Tabuena back with a bang
Gen. Trias, Cavite—Miguel Tabuena broke a mediocre run of form with a two-stroke victory in the ICTSI Eagle Ridge Challenge on a closing 68 yesterday, fighting back from three down off Justin Quiban with a frontside birdie-spurt then thwarting Zanieboy Gialon with clutch hits at Aoki course’s finishing holes here......»»
January Promo Ideas for Your Business
As January presents a fresh start for everyone, entrepreneurs are also allowed to revitalize their businesses and captivate their audience who are still synchronizing themselves back with the real world after a lengthy holiday vacation. This is the time when businesses can leverage innovative promotion ideas to kickstart the year with a bang. Let’s explore […].....»»
‘CB’ back with a bang
Fresh out of sickbay, Chris Banchero quickly took on the role of difference-maker for Meralco......»»
‘It’s Showtime’ back on air after 12-day suspension
“It’s Showtime” hosts were in high spirits as they made their comeback after serving the show’s 12-day suspension imposed by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB). The noontime show opened with lively performances from Vice Ganda, Anne Curtis, Karylle, Kim Chiu, Ogie Alcasid, Jhong Hilario, Ryan Bang, Amy Perez, Jackie Gonzaga, Teddy.....»»
Quick look at the week ahead
We were supposed to start this week with a bang as the PSE’s long-awaited short-selling program was originally scheduled to go live today. That’s now pushed back to Tuesday, November 6. That basically leaves our domestic (PSE) calendar empty......»»
Rolling Stones return with a little help from a Beatle
The Rolling Stones burst back to life on Friday with "Hackney Diamonds", their first album in 18 years, featuring megastar cameos from Elton John, Lady Gaga and even their old rival, Paul McCartney. Now in their seventh decade of making music together, the legendary British band is back with their 24th studio album. McCartney joins in for the first time, playing bass on the punky "Bite My Head Off". Back in their 1960s heyday, much was made of the rivalry between the Stones and the Beatles, but it was always more marketing than reality, with John Lennon singing on the Stones' "We Love You" in 1967. "Paul and I have always been friends," Stones frontman Mick Jagger, 80, told France 2 this week. McCartney's appearance was something of an accident, Keith Richards told Guitar Player magazine. "He happened to be around and dropped by," Richards said. "I don't even think he intended to play bass on a track, but once he was in there, I just said, 'Come on, you're in. You ain't leaving till you play.'" While McCartney and Elton John's contributions are somewhat hard to pick out, Lady Gaga and Stevie Wonder make more of an impact on "Sweet Sounds of Heaven", a blues-y ballad in the vein of classics such as "You Can't Always Get What You Want". 'Hackneyed duds' Reviews have been mostly polite rather than gushing. The Guardian gave it four stars, saying: "If this is the end, they're going out with a bang", while the LA Times called it "surprisingly spry, sparked by the deathless riffs". There has indeed been plenty of hype ahead of the release, with some saying it is their best piece of work since "Some Girls" in 1978. But others were deeply unimpressed by the sleek production from Andrew Watt, used to working with popstars like Justin Bieber and Dua Lipa. "Hackney Diamonds" is old London slang for "broken glass", but was used as a pun by Pitchfork, who called the album "a bunch of hackneyed duds, polished until the character has disappeared." No one is pretending it comes close to the legendary run between 1968 and 1972 that saw the release of "Beggars Banquet", "Let It Bleed", "Sticky Fingers" and "Exile on Main St." in quick succession. Nor does it head in any new directions. "The group seemed to concede years ago that, with such a legendary discography, new albums and attempts at new styles are almost superfluous," wrote Variety. "(But) if there's a better way to end the Rolling Stones 60-plus-year recording career, it's hard to imagine what it could be," it added. The post Rolling Stones return with a little help from a Beatle appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
USJ-R Jaguars bags three wins in Week 2 of the Cesafi Esports League
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars dominated week two of the Cesafi Esports League’s (CEL) Mobile Legends Bang Bang on Saturday, October 14, 2023, at the University of Southern Philippines-Foundation (USP-F) Lahug campus. The Jaguars clinched three wins and one draw in their four-scheduled matches. They started with a lackluster draw against the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Wildcats, 1-1. Joseph “Wanji” Burgos paced the Jaguars with 10 kills, 3.5 assists, and 5.25 kill, death, and assist (KDA) average. After the draw, the Jaguars didn’t look back and won all their three remaining matches. They started off with a 2-0 win against the Southwestern University-Phinma Cobras with Steve Pritz “Stevensanity” Casas emerging as the top player with a KDA average of 1.67. They went on to beat the host team, the USP-F Panthers, 2-0, behind Edrian Vince “Sera” Arriesgado, who had averaged 15 KDA. Lastly, USJ-R capped off their fruitful day with another 2-0 win against the University of the Philippines (UP- Cebu), with Burgos leading them anew with his 5.58 KDA. On the other hand, CIT-U clinched two wins despite losing one of their matches to USJ-R. They beat UP Cebu, 2-0, and SWU-Phinma, 2-0. Also, UP Cebu snagged a victory over USP-F, 2-0, while SWU-Phinma prevented a winless day by beating USP-F, 2-0. RELATED STORIES Jaguars lead Cesafi Esports League pre-season tourney Mandaue City, USJ-R, UCLM, shine in two separate Esports events Cesafi: USJ-R Jaguars now 3-0.....»»
‘It’s Showtime’ hosts nagpaalam muna sa madlang people: ‘We’ll be right back!’
PANSAMANTALA nang namaalam ang mga host ng noontime show na “It’s Showtime.” Ito ay bago nilang tuparin ang 12-days suspension na iniutos ng Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) na magsisimula na ngayong October 14 hanggang October 27. Pagkatapos ng segment na “Tawag ng Tanghalan” nitong October 13, nagsama-sama sa stage sina Vhong Navarro, Anne Curtis, Jhong Hilario, Karylle, Ogie Alcasid, Ion Perez, Amy Perez, Ryan Bang, Teddy Corpuz, Jugs Jugueta at Cianne Dominguez upang magbigay ng mensahe sa kanilang madlang pipol. Kapansin-pansin naman na nawala si Vice Ganda sa closing spiel ng mga host, pero naroon siya sa ilang segment ng show. Baka Bet Mo: Vice Ganda: ‘Bagay si Barbie sa It’s Showtime, I love her vibe!’ “Abangan niyo po bukas ang ‘It’s Your Lucky Day,’” sey ni Vhong matapos pasalamatan ang viewers. Dagdag pa niya, “Kami naman po, sa aming pagbabalik sa Oct. 28, magsama-sama tayong muli para sa ‘Mini Ms. U’ the cutest finale.” “Madlang people, we’ll be right back! Mami-miss namin kayo pero mabilis lang ‘yan,” patuloy ni Vhong. Aniya pa, “Kaya magkikita-kita tayo ulit.” Pagkatapos niyan ay biglang nagsayawan ang mga host sa kanta ni Ogie na “Dito sa Puso Ko,” habang ang iba ay nagsasabi ng, “We love you, madlang people! We’ll miss you! See you in two weeks!” Matatandaang una nang nagpataw ang MTRCB ng 12-day suspension sa “It’s Showtime” matapos makatanggap ng ahensya ng mga reklamo ukol sa noontime show, partikular na ang naging kontrobersyal na pagkain nina Vice Ganda at Ion Perez ng icing na diumano’y sa pamamagitan ng malaswang pamamaraan sa harap ng mga batang kasama sa segment na “Isip Bata.” Naghain ng Motion for Reconsideration ang Kapamilya noontime program ngunit hindi ito pinagbigyan ng MTRCB. Habang suspendido ang show, ang papalitan diyan ay ang game variety show na “It’s Your Lucky Day” na hosted by Luis Manzano at ang mga makakasama niya riyan ay sina Robi Domingo, Melai Cantiveros, Jennica Garcia, Andrea Brillantes, Kyle Echarri, Francine Diaz at Seth Fedelin. Related Chika: Michelle Madrigal iwas muna sa social media, focus muna sa sarili at maayos na mental health Kuya Kim, Joross, Kakai kumampi kay Michael V sa isyu ng content creator: ‘Amen brother! It’s not about views, it’s about value’.....»»
