Credit card delinquency soars ahead of anticipated holiday binge
Credit card delinquency occurs when a cardholder has a poor payment history and frequently pays bills way past due date. The credit limit of delinquent borrowers are also often maxed out, which may be a sign of strained income......»»
Pretty in pink: ‘Barbie’ marketing blitz hits fever pitch
Hollywood A-listers have been walking red carpets in hot pink, glitter is back, and companies from The Gap to Burger King are doing rose-colored collaborations: "Barbie" mania is everywhere as the hotly anticipated film hits theaters worldwide. Toy maker Mattel, who first unveiled the iconic doll in 1959, has reached about 100 licensing agreements for everything from roller skates to toothbrushes in connection to director Greta Gerwig's summer flick. Of course, Barbie is big in the beauty world too -- lipsticks, blushes and mirrors all bear the famous logo. "In the 30 years that I have been tracking and analyzing box offices and trends, I've never quite seen anything like this before," said Paul Dergarabedian, a senior media analyst at Comscore. "Barbie is tailor-made for marketing," he said. "It's perfect because Barbie is a toy, it's already a product, and beyond that, it's a lifestyle and a color." The movie, which stars Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as boyfriend Ken, has been hyped as one of the biggest blockbusters of the season, with numerous premieres held around the globe ahead of Friday's debut in US theaters. Of course, that promotion blitz has been curtailed at the 11th hour, with Hollywood actors now on strike over pay and other conditions. But the list of corporate partners is sure to keep the buzz going. Microsoft, Forever 21, Ulta Beauty, Hot Wheels, Chevrolet and even Progressive insurance are among the companies looking to cash in on Barbie mania. The influential color company Pantone even has a shade to match the zeitgeist: 219C is officially Barbie Pink. Mattel has even reached a deal with rival toy giant Hasbro, which will release a Barbie version of the classic board game Monopoly in the fall. In exchange, Mattel will showcase "Transformers" on its Uno card game in connection with a Hasbro film release. 'Irresistible' Robbie has embraced Barbiecore fashion at premieres around the world, recreating some of the doll's most iconic looks, but the Barbie lifestyle trend is also full steam ahead Airbnb is offering up a stay at Barbie's "Malibu DreamHouse" for two nights in connection with the film's debut. "Placed perfectly above the beach with panoramic views, this life-size toy pink mansion is a dream come true!" reads the listing. Singer John Legend and his model wife Chrissy Teigen took the plunge, posting a series of pictures on Instagram of their stay at the hot pink property. The most ubiquitous shade of pink used on the Warner Bros film's set, a retro bubblegum hue made by Rosco, was used in such great quantities that the shoot has been blamed for a global shortage. "It's just become a very irresistible proposition," said Dergarabedian, crediting both Warner Bros and Mattel with ensuring the buzz had staying power. Dergarabedian expects a strong opening weekend for Barbie, with around $75 million in North American ticket sales. 'Barbenheimer' The film is opening in parallel with another big Hollywood entry, the Christopher Nolan-directed "Oppenheimer," a biopic about the father of the atomic bomb. The unlikely face-off between the dark historical thriller and a fuchsia-tinted romp about a doll has created online buzz about a phenomenon dubbed "Barbenheimer." Dergarabedian said the coincidental timing of the openings had contributed to "unprecedented" fodder about the films on social media and beyond. Both movies are opening on the heels of another big-screen blockbuster, "Mission: Impossible -- Dead Reckoning Part One," which led the domestic box office last weekend. A starry soundtrack includes tracks from Dua Lipa (who also appears in the film), Lizzo, and Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice, who recorded a cover of "Barbie Girl," a 1997 hit by Danish-Norwegian band Aqua. The original recording actually prompted a lengthy but unsuccessful trademark lawsuit by Mattel. The company subsequently embraced the song. The movie's arrival has also not been without controversy. Barbie has been banned in Vietnam over a scene with a fictitious world map criticized for allegedly showing China's claims in the disputed South China Sea. The Philippines allowed the film to be shown -- but asked that the map be blurred. The post Pretty in pink: ‘Barbie’ marketing blitz hits fever pitch appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Malixi all geared up for Augusta Amateur debut
Rianne Malixi is channeling her excitement into thorough preparation ahead of her highly anticipated debut in the prestigious Augusta National Women’s Amateur unfolding April 3 in Augusta, Georgia......»»
