Power Divas at The Manila Times' 125th Celebration

Soprano-songwriter Lara Maigue

Janina Lorelei Simion

P-Pop girl group XOXO

The 125th Anniversary of The Manila Times, to be held at Conrad Manila in Pasay City tonight, October 12, is set to be a spectacular celebration featuring a remarkable lineup of women who will captivate the audience with their extraordinary talents. 

Award-winning Filipino soprano-songwriter, Lara Maigue — proudly signed with Alcasid Total Entertainment Artist Management (ATeam), led by renowned singer-songwriter Ogie Alcasid — earned prestigious titles from the Aliw Awards Foundation and has graced concert halls across the Philippines and other parts of the world. P-Pop girl group XOXO — composed of Riel, Lyra, Dani and Mel — quickly rose to prominence as co-talents of GMA Artist Center and Curve Entertainment helmed by Ciso Chan. XOXO has been on an unstoppable journey since debuting in 2020 and have serenaded the world with OST releases. Lastly, transcendent talent Janina Lorelei Simion is a Romanian classical-crossover mezzo-soprano who graced stages from Bulgaria to China and various corners of the world. Her talents extend far beyond her vocal chords; she's a versatile artist, starring in movies and TV series like "Unbreak My Heart" and the upcoming "Gomburza," "Shake, Rattle and Roll Extreme," and "Miss Probinsyana." Also a beauty queen, Simion will represent Romania in the Noble Queen of the Universe international pageant in December.

2 LPAs are inside PAR but unlikely to develop into typhoons, says Pagasa

Two low pressure areas are currently being monitored inside Philippine area of responsibility. Read more: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1844635...

GREENOVATION: Coconut shells turn into sustainable masterpieces

BY ANGELO SANCHEZ

Oct 12, 2023 03:01 AM

  

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Laguna has long been renowned for its thriving coconut industry. As the second-largest producer of coconuts in the country, locals have harnessed the potential of the so-called "Tree of Life," turning its bountiful resources into a wide range of products that benefit both the local economy and the environment.

One individual who has recognized the potential of the coconut is Jan Erwin Jabolin, the creative mind behind "Artisticrafts." 

Jan, a passionate advocate for sustainable living, embarked on his artistic journey with a vision — to transform discarded coconut shells into functional and aesthetically pleasing furniture and home pieces.

With the skilled use of pen and acrylic, Jan transforms the humble coconut shell into exquisite pieces. Each piece is a unique fusion of nature's beauty and human ingenuity, showcasing the versatility and potential of the coconut.

The design of the furniture celebrates Pinoy sceneries, including the classic Filipino games such as 'tumbang preso,' 'luksong tinik,' 'karera ng sako,' and 'paluan ng palayok.'

Artisticrafts goes beyond mere furniture production; it showed that it’s possible for local artisans to make it in the market not only in Laguna but also beyond. Jan's dedication to repurposing coconut shells not only reduces waste but also contributes to the livelihood of local coconut farmers. It's a harmonious cycle where the environment, the community, and artistic innovation converge.

Lighting the way for Filipinos

How many families are finding their way out of the dark

BY AARON CABEZA

Oct 11, 2023 10:03 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Let there be light. — Genesis 1:3 

IT’S LIT Families from Antipolo, Rizal receive rechargeable solar LED lanterns to help light their homes

It’s not unknown that Filipinos in different parts of the country still have no access to electricity.
Children have a hard time studying due to the lack of electricity, parents squeeze in chores during the day to utilize daylight, and families move around with more difficulty in the dark during the night. These remain a daily reality for families across the Philippines and continue to be a dilemma for many households.

For Panasonic, finding solutions to lived realities such as electricity inaccessibility is a challenge that needs to be taken on. In 2013, it launched the BG-BL03 Solar LED Lantern, a solar-powered rechargeable lantern that doubles as a charger for households that live without electricity daily.
 

Since its release, the lantern has become a major part of the brand’s efforts to better the lives of Filipinos. “The lantern was primarily developed by our headquarters in Japan as a means to provide awareness on the possible use of renewable energy,” says Panasonic human resources manager Mike Borja. “With the small lanterns and solar panels, a lot of homes will improve and will get better.” 