Perjury raps vs 2 activists underway
Perjury charges are now being prepared against the two environmentalists who recanted their “handwritten affidavit” stating they have “voluntarily surrendered” to the military and declared that soldiers abducted them after they went missing. During the deliberation of the Senate Committee on Finance on 2024 proposed P229.9-billion budget of the Department of National Defense and its attached agencies, Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa asked on the case update of Jhed Tamano and Jonila Castro who earlier retracted what they said in their affidavit. “May case preparation ngayon, inter-agency case preparation for the filing of perjury charges sa kanila. Nire-review lang ang mga sworn statements ng mga testigo (There is a case preparation now, multi-agency case preparation for the filing of perjury charges against them. The sworn statements of the witnesses are being reviewed),” Teodoro told Dela Rosa. In a previous press conference organized by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, Tamano and Castor denied that they surrendered to the Philippine Army’s 70th Infantry Battalion. Philippine Army chief LtGen. Roy Galido earlier admitted that the two young activists had tricked the military, contrary to their earlier statements sworn before the Public Attorney's Office. "We felt betrayed that's why we will file the necessary case, to use our laws, just like when you are also betrayed when your clients are betrayed, they file a case against you, so we just have to follow the rule of law in our country," Galido said. Meanwhile, Dela Rosa urged the DND to push through with the filing of perjury charges against Tamano and Castro. "We should do that. I am encouraging you. Grabe 'yung maka-kaliwa, grabe maka-jump sa bandwagon nung epekto na 'yun. Talagang all-out sila. Dapat tayo rin, sumagot din tayo. Parang lumalabas na para bang inaamin na lang natin na totoo ang sinasabi nila (The leftists are really jumping on the bandwagon following their retraction. They are really all-out. We must answer that. It seems like we are just admitting that what they are saying is true),” said Dela Rosa. The senator said the security forces should be aggressive in their actions against propaganda of the communist-leaning parties. Teodoro noted that the intelligence information on the two activists is liable. “Your honor, talagang sigurado po ako sa ebidensya dito (I’m really sure about the evidences),” said Teodoro, noting that the recantation of the two activists is just part of the dramas being perpetrated by the left-leaning organizations. ‘Lesson learned: Be wary’ Dela Rosa also warned the Armed Forces of the Philippines chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. to be wary of entertaining communist surrenderers. “Lessons learned, General Brawner. Ingat kayo kasi pwede kayong saksakin sa likuran niyan (Just be careful because they can stab your back),” he said. "Masyado tayong mabait, masyado na tayong gentleman. Masyado tayong mapagbigay to the point na 'yun pala, nilalason na pala tayo sa sarili nating tubig (We are too kind, we are too gentlemanly. We are too generous to the point that we are being poisoned in our own waters),” Dela Rosa added. On the other hand, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri emphasized the need to provide sufficient funds for the NTF-ELCAC, to augment the military’s efforts on its Balik-Loob program. “We should help in their budget, we should continue providing funds for NTF-ELCAC, especially in barangay projects because that’s what winning hearts and minds. It has been very successful in Bukidnon and any other provinces,” he said. Dela Rosa supported Zubiri’s suggestion. However, the funds of the anti-insurgency task force are being lodged in the expenditure program of the National Security Council. The post Perjury raps vs 2 activists underway appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
London Fashion Week says sheer is back for spring, summer 2024
Transparent and revealing looks will make a comeback for spring and summer 2024, according to trends spotted at London Fashion Week, which wrapped up on Tuesday. Midriffs on display Crop top lovers can carry on baring their midriffs, and more, while staying bang on trend. Most designers had models in bralettes or bandeaus, or even simple bikini tops, worn with a jacket or open knit. Erdem had an elegant take on the look, pairing bralettes with high-waisted long skirts. All laced up A light yellow JW Anderson tank top used multiple ties at the front to give glimpses of skin without revealing too much. Di Petsa, whose collection was inspired by Venus the goddess of love, embraced lacing in a different way to reveal models' breasts and midriffs. Short and transparent Tiny skirts and dresses came thick and fast on the catwalks and even when they were long, they were very figure-hugging. Sheer looks were also in vogue, with Feben offering a completely transparent shirt in both lilac and black. Feben, a recent graduate of London's Central Saint Martins university, sent out a collection of largely transparent dresses made entirely of beads with long fringed skirts. Di Petsa's white draped dresses also had plenty of skin on show and Londoner Sinead Gorey showcased a green lace jumpsuit that left very little to the imagination. Frills and ruffles Frills and ruffles made a big appearance on the catwalks, whether on skirts, dresses or tops. Susan Fang used garnishes on a long tulle dress to give a lightness to the look, while Bora Aksu also went heavy on the frills in his show. Oversized trenches Burberry showed off reinventions of its famous trench coat, with artistic director Daniel Lee displaying variations that were both wider and belted low on the hips for men and women. An orange trench, a far cry from the classic beige, made a splash on the catwalk, while JW Anderson offered mid-thigh level bombers which could be worn like a dress. Catwalk diversity The days of catwalks being the exclusive preserve of slim, young, white models were long gone. British-Nigerian designer Tolu Coker used only black models in her show celebrating Yoruba culture. Models of all ages walked the runway at Eudon Choi's show, where some of the looks were presented by older women. Many designers also veered away from the size zero look, with Di Petsa embracing a variety of model sizes on the catwalk. After London, the shows continue in Milan and Paris. The post London Fashion Week says sheer is back for spring, summer 2024 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Rolling Stones album of new songs out next month
The Rolling Stones will release their first album of new music in 18 years next month, lead singer Mick Jagger, fellow founding bandmate Keith Richards and bass guitarist Ronnie Wood announced Wednesday in London. The album, "Hackney Diamonds", is the first since the death of drummer Charlie Watts in 2019, and the first containing original material since 2005's "A Bigger Bang". "We didn't want to make just any record and put it out," Jagger, 80, told a launch event at the Hackney Empire theatre in east London, hosted by US talk show host Jimmy Fallon and livestreamed on YouTube. "I'm not saying we're big-headed about it but we're pleased with it and we hope you all like it," the octogenarian rocker said. The Stones' 24th studio album, set for release on October 20, has 12 tracks, with the single "Angry" the first to come out. Wood, 76, confirmed during the launch that superstar Lady Gaga features on another, "Sweet Sound of Heaven", adding she "sings really sweet" on it. Two of the tracks were recorded with Watts in 2019. The others feature Steve Jordan, whom Watts recommended to replace him. "Ever since Charlie's gone it's different," said 79-year-old guitarist Keith Richards of recording the new album without one of the band's founders. "He's number four, he's missing, he's up there. Of course he's missed incredibly." Already acclaimed "Hackney diamonds" is English slang for the shards of glass left scattered on the ground after smash-and-grab robberies, and refers to the historically working class east London neighbourhood. "It's like when you get your windscreen broken on a Saturday night in Hackney," Jagger joked. Throngs of people crowded outside the event venue, including those without tickets who came out of curiosity and hoping to spot the band. "I've been following the Stones