritage and nationhood. Budget allocations In 2023, a year after President Marcos first stepped into office, what “resources” are we talking about? When budgets were being deliberated on in 2022, reports came out on calls for an increase in the proposed budget for arts and culture. At the hearing of the Senate Committee on Finance, NCCA chairman Rene Escalante said, “…we are proposing additional funding of a total of P33 million” to cover expenses for “more manpower and space as some regulatory functions of the National Museum of the Philippines were transferred to it.” Department of Budget Management Secretary Amenah Pangandaman in her newspaper column wrote last 31 May: “For 2023, DBM has released funding for our cultural agencies to sustain their projects. It has allocated P212 million for the National Historical Commission of the Philippines; P33 million for NCCA; P164 million for the National Archives; P70 million for the Commission on the Filipino Language; P356 million for CCP and P444 million for the National Museum.” ‘Full support’ Prior to his State of the Nation Address this year after one year in office, expressed his “commitment to promoting Philippine culture, as well as the preservation and protection of the country’s cultural heritage, In a speech at the NCCA Ani ng Dangal (Harvest of Honors) awarding ceremony in Malacañang, he said: “Makaaasa kayo na kaisa ninyo ang pamahalaan at administrasyong ito sa pagsusulong at pagpapayaman ng ating sining at kultura (You may rest assured the government and this administration is one with you in the promotion and development of our arts and culture),” pointing out its importance in and interconnection to efforts to boost our economy while uplifting the image of Filipinos across the globe. [caption id="attachment_161350" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] TRADITIONAL style of mat weaving. | PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF LIKHA[/caption] [caption id="attachment_161351" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Banig weavers.[/caption] ‘Who we are’ What a rich and thriving culture means to a nation cannot be emphasized enough. In October 2018, when Malacañang hosted the awarding of the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan, Philippine Heritage Award and the Order of National Artist, then President Rodrigo Duterte noted the role that cultural heritage plays in the formation of the Filipino identity. “We must recognize and fulfill our duty to stay true to who we are, remember where we came from and honor the timelessness of our culture and traditions,” he said. His commitment was evident as the pandemic went on, with the NCCA offering assistance to the affected workers in the arts and culture sector. The unspoken benefit from that experience was that the arts community bounced back immediately, as artists and cultural workers continued to create, to entertain, to impart insights, to provoke and stimulate, to inspire. Creativity might have taken a pause during the pandemic but not for long as artists began to turn to cyberspace to share their works and interact with their audiences mainly in their social media accounts. Taking this cue, cultural institutions and companies, arts organizations and culture-related groups took the online route, creating virtual events such as online galleries, webinars and talks, film showings, workshops and tutorials, live-streamed musical shows and even presentations of recorded theatrical and dance performances. The digital arts have blossomed and traditional artforms have found themselves increasingly and suddenly in the digital world. Post-pandemic, establishments reopened, but cultural spaces such as museums, galleries and theaters were among the last ones to reopen. Local artistry In the first year of Marcos’ presidency, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos took on the role of promoting Filipino culture by spearheading projects like the Malacañang museums and Likha exhibits, which shone the limelight on local artistry and craftsmanship. One of the legacies of the pandemic that will continue in the coming years is incorporation of streaming or recording for posting and sharing in social media and other mediums. This is true for certain events such as launchings and talks. We have discovered the far-reaching reach of online platforms as well as the convenience of it, saving us time and money. With online platforms, we can reach thousands and disseminate information further beyond borders. Our audiences are not limited to certain geography, certain spheres. However, for theatrical productions, dance, films and music, we have to devise ways to monetize them so that the creatives involved can make a living out of their crafts. That is one of the challenges that the sector will be facing, which is part of the recovery process from the pandemic. One other important factor to be considered is the creative industries or creative economy. The Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022 was launched in 2017, and for the first time, arts and culture and the creative industries are included in the national agenda. An inter-agency board has been created focusing on the creative industries, with the NCCA as one of the key agencies. This entails creating a collective vision and aspiration of Filipinos for themselves and for the country, and is an acknowledgment of the power of arts and culture to shape and elevate consciousness and ways of life and inspire communities. In that chapter, the government promises to “boost the development of Filipino creativity as tool for social cohesion and impetus for culture-based industry and creative economy.” Let’s not forget that a thoughtful and caring governance and industry would indeed include arts and culture in order to prosper in all aspects, recognize the important roles of their artists and cultural workers, and would preserve their cultural legacy, which contribute to realizing a deeper sense of self and national identity. True prosperity does not dwell on the material level but must include the nourishment and nurturing of the soul. The post Without ‘soul, progress is meaningless appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»