Dcott assists bus companies for Holy Week special permits
THE Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (Dcott) has collaborated with bus companies, ensuring they obtain or renew their special permits from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-Davao Region (LTFRB-Davao) ahead of the anticipated surge in passengers during the upcoming Holy Week......»»
‘Clash Royale’ meets Web3: ‘Cards Ahoy’ is the most anticipated universal mobile game of 2024
"Cards Ahoy!", a Web3 card game led by Metalist Game, is rapidly gaining widespread attention from the industry and players due to its impressive product testing performance......»»
Flower prices seen to increase ahead of Valentine’s Day
According to some vendors, flower prices might double or triple next week, citing the anticipated high demand and steep prices of suppliers......»»
India Forecasts 7.3% Economic Growth, Boosting Election Chances of Prime Minister Modi
Title: PM Modi Inaugurates 15,000 Crore Projects for Ayodhya, Boosting India’s Economic Growth Ayodhya: In a significant development ahead of the much-anticipated consecration ceremony of.....»»
Ahead of inflation release, gov t ramps up rice production measures
As the release of December's inflation figures approaches on January 5, forecasts, including insights from AB Capital Securities, point towards an anticipated 4.1% inflation rate for December......»»
Leaked GTA 6 Trailer Surfaces Ahead of Schedule – The Daily Guardia
Title: ATLUS Accidentally Leaks Highly-Anticipated GTA 6 Trailer, Boosting Social Media Presence In an unexpected turn of events, renowned RPG developer ATLUS unintentionally leaked the.....»»
Asian markets fall on rate fears as bond yields rise
Asian markets fell across the board Wednesday following Wall Street's lead after robust US employment data and rising Treasury yields exacerbated fears that interest rates will be higher for longer. The labor report, known as JOLTS, showed a surprise increase in the number of job openings to 9.6 million, a sign of continued tightness in the market and fuelling worries of a further rate hike by the Federal Reserve before year's end. The report comes ahead of Friday's highly anticipated September US employment report. Following the JOLTS report, 10-year US Treasury note yields climbed to levels last seen in 2007. Treasury bond yields are seen as a proxy for US interest rates and are closely watched. All three major US indices closed in the red, falling by more than one percent. "Stock market investors were sent reeling after US job openings unexpectedly rebounded in August, adding to concerns that the Federal Reserve could hike rates in November but unquestionably maintain elevated borrowing costs for an extended duration," said SPI Asset Management's Stephen Innes. Tokyo and Seoul, which resumed trade after a long holiday weekend, led the Asian selloff Wednesday, both falling around two percent, while Hong Kong, Taipei, Jakarta, Singapore, Sydney, and Wellington were all sharply lower in a sea of red. Markets in mainland China were closed for a week-long holiday. "It is difficult (for investors) to move towards bargain-hunting as yields in US Treasury notes keep climbing," analyst Shutaro Yasuda of Tokai Tokyo Research Institute said. On forex markets the yen was trading at 149.28 to the dollar after hitting 150.16 in London on Tuesday, its weakest level in a year. Japan's top finance officials declined to comment Wednesday on whether Tokyo had intervened to support the yen after it had breached the psychological 150 level. In recent months, the yen has plummeted against the dollar in part because of the widening gap in interest rates set by the Bank of Japan and the US Federal Reserve. The post Asian markets fall on rate fears as bond yields rise appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Parent’s naturalization resulted in visa denial
While I was an immigrant (green card holder), I filed a petition for my spouse and two children in the F-2A category. After their priority date became current and they were documentarily qualified, I went ahead and naturalized, while we were waiting for their interview......»»
Stocks slip anew ahead of Fed meet
Stocks slipped below the 6,000 level in mid-session yesterday but managed to recover at the close as investors picked up bargains, yet the main index mirrored the cautious sentiment around Asia as the highly anticipated meeting of the US Federal Reserve nears......»»