since I was four years old and I'm from round here -- it's my backyard," said musician and fan Rory McGlinchey. "It's crazy that they're here!" Wearing a Rolling Stones t-shirt, he said the new release was "great news". "Can't wait," he told AFP. Critics have already hailed the release as the band's best work in many decades. Will Hodgkinson, rock and pop critic for Britain's The Times newspaper, said it is "unquestionably the best Stones album since 1978's 'Some Girls'". "Variously poignant, irreverent, anarchic and, in one gospel-tinged moment, quite spiritual, it touches on all the aspects we love about the band, glued together by the rambunctious energy they have made their own since the early Sixties," he wrote. The Daily Telegraph's music reviewer Neil McCormick said "Angry" was "their best single in four decades". The Stones also unveiled the single's typically rock'n'roll video. It sees the band playing from Los Angeles' billboards as scantily-dressed, leather-clad "Euphoria" actress Sydney Sweeney writhes to the soundtrack in the back of a convertible red Mercedes driving through the city. Teaser The Rolling Stones' last studio album was 2016's "Blue & Lonesome", which was made up of blues covers. "We've been very lazy," said Jagger. "We've been on the road most of the time." The band teased the release of the new album through a spoof advert in the local Hackney Gazette newspaper. The cryptic ad, which also appeared in sister title the Islington Gazette, referenced several of the band's best-known songs including "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction", "Gimme Shelter" and "Shattered". The ad went on: "Opening our new store on Mare Street, September 2023. Our friendly team promises you satisfaction when you say gimme shelter we'll fix your shattered windows." Clues that the ad was not for a bona fide east London glass repair business included a miniature version of the band's famed lips logo to dot the letter i. The ad -- in the same font as the "Some Girls" album -- also says the firm was established in 1962, the same year the band was formed. Last year the Stones travelled through Europe for their 60th anniversary tour which featured stops in cities including Madrid, Milan and Munich, and also a performance at British Summer Time (BST) festival in London. Asked for the secret to their decades-spanning musical marriage, Jagger quipped: "not speaking too often". "How to say shut up politely," added Richards. The post Rolling Stones album of new songs out next month appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
From East to West to southern trap, 50 years of hip-hop
Five decades after a Bronx block party ushered in hip-hop's 'Big Bang' moment, the culture-shifting genre is celebrating its 50th birthday Friday. The reigning music style has evolved in rapid, anarchic ways -- in many ways defying categorization -- but some patterns have emerged. What follows is a run-down of some of hip-hop's key phases. Old school What's now broadly referred to as old-school hip-hop is the genre's earliest commercially recorded music, and typically refers to songs put out from approximately 1979 to 1983. The Sugarhill Gang's "Rapper's Delight" became the first commercially successful hip-hop song after it was released on September 16, 1979. It's preserved in the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry. "The Message" from Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, released in 1982, brought a socially conscious element to the genre, delivering a raw portrait of urban life and the stresses of poverty. Other prominent artists of the moment included Afrika Bambaataa, DJ Kool Herc, Melle Mel, and Grandmaster Caz. East Coast New York and the East Coast were pivotal to the development of hip-hop throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, the "golden age." Run-DMC was among the most influential acts of the era, achieving a smattering of notable firsts for the genre. They, the Beastie Boys and Public Enemy offered harder renditions of hip-hop than their disco-tinged predecessors, with the latter rising to prominence for their political themes including racism and Black power. More complex wordplay with swift delivery and elaborate metaphors were emblematic of the age, with acts including Eric B. & Rakim, LL Cool J, Nas, Big Daddy Kane, and The Notorious B.I.G. gaining wide acclaim. De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest were meanwhile pioneering "alternative hip-hop," bringing in jazz and R&B elements. Salt-N-Pepa, Foxy Brown, Queen Latifah, and Lauryn Hill broke barriers for women, with Hill in particular popularizing melodic rapping. The Notorious B.I.G. -- or "Biggie" -- with the backing of Puff Daddy's "Bad Boy Records" became the East Coast's king following the release of his landmark debut album "Ready to Die" in 1994, up until his shock murder in 1997. And the Wu-Tang Clan also popularized East Coast styles, emphasizing hard edges and strong beats. West Coast The sounds emerging from California were fast and influenced by electronica, centering more on DJs than raps. Ice-T pioneered West Coast and gangsta rap in the late 1980s, while N.W.A. went platinum with its album "Straight Outta Compton" in 1988. Dogged by controversy and censorship over profane lyrics -- which many alleged were misogynist while also glorifying drug use and crime -- N.W.A. made waves for laying bare experiences of endemic racism and excessive policing. The group's dissolution saw members including Dr. Dre and Ice Cube gain solo acclaim. And Tupac Shakur also preferred messages of injustice as he became one of the greatest rappers of all time prior to his 1996 murder, which came just months before Biggie's. Dr. Dre's "The Chronic" charted new paths for rap as a seminal album of the era. It also introduced one of his most famous proteges, the then-budding rapper today known as Snoop Dogg, whose laid-back, windows-down lyrical delivery came to epitomize G-Funk, and whose debut album "Doggystyle" was a Dre production. Dre also shaped another household name: Eminem. "He's a creator who has moved popular culture three times... with gangsta rap, G-funk, and Eminem," said industry magnate Jimmy Iovine of Dre. Bling and Prog Biggie's commercial fame paved the way for other East Coast stars, including Jay-Z, DMX, Busta Rhymes, and 50 Cent, with the turn-of-the-millennium bling era. Jay-Z's "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)" was a major hit years before he would become one of hip-hop's billionaires and an industry mogul. His work also brought producers including Kanye West to the fore. Early in his career, West gained near-universal acclaim, not least for his integration of house, electronica and soul into creatively risky productions. And Nicki Minaj was praised for her chameleon talents and blistering flow, while Drake brought in R&B sensibilities and churned out hit after hit. Kendrick Lamar became one of contemporary music's most impactful writers, with his verses offering insight both personal and systemic, all set to jazz-heavy instrumentals. Lamar, along with West and Common, all became torchbearers of the broadly defined progressive rap, defined by a focus on social ills and change. Hip-hop was also burgeoning across the South, with artists including 2 Live Crew, Missy Elliott, and Outkast gaining traction. Trap and Drill Into the 2010s, rap's nexus shifted to Atlanta, home to the trap subgenre characterized by cymbal patterns and synthesized drums. Trap remains among American music's most popular styles, with its influence crossing into pop and EDM as well as Latin America's wildly popular reggaeton. Much of its lyricism focused on life in "the trap" -- a reference to drug-dealing spots. Artists including Outkast, T.I., Gucci Mane, and Lil Wayne expanded its popularity, while the idiosyncratic Young Thug became one of contemporary hip-hop's most emulated artists. Today's trap-influenced superstars include Migos, Cardi B, and Megan Thee Stallion. Internet virality has been key to several contemporary movements including "Soundcloud rap," whose angsty, jagged sound injected vulnerability into hip-hop. And the equally dark drill has brought the aggressive lyricism of gangsta back to prominence. It began percolating in Chicago before traveling to Britain and resurfacing in New York. Brooklyn drill gained mainstream clout thanks to work from artists including the late Pop Smoke and Fivio Foreign, as today's stars like the Bronx's Ice Spice take it viral. See more photos here: The post From East to West to southern trap, 50 years of hip-hop appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
