Ruby Rodriguez uses acting skills to evade ‘Asian hate’ in LA
Ruby recently signed as a comeback Viva artist after over 30 years of hosting cult noontime show “Eat Bulaga.”.....»»
S. Korean migrant’s tale to open Asia’s biggest film festival
The world premiere of Jang Kun-jae's "Because I Hate Korea" will open Asia's largest film festival Wednesday night as it looks to rally from a year marked by scandal and budget cutbacks. The South Korean director's tale of a disillusioned young woman who relocates to New Zealand is among 209 official entries from 69 countries set to unspool at the Busan International Film Festival, which runs until 13 October. Eighty will be making their world premieres in the southern port city. This year's edition comes as organizers grapple with the fallout from former festival director Huh Moon-yung's resignation in May amid accusations of sexual misconduct. The scandal saw BIFF's 2023 budget reduced by about 10 percent as sponsors withdrew in the wake of the allegations, according to organizers. Kang Seung-ah, now serving as acting deputy director, acknowledged they had endured a "difficult phase" before assembling a lineup she said was "more substantial than ever before". Opening night director Jang, who noted he'd attended BIFF far more as an audience member than a filmmaker, told a late afternoon news conference he had sought to address serious questions with his film. "I believe it's necessary to pay attention to the fact that many young people are finding it difficult to navigate through Korean society. I started questioning whether our society is providing a fair and equitable foundation for young people to pursue their dreams," he told reporters after a preview screening. Based on the best-selling Chang Kang-myoung novel, "Because I Hate Korea" received support from BIFF's Asia Project Market back in 2016. South Korea has transformed itself into a cultural powerhouse since then thanks to the explosive success of the Oscar-winning "Parasite" and the Netflix series "Squid Game". "Many people are now showing great interest in Korean content such as K-pop, K-movies, and K-dramas. Living in such an era, they might develop a certain fantasy about South Korea, I think," Nam Dong-chul, the festival's acting interim director, told reporters. But "I thought it might be good to consider these views from the perspective of people living in Korea and especially the youth in South Korea", he said of the opening night choice. "They might have different thoughts and experiences." Frequent Bong Joon-ho collaborator Go Ah-sung, who delivered a memorable performance as the protagonist of "Because I Hate Korea", was unable to attend the festival due to a back injury. 'Dear Jinri' Despite Go's absence, the festival will still feature serious star power, with acclaimed Hong Kong actor Chow Yun Fat scheduled to receive the Asian Filmmaker of the Year award. Three of Chow's films -- "A Better Tomorrow" (1986), "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" (2000) and 2023's "One More Chance" -- will be screened in his honour. Other highly anticipated screenings include "Dear Jinri", a documentary that features late K-pop star Sulli's last and incomplete project. Sulli, born Choi Jin-ri, took her own life in 2019 after a long struggle with online bullying. The film includes her final media interview, which has not been disclosed previously. Korea's filmmaking diaspora will also be showcased with a special series of screenings that includes "Searching" (2018), starring John Cho, and director Celine Song's Sundance favorite "Past Lives". Netflix's highly anticipated "Yellow Door: 90s Lo-fi Film Club" will also have its world premiere at BIFF. The documentary spotlights South Korea's renowned cinephile generation of the 1990s, acclaimed "Parasite" director Bong among them. "The Movie Emperor", director Ning Hao's satirical take on the Chinese film industry starring Hong Kong actor Andy Lau, is set to close the festival. Ning's comedy "deftly captures the fine line between the film industries in Hong Kong and mainland China", as well as the "delicate relationship between Western film festivals and Asian filmmakers", according to the program notes. The post S. Korean migrant’s tale to open Asia’s biggest film festival appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Phl can do without China — Bersamin
Executive Secretary Justice Lucas Bersamin on Thursday said that the Philippines can live without China despite their strong economic ties, adding that the country should avoid being dependent on its Asian neighbor. Nonetheless, Bersamin said in a recent TV interview that Philippine-China relations have many aspects, and that he is not in a position to talk about them because of his closeness with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. “We are dealing with issues diplomatically. It is still possible for us to go with China, but about the economic viability of our relations or the economic dimensions if we were to go against China. You know, we can’t say that we are dependent on China,” Bersamin said. “China might be our trading partner or supplier, or it gives us some products that we may need, but we should not be too dependent on China. I don’t think China will even want us to be dependent because China knows that we have a multilateral approach,” Bersamin added. Bersamin’s statement comes as the Philippines is facing increasing pressure from China in the South China Sea. China has been militarizing islands and reefs in the disputed waters despite a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration that invalidated its claims. He maintained that the Philippines has exclusive rights to the fisheries and natural resources in the West Philippine Sea, which China is