Christmas 2020 will definitely be more austere
Two weeks ago, I took out the Christmas décor from storage and began to decorate my home so I could start feeling the holiday spirit......»»
Family is and will always be love
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, our Daza Christmas reunions were cancelled in 2020, 2021, and 2022. Fortunately, in 2023, we determined that it was safe to resume our family tradition of getting together on Christmas Day......»»
‘Sinag’ and ‘Lupa’: Light that guides and land that nourishes
In late September 2019, the Cultural Center of the Philippines mounted the son et lumiere titled “Sinag: Festival of Radiance,” accompanied by a video projected on the façade of its iconic Brutalist Main Building, dancing fountain, performances and installations, as part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of one of the Philippines’ revered cultural institutions. The light show was staged again in the following years with different themes even during the imposed lockdowns in the first years of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 and 2021, serving as beacon of hope during one of the most challenging times for the arts and culture sector. The “Sinag” light-and-sound show continued to be mounted this year, fast becoming a tradition for CCP, as it commemorated its 54th founding anniversary and signaled the sector’s embarking on the road to recovery. It also recognized the sector’s perseverance and determination to continue creating and healing with its theme, “Tuloy Ang Palabas”(The Show Continues).” This year, the Main Building has remained dark and silent as it closed down in January for a three-year rehabilitation and renovation, but it came alive again from 28 September to 1 October for “Sinag 2023: Tuloy Ang Palabas.” A short video was projected on the façade, showing snippets of productions, projects and performances in the past nine months, all held in different venues outside the Main Building. The main part was a spectacle of colors and moving patterns, conceptualized by CCP light designers Camille Balistoy, Danilo Villanueva, Louie Alcoran and Shantie De Roca. This was accompanied by music by Soundridemusic and Makai-symphony, spliced by Jerry Tria. Capping the show was a video showing CCP’s reach in the country, through a map created by Reily Villaruz, as well as glimpses of performances and projects in the planning, accompanied by Jed Balsamo’s “Rurok.” As the CCP Main Building highlighted art’s role as light giver, the park beside it, CCP Liwasang KaLIKHAsan, is venue for an exhibit of installations depicting popular creatures of Philippine folklore. [caption id="attachment_191675" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Kapre. | PhotoGRAPHS by Roel Hoang Manipon FOR THE DAILY TRIBUNE[/caption] The kapre, aswang and tikbalang often figure in horror stories told to children, but acclaimed artist Abdulmari “Toym” de Leon Imao, son of the late National Artist for visual arts Abdulmari Asia Imao, regarded them as nature guardians, thus the title “Tanod-Lupa.” “Tanod-Lupa” was first mounted in celebration of Earth Day on 22 April, but was brought back for the anniversary celebration, and it seems fitting for the Halloween and Christmas seasons. Imao was inspired by stories about these creatures, many of which most likely can be traced from pre-colonial times, during his childhood. “My mom is Kapampangan, and they have wonderful stories of mythology such as Apo Mallari god of Mount Pinatubo. My dad came from the South. He was a Tausug. Mindanao is also rich in stories. The Sarimanok itself is a mythical creature. My appreciation comes from a fascination from childhood and growing up with these stories and narratives from my parents,” he said. “I am very fascinated with tikbalang. There are some stories that tell that it is actually a friend. The tikbalang also has a masculine appearance, very heroic,” he added. Working together with lantern makers from San Fernando City, Pampanga, headed by Arvin Bondoc Quiwa, and using materials such welded steel, fiberglass, ropes and lanterns with LED lights, Imao reimagined the creatures to be cartoonish but still retaining some scary and mysterious qualities. [caption id="attachment_191676" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Manananggal.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_191674" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Duwende.[/caption] The bright installations of kapre, duwende, manananggal, aswang, nuno sa punso and tikbalang are scattered around the park — under a balete, in between coconut trees, among overgrown weeds and unkempt bushes — and accompanied by eerie sounds designed by TJ Ramos. The most prominent among Imao’s works is his large installation in the shape of the panolong, a decorative detail of the traditional house of the Meranaw people, and the sarimanok, a popular design motif of several Moro ethnic groups, frequently used by his father in his works. [caption id="attachment_191677" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Nuno sa punso.[/caption] “Tanod-Lupa” is a work in progress, and more installations are being planned to be added to the collection. “With themes like climate change and cultural promotion, it’s perfect for us to bring these creatures from folklore and mythologies to the forefront. We are not the only inhabitants of our environment. We share it with other beings and creatures. Our ancestors remind us that we take good care of our environment lest these ‘tanod-lupa’ come out to remind us of our shortcomings,” Imao said. The post ‘Sinag’ and ‘Lupa’: Light that guides and land that nourishes appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Nothing can drag a Boholana down