From East to West to southern trap, 50 years of hip-hop
Five decades after a Bronx block party ushered in hip-hop's 'Big Bang' moment, the culture-shifting genre is celebrating its 50th birthday Friday. The reigning music style has evolved in rapid, anarchic ways -- in many ways defying categorization -- but some patterns have emerged. What follows is a run-down of some of hip-hop's key phases. Old school What's now broadly referred to as old-school hip-hop is the genre's earliest commercially recorded music, and typically refers to songs put out from approximately 1979 to 1983. The Sugarhill Gang's "Rapper's Delight" became the first commercially successful hip-hop song after it was released on 16 September 1979. It's preserved in the Library of Congress's National Recording Registry. "The Message" from Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, released in 1982, brought a socially conscious element to the genre, delivering a raw portrait of urban life and the stresses of poverty. Other prominent artists of the moment included Afrika Bambaataa, DJ Kool Herc, Melle Mel, and Grandmaster Caz. East Coast New York and the East Coast were pivotal to the development of hip-hop throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, the "golden age." Run-DMC was among the most influential acts of the era, achieving a smattering of notable firsts for the genre. They, the Beastie Boys and Public Enemy offered harder renditions of hip-hop than their disco-tinged predecessors, with the latter rising to prominence for their political themes including racism and Black power. More complex wordplay with swift delivery and elaborate metaphors were emblematic of the age, with acts including Eric B. & Rakim, LL Cool J, Nas, Big Daddy Kane, and The Notorious B.I.G. gaining wide acclaim. De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest were meanwhile pioneering "alternative hip-hop," bringing in jazz and R&B elements. Salt-N-Pepa, Foxy Brown, Queen Latifah, and Lauryn Hill broke barriers for women, with Hill in particular popularizing melodic rapping. The Notorious B.I.G. -- or "Biggie" -- with the backing of Puff Daddy's "Bad Boy Records" became the East Coast's king following the release of his landmark debut album "Ready to Die" in 1994, up until his shock murder in 1997. And the Wu-Tang Clan also popularized East Coast styles, emphasizing hard edges and strong beats. West Coast The sounds emerging from California were fast and influenced by electronica, centering more on DJs than raps. Ice-T pioneered West Coast and gangsta rap in the late 1980s, while N.W.A. went platinum with its album "Straight Outta Compton" in 1988. Dogged by controversy and censorship over profane lyrics -- which many alleged were misogynist while also glorifying drug use and crime -- N.W.A. made waves for laying bare experiences of endemic racism and excessive policing. The group's dissolution saw members including Dr. Dre and Ice Cube gain solo acclaim. And Tupac Shakur also proferred messages of injustice as he became one of the greatest rappers of all time prior to his 1996 murder, which came just months before Biggie's. Dr. Dre's "The Chronic" charted new paths for rap as a seminal album of the era. It also introduced one of his most famous proteges, the then-budding rapper today known as Snoop Dogg, whose laid-back, windows-down lyrical delivery came to epitomize G-Funk, and whose debut album "Doggystyle" was a Dre production. Dre also shaped another household name: Eminem. "He's a creator who has moved popular culture three times... with gangsta rap, G-funk, and Eminem," said industry magnate Jimmy Iovine of Dre. Bling and Prog Biggie's commercial fame paved the way for other East Coast stars, including Jay-Z, DMX, Busta Rhymes, and 50 Cent, with the turn-of-the-millennium bling era. Jay-Z's "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)" was a major hit years before he would become one of hip-hop's billionaires and an industry mogul. His work also brought producers including Kanye West to the fore. Early in his career, West gained near-universal acclaim, not least for his integration of house, electronica, and soul into creatively risky productions. And Nicki Minaj was praised for her chameleon talents and blistering flow, while Drake brought in R&B sensibilities and churned out hit after hit. Kendrick Lamar became one of contemporary music's most impactful writers, with his verses offering insight both personal and systemic, all set to jazz-heavy instrumentals. Lamar, along with West and Common, all became torchbearers of the broadly defined progressive rap, defined by a focus on social ills and change. Hip-hop was also burgeoning across the South, with artists including 2 Live Crew, Missy Elliott, and Outkast gaining traction. Trap and Drill Into the 2010s, rap's nexus shifted to Atlanta, home to the trap subgenre characterized by cymbal patterns and synthesized drums. Trap remains among American music's most popular styles, with its influence crossing into pop and EDM as well as Latin America's wildly popular reggaeton. Much of its lyricism focused on life in "the trap" -- a reference to drug-dealing spots. Artists including Outkast, T.I., Gucci Mane, and Lil Wayne expanded its popularity, while the idiosyncratic Young Thug became one of contemporary hip-hop's most emulated artists. Today's trap-influenced superstars include Migos, Cardi B, and Megan Thee Stallion. Internet virality has been key to several contemporary movements including "Soundcloud rap," whose angsty, jagged sound injected vulnerability into hip-hop. And the equally dark drill has brought the aggressive lyricism of gangsta back to prominence. It began percolating in Chicago before traveling to Britain and resurfacing in New York. Brooklyn drill gained mainstream clout thanks to work from artists including the late Pop Smoke and Fivio Foreign, as today's stars like the Bronx's Ice Spice take it viral. The post From East to West to southern trap, 50 years of hip-hop appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
NASA to unveil new Webb image on telescope’s first anniversary
NASA is set Wednesday to unveil a new image from the James Webb Space Telescope a year after it first stunned the world with breathtaking views of the distant cosmos. Webb, the most powerful observatory in orbit, was launched in December 2021 from French Guiana, on a million-mile (1.6 million kilometer) voyage to a region called the second Lagrange point. Its first full-color picture was revealed by President Joe Biden on July 11, 2022: the clearest view yet of the early universe, going back 13 billion years. The next wave included "mountains" and "valleys" of a star-forming region, dubbed the Cosmic Cliffs, in a region of space called the Carina Nebula; and a grouping of five galaxies bound in a celestial dance, called Stephan's Quintet. NASA has remained coy about the nature of Wednesday's release, which will be made available on its website at 6:00 am Eastern Time (1000 GMT). Webb boasts a primary mirror measuring more than 21 feet (6.5 meters) that is made up of 18 hexagonal, gold-coated segments, as well as a five-layer sunshield the size of a tennis court. Unlike its predecessor Hubble, it operates primarily in the infrared spectrum, allowing it to look back nearer towards the start of time, and to better penetrate dust clouds where stars and planetary systems are being formed today. Key discoveries include some of the earliest galaxies formed a few hundred million years after the Big Bang, finding carbon dioxide in the atmosphere of a planet outside our solar system, and, in our own neck of the woods, stunning new views of the planet Jupiter. Webb has enough fuel for a 20-year-long mission, promising a new era of astronomy. It will soon be joined in its orbit by Europe's Euclid space telescope, which launched on July 1 on a mission to shed light on two of the universe's greatest mysteries: dark energy and dark matter. The post NASA to unveil new Webb image on telescope’s first anniversary appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Monsters in Phl volleyball