claiming as part of its nine-dash line territory (recently expanded to 10-dash line) in the South China Sea. “That’s probably why China is acting like that. But beyond that, we do not want to have a conflict with China. We do not want to provoke a conflict with China because we can coexist with China,” Bersamin said. He refused to contrast the Marcos administration with the previous Duterte government, which was seen to be close to China. “I don’t want to compare,” he said. “We leave that to the Presidents to make those decisions, the directions that they take.” Latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that China has become the Philippines’ primary trade partner. As of May, total exports to the Philippines reached $6.44 billion, with China having 16.6 percent of the trade volume. The post Phl can do without China — Bersamin appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bersamin: ‘Phl can live without China’
Executive Secretary Justice Lucas Bersamin on Thursday said that the Philippines can live without China and that it should avoid overdependence on its Asian neighbor despite the two countries' strong economic ties. In a recent interview with journalist Ka Tunying, he asked Bersamin whether the Philippines is dependent on China. He responded that the question has many aspects and that he is not in a position to speak about it because he is too close to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. However, Bersamin did say that the Philippines is dealing with the issue of its relationship with China diplomatically. He also said that it is still possible for the Philippines to go with China but that the country should not be too dependent on its Asian neighbor. "We are dealing with (several) issues diplomatically. It is still possible for us to go with China, but about the economic viability of our relations or the economic dimensions if we were to go against China. You know, we can't say that we are dependent on China," Bersamin said. "China might be our trading partner or supplier, or it gives us some products that we may need, but we should not be too dependent on China. I don't think China will even want us to be dependent because China knows that we have a multilateral approach," Bersamin added. Bersamin's statement comes when the Philippines is facing increasing pressure from China in the South China Sea. China has been militarizing islands and reefs in the disputed waters despite a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration that invalidated its claims. When asked if he thinks China needs the Philippines more than the Philippines needs China, Bersamin said that the Philippines has exclusive rights to the fisheries and natural resources in that area. "Perhaps China is acting this way because they know that in the eyes of other countries, we are the ones who should be recognized as having the exclusive right to own these fisheries and natural resources in that area," Bersamin said. "That's probably why China is acting like that. But beyond that, we do not want to have a conflict with China. We do not want to provoke a conflict with China because we can coexist with China." Ka Tunying, meanwhile, said that more countries are siding with the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea dispute because the current administration is being more transparent about what China is doing. "The biggest news today regarding China's aggression is that more countries are siding with us because this administration is becoming transparent about what China is doing in the WPS (West Philippine Sea). Did you notice that during the previous administration, they intentionally did not report what China was doing because we didn't want to upset China back then?" Ka Tunying asked Bersamin. Bersamin said that he was not paying much attention to the issue during the previous administration. Still, he said that he wants to avoid comparing the two administrations' foreign policy directions. "I don't want to compare," he said. "We leave that to the Presidents to make those decisions, the directions that they take," he added. Despite the dispute, the Philippines and China have maintained close economic ties. Latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that China has become the Philippines' primary trade partner, representing a significant portion of the nation's exports and serving as the leading provider of imported products. As of May, exports reached a total of $6.44 billion, with China carrying out 16.6 percent of total exports during the month. Import costs, meanwhile continued to surpass export receipts, hitting $10.84 billion during the month. China was also the country's biggest source of imported goods, supplying 24 percent of the country's total imports. The post Bersamin: ‘Phl can live without China’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Jericho Rosales stars in Cinema One’s Monday drama this September
Asian Drama King Jericho Rosales exhibits his acting versatility in his signature films that will grace Cinema One’s Monday Drama block this September. Catch him as the loving father Robert in Alagwa (4 September), aspiring musician Diego in Siargao (11 September), romantic Joven in Nasaan Ka Man (18 September) and ex-boyfriend Ethan in #Walang Forever (25 September), airing Mondays at 9 p.m. [gallery columns="2" size="full" ids="179512,179514"] Meanwhile, fall in love with the charms of Kapamilya actress Erich Gonzales as Cinema One relives her memorable big screen characters from 18 to 22 September, 7 p.m. Catch Erich as the bubbly baker Joey in Suddenly It’s Magic (18 September), a vicious aswang named Corazon in Corazon: Ang Unang Aswang (19 September), stuntwoman Kray in We Will Not Die Tonight (20 September), hopeless romantic Yumi in I Do (21 September) and campus princess Erin in Once a Princess (22 September). Cinema One also brings the iconic films of the New Gen cinema queens from 25 to 29 September, 7 p.m. Catch Judy Ann Santos’ Sabel (25 September), Claudine Barretto’s Milan (26 September), Bea Alonzo’s A Second Chance”(27 September), Angel Locsin’s In The Name of Love (28 September) and Kathryn Bernardo’s The Hows of Us (29 September). Cinema One, the home of Filipino blockbuster movies, is available on Cignal ch. 45, SKYcable ch. 56, GSat Direct TV ch. 14 and other local cable service providers. Follow Cinema One on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. The post Jericho Rosales stars in Cinema One’s Monday drama this September appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Indonesia arrests 88 Chinese nationals over love scams