No pandemic, nor deadly natural catastrophe can bring down a Boholana: this is the living faith by which Lourdes Sultan, managing director of Travel Village Tours and Travel and owner of several vessels which comprise the Loboc River Cruise in Bohol, lives by. Sultan, a tour operator in Loboc for the past 35 years, is a perfect epitome of a resilient Filipina who did not falter while going through such major upheavals as typhoon “Odette” in 2021 that wrecked her vessels; the magnitude 7.2 earthquake in Bohol in 2013 and the perennial flooding in Loboc, and the global pandemic that shut down international borders, barring the arrival of tourists in the country. “The floating restaurant business here in Loboc started 30 years ago but in 2000, we decided to dwell in the floating restaurant operation. We used to have eight vessels, but after typhoon “Odette” hit us in December 2021, we are now left with four,” said Sultan in an interview. She said that pre-pandemic, there were 26 vessels plying the Loboc River serving foreign and local tourists, but the number was diminished because of the unfortunate wrath of natural catastrophes. Pandemic, ‘Odette’ challenge She said the strong earthquake in 2013, the declaration of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, and the pummeling of the province by typhoon “Odette” in 2021 were the worst challenges that her enterprise has endured. “The pandemic made us totally close operations. During that time, we tried to maintain and improve our vessels in preparation for the reopening of borders. Indeed, losses with Odette and the pandemic were in the millions,” she told the Daily Tribune. Aside from that, Sultan said operators of floating restaurants were also required by the local government to update their vessels, making them shell out additional costs. In 2021, Sultan said tourist arrivals trickled, as some restrictions were modified and eased by the Inter-Agency Task Force of the national government. “Even if we only cater to domestic customers, we were more hopeful back then. But amid the high hopes, typhoon “Odette” hit us on 16 December 2021—a strong typhoon during an enduring contagion. We decided to let go of some workers. But luckily, we hired them back when things got better in March 2022,” she shared. Typhoon “Odette,” that pummeled Bohol before Christmas Day, was considered by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office as the worst ever to hit the province, prompting the Provincial Capitol to declare a state of calamity after incurring massive devastation on agriculture and infrastructure and inundated swaths to the island. Not yet pre-pandemic She said, however, that the tourism industry in Loboc is not yet in the pre-pandemic state, saying that foot traffic is only at 70 percent to date, even if they are fully booked during daily operations, especially weekends. “Revenge travel is real. The influx of domestic travelers is greater now compared to pre-pandemic. Aside from local tourists, European and Asian tourists are now coming back,” she said. As of July 2023, the Department of Tourism logged a total of 3,000,079 international visitor arrivals. On the other hand, the country’s inbound tourism receipts from 1 January to 30 June 2023 climbed to P212 billion or 502.02 percent higher than the P35-billion tourism revenue generated from the same period last year. Support for DoT program Sultan, also the president of the Bohol Federation of Travel and Tour Operators and an officer of the Bohol Provincial Tourism Council, said she is backing the DoT program Faith-based Tourism Circuits, as part of the department’s thrust to develop new tourism circuits and multi-dimensional tourism products. Last 14 to 17 August, the DoT Central Visayas, in partnership with the Provincial Government of Bohol, organized a familiarization tour of Bohol’s Faith-based Tourism Circuits, with the aim to promote and showcase Bohol’s historical and cultural assets specifically its century-old churches, heritage houses, religious landmarks and living cultural traditions. Through Bohol’s Faith-based Tourism Circuits, participants, including members of the media, visited some of Bohol’s heritage churches declared as National Historical Landmarks or cultural treasures and experienced a few of their inherent traditions such as Asin Tibuok, among others. The main highlight of the tour was the canonical crowning of the image of the Virgen de la Asunción of the Municipality of Dauis, officiated by Papal Nuncio Charles Brown last 15 August. “The direction is we do not want the churches to be just tourist spots, but for tourists to have a glimpse of the spiritual component,” according to Sultan. The post Nothing can drag a Boholana down appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Upper Chamber MIF version vague, says solon