Enhanced law enforcement key vs online fraud, says telco official
Subscriber Identity Module registration establishes only the ownership of the SIM cards for purposes of readily determining accountability when electronic fraudsters use them to commit cybercrimes. “And it is only the first step towards an intricate and highly technical approaches which aimed at curbing online scams,” said Atty. Froilan Castelo, Globe Group’s general counsel. Cybercrimes and other online fraud, however, are reportedly committed pervasively through the over- the-top messaging and sim cards issued by international telecom providers whose operations are reportedly beyond the control of Republic Act 11934, or SIM registration law, and other security protocols that were put in place by the local telecommunications companies. OTT messaging reportedly refers to services that transmit messages over the internet, bypassing the traditional cellular network channels. These messaging apps like Viber, WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal and WeChat reportedly allow the users to deliver text messages, multi-media messages, videos, and photos, and make voice and video calls using a wireless fidelity or internet connection rather than the usual cellular network’s messaging services. The OTT apps reportedly operate at a lesser cost yet remain an effective communication tool, especially for international messaging and calls, and can be functional even without SIM card number like the Facebook Messenger. In coping with the difficulties caused by the OTT messaging being used as an instrument in the commission of cybercrimes, Castelo said Globe is committed to fully cooperate in government’s efforts to crack down on all forms of online offenses. “Criminals will always try to find a way to circumvent the law, the reason why we are in pursuit with other stakeholders to be a step ahead of their schemes,” said Castelo. As he warned the public against selling registered SIM cards to other persons which is violative of the law, Castelo made an emphasis on the need for multi-stakeholder efforts and enhanced law enforcement drive to address the challenges confronting the government all-out campaign against online scams whose victims are reportedly hard earners. "We will actively work with the law enforcers in verifying the data on pre-registered sim cards which were confiscated during their operations, and we will readily undertake proactive measures to prevent further commission of cybercrimes," Castelo said. Following the end of the registration period for existing SIMs on July 25, 2023, and the five-day grace period on 30 July 2023, Globe has reportedly completed the deactivation of unregistered SIMs. Globe has also been pursuing a sustained effort against spam and scam messages through a well-established system of detection and SMS blocking. It is reportedly running a 24/7 Security Operations Center which is fortified by an investment of US$20 million for a stringent filtering infrastructure. In a statement, Globe said it maintains a ‘Stop Spam’ portal where subscribers may report spam and scam messages that they receive. It also said that Globe is ready to work with the Philippine National Police in establishing PNP’s own spam and scam reporting system where the public may lodge text or call related fraud. “As proof of its desire to be a valuable partner of the government in curbing online scams, Globe is proud to report that it is the only telco that strictly blocks all person-to-person SMS with links, a measure it introduced in September last year. With this strict blocking protocol, Globe continues to reach record high in its spam and scam SMS blocking with more than 2.2 billion from January to June 2023 alone,” Castelo said. The post Enhanced law enforcement key vs online fraud, says telco official appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Yellen says US ‘carefully’ monitoring China economy
The United States is "carefully" monitoring China's challenges, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Friday, as the slowdown in the world's second-largest economy raises concerns for global growth. Many are worried about the Asian giant's struggles, with the threat of recession in Europe and high inflation in many major economies contributing to a plunge in demand for Chinese goods. "China faces a variety of both short and longer-term global challenges, economic challenges that we've been monitoring carefully," Yellen told reporters in New Delhi, ahead of a two-day G20 summit. "That said, China has quite a bit of policy space to address these challenges," she added. China's President Xi Jinping will miss the leaders' meeting at a time of heightened trade and geopolitical tensions with the United States and India, with which it shares a long and disputed border. China's challenges included "less of a pick up in consumer spending that had been anticipated in the aftermath of the Covid restrictions, as well as long-standing issues with respect to the property sector and... debt related to that", she said. G20 host India overtook its northern neighbor as the world's most populous country earlier this year, and Yellen added that China's "labor force is beginning to shrink". Xi's absence will impact Washington's bid to keep the G20 the main forum of global economic cooperation and its efforts towards a financing push for developing countries. That includes a plan to increase World Bank and International Monetary Fund lending power for emerging nations by some $200 billion as a better alternative to Beijing's "coercive" Belt and Road Initiative. While "aware of the risks to global growth", Yellen said she had "been surprised by the strength of global growth and how resilient the global economy has proven to be". "While there are risks and some countries that have certainly been affected, overall, the global economy has been resilient," she added. Yellen added that the "most important negative influence is Russia's war on Ukraine." The post Yellen says US ‘carefully’ monitoring China economy appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Marcos: Give rice retailers aid