PARTNERSHIP FOR THE FUTURE From left: Antipolo Vice Governor Reynaldo San Juan Jr.,
Panasonic brand ambassador Gary Valenciano, Shining Light Foundation Inc. president and
chairman of the board Angeli Pangilinan-Valenciano, Panasonic president Kazuya Higami,
Panasonic executive director for finance and admin Atsushi Kozuma, and Panasonic director
Angelo Tamayo

This 2023, the brand is partnering with Shining Light Foundation to supply 150 families in Antipolo, Rizal with these lanterns. This partnership further highlights how carefully developed technologies can create opportunities, foster remarkable moments, and help improve people’s lives. It also marks five years since the successful completion of the company’s 100 Thousand Solar Lanterns Project, which brought the same lanterns to various communities across 30 countries. It also serves as an exciting continuation of this ambitious project to bring sustainable light to more Filipino families.

With the addition of the lantern to Filipino households, children can now study better, and families can move around more easily and live more comfortably in well-lit homes with electricity within their reach. 

K-pop group Aespa announces fourth mini-album ‘Drama’

BY JONATHAN HICAP

Oct 12, 2023 08:17 AM 

K-pop girl group Aespa announced their new mini-album “Drama,” which will be released on Nov. 10. 

“Drama” will be available on all digital streaming platforms and in various limited-edition physical configurations.   

Aespa set the stage for “Drama” with “Better Things,” which has gathered over 77.1 million global streams and 58 million views for the music video on YouTube. They performed the song on ABC’s “Good Morning America.” 

Recently, multi-platinum star Raye hopped on the official remix. “Better Things” will be available as a limited-edition physical single from the US official Aespa online store on Oct. 27. The track list includes the original single as well as special remixes, sped up/slowed down versions, and an instrumental version. Pre-order is now available HERE.

Aespa previously released the album “My World,” which debuted at No. 9 on the Billboard 200 and marked their second No. 1 debut on the Top Album Sales Chart. 

On the other hand, Aespa contributed the exciting, up-tempo track “Zoom Zoom” to the “Beyblade X” original soundtrack—accompanying the first season of the X Series anime. It stands out as their first Japanese-language OST. “Beyblade X” airs on TV Tokyo. 

Aespa just completed the “Aespa Live Tour 2023 Synk: Hyperline” world tour, a 14-date trek through North America, Latin America and Europe. 

What are 5 examples of indigenous communities around the Philippines and their characteristics and their unique cultural practices?

Datu Ulap

Kalinga People and the Traditional Tattooing Culture

• A practice that only survives largely in indigenous communities and is seeing a grassroots revival, the Kalinga people of the Cordilleras still practice traditional batok or tattooing traditions. For Kalinga men, tattooing was a symbol of a warrior while for women, tattoos symbolized beauty.

• Whang Od is one of the most famous mambabatok, as she has put her village of Buscalan in the spotlight for their continued practice of the tradition.

Mangyan People and the Hanuno’o Script

• The Mangyan people in Mindoro are known to preserve an ancient writing system, or Sulat, that is an abugida related to Baybayin, another Brahmic script.

• Hanuno’o script is traditionally carved on bamboo and is written vertically but written upward. Many inscriptions are poems and songs rather than historical records.

Panay-Bukidnon and the Binukot

• While the practice of binukot was widespread in the Visayas, the tradition until recently survived among the Panay-Bukidnon, the last indigenous Visayan group. A binukot was prized for her seclusion, was known to memorize songs, traditional dances, and epic tales, and was seen as highly suitable marriage material for suitors. She was not allowed to be exposed to the sun and was spared from outside labor, resulting in fairer skin.

• Binukot of the Panay-Bukidnon wear Spanish coins strung together and called biningkit.

Sama-Bajau and a Nomadic Life on the Sea

• The Sama-Bajau are known for their nomadic life on the sea, living either on stilt houses above water or on boats. Many of them live in Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago and even live in neighboring Borneo. Sama-Bajau people can spend up to five hours a day underwater during a free dive.

• Burak is a traditional sunblock applied to the skin worn by women in Sama-Bajau communities in Tawi-Tawi, made of manually pounded rice and turmeric.

Subanen and the Rituals of the Buklog

• The Subanen, a Lumad group in Mindanao, are known for their elaborate thanksgiving ritual called a buklog.

• During the event, a raised wooden structure called a ‘buklog’ is built where members of the community dance. The buklog acts as a trampoline that creates a sound that is believed to be the true voice of the spirits. This dance symbolizes the renewal of social and spiritual relationships within the community.

DAYAW SNIPPET BUKLOG | Witness how this particular gathering of communities of Subanen conducted the Buklog Thindeg, a buklog for dignity, in this special episode of Dayaw TV.... | By National Commission for Culture and the Arts | Facebook

Witness how this particular gathering of communities of Subanen conducted the Buklog Thindeg, a buklog for dignity, in this special episode of Dayaw TV....

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2784445994952988