Senator Imee Marcos on Monday said Senate Bill 2020, which seeks to establish the proposed Maharlika Investment Fund, is “still vague” and stressed that would not allow the immediate passage of the measure, even if it will be “ideal” to be passed before the sine die adjournment of Congress on 2 June. “I will not allow it if ever it will be approved immediately because that’s a huge sum of money. Our children will be buried in debt. It is something that should not be fast-tracked,” said the lady senator despite the certification of the bill as a priority measure by his brother, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Citing the “compelling need” for a “sustainable national investment fund” amid the rising inflation rate driven by various factors, the President certified the MIF bill as urgent last week. However, the solon stressed that the “present form” of the Senate version of the MIF bill is still in the process of amendments. “I noticed that, there are different amendments on the bill. Even the amendments from the Department of Finance are not yet finished,” said Marcos. “That is why we are confused. Where is the final form?” To recall, the House of Representatives approved the third and final reading of House Bill 6608, or the proposed MIF bill before adjourning for the Christmas break last year. The Senate has less than a week to pass the measure before the Congress adjourns on Friday, however, the upper chamber can extend its session to deliberate on the MIF bill and other priority measures during the two-week break. Meanwhile, opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros expressed her concern regarding the recent amendment on the MIF bill that will enable the supposed board of directors of MIF to access the hard-earned pension funds from the Government Service Insurance System and the Social Security System. Hontiveros specifically questioned the Section 12 of the proposed measure which contains the lines “other GFIs and GOCCs may invest into the Maharlika Investment Fund, subject to their respective investment and risk management strategies, and approval of their respective boards.” “I would really not have the particular section. I would still request our colleagues in the majority to worry about this and to help remove this provision altogether at the proper time,” Hontiveros said. Jom Garner Proponents of the bill from the House of Representatives removed the SSS and GSIS as mandatory sources of seed money to start the MIF, after it was heavily criticized by the public. The post Upper Chamber MIF version vague, says solon appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Imee says Senate version of MIF bill ‘still vague’
Senator Imee Marcos on Monday said Senate Bill No. 2020, which seeks to establish the proposed Maharlika Investment Fund, is “still vague.” In a chance interview, Imee said she would not allow the immediate passage of the measure, even if it would be “ideal” to have it passed before the sine die adjournment of Congress on 2 June. “I will not allow it if ever it will be approved immediately because that’s a huge sum of money. Our children will be buried in debt. It is something that should not be fast-tracked,” she said despite the certification of the bill as a priority measure by his brother, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Citing the “compelling need” for a “sustainable national investment fund” amid the rising inflation rate driven by various factors, the President certified the MIF bill as urgent last week. Imee said the “present form” of the Senate version of the MIF bill is still in the process of amendments. “I noticed that, there are different amendments on the bill. Even the amendments from the DOF (Department of Finance) is not yet finished,” she said. “That is why we are confused. Where is the final form?” she added. The House of Representatives approved on third and final reading House Bill No. 6608, or the proposed MIF bill, before adjourning for the Christmas break last year. The Senate has less than a week to pass the measure before Congress adjourns on Friday. However, the upper chamber can extend its session to deliberate on the MIF bill and other priority measures during the two-week break. Meanwhile, opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros expressed her concern regarding the recent amendment on the MIF bill that will enable the supposed board of directors of MIF to access the pension funds of the Government Service Insurance System and the Social Security System. Hontiveros specifically questioned Section 12 of the proposed measure which contains the lines: “Other GFIs and GOCCs may invest into the Maharlika Investment Fund, subject to their respective investment and risk management strategies, and approval of their respective boards.” “I would really rather not have this section at all. I would still request our colleagues in the majority to worry about this and to help remove this provision altogether at the proper time,” she said. Proponents of the bill from the House of Representatives removed the SSS and GSIS as mandatory sources of seed money to start the MIF, after it was heavily criticized by the public. The post Imee says Senate version of MIF bill ‘still vague’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Migz: MIF gets nod before Senate adjournment