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. directed the Department of Trade and Industry, or DTI, to speed up the distribution of financial aid to retailers who are expected to reel from the effects of Executive Order 39 which imposed price ceilings on regular-milled rice at P41.00 per kilogram and well-milled rice at P45.00/kg. “We anticipated that some retailers will be affected since they bought rice at a higher price. DTI, the Department of Agriculture are taking steps to list all rice retailers,” President Marcos Jr. said in his departure statement ahead of his attendance to the 43rd ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Jakarta, Indonesia. With this, Trade and Industry Secretary Fred Pascual ordered the creation of a Special Task Force that will ensure the efficient implementation of the EO. Subsidies farmed out In coordination with other government agencies and stakeholders, the DTI will implement assistance to rice retailers/wholesalers, including small supermarkets that will be affected by the price ceiling which are financial assistance; loan programs; logistics support and market linkages and support. Through the Department of Social Welfare and Development, financial aid or compensation will be given to retailers/wholesalers in wet markets and neighborhood sundry stores to cover the difference between the cost of the current inventory of rice and the price ceiling. The government will likewise provide transportation in delivering rice from traders to retailers to reduce logistical costs. Market linkages will be established to link local farmers with supermarket chains and other retailers and promote bulk buying or advance purchase of supermarkets, restaurants, hotels, resorts, and other commercial establishments. Members of the Special Task Force agreed to start the conduct of the profiling and validation of retailers in coordination with the DA, local government units, and the local price coordinating councils. Likewise, DTI will mobilize associations to gather list of retailers and properly identify potential beneficiaries. The post Marcos: Give rice retailers aid appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Singapore holds first contested presidential vote in over a decade
Singaporeans head to the polls Friday in the city-state's first contested presidential election in more than a decade, a vote being closely watched as an indication of support for the ruling party after a rare spate of political scandals. The president's role is largely ceremonial, but there are stringent requirements for the position, which formally oversees the city's accumulated financial reserves and holds the power to veto certain measures and approve anti-graft probes. While the presidency is a non-partisan post under the constitution, political lines were already drawn ahead of the election to replace incumbent Halimah Yacob, who ran unopposed for her six-year term in 2017. The city-state's government is run by the prime minister, currently Lee Hsien Loong of the People's Action Party, which has ruled Singapore continuously since 1959. Observers said the vote could indicate the level of PAP support ahead of general elections due by 2025 or discontent after recent scandals that include a corruption probe into the transport minister and the resignations of two PAP legislators over an affair. The frontrunner is former deputy prime minister and finance minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, a long-time PAP stalwart before he resigned ahead of his candidacy. The 66-year-old economist is widely perceived as having the government's backing and was questioned about his independence during the campaign. Another candidate, former insurance executive Tan Kin Lian, 75, has gained the support of several opposition leaders. The third candidate, Ng Kok Song, 75, is the former chief investment officer of Singapore sovereign wealth fund GIC, which manages the country's foreign reserves. "The presidential election is increasingly being treated as a general election," said Mustafa Izzuddin, a political analyst with consultancy Solaris Strategies Singapore. "An increase in protest voting is anticipated due to vacillating ground sentiments vis-a-vis the ruling government." The PAP was recently rocked by political scandals, a rarity in the city which has capitalized on its reputation for clean government to become an international hub for an array of industries like finance and aviation. The PAP suffered its worst-ever election performance in 2020 but maintained its more than two-thirds majority. Voting is compulsory for Singapore's more than 2.7 million eligible citizens. Those who do not vote without a valid reason risk being struck from the voters' list. Singapore requires presidential candidates to have served either as a senior civil servant or the chief executive of a company with shareholder equity of at least 500 million Singaporean dollars ($370 million). Perhaps the president's most crucial function is to serve as a custodian of Singapore's financial reserves, which can only be drawn upon in exceptional circumstances, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2009 global financial crisis. The post Singapore holds first contested presidential vote in over a decade appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