Dozens of Chinese nationals were arrested in Indonesia on suspicion of running an online love scam syndicate that ensnared hundreds of victims in China, police said Wednesday. Acting on a tip-off from their Chinese counterparts, Indonesian police arrested 83 men and five women at an industrial park in Batam city in Riau Islands province on Tuesday. Police said the syndicate blackmailed hundreds of victims in China, many of whom were public officials. "We are investigating if there are any Indonesians among the victims. If there are none, the scammers will be deported immediately," Riau Islands police spokesman Zahwani Pandra Arsyad told AFP on Wednesday. The alleged scammers pretended to have romantic feelings for their victims during video calls. The women scammers are accused of seducing the victims before asking them to engage in sexual acts during the calls while other suspects recorded the videos. The suspects then allegedly blackmailed their victims, threatening to release the videos on social media if they refused to send them money. It is unclear how long the group had been operating and how much they had earned. Police had previously said many scammers had moved to Indonesia and other Southeast Asian countries after China cracked down on domestic networks. In 2019, police arrested 85 Chinese nationals and six Indonesians over an online scam that tricked victims out of millions of dollars. str-dsa/jfx/dva © Agence France-Presse The post Indonesia arrests 88 Chinese nationals over love scams appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
How ‘Here Lies Love’ co-producer found his mark on Broadway
When Here Lies Love, the hit musical about former First Lady Imelda Marcos, made history by debuting on Broadway debut with an all-Filipino last July, one of its co-producers, Don Michael H. Mendoza, also reached a career milestone. His goal of putting his name on a Broadway show before turning 40 came true now that he’s 34. [caption id="attachment_172743" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Don Michael Mendoza with Daily Tribune’s (from left) Dinah Ventura, Jojo G. Silvestre, Gigie Arcilla, Vangie Reyes, Marc Reyes, Raffy Ayeng, Gibbs Cadiz and Nick Giongco.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_172742" align="aligncenter" width="525"] ‘Always ask for what you want because the worst that can come back is a no.’ | Photographs Courtesy of Daily Tribune.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_172741" align="aligncenter" width="525"] DON Mike Mendoza with Daily Tribune’s Jojo G. Silvestre and Dinah Ventura.[/caption] It happened, and it’s not just any show. It’s the first Filipino musical on Broadway,” he tells Daily Tribune’s Dinah Ventura and Jojo Silvestre in an interview on their online show Pairfect. “It’s very important to me because a lot of my career is based on the idea of D,E & I — diversity, equity and inclusion — especially in a country like America that’s a melting pot. “It’s very important to make sure that unrepresented voices and communities are brought to the front. To be part of that, for me personally, is an incredible honor because it’s exactly aligned with how I live my professional life every day, every year.” “For the Fil-Am community,” he adds, “I think it’s important for people to see themselves in that arena, whether be as a producer, an actor, or a stagehand, or on the creative team as an assistant director. You know, it says a lot when someone tries to reach that can see themselves in a role that they want to achieve. “Because for a long time, my role models were very few. They’re mostly Americans, they’re white people. And I wanted to be an actor and my only acting influences in the media was Paolo Montalban. He was in Cinderella, American Adobo… He’s now a friend — which is amazing! But I didn’t really have many role models. So, to our community, both Filipino and Fil-Am, they can now look at this production and say, whatever they feel is their career path, ‘I can do it, too.’ So, it’s very powerful.” Beginnings Don Michael Hodreal Mendoza, nicknamed Don Mike, was born in Washington D.C., the capital city of the United States, to immigrant parents. His father Donald Mendoza’s family hails from Cavite and is involved in local politics. His mother Maria Leonila Hodreal has families in Marinduque (maternal side) and Bicol (paternal side). His grandfather Querubin Hodreal created what is now known as the Easy Rock Manila radio station. “My mom, who’s part of that legacy, says even though we’re in the States I somehow ended up doing what our family does, in entertainment and media,” he says, beaming. From Washington D.C., Mendoza’s nuclear family moved to the city of Pittsburgh in the Pennsylvania state, where he grew up. “But I was also raised here in Manila, in Ayala Alabang, for a couple of years,” he points out. He was then between the ages of six and eight, also starting his education at Montessori Manila