The Senate will approve its own version of the controversial Maharlika Investment Fund bill by next week, Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri said Thursday. “The plan is to approve it by the second and third reading next week. We are accommodating the last few members who want to interpellate on Monday then we can open the period of amendments immediately after,” Zubiri said in a text message to reporters. “As a certified measure, we can close and approve the bill on that same week. Hopefully, the House can adopt our version which we improved with more safeguards in place to avoid possible misuse,” he added. He made the remarks after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. certified Senate Bill 2020 as a priority legislative measure. The House of Representatives approved the third and final reading of House Bill 6608, or the proposed MIF bill before adjourning for the Christmas break last year. Congress will adjourn sine die on 2 June. Should the House agree to adopt the Senate version of the proposed measure by next week, the bill would be enrolled automatically for the President’s approval. The post Migz: MIF gets nod before Senate adjournment appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Senate to approve Maharlika bill next week – Zubiri
Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri on Thursday said the upper chamber will approve its own version of the controversial Maharlika Investment Fund bill by next week. "The plan is to approve it by second and third reading next week. We are accommodating the last few members who want to interpellate on Monday then we can open the period of amendments immediately after," Zubiri said in a text message to reporters. "As a certified measure, we can close and approve the bill on that same week," he added. He made the remarks a day after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. certified Senate Bill No. 2020, its own version of the proposed Maharlika Investment Fund, as a priority legislative measure. Its counterpart, the House of Representatives approved the third and final reading of House Bill No. 6608, or the proposed MIF bill, before adjourning for the Christmas break last year. The Senate is still discussing the proposed measure, more than a week before the sine die adjournment on 2 June. Zubiri also called on the House of Representatives to adopt its version of the proposed MIF bill, saying it has “more safeguards.” “Hopefully, the House can adopt our version, which we improved with more safeguards in place to avoid possible misuse,” he added. Should the lower chamber agree to adopt the Senate version of the proposed measure by next week, the bill would be enrolled automatically for the President’s approval. The post Senate to approve Maharlika bill next week – Zubiri appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PBBM certifies Maharlika Investment Fund bill as urgent
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has certified Senate Bill No. 2020, which seeks to establish the Maharlika Investment Fund, as a priority legislative measure. In a letter to the Senate dated 22 May, Marcos cited the “compelling need” for a “sustainable national investment fund” amid the rising inflation rate driven by various factors. “Pursuant to the provisions of Article VI, Section 26 (2) of the 1987 Constitution, I hereby certify to the necessity of the immediate enactment of Senate Bill No. 2020,” the letter read. “With the downgrade of the global growth projection this year on account of debilitating inflation, fluctuating and unstable prices of crude oil and other fuels due to the protracted conflict between Ukraine and Russia, and continuing interest rate hikes in the international financial sector, there is a compelling need for a sustainable national investment fund as a new growth catalyst to accelerate the implementation of strategic and high-impact large infrastructure projects that will stimulate economic activity and development,” it added. The letter, which was received by the Senate on 23 May but only released to media by 24 May, was addressed to Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri. The House of Representatives had approved on third and final reading House Bill No. 6608, or the proposed MIF bill, before adjourning for the Christmas break last year. Its counterpart, the Senate, is still discussing the proposed measure more than a week before the sine die adjournment on 2 June. On Tuesday, Zubiri urged the economic managers, including Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, to personally attend the interpellation at the Senate “for them to show support for the measure and help rally the members to help pass the measure.” Asked if the upper chamber will approve the Maharlika Investment Fun bill on third and final reading today, the Senate chief said: “Not really.” The Senate is “targeting” to approve the measure “next week,” he added. The post PBBM certifies Maharlika Investment Fund bill as urgent appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Toni Garrn to divorce Alex Pettyfer