An Evening with Club Bulakeño Royalty
I spent an evening in the presence of royalty. Club Bulakeño made a regal comeback with highly anticipated ball after three years of hiatus due to the pandemic! This year’s theme brought European Royalty to the Manila Hotel, dubbing the night as “A Royal Affair: A Night of Majestic Opulence.” [caption id="attachment_177753" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] Mario Katigbak, Baby Tan, Milo Bondoc, Ofelia Trinidad, Sonny Tanchanco, Nedy Tantoco and Patrick Jacinto.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_177763" align="aligncenter" width="1368"] Joel Cruz, Edgard Cabangon, Gerard Ramirez and Nini Licaros.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_177769" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] Malou Martinez, Ruby Chua, Angola Consul Helen Ong and Irene Montemayor.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_177765" align="aligncenter" width="1199"] Yoli Ayson and Beging Soriano.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_177764" align="aligncenter" width="1199"] Shirley Sobremonte and Roselle Rebano.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_177762" align="aligncenter" width="1199"] Shelly Lazaro and Florence Monzon.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_177761" align="aligncenter" width="1484"] Connie Garcia and Shilpa Tolani.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_177760" align="aligncenter" width="1199"] Becky Garcia, Cocoy Cordoba and Mayenne Carmona.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_177759" align="aligncenter" width="1445"] Atty. Sal Panelo and Connie Haw.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_177754" align="aligncenter" width="661"] Marissa Fenton, Bulakeño 'Empress of Austria.'[/caption] [caption id="attachment_177756" align="aligncenter" width="1199"] Nene Leonor and Tokie Tantoco.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_177757" align="aligncenter" width="1199"] Alice Samson and Bong Prada Lim.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_177758" align="aligncenter" width="1199"] Lydia Abastillas-Reyes, Bulakeño founder.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_177768" align="aligncenter" width="1077"] Angel Fenton, Club Bulakeño’s muse, and her escort Prince of Kuwait Abdulah Delah.[/caption] As we expected, we got nothing but grandeur all around. Kings and queens arrived in ornate attire at the Manila Hotel Ballroom, transformed into a rich, red Royal Court. The night started with a dance, followed by the entrance of the servers who were also dressed as courtiers. It was like being transported back to the Renaissance era. A feast fit for kings and queens satiated us for an eventful night ahead. The juicy steak was cooked to perfection, which we savored with the flawless sound of live opera serenading us. As for dessert? We got a feast for the eyes as the past Club Bulakeño queens descended the grand staircase. Not long after, this year’s crowned Club Bulakeño muse, Angel Fenton, walked in with Prince Abdullah Dellah of Kuwait. She was joined by her proud father, Ian Grant, for her first waltz, while her mother, Marissa Fenton, was glowing with pride as she sat regally on her chair, as though the queen mother’s throne. Sounds like modern royalty to me with a touch of history! Before being dismissed from the royal festivities, we were treated to a grand raffle, giving a lucky few something to remember the evening by. One last curtsy to the royal court and we were off on our own chariot rides home from one of the most exquisite evenings ever. Already, we are looking forward to the next Club Bulakeño Ball. You gotta believe me. Cheers! The post An Evening with Club Bulakeño Royalty appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bank lending declines, consumer loans rise