in BF Homes. “We’re lucky we’re able to come home a lot, so even though I grew up on majority in America, we’d come home every other year.” That explains why he also has exposure and gets inspiration from Filipino movies and entertainment. Mendoza started performing in school plays and high school musicals “for fun.” For college, though, he “needed to study that wasn’t the arts because immigrant families want you to do something that makes money in their eyes.” So he took up broadcast journalism and political science at the American University in D.C. But he didn’t like political science, so he dropped it and added musical theater to his studies without telling his parents until he got into the program. After graduation, he was torn between two goals: becoming a Broadway actor like Jose Llana, who currently plays the late President Ferdinand Marcos in Here Lies Love, and becoming the “Filipino Anderson Cooper.” He ended up staying in D.C with a job in marketing, which eventually became his master’s degree. Mendoza started auditioning and trying to get into shows. “But I wasn’t getting cast the way I wanted to,” he recalls, “because it’s very hard for a Filipino, an Asian male actor to get parts, unless you decided to be in Miss Saigon, which was one of the only very few shows that hire Asian people. So, I kinda fell into producing.” That was when he met a fellow Fil-Am, Regie Cabico, who’s 20 years older than him and became his mentor. He remembers Cabico telling him, “The way to be successful for someone like us in the arts is to start your own opportunities.” Thus, the birth, in 2012, of their company, La Ti Do, which is into production of cabarets and concerts. “I met so many people and worked with so many actors and performers without knowing it’s producing,” he says, smiling at the memory. “I just realized producing means organizing. It means you’re in charge, you’re putting things together and hire people. In those 10 years, I was able to produce small musicals and concerts and special events.” He then put up his own DMH Mendoza Productions, which has La Ti Do as its cabaret-concert arm, to allow him to “produce bigger and more incredible things.” For starters, he produced the off-Broadway play Hazing U that tackles violence in fraternities. Around that time, February 2023, he heard about Here Lies Love being restaged, this time on Broadway. The musical created by David Byrne and Fatboy Slim originally premiered off-Broadway in 2013 at The Public Theater in New York City. A year later, it moved to the Royal National Theater in London, England, and then was restaged at Seattle Repertory Theater in the US in 2017. Mendoza admits with regret that he missed seeing Here Lies Love’s off-Broadway premiere and thought he’d never see it ever again “just because Filipino things don’t usually last very long in America.” So when he heard it was coming to Broadway, he basically called everybody he knew who’s involved in the production to ask how he could help. “I wasn’t really looking for a producer stature,” he says. “I said to many people I’m willing to sell t-shirts in the lobby just to support this show.” It turned out his good friend Lora Nicolas Olaes, who he stayed with in New York, was in the first workshop of the show in 2011, and she personally knows one of the lead producers, Clint Ramos. Olaes then connected Mendoza and Ramos via email, which led to Mendoza joining the Here Lies Love production team. “I’m still having trouble today saying I’m a co-producer. I’m so used to just doing rather than labeling,” he says. “It’s been a wild ride from then till now. I don’t regret any of it. It’s been the best experience so far.” He then shares that having an all-Filipino cast and a predominantly Filipino production team is very important for the lead producers. Two of the five are Filipino: Clint Ramos, a Tony award-winning costume designer, and Jose Antonio Vargas, a Pulitzer prize-winning journalist. This extends to other producers, such as Hal Luftig, Diana DiMenna and Patrick Catullo, as well as to musical writers David Byrne and Fatboy Slim. “They wanted to reach beyond the cast and make sure that the show is escorted into Broadway by Filipinos because it’s a Filipino story,” Mendoza points out. Aside from Llana, the main cast is made up of Arielle Jacobs (as Imelda) and Conrad Ricamora as (Ninoy Aquino), with Lea Salonga (as Ninoy’s mother Aurora) in a limited run until 19 August. “It’s beyond the cast. So our creative team, our production team, our stagehands, everybody. Even our house staff, some of them are Filipinos. We really wanted to make a mark on Broadway. That’s how it came about. So that was an early decision. Because the off-Broadway production was mixed. It was not all-Filipino. It had Ruthie Ann Miles as Imelda. She’s not Filipino. It was hard to move from her and bring in Arielle Jacobs, who is just as amazing, but, you know, it was very important for the team to be culturally accurate. Because it’s our story.” “It’s our show,” he reiterates. “Let’s bring it to the world. Our people are playing themselves. I’ve said this in an interview: The general public is trained to love Filipino as other ethnicities. This is the first time we’re training them to love us, Filipinos, as ourselves.” Musical textbook Mendoza’s fellow co-producers include Salonga and Fil-Am celebrities like comedian Jo Koy, musical artist H.E.R. and rapper Apl.de.ap. “Our show is a musical textbook,” he explains. “It’s a musical built around facts, what happened historically during her lifetime. Our whole goal for the show is to present to you what happened with, of course, entertainment attached to it. There’s a misconception that it’s a documentary. It is not. It’s musical theater. It’s supposed to be fun. You see what happened. “We empower our audience to make their own decision. We don’t tell them, ‘This was a bad person. This was a good person.’ Here’s what this person did in their life and how she was affected by her surroundings, and go home and do the research. You figure it out. We liken it to giving someone a Zip file of Philippine history in the 21th century and you go home and unzip the Zip file to get into the details. “But we give you an overview. It’s really up to the audience when they leave the show. I know it’s the goal of our writers and directors to not impose an opinion. We’re just here to entertain and make you learn. When you leave, it’s up to you.” Mendoza happily reports that Here Lies Love is being received “very well.” He adds, “The critics have come and said really wonderful about the show, especially the ones we’re nervous about, like the New York Times, or The Washington Post, or the Wall Street Journal. It trickles down to everyone who’s seen the show. I think we’re so proud and excited that it’s well-received. Audience members love it, they keep coming back.” He also notes that audiences are “pretty diverse. You see Filipinos, you see Americans, you see visitors. It’s really a big hodge-podge of different people. We’re happy about that, too. It’s not biased to just one community.” Indeed, Mendoza is living his dream and he has this piece of audience for the younger generation who also hopes to break into theater or arts in general: “Always ask for what you want because the worst that can come back is a no.” He then shares what she’s picked up from Kris Jenner: “If somebody says no to you, you’re asking the wrong person. Keeping asking for what you want. Not just manifesting, but really it’s just speaking up. Nobody can read your mind. Nobody can see what’s happening in your mind and in your heart. So if you express it, you ask and you’ll get there. It may not happen in the timing that you want, but it will happen if you keep pushing.” The post How ‘Here Lies Love’ co-producer found his mark on Broadway appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Xinhua Asia-Pacific news summary at 1600, July 31
YANGON -- Myanmar's National Defense and Security Council (NDSC) decided on Monday to extend the state of emergency in the Southeast Asian country for another six months. According to the council's statement signed by Acting President U Myint Swe, the emergency period was extended in accordance with the Section 425 of the State Constitution for six more months starting from Aug. 1. (Myanmar-State of Emergency-Ex.....»»
PAY DIRT
The Philippines has once again proven its love for motorsports, with the Tarlac Rally leading the charge in bringing back the excitement of rally racing to the country. The season-opening event, which took place on 24 to 25 June found its home at the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac, a venue famous for hosting the 2019 Southeast Asian Games. During this thrilling event, the New Clark City served a dual purpose, acting as both the parc fermé and service park for the rally. The first round of the Tarlac Rally comprised 11 electrifying special stages. The rally’s transport stages were all found along the O’Donnell Road, which functioned as the main artery of the event. [caption id="attachment_155560" align="aligncenter" width="525"] NEW Clark City serves as venue for the 2023 Tarlac Rally, marking the triumphant return of stage rallying in the country. | Photographs courtesy of Philippine Rallycross Series[/caption] Of the 12 teams that dared to tackle the challenging rally event, only half were successful in crossing the finish arch, marking the completion of the arduous 100-plus kilometer rally. A shining star among the competitors was Paul Santos, the Group 2 classification's champion, and his navigator Ansley Sarmiento. The duo, who have an impressive pedigree in the sport, including titles such as the 2022 Philippine Rallycross Group 3 Champion and 2022 AAP Driver of the Year for Rallycross, drove their No.1 Honda Civic EK to victory, with an overall time of 45 minutes and 14 seconds. Following closely behind in second place were veteran rally driver Jun Magno and navigator Kalvin Sumagui. Magno, driving his 3S-GE Beams-powered BMW E36 in the Rear-wheel-drive class, clocked in at 45 minutes 30 seconds. [caption id="attachment_155562" align="aligncenter" width="525"] THIS 80s model KE70 Toyota Corolla of Devor Andres and Rommel Ocoy takes third place.[/caption] The third spot on the podium was claimed by off-roader and dirt bike rider Devor Andres, alongside co-driver Rommel Ocoy. Despite racing in the oldest car in the rally, a 1980s Toyota Corolla KE70, the duo managed an impressive total rally time of 50:22, earning them the Group 4 win. Completing the top four were Touge Battle race organizers E.Z. Ligaya and Stephen Alunan, who drove the Debest Autofix BMW 316i E36 to finish with a time of 53:14. This Full Throttle Weekend duo not only managed a fourth-place overall finish in the rally but also secured second place in the RWD class. The first place in Group 1 was swept up by Marvin Susara and his navigator Charlie Cruz. They finished fifth overall, just managing to cross the line in their 2NZ-powered Corolla E100 at SS11, with a total rally time of 55:31. The Automobile Association Philippines CEO Mark Desales and co-driver Ricxie dela Cruz also demonstrated determination, finishing the race despite mid-rally challenges. The duo managed a total time of 59:59, securing Group 1's second place and a sixth-overall finish. The 2023 Tarlac Rally wouldn't have been possible without the backing of various organizations and corporations, including the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, New Clark City, Tarlac province, Capas LGU, San Jose LGU, Cleanfuel, Ravenol, Autoplus Sport, Isuzu Philippines Corporation, Accelera Tires, Aguila Auto Glass, AC Delco, JS Mina Sound System, Print & Mount, Method Race Wheels and Tyron Runflat. Their support was integral to bringing back the excitement of rally racing to the Philippines, marking a significant step in the nation's motor sports renaissance. The post PAY DIRT appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Delayed projects due to unforeseen factors, says MMDA