Philippine volleyball is again in trouble. The country’s lone professional volleyball league — the Premier Volleyball League — is under fire after the Philippine National Volleyball Federation penalized it for staging a tournament “within the national team period without authorization.” Based on the calendar of the International Volleyball Federation, no commercial tournaments will be held around the world from 16 May to 15 October to give way to the national teams’ participation in various tournaments. The PVL, however, kicked off its Invitational Conference last week to run till 30 July with guest teams from Japan and Australia said to be joining to jack up the level of competition in the semifinals. The biggest casualty is the national squad that competed in the AVC Women’s Challenge Cup in Indonesia recently. With the core of the team that saw action in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games like Alyssa Valdez, Kat Tolentino, Jia de Guzman, and Mylene Paat busy with their respective mother teams in the PVL, the PNVF had no choice but to send young and untested players to the prestigious continental tournament. Bannered by Faith Nisperos, Michelle Cobb, AC Miner, and Roma Doromal with Aiza Maizo-Pontillas and Bang Pineda as the only veterans, the national squad had a forgettable seventh-place finish. This didn’t sit well with the PNVF. In a memorandum that Daily Tribune obtained last Thursday, the federation cracked the whip by barring PVL clubs from securing the International Transfer Certificates of foreign players in the reinforced conference. Sideliners see the penalty as a declaration of war by the PNVF leadership as it will prompt the PVL organizers to either alter their format or scrap the season-ending conference altogether. But more than that, the sanction will disrupt PVL operations, hurting the players, coaches, officials, utility, and other personnel who are banking on professional volleyball to make ends meet. But let us remember that the PVL is the federation’s last remaining ally. When the PNVF was formed at the height of the pandemic in 2021, the PVL rallied behind it while other leagues such as the National Collegiate Athletic Association, University Athletic Association of the Philippines, and the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball League refused to toe the line. The PVL had also been very cooperative and supportive of the national team program by deploying its players to major international tournaments. In fact, when the PNVF leadership threw a tantrum and fired National University players from the national squad, it was the PVL that cleaned up the mess by sending its players to the AVC Women’s Volleyball Cup that the country was set to host. During the buildup to the SEA Games, the PVL made the major sacrifice of halting its operations so its players could go to Japan for a 15-day training. Although it could have easily refused since the Osaka training was scheduled from 13 to 28 April, which was outside the national team window, the PVL still agreed to lend its players to help the federation regain a SEA Games medal. The PVL has also been very gracious, allowing national team head coach Jorge Edson Souza de Brito of Brazil to coach one of its marquee clubs, Akari, even though there are many local coaches available who can easily do the job. And now this? The PNVF is penalizing the PVL for something that could have been resolved with a mere phone call or a 30-minute meeting. You don’t do that to your partner, especially your most loyal — and last remaining — ally. What if — only what if — PVL team owners fire back and bar their stars from playing for the national team in the 19th Asian Games? Can the PNVF still form a competitive team? The monsters that have been terrorizing Philippine volleyball are again starting to appear. And, sad to say, they are destroying the relationship between the PVL and PNVF, greatly affecting the country’s chances to form a stronger, more competitive national team. Unless local officials slay the monsters — pride, greed, arrogance, and lust for power — Philippine volleyball will forever be a source of punchlines in the international arena. The post Monsters in Phl volleyball appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Denmark celebrates Philippine relations, reaffirms solidarity on maritime dispute
MANILA, Philippines – The Royal Danish Embassy in Manila recently celebrated Denmark Day 2023 that brought together diplomats, government officials, business leaders, and distinguished guests to showcase the enduring partnership between Denmark and the Philippines. During the event, Danish Ambassador to the Philippines Franz-Michael “Dan-Dan” Mellbin, emphasized the countries’ long history of cooperation, particularly in the areas of security and trade. In his speech, Ambassador Dan-Dan called on all nations, especially the signatories to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), to respect and support the Hague Tribunal’s ruling. On 12 July 2023, the Philippines will commemorate the 7th anniversary of the landmark arbitral decision that ruled in its favor. “Unfortunately, the world is experiencing increasing geopolitical friction, uncertainty, and an erosion of the international system which is critical for ensuring the Philippine people the stable economic and security environment,” Ambassador Dan-Dan noted. He also strongly reaffirmed that Denmark stands with EU partners in defense of a rules-based world order. Aside from political cooperation, the longstanding Danish-Philippine relations are also anchored on a strong economic partnership. Ambassador Dan-Dan highlighted Denmark’s top-notch competence and innovative culture as drivers of support for the Philippines and its development across various fronts. “Danish companies have a lot to offer the Philippines on its quest towards economic growth and prosperity within areas such as agriculture, bio-medico, energy, digitalization, defense, sustainability, and the maritime sector,” said Ambassador Dan-Dan. The event was also an opportunity to look back at the recent milestones of Danish-Philippine relations. Last April, Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla led a Philippine delegation to Denmark to draw inspiration from Danish energy solutions. The Danish Embassy also partnered with the International Maritime Organization for a high-level conference on green shipping, gathering key stakeholders from 22 countries across Asia and the Pacific. In his remarks, Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo Jose De Vega recognized the steadily growing bilateral trade and investments and strong people-to-people ties between Denmark and the Philippines. “The Philippines’ warm and friendly relations with Denmark stretch as far back as seventy-seven years ago after we formalized diplomatic ties on 28 September 1946. Since then, our bilateral relations have witnessed consistent friendly exchanges and fruitful cooperation,” said Undersecretary De Vega. The success of Denmark Day would not have been possible without the generous support of its sponsors, whose invaluable contributions made the event a resounding success: MAERSK, Novo Nordisk, BDO, Danfoss, TORM, Wills, AIDEA, Buhawind Energy Philippines, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, FILTRA Timber, Global Process Manager, LINDBERG, NIRAS, ARLA, Tulip, Pandora, LEGO, Philippine LEGO Users Group, Fritz Hansen, VIPP, Mattony, Bang & Olufsen, BoConcept, and HAY. On the future of the relations between Denmark and the Philippines, Ambassador Dan-Dan underscored, “Still there is much work to do. Challenges to overcome. Reforms to implement. Solutions to be found. And in all this, the Danish Embassy is here for you; Danes and Filipinos alike. Together we can!” The post Denmark celebrates Philippine relations, reaffirms solidarity on maritime dispute appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Sigma Delta Phi enters new phase with a bang… and a boogie