Bank lending of universal and commercial banks posted slower expansion amid higher money supply in the country, data from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas showed on Thursday. Preliminary data showed that domestic liquidity (M3) grew by 5.9 percent year-on-year to about P16.4 trillion in June 2023 from 6.6 percent in May, driven by the sustained expansion in bank lending to non-financial private corporations and households. On a month-on-month seasonally-adjusted basis, M3 increased by about 0.2 percent. Domestic claims rose by 10.1 percent year-on-year in June from 11.4 percent in the previous month. Claims in the private sector grew by 7.9 percent in June from 9.3 percent in May. Net claims on the central government also expanded by 17.2 percent in June from 18.3 percent in May, owing mainly to the borrowings by the National Government. Net foreign assets in peso terms fell by 2.8 percent year-on-year in June following a 2.7-percent expansion in May. The BSP's NFA position declined by 0.6 percent in June after increasing by 4.2 percent in the previous month. Meanwhile, the NFA of banks declined on account of higher bills payable. "Looking ahead, the BSP will continue to ensure that domestic liquidity conditions remain in line with the BSP's price and financial stability objectives," BSP said. Meanwhile, U/KBs' outstanding loans, excluding those placed in the central bank's reverse repurchase facility, grew at a slower rate of 7.8 percent year-on-year in June from 9.4 percent in May due to a continued rise in lending to key sectors. On a month-on-month seasonally-adjusted basis, outstanding universal and commercial bank loans, net of RRPs, increased by 0.6 percent. Outstanding loans to residents, net of RRPs, also increased at a softer pace of 7.9 percent from 9.3 percent in May. Outstanding loans for production activities went up by 6.3 in June, following a 7.9-percent expansion in the previous month due to a continued rise in lending in electricity, gas, steam and airconditioning supply (11.8 percent); wholesale and retail trade, and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (9.7 percent); real estate activities (3.8 percent); financial and insurance activities (7.7 percent); and information and communication (11.2 percent). Likewise, outstanding loans to non-residents went up by 4.8 percent in June from 13.2 percent in the previous month. Meanwhile, consumer loans to residents rose at a slightly faster rate of 23.7 percent in June from 22.7 percent in May given the increase in credit card and motor vehicle loans. "The slowdown in credit activity reflects the impact of monetary policy tightening which continues to work its way through the economy," BSP said. "Looking ahead, the BSP remains prepared to ensure that domestic liquidity and lending dynamics are in line with its price and financial stability objectives," BSP added. The post Bank lending declines, consumer loans rise appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bayer announces 2.5-billion-euro writedown over herbicide glyphosate
German chemicals giant Bayer said Monday it would take a huge 2.5-billion-euro ($2.8 billion) writedown on the potentially carcinogenic herbicide glyphosate. It warned that the writedown would push it into a 2.0-billion-euro net loss for the second quarter, and lowered its annual outlook. In a statement ahead of its formal results statement to be released next month, Bayer said the past few months had seen further price declines and destocking, especially for glyphosate-based products, plus adverse weather conditions. "Based on the anticipated market development, in particular with respect to the glyphosate business, Bayer also expects to record a goodwill impairment of approximately 2.5 billion euros," it said. A goodwill impairment is a reduction in what the company values its assets at and it impacts the company's current earnings. "This will result in negative Group net income of approximately 2 billion euros for the second quarter of 2023," it said. The European Food Safety Authority said earlier this month it had not found "any critical areas of concern" preventing the controversial and widely used herbicide glyphosate from being reauthorized for use in the EU. Environmental groups lashed out at the announcement, saying there was scientific evidence that glyphosate may cause cancer, poison aquatic life, and can be fatal to key pollinators like bees. The substance has been deemed a "probable" carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Bayer also said it expects second-quarter operating earnings to drop by a quarter to 2.5 billion euros, with sales dropping by 14 percent to 12.8 billion. Bayer will release its detailed results for the second quarter on August 8. For the entire year, Bayer now anticipates sales to decline to between 48.5 billion and 49.5 billion euros on a currency-adjusted basis. Previously it had expected modest sales growth to between 51 billion to 52 billion euros from 50.7 billion in 2022 sales. It now sees operating profits falling to between 11.3 billion and 11.8 billion euros in 2023. This is down from its previous forecast of 12.5 billion to 13.0 billion euros, and the 13.5 billion euros in operating profits posted last year. The post Bayer announces 2.5-billion-euro writedown over herbicide glyphosate appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Pira-Pirasong Paraiso,’ ‘Nag-aapoy na Damdamin’: Explosive TV ahead