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority on Tuesday clarified that the delay in the implementation of the flood management projects recently flagged down by the Commission on Audit was due to a number of factors. MMDA acting chairman Atty. Don Artes said the 33 projects under the Metro Manila Flood Management Project Phase 1 which were not yet fully implemented as of December 2022 are funded by the World Bank and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. He explained that since it is a foreign-assisted project, the procurement process is different from the usual early procurement process under Republic Act 9184. “The projects underwent a tedious process and discussion with the World Bank before they were approved and implemented,” Artes said. “The WB reviews the bidding process done by the MMDA. Sometimes, they recommend continuation of the project rejected by our agency which in turn results in contract cost and duration revision.” The MMDA chief also said that the site relocation or project re-design was approved by the World Bank, adding that it is the World Bank that recommends and decides whether a contract shall be extended and coverage widened. Artes likewise said that the period of the projects being questioned was within the period 2018-2022, years when pandemic hit the country while some projects were covered by the election ban which both contributed to the delay of its implementation. He assured that the MMFMP-Project Management Office is now closely monitoring all the project deliverables to ensure that they were implemented within the given timeframe. Out of the 47 projects mentioned in the CoA report, 27 were completed as of this time, 12 are ongoing and will be completed this year, three are ongoing procurement process, and five were already abandoned as they are no longer necessary or relevant. Meantime, Artes also stressed that the 71 vehicles that the CoA flagged as unregistered in its 2022 report are all off the road as they are beyond repair and clarified that all vehicles without registration from the Land Transportation Office are already for disposal as junk. “The disposal process is long and we are currently disassembling its parts so we can use it for our serviceable vehicles,” Artes said. He added that the agency regularly conduct quarterly LTO caravan to ensure timely registration of our vehicles. Last 6 and 15 February 2023, the LTO held its two-day registration caravan, on the request of MMDA and the 216 vehicles that the CoA revealed to be beyond its useful lifespan of seven years for government service vehicles are still functional and are maintained properly. Artes said that the service vehicles he and other agency officials are using are all almost at the end of their useful life but have no intention of retiring and replacing them and will continue to be used because they are in very good running condition The post Delayed projects due to unforeseen factors, says MMDA appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Qatar minister picked to head UN labour conference
Qatar's labour minister was on Monday appointed without a vote to head the International Labour Organization's annual decision-making conference, despite union criticism amid concerns over labour conditions in Qatar. Asian and Pacific nations, which according to a regional rotation had dibs this year on selecting the president of the two-week International Labour Conference, had proposed Ali Bin Samikh Al-Marri. Usually, such picks are approved by acclamation, but this year, some unions had called for a vote, deeming that concerns around labour conditions in Qatar raised questions about the suitability of having a Qatari minister in the post. But the group representing unions and workers' interests within the ILO's tripartite system -- alongside government and private sector employer groups -- said Monday that a deal had been reached and it could accept the appointment without calling for a vote. Qatar has long faced harsh criticism over labour rights, especially in the lead-up to last year's football World Cup. The country's treatment of migrant labourers came under particular scrutiny amid controversy over numerous deaths and injuries on mega construction projects. Despite reforms, rights groups have said workers in Qatar continue to face exploitation and unsafe working conditions. Serious doubts Union group head Catelene Passchier stressed that "Qatar has in recent years been the subject of scrutiny ... regarding the violations of fundamental rights of big numbers of migrant workers in the runup to the football World Cup." The Dutch unionist acknowledged that the country had since engaged with the ILO "on fundamental reforms to its legal system" and had made "improvements on the ground". But, she said, unions on the ground had continued to express "serious doubts" over Qatar's commitment to continue implementing the reforms. This had spurred "extensive conversations" in recent weeks and days, she said, resulting in a joint understanding that Qatar should speed up the implementation. "We commend Qatar for stepping up its engagement with the ILO and the International trade union movement," she said, adding that the union group had accepted Al-Marri's nomination. After his appointment, Al-Marri