The invitation said 4 p.m., 27 May, Turf Room at the Manila Polo Club. Bring vaccination cards… and your dancing shoes. For everyone who joined the Sigma Delta Phi Alumni Association Induction of 2023-2025 Board of Directors and Officers — and first At-Home — the last part highlighted an intrinsic characteristic of this sisterhood: The spirit of fun. [caption id="attachment_146583" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Style and substance made up the first At-Home this year for Sigma Delta Phi.[/caption] Indeed, members of this Greek-letter society born in the University of the Philippines converged that Saturday afternoon to witness the induction of the new set of leaders who would take the organization into another phase of learning, growth and service in the next two years. Up the stairs and into the Turf Room, Sigma Deltans gathered, the setting gorgeous with fresh flowers, twinkling lights, a stage set with glittering decorations. And for that extra detail that never fails to thrill, a little gift to each attendee lay by each plate, courtesy of the generous Monalisa “Mona” Lacanlale ’68 — president and chairperson of the Board. [caption id="attachment_146591" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Mona Lacanlale inspires everyone with her plans and programs.[/caption] Her team members, of course, came in full force, never mind the uncertainty of the weather that day. Emcees Nikki de Vega ’97 (1st VP, Chairperson of Membership Committee and Francia Jessica “Bing” M. Roldan ’98 (2nd VP, Chairperson of Education and Culture Committee) went on stage to start the ball rolling. [caption id="attachment_146594" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Hosts Nikki and Bing put some ‘90s pizzazz into their hosting duties.[/caption] Vangie Balba-Abella ’90 (Liaison Officer, Chairperson of Chapter Relations) gave a meaningful prayer. [caption id="attachment_146592" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Atty. Ebette Palma introducing the incoming president of the board.[/caption] “We are grateful for the opportunity to be part of a sisterhood that fosters growth, friendship and a commitment to making a positive impact in our communities,” went part of the prayer. “We recognize that each one of us brings unique talents, experiences and aspirations to this sorority, and we acknowledge the strength that lies within our diversity.” [caption id="attachment_146590" align="aligncenter" width="525"] The past board members came to turn over to the new: (From left) Chit Juan, Iris Bonifacio, Doc Baby Allado, Isabel Melgar, Mari Anenias and Trina Prodigalidad.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_146588" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Previous board members along with SDP Reunion and SDP Plaza Committee pose with the new President: (From left) Isabel Melgar, Chit Juan, Lynett Villariba, Trina Prodigalidad, Monalisa Lacanlale and Linda Bacungan.[/caption] Her beautiful words were a timely reminder of our unique ties — one that had always been rooted in “respect, empathy and inclusivity, where every voice is heard and every member feels valued,” she went on to say. [caption id="attachment_146585" align="aligncenter" width="525"] (Clockwise from top left) EJ Abadilla 2000, Ish Caparas 2000, Cerise ‘95, Gisselle ‘95, Deen Libatique 2000, Aimee Rabago 2000, Mitch ‘98, Frennie ‘97, Bing Roldan ‘98.[/caption] The formal turnover began with the induction proper led by Marife Zamora ’68, highlighted by the mace turnover. Dinner followed the short but impactful speech by the new SDP Alumni Association leader, Mona ’68, whose energy set the mood for the whole memorable evening. [caption id="attachment_146584" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Ynna Gabriella Evangelista Ocampo (Gabbie) 2022, Solita Garduño Collás-Monsod (Winnie) ’58, Patricia-Ann T. Prodigalidad (Trina) ’88, Paulyn Jamaima Faith Bala Alonzo (Pau) 2022, Maria Recelyn Carable Agdon-Marasigan (Yeye) ’96, Hanna Echavari Balacanao (Han)2022, Ysabella Patrice Rael Balon (Pat) 2022, Karylle Cassandra Canillo Dotaro (KD) 2022 and Charina Grace dela Cruz (Chav) ‘96.[/caption] Mangrove restoration Passion and purpose drive and guide Sigma Deltans to not just strive for excellence in their own fields, but to make a difference in the community. Toward this end, the new Board laid out its goals for the next two years. Along with ongoing projects like digitalization and keeping certain traditions, two major projects will be established. The first is mangrove restoration in selected locations across the country, to be led by Maria Fe “Marife” Recinto ’83 (3rd VP, Chairperson of Social Action and Civics Committee; Environmental Concerns Committee). Feeding programs in each locale will be organized as part of the mangrove sustainability campaign. “Mangroves are very important as they are breeding sites of many sea creatures. What’s more, they help against erosion and are protection against tsunamis. Have you also ever stopped to see the beauty of their roots?” said artist Ofelia Gelvezon Tequi ’59 in a Viber chat. Musical production The second project is closest to the heart of SDP, a Society of Dramatics and Fine Arts. Announcement of a musical production was met with loud applause. “The project on the musical is a long time due, and it will entail a lot of time and work, but this is a great project,” commented Cecille ’74. [caption id="attachment_146587" align="aligncenter" width="525"] (From left) Celia Sandejas, Juno Henares-Chuidian, Rescy Bhagwani, Iris Bonifacio and Elvira Henares-Esguerra.[/caption] With hope and enthusiasm for a renewed sense of commitment to the sisterhood, Sigma Deltans enjoyed the rest of the night dancing to various tunes of different decades. [caption id="attachment_146586" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Winnie Monsod enjoys a dance.[/caption] SDP Board officers Elizabeth “Ebette” Palma ’68 (Treasurer); Jo Kristine “Kaye” G. Celera 2000 (Corporate Secretary); and Maribel Guevara Cabrera ’75 (Head Executive Officer) led the dancing, though it took not much prodding for fun-loving sisters to join in. “Never saw dancing like this. The entire place was a dance floor. Everyone danced in front, at the sides and back. Those that cannot walk danced!” commented Maribel the next day. “It was something different,” recalled Board president Mona, who made sure every detail was perfect. All 123 guests enjoyed a feast, music and a camaraderie that transcended age and time. Till the next At-Home! The post Sigma Delta Phi enters new phase with a bang… and a boogie appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Political thunderbolt (3)
A blistering and unexpected backlash of the hasty, rude and ruthless ouster of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as Senior Deputy Speaker engineered by the House leadership was the lightning departure of the enigmatic and charismatic iron sweet lady of politics, VP Sara Duterte, as chairperson and member of the Lakas-CMD, the present dominant political party, which is allied with Partido Federal Ng Pilipinas, that both launched the formidable tandem of Marcos-Duterte culminating in their landslide victory. It is beyond cavil that VP Inday Sara’s irrevocable resignation accompanied by a biting condemnation of the “political toxicity” and the “execrable political power play” that characterized the removal of FPGMA is the overriding consideration for her abrupt exit from her political party she chaired with the Speaker as its president. Evidently, she could not stomach the poisonous and malodorous betrayal inflicted on her perceived close political ally and confidant. The act was a brazen stab in the back between allies. The brain who plunged the dagger has not been educated that respect exists and is bestowed even among thieves and the worst of political enemies. She would not allow people to wrongly speculate that she gave her imprimatur to the distasteful treasonous act by keeping quiet. She must raise her voice and show her utmost displeasure and outrage — and she did — with a bang! It was a political statement and a political thunderbolt that reverberated in the entire archipelago. Following that biting condemnation and reproach to the politician behind the ouster of FPGMA, Inday Sara, who can never mask her righteous indignation, and who expresses her honest conviction and slam anyone whom she feels to have gone beyond decency and ethical conduct regardless of the stature and power of the person she alludes to, tweeted in her Instagram the ultimate indictment: “Sa imong ambisyon (In your ambition), do not be tambaloslos.” As we all know by now, a tambaloslos is a grotesque demon-like mythical creature. It is used as an insult to an inept person. In a video message to VP Sara on the occasion of her birthday last 31 May, PBBM made the following remarks with an added reference to the tweet of the former: “Inday Sara, Happy Birthday, I hope you enjoy