It’s not new how celebrity couples in Hollywood sail and sink instantly — despite tying the knot. While there are a handful of couples who lead a long and happy marriage, Alex Pettyfer and Toni Garrn are not part of that club. Last 22 April, Toni announced via Instagram Stories that she is divorcing Pettyfer, her husband of two years. Her statement reads: “Alex and I have made the very difficult decision to divorce. We will continue our relationship as friends and co-parents to our angel Luca. Please respect our privacy during this sensitive time. Thank you.” According to E! News, Toni and Alex were first spotted together in February 2019 but People reported that the two had been dating since 2018. Alex proposed to Toni on Christmas eve 2019, wed in October 2020 in Germany and exchanged vows in June 2022 in Greece. They welcomed their first baby together in July 2021. Toni, 30, is a former Victoria’s Secret model while Alex, 33, is an actor best known for his works in I Am Number Four, Beastly, Magic Mike, The Infernal Machine, among others. The post Toni Garrn to divorce Alex Pettyfer appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Dalaw sa Pasko: At least 500 visit PDLs at Cebu City Jail Male Dormitory
CEBU CITY, Philippines —Shortly after sunrise on Sunday, people started to line up outside of the male dormitory of the Cebu City Jail in Barangay Kalunsan, eager to finally spend Christmas Day with their jailed loved ones. For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic broke in 2020, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology […] The post Dalaw sa Pasko: At least 500 visit PDLs at Cebu City Jail Male Dormitory appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
SOS Heralds RAFI-DACF as Child Care Champs
The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. Dolores Aboitiz Children’s Fund (RAFI- DACF) was recognized by SOS Children’s Villages Philippines as one of their Child Care Champs for 2020. The recognition was one of RAFI-DACF’s countless initiatives during that year, most notably, their RAFI COVID Initiative Brief and Christmas for Kids Program. SOS Children’s Villages Philippines is […] The post SOS Heralds RAFI-DACF as Child Care Champs appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Netflix announces record audiences for December, Christmas 2020
Netflix said Monday (Jan 4) that viewership reached record highs in December and Christmas Week in 2020, at the end of an epidemic that saw.....»»
Holidays Saw Huge Demand in Mobile Internet Connectivity
Telecommunications provider Globe said that internet traffic spiked up in the months of November until the end of 2020, posting a 12 percent spike in customer usage on Facebook during Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, based on the company’s internal data, in a statement given on Thursday. This comes as more people on heavily […].....»»
7-Eleven Christmas Virtual Run aids LGUs
Concluding the 7-Eleven Christmas Virtual Run for a Cause 2020 is the donation of 40,000 care packages to various local government units all over the Philippines. .....»»
7-Eleven Christmas Virtual Run for a Cause
Some 40,000 care packages worth P20 million were distributed to various local government units all over the Philippines to conclude the 7-Eleven Christmas Virtual Run for a Cause 2020. During the last two weeks of December 2020, 7-Eleven sent the care packages that contain grocery items worth P500 to the first batch of LGU. The […] The post 7-Eleven Christmas Virtual Run for a Cause appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Blue Christmas Celebration
The coronavirus pandemic made worse by the slew of typhoons—Qunita, Rolly, and Ulysses—had no doubt brought a lot of hardships to our populace and the local economy as well. Apparently, Christmas celebration would indeed be austere, bleak, and simple. It would be blue Christmas to the majority especially the poor and needy and relatively […].....»»
Daryl Ong joins Viva, plans to launch international career
Singer and songwriter Daryl Ong has officially joined Viva Records after testing the waters with the label the past few months when he collaborated with powerhouse singer Katrina Velarde for the original tracks “Love Me Now” and their Christmas single “‘Tis The Season” (alongside other remarkable singers) in late 2020. .....»»
MCEU resumes road clearing operations
MANDAUE CITY, Philippines – The Mandaue City Enforcement Unit (MCEU) has resumed its road clearing operation on Wednesday, January 6, 2021. Last December 24, 2020, the MCEU temporarily stopped its road clearing operations to focus on the Mandaue City Public Market where people were expected to gather to buy food for Christmas and New Year’s […] The post MCEU resumes road clearing operations appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Raymond’s reflections
BY NESTOR CUARTERO JUST A THOUGHT: “Just remember, the true spirit of Christmas lies in your heart.” – “The Polar Express” * MISSING WHAT: Turning 55 recently, Raymond Lauchengco, husband to one, father of two, shared on Facebook mixed feelings of joy and sadness as he looked back on 2020. The veteran […].....»»
Firecracker market in Cebu City ends tonight
CEBU CITY, Philippines — As the year 2020 draws to an end, so does the firecracker market at the South Road Properties (SRP). The vendors were glad to report that although there were fewer customers compared in the past year, more customers were observed compared to the recent Christmas celebrations. Read: CDRRMO reminds public: Be […] The post Firecracker market in Cebu City ends tonight appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»