himself pointed out to the conference that his country had introduced a minimum wage and improved conditions for domestic workers. "We know there is still work to be done, and we are committed to doing it," he said, stressing though that the social dialogue would need to be adapted to the "reality" in his country. In a letter sent to its 338 affiliate national organisations, representing 200 million workers, the International Trade Union Confederation acting general secretary Luc Triangle said a meeting had been held on June 3 with Al-Marri and that another would follow by late July. "It was recognised that, while progress had been made which was an example to other countries in the region, more was needed to ensure decent work for migrant workers in Qatar," he said. Among other things, he called for "the guaranteed right to operate and act by all global unions in Qatar." The post Qatar minister picked to head UN labour conference appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Beauty beyond the brush
Nix Soriano, a well-known makeup artist in the Philippines, described her amazing career transition from being a nursing graduate to pursuing her genuine passion for makeup artistry. The chief hair and makeup artist of Nix Institute of Beauty, in an interview with the Daily Tribune, disclosed that after finishing her nursing degree and passing the board examinations, she found herself at a crossroads. When the recession was at its worst in 2010, her grandma encouraged her to put off her travel plans to the United States and suggested that she stay in the Philippines until things got better economically. This is when Nix’s interest in makeup really began to blossom. As she and her business partners worked on commercials and other audiovisual projects, Soriano became interested in putting on makeup. She often found herself stepping in as a last-minute makeup artist when emergencies or cancellations occurred. Recognizing her talent and passion for the craft, she decided to pursue formal training in makeup artistry. “Sometimes I would step in at the last minute like your makeup artist or last-minute cancel makeup. So, from there I took up classes.” Nix went to classes to improve her abilities after realizing how much she loved beauty and makeup. She witnessed a growing demand for makeup services, not only among celebrities and beauty queens but also individuals attending parties and weddings. Observing the delight and confidence it gave, Soriano’s excitement for makeup artistry intensified. [caption id="attachment_136766" align="aligncenter" width="525"] NIX Soriano, chief hair and makeup artist of Nix Institute of Beauty.[/caption] She set out to provide budding beauty artists in the Philippines access to reasonable but thorough training after seeing the large expenses needed for cosmetics workshops overseas. Transitioning from nursing to makeup artistry wasn’t without its challenges. Initially, Nix faced skepticism from her loved ones, including her then-boyfriend, now husband. They questioned her decision, pointing out alternative companies that would have generated greater profits. But it was obvious that she had found her real purpose because of her consistent joy and enthusiasm for makeup artistry. “I can’t imagine myself doing something I’m not happy with. It’s not that I’m not happy with nursing but this makes me more happy,” she said. As her career was established, renowned pageants and productions were drawn to her talent and commitment. She rose to prominence as the preferred makeup artist for illustrious occasions like Miss Universe Philippines. Nix’s talent went beyond pageantry; in addition, she catered to weddings and worked on side jobs for advertising and commercial shoots. She founded the Nix Institute of Beauty to broaden the reach of her expertise and provide accessibility to cosmetics courses. She set out to provide budding beauty artists in the Philippines access to reasonable but thorough training after seeing the large expenses connected with cosmetics workshops overseas. Nix believes that creating a solid foundation for makeup artistry requires starting with the fundamentals. “We start with the fundamentals of makeup because I’m a firm believer that if you know the fundamentals, if you know the basics kahit paikot-ikutin ka, kaya mo ayusin (even if you get turned around and around, you can handle it),” she explained. The Nix Institute of Beauty has seen a diverse range of students, including both females and males. Even photographers enroll to enhance their skills in makeup for editorial shoots. It takes pride in fostering a supportive learning environment that encourages creativity and helps students understand the theory behind their art. Even though Soriano’s path has had its fair share of lessons learned and minor setbacks, she is still passionate about what she does. She wants to continuously grow and deliver outstanding results while acknowledging that mistakes do occur as a real professional. She reflected on how it all began with Global Asian Models, and shared her journey, starting as the makeup team for Rabiya Mateo, Beatrice Gomez, Celeste Cortesi, and finally the newly-minted Miss Universe Philippines Michelle Dee. “It’s a rollercoaster talaga, but it’s a proud moment for me.” The Nix Institute of Beauty is a team of skilled hair and makeup professionals who are dedicated to empowering individuals to embrace their individuality and their own sense of beauty. They provide lessons and hair and makeup services all around the Philippines. The team’s mission is to give clients treasured experiences and memories while also acting as mentors for rising business professionals. The post Beauty beyond the brush appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