yourself and take a break from work. I hope you make time for yourself and ignore those tambaloslos around you,” PBBM said laughing. Without meaning to, PBBM may appear to have agreed to Inday Sara’s tambaloslos tweet. Of course, the Chief Executive was trying to make light of Inday Sara’s tweet but his reference to it specifically advising her to ignore the tambaloslos around her gives significance to it with the unintended implied acknowledgment that there are indeed tambaloslos around VP Sara. The person behind the stenchy removal of FPGMA may have not anticipated the thunderous reaction from the younger Duterte, who like her father, is loved by the Filipino people. If the objective of the removal is to clip the wings of future adversaries in the 2028 presidential elections, it achieved the opposite result. Not even PBBM’s attempt at diffusing the heightened tension between the key players could douse cold water to the smoldering schism between former allies. Even assuming that there was a plot to remove the Speaker from his position by FPGMA, it was wrong to remove the latter with reckless and disrespectful abandon. He could have politely confronted her with the planned coup and if she admitted to it, then being political allies, colleagues, officials of their party Lakas-CMD, and constant traveling companions of the President in the latter’s travel abroad, and both being advisers to the President, the Speaker should have quietly settled the Speakership issue between themselves. If they failed to iron out their differences, then he could have requested his first cousin to mediate, the way he did when he was vying for the Speakership in the 18th Congress against his two political allies-rivals. The three of them sought the intercession of FPRRD, who obligingly acceded and ended the rivalry. It is hoped that the evolving political drama is not in keeping with the saying: “Whom the gods wish to destroy, they first make mad.” The post Political thunderbolt (3) appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Stephen Hawking’s last collaborator on physicist’s final theory
When Thomas Hertog was first summoned to Stephen Hawking's office in the late 1990s, there was an instant connection between the young Belgian researcher and the legendary British theoretical physicist. "Something clicked between us," Hertog said. That connection would continue even as Hawking's debilitating disease ALS robbed him of his last ways to communicate, allowing the pair to complete a new theory that aims to turn how science looks at the universe on its head. The theory, which would be Hawking's last before his death in 2018, has been laid out in full for the first time in Hertog's book "On the Origin of Time", published in the UK last month. In an interview with AFP, the cosmologist spoke about their 20-year collaboration, how they communicated via facial expression, and why Hawking ultimately decided his landmark book "A Brief of History of Time" was written from the wrong perspective. The 'designed' universe During their first meeting at Cambridge University in 1998, Hawking wasted no time in bringing up the problem bothering him. "The universe we observe appears designed," Hawking told Hertog, communicating via a clicker connected to a speech machine. Hertog explained that "the laws of physics -- the rules on which the universe runs -- turn out to be just perfect for the universe to be habitable, for life to be possible." This remarkable string of good luck stretches from the delicate balance that makes it possible for atoms to form molecules necessary for chemistry to the expansion of the universe itself, which allows for vast cosmic structures such as galaxies. One "trendy" answer to this problem has been the multiverse, an idea that has recently become popular in the movie industry, Hertog said. This theory explains away the seemingly designed nature of the universe by making it just one of countless others -- most of which are "crap, lifeless, sterile", the 47-year-old added. But Hawking realised the "great mire of paradoxes the multiverse was leading us into", arguing there must be a better explanation, Hertog said. Outsider's perspective A few years into their collaboration, "it began to sink in" that they were missing something fundamental, Hertog said. The multiverse and even "A Brief History of Time" were "attempts to describe the creation and evolution of our universe from what Stephen would call a 'God's eye perspective'," Hertog said. But because "we are within the universe" and not outside looking in, our theories cannot be decoupled from our perspective, he added. "That was why (Hawking) said that 'A Brief History of Time' is written from the wrong perspective." For the next 15 years, the pair used the oddities of quantum theory to develop a new theory of physics and cosmology from an "observer's perspective". But by 2008, Hawking had lost the ability to use his clicker, becoming increasingly isolated from the world. "I thought it was over," Hertog said. Then the pair developed a "somewhat magical" level of non-verbal communication that allowed them to continue working, he said. Positioned in front of Hawking, Hertog would ask questions and look into the physicist's eyes. "He had a very wide range of facial expressions, ranging from extreme disagreement to extreme excitement," he said. "It's impossible to disentangle" which parts of the final theory came from himself or Hawking, Hertog said, adding that many of the ideas had been developed between the pair over the years. 'One grand evolutionary process' Their theory is focused on what happened in the first moments after the Big Bang. Rather than an explosion that followed a pre-existing set of rules, they propose that the laws of physics evolved along with the universe. This means that if you turn back the clock far enough, "the laws of physics themselves begin to simplify and disappear", Hertog said. "Ultimately, even the dimension of time evaporates." Under this theory, the laws of physics and time itself evolved in a way that resembles biological evolution -- the title of Hertog's book is a reference to Darwin's "On the Origin of Species". "What we're essentially saying is that (biology and physics) are two levels of one grand evolutionary process," Hertog said. He acknowledged that it is difficult to prove this theory because the first years of the universe remain "hidden in the mist of the Big Bang". One way to lift this veil could be by studying gravitational waves, ripples in the fabric of space time, while another could be via quantum holograms constructed on quantum computers, he said. The post Stephen Hawking’s last collaborator on physicist’s final theory appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go wants to decongest National Center for Mental Health
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go highlighted the urgent need to improve the National Center for Mental Health and to ensure that all Filipinos have access to proper healthcare. During a public hearing conducted by the Senate Committee on Health on mental health on Tuesday, 9 May, Go, who chairs the committee, raised concerns regarding the need for decongestion of the NCMH. “The state of the National Center for Mental Health is in need of utmost attention and improvement to preserve the basic right of all Filipinos to health care,” said Go. “How can we decongest NCMH in order to improve its current state? Where can we transfer recovered patients who have nowhere to go?” he added. The senator also emphasized the need to provide appropriate intervention and care for admitted patients while also looking into the cases of those who are already considered ‘fit’ to be discharged but have nowhere to go or no family to go back home to. “Is the DSWD capable to accommodate them in halfway houses? Kawawa naman. Alam niyo masarap mabuhay sa mundong ito, isang beses lang tayo dadaan, bigyan po natin sila ng halaga, yung buhay nila. Ma-enjoy naman nila after being committed doon sa mga hospital facilities,” Go said. Go also asked concerned authorities to look into the present referral system for patients with pending cases. He cited that some patients admitted to the mental health hospital who are facing cases in court must be properly assessed to determine whether they should remain in NCMH or be tranferred to other facilities. “What should be the proper referral system for patients with pending cases? Dahil