ABS-CBN and TV5 are about to ignite the afternoon viewing experience for audiences as the eagerly anticipated series “Pira-Pirasong Paraiso” and “Nag-Aapoy Na Damdamin” open this 25 July at 3 p.m. and 3:50 p.m., respectively. [caption id="attachment_160141" align="aligncenter" width="1856"] Nag-Aapoy Na Damdamin[/caption] [caption id="attachment_160142" align="aligncenter" width="1339"] Pira-Pirasong Paraiso[/caption] The first-ever co-production between ABS-CBN and TV5 brings to the screen brand-new stories of family secrets, love, and vengeance starring some of the hottest Kapamilya stars. In Pira -Pirasong Paraiso, Loisa Andalio, Charlie Dizon, Alexa Ilacad, and Elise Joson become caught up in a complicated web of deceit as they try to learn the truth about their terrible history. KD Estrada, Ronnie Alonte, and Joseph Marco accompany them on this captivating journey. The eldest sister, Diana (Dizon), devotes her life to finding her sisters, Amy and Beth, from whom she was estranged at a young age. The show, produced by Dreamscape Entertainment and directed by Raymund B. Ocampo and Roderick Lindayag, also has a stellar supporting cast that includes Sunshine Dizon, Markus Paterson, Epy Quizon, Art Acuña, and special guest Snooky Serna. Nag-Aapoy Na Damdamin, on the other hand, stars two power couples— JC de Vera and Ria Atayde, and Tony Labrusca and Jane Oineza, in what promises to be their most passionate performances to date. The conflict between two men, Philip (JC) and Lucas (Tony), their complicated relationships with Olivia/Claire (Jane) and Melinda (Ria), and Philip’s obstinate quest for retribution for the deaths of his parents are the central themes of the narrative. The series is directed by FM Reyes, the cast also features Benedict Mique, Joko Diaz, Kim Rodriquez, Maila Gumila, Carla Martinez, Aya Fernandez, and Nico Antonio. It is produced by JRB Creative Production. With Pira-Pirasong Paraiso and Nag-Aapoy Na Damdamin, TV5, and ABS-CBN’s groundbreaking partnership is poised to provide high-caliber entertainment and engrossing plotlines that will have viewers excitedly turning in day after day. The two series will be available on a variety of platforms, including TV5, iWantTFC, TFC, A2Z, and Kapamilya Channel. Pira-Pirasong Paraiso will have an additional run on Saturdays at 2:30 p.m. The post ‘Pira-Pirasong Paraiso,’ ‘Nag-aapoy na Damdamin’: Explosive TV ahead appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Unstoppable Taylor Swift becomes first woman with 4 albums on U.S. Top 10 at once
Taylor Swift has become the first woman and only the third artist ever to have four albums in the Top 10 of the US Album chart at once. Swift’s latest album, Speak Now (Taylor’s Version), debuted impressively at the top of the Billboard 200 chart, selling an outstanding 716,000 album-equivalent units in its first week. This achievement not only makes it the highest-selling album of the year thus far, surpassing all other releases in 2023 but also marks the best-selling week for any album since her previous release, Midnights, in October 2022. In a rare feat, the Grammy-winning artist has made history with a series of chart-topping albums. With Lover at number seven, Folklore at number ten, Midnights at number five, and now Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) at number one, she has achieved an unparalleled feat that establishes her as a powerhouse in the music industry. This remarkable achievement makes Swift the first woman in history to have four albums in the Top 10 since the charts’ inception in 1963. It also makes her the first living act in nearly six decades to accomplish this feat, a record previously held by Herb Alpert with his albums Going Places, Whipped Cream & Other Delights, South of the Border, and The Lonely Bull. After Alpert’s passing in 2016, Prince left an indelible mark with five albums in the top 10: The Very Best of Prince, Purple Rain, The Hits/The B-Sides, Ultimate, and 1999. Alongside this exceptional achievement, the singer-songwriter has also earned her 12th number-one album with Speak Now (Taylor’s Version). She now holds the distinction of having the most number-one albums by a female performer, surpassing the previous record set by Barbra Streisand, who has 11 chart-topping albums to her name. Swift’s albums dominate the list of the top five biggest debuts in the past five years, claiming four out of the five spots. Adele’s highly anticipated 2021 album 30 lands in the fourth position, narrowly ahead of Speak Now (Taylor’s Version). With its release, Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) has not only achieved the distinction of being the biggest debut among the three re-recordings Swift has released thus far, but also marks another milestone in her campaign to re-record all of her albums originally produced under her former label, Big Machine. She now holds the distinction of having the most number-one albums by a female performer, surpassing the previous record set by Barbra Streisand, who has 11 chart-topping albums to her name. Following its release in late 2021, Red (Taylor’s Version) took second place with a debut of 605,000 units. Meanwhile, the initial release in the series, Fearless (Taylor’s Version), had a more modest debut with 291,000 units in early 2021, partly due to the unavailability of the highly sought -after the vinyl version at the time of its general release. Nonetheless, like the rest, it secured the top spot on the charts effortlessly. On 7 July, the American singer-songwriter released the remake version of her third studio album titled Speak Now (Taylor’s Version), which includes popular hits such as “Mine,” “Dear John,” “Back to December” and “Ours.” This release consists of 22 songs, including six tracks “From the Vault,” adding to the excitement surrounding the new album. The post Unstoppable Taylor Swift becomes first woman with 4 albums on U.S. Top 10 at once appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»