These 19 fresh Kapuso teens are ready to sparkle
The “betting” must be on now. Who among the 19 Sparkle Teens of Kapuso network will make it as the biggest star in, say, two to five years? Would having a foreign surname with mestiza or meztizo looks help? After all, our two Miss Universe title holders — Pia Wurtzbach and Catriona Gray — have them. On film and TV, Anne Curtis is it. And Gerald Anderson, as well as Alden Richards. Maybe if James Reid didn’t quit Viva management, he would be “it,” too! Or if Sam Milby mastered Filipino/Tagalog and turned on a more vibrant personality. How do you relate to the Caucasian names Waynona Collings, Charlie Fleming (yes, this Charlie is a girl, like Kapamilya’s Charlie Dizon), Selina Griffin, James Graham and Josh Ford? Do check out their pics on the GMA 7 website. There’s a young man among the Sparkle Teens who go by the name of John Clifford, but it’s a coined name for the guy whose social media pics are under the name Clifford Gawchua, though he has also begun posting pics as John Clifford. The Chinese “chua” in his surname manifests in his handsome Asian looks. A girl in the stunning bundle of lookers goes by the name of Gaea Mischa. Her first name refers to the Greek goddess of Earth. Google says Mischa is a name of Russian and Hebrew origins that means “honey” and “whom God loves.” A Google search also reveals that she’s Gaea Mischa S. Salipot, a student of the International British Academy in Cavite (which also offers home schooling) who became a 2018 Champion of the World Division Winner in California, USA. Gaea Mischa was also a finalist under Team Lea of The Voice Kids PH Season 4 in 2019. She is quite morena and inarguably pretty. [caption id="attachment_122358" align="aligncenter" width="712"] GMA Network’s Sparkle Teens of 2023.[/caption] There’s a young man by the name of Lee Victor, and Internet data about him says he is “half-Welsh and half-Filipino.” And there’s a girl by the name of Naomi Park who introduced herself at the media launch at Novotel in Cubao, QC, last Tuesday afternoon, 18 April, as “ang K-pop girl ng Sparkle Teens.” With very fair complexion, Naomi does look Korean. The other members of Sparkle Teens are Zyren dela Cruz, Brice Eusebio, Aya Domingo, Liana Mae, Marco Masa, Princess Aliyah, Ashley Sarmiento, Keisha Serna, Aidan Veneracion and Antonio Vinson. Handpicked They are 10 young women and nine young men. Their number by gender should have been equal, but Andrei Sison died in a car accident a few days ago and Sparkle management decided not to replace him. There’s inside talk at the Kapuso network that Mr. M (Johnny Manahan, formerly of ABS-CBN and founder of Star Magic, the disenfranchised network’s much-admired talent discovery and management division) handpicked all 20 of them. It was Mr. M who saw to it that all 20 undergo a long stretch of training in acting, dancing, singing, public speaking and other disciplines meant to develop their personalities for public exposure. At their launch, acting was the only thing the 19 Sparkles did not showcase. They were all impressive. No one was a laggard. Some talked very engagingly during the group interviews. Three females may be said to have been given a special showcase by belting out a rousing song, joined by the others later. They were Princess Aliyah, Selina Griffin and Gaea Mischa. Princess Aliyah is dubbed “ang Biritera ng Sparkle Teens.” Gaea Mischa is billed as “ang Stunning Diva ng Sparkle Teens.” Griffin is presented as “ang ballerina at classical singer” of the group. Stardom According to GMA 7 assistant vice president Joy Marcelo, all 19 will perform regularly on the network’s weekly musical variety show All-Out Sundays. Some have also been cast in forthcoming drama shows. “They can’t be cast all at the same time,” said Marcelo, even as their original managers surely hope the casting will happen in 2023. The original managers, who are usually the discoverers of these 19, are now considered co-managers since all 19 are on a management contact with the network’s talent development and management center known as Sparkle, a name believed to have been coined by Mr. M who is acknowledged to have come up with “Star Magic” for ABS-CBN. “Executable” or “demonstratable” talent is just one element of big-time stardom. There are others, such as perseverance, a sense of professionalism, congeniality with the biggies of management, and the so-called X factor or “mystique” of stardom, which Mr. M is acknowledged to be very good at recognizing. Showbiz names may contribute to one’s X factor — being the son or daughter, grandson or granddaughter, niece or nephew of a well-loved established star. Antonio Vinzon, for instance, is character actor Roi Vinzon’s son. Some girls are taller than the others. Same is true among the boys. The degree of beauty or handsomeness depends on the looker. And so does the intensity of one’s appeal, smile or swagger. Ultimately, the multitude is the endower of big-time stardom. Sparkle members somehow have to compete among themselves since they may be asked to audition for the same roles in separate “readings” of specific scenes with the show director, or on a day assigned for “resident” stars to audition. The post These 19 fresh Kapuso teens are ready to sparkle appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Jodi Sta. Maria shares life’s ‘plot twist’ that stopped her from quitting acting
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Philippines, US celebrate 75 years of diplomatic ties
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Arjo makes history& nbsp;with & lsquo;Bagman& rsquo;
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Marc Pingris dinenay na may ‘something’ sila ni Kim Rodriguez
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