nababalitaan ko marami pong mga may kaso na nandodoon pa sa mental health (hospital),” said Go. “Bakit sila nako-commit doon? Ngayon, kung pwede na silang lumabas, magaling na sila, maaari bang ibalik na po doon sa kulungan para ma-decongest naman po itong mga mental health facilities natin?,” he added. Health authorities during the hearing responded to Go’s concerns, highlighting the protocols in place to determine whether someone has a mental illness, including a neuropsychiatric screening test. Patients who are committed to mental hospitals with a court order are already considered to need psychiatric treatment, and mental health professionals assess their fitness for trial or the need for further treatment. Those deemed mentally competent will face trial for their actions. In a separate interview at the Senate after the said hearing, Go addressed the allegations of corruption at NCMH, stating that if there are reports of wrongdoing, an inquiry can be done and referred to the Blue Ribbon Committee. Meanwhile, the senator also emphasized the importance of providing proper care to patients in the NCMH, including providing them with the necessary medication and nutrition. “Ibigay po sa kanila what is due to them. Tao po itong mga pasyente, kahit na may problema sila sa mental health. Paano gagaling kung ‘di ibibigay sa kanila ‘yung nararapat na gamot at pagkain na naayon po sa kanila. Tulungan po natin, mahalin po natin ang mga pasyente natin,” he said. Go, an advocate of improved mental healthcare, has filed Senate Bill No. 1321, or the proposed “Specialty Centers in Every Region Act of 2022”. The bill aims to establish specialty centers in select DOH-hospitals across the country, with mental health services as one of the specialties offered. Additionally, Go has filed SBN 1786, which would require public higher education institutions to establish Mental Health Offices on their campuses. He also serves as co-author of Senator Sherwin Gatchalian’s SBN 379, otherwise known as the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act, which aims to provide mental health services, emotional, developmental and preventive programs, and other support services in the basic education level. Meanwhile, one of the key initiatives he pushed for in the 2023 budget is the improvement of benefit packages of the PhilHealth. According to Go, the 2023 budget includes a special provision for the improvement of benefit packages of PhilHealth including mental health packages. This provision is crucial given the sharp increase in mental health issues and the inaccessibility of mental health services. “Mayroon pong P1.86 billion ang DOH for mental health medicines, under the 2023 national budget. Mayroon din pong P12 million budget for mental health awareness and hotline,” Go shared. “We have consistently advocated for increased funding for medical (mental) health programs. For example, in 2021, the DOH was granted an additional P384 million for its mental health program, while in 2022, an additional P200 million was allocated for the same purpose,” he cited. The post Bong Go wants to decongest National Center for Mental Health appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Pang-Pilipino talaga ako’: Ryan Bang turns down work offer in S. Korea
Korean television host-comedian Ryan Bang recently revealed that one of the top talent agencies in South Korea, SM Entertainment, had offered him the opportunity to pursue acting and hosting jobs in South Korea. The revelation came out in an episode of Star Magic Celebrity Conversations that was released on YouTube on 28 April, featuring an interview with Laurenti Dyogi, the head of TV production at ABS-CBN. “Bakit hindi ka bumalik (Why didn't you go back)? Like Sandara Park, you could have opted to go back to South Korea,” Dyogi said. Bang disclosed that Lee Soo-man, the music producer who founded SM Entertainment before parting ways with the label in October 2022, offered him a work contract consisting of a five-year training program in South Korea, and Bang even had a personal interview with Lee. "Noong close pa kami ni Ate Dara (Sandara Park), pinakausap sa akin dati ‘yung company niya. Tapos may kumukuha sa akin para mag-five years training (When Ate Dara and I were still close, she asked me to talk to her company then, which was getting me for five years' training)," said Bang. "Na-meet ko ‘yung Lee Soo-man. Gusto talaga nila ako 100 percent doon. Nagpunta pa ako sa SM Town, nag one-on-one interview pa kami. Interested talaga sila na pang-TV, pang-komedyante at pang-host (I met Lee Soo-man. They really wanted me 100 percent there. I went to SM Town and had a one-on-one interview with them. They were interested to get me for TV, as a comedian and host)," he added. The comedian did not specify when he was approached by the music producer. Despite this big opportunity, Bang said he decided to turn it down since he believed he wouldn't meet the standards and strict working conditions of South Korean entertainment. Although his parents had no objections to his working as an entertainer in his own nation, the conditions attached to the offer — including being unable to travel freely and being subject to mobility restrictions — made him rethink the proposal. “Wala pa sa puso ko na i-grab ko ang chance ng SM. Sabi ng mga magulang ko naman noong nasa Korea pa ako, bahala ka. Desisyon mo yan. So, nag-dalawang isip ako (It wasn't in my heart to grab the chance offered by SM. My parents said it was my call, and I had second thoughts),” he recalled. "'Yun ang offer naman kasi nila, bawal ako pumunta ng Philippines (Their offer restricted me from traveling to the Philippines)," he elaborated. "Kailangan bawat galaw ko bawal, kaso sobrang makulit talaga ako (There were a lot of restrictions, but I'm basically a restless guy)." Bang stressed once more that it was his personality that led him to want to stay in the Philippines: "Sa Korea kasi grabe, mahigpit, parang walang freedom. Eh grabe ang ugali ko, ang personality ko ay pang-Pilipino talaga ako, so nag-decide na ako na mag-stay dito (It's quite strict in Korea. My personality is more like a Filipino, so I decided to stay here)." 'Na-meet ko ‘yung Lee Soo-man. Gusto talaga nila ako 100 percent doon. Nagpunta pa ako sa SM Town, nag one-on-one interview pa kami.' Despite declining the invitation, Bang has guested on several Korean programs such as travel, documentary and variety shows. On Infinity Challenge, dubbed the first "real-variety" program in Korean television history, he was allowed to take on the role of Senator Manny Pacquiao's translator. He also said he had received acting offers from South Korean entertainment productions and is willing to accept them in the future. “Ngayon, merong nago-offer sa akin ng mga teleserye na parang sidekick. Hindi nga ako nag-paalam sa iyo n’un, Direk Lauren, kaya ako nag-braces. Kasi gusto ng mga director doon ay perfect ang ngipin bago ako isalang sa mga movie nila. May kumukuha sa akin na movie, teleserye, eh nag-pandemic bigla. So, ‘yung mga ganoon, tatanggapin (I've received offers to be a sidekick in Korean TV series. I didn't even ask your permission then, Direk Lauren, when I got braces, because directors there want me to have perfect teeth before putting me in shows. I was being asked to do movies, TV shows, but the pandemic happened. But I'm open to accepting such offers).” Ryan began his career in the Philippines as a contestant on Pinoy Big Brother in 2010, when he ended in second place. He currently serves as one of the regular hosts of the noontime program It's Showtime. By performing in “Magpasikat” in November 2022, the Korean- yet Filipino-at-heart performer showcased his love for both countries. The show featured Team Jhong-Ryan, which won "Magpasikat" with a celebratory performance that honored the strong relationship and diverse cultures of the Philippines and Korea. Along with Kring Kim, Bang also co-hosted the event Running Man: A Decade of Laughter on 1 April at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. He then appeared in Running Man's episode 651, which aired on 23 April. Boa, Girls' Generation, SHINee, Super Junior, Red Velvet, EXO, NCT and aespa are just a few of the widely recognized K-pop groups that are under the management of SM Entertainment. The post ‘Pang-Pilipino talaga ako’: Ryan Bang turns down work offer in S. Korea appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»