Sandara Park, actor Jung Il-woo visit Bohol; talk about love, flirting, hardships

BY JONATHAN HICAP

Jul 1, 2024 06:30 PM

  

---

Sandara Park brought Korean actor Jung Il-woo to Bohol in the Philippines and talked about love, flirting, hardships and their first trip together. 

The two traveled to the country in the last episode of Sandara’s "Dara Tour" season 1 show on her YouTube channel Dara TV, which has 1.51 million subscribers. 

Sandara and Jung Il-woo have been friends for 16 years, which started through the filming of the 2009 drama “The Return of Iljimae.” 

Korean actor Jung Il-woo and Sandara Park on their flight to the Philippines (Instagram) 

Korean actor Jung Il-woo and Sandara Park in Bohol (Instagram) 

Sandara Park in Bohol (X) 

Jung Il-woo putting a kalachuchi flower behind Sandara Park's ear (Screenshot from Dara TV video on YouTube)

Jung Il-woo teaching Sandara Park how to swim in Bohol (Screenshot from Dara TV video on YouTube) 

Jung Il-woo was the main lead of the drama and Sandara made a special appearance. 

The 36-year-old actor also starred in the dramas “Moon Embracing the Sun,”  “Haechi,” “Cinderella with Four Knights” and “Good Job.” 

“The Return of  Iljimae” was the start of their friendship. The Bohol trip was also special for Jung Il-woo as it was his first ever visit to the Philippines. 

“Didn’t expect to travel with a guy friend,” said Sandara as she met Jung Il-woo at Incheon International Airport for their flight to the Philippines. 

He said, “I'm excited about my first trip to the Philippines and happy to be with Dara Tour.”

As they arrived at Bohol Panglao International Airport, a Filipino band was playing. 

Sandara said she always feels Filipinos’ cheerful and positive attitude when she visits the country. 

“I always feel it when I'm in the Philippines. ENFPs [extroverted, intuitive, feeling and perceiving] and their positive energy,” she said. 

In 2021, Jung Il-woo cooked sinigang and kaldereta for Sandara on his YouTube channel, saying,  “I also looked everywhere up for ‘the favorite Filipino menus of Dara.’”

In Bohol, Jung Il-woo said, “It's her first trip with a guy friend. Although she knows so many people she invited me so I was thankful.”

Sandara is three years older than Jung Il-woo but he speaks to her casually because they have been friends for so long. 

During the filming of “The Return of  Iljimae,” he said, “When I first saw her, I thought she was younger. She looked so young. And that was before 2NE1 even debuted. She guest-appeared in an episode and that's when we made a connection that has lasted to this day. Please don't misunderstand. We were really young when we became friends so I speak casually.”

She said during the filming of the drama, Jung Il-woo took care of her. 

“I only had a small role. He never cared about that and took care of me. Even my staff. I was a trainee. Il-woo invited my manager and make-up staff. He treated us to such an expensive meal,” she remembered. 

They took the Loboc River Cruise and had a sumptuous meal. 

Love, flirting 

After this, they went to the hotel and had drinks by the pool. 

They had deep conversations about their friendship, love, flirting, careers and 2NE1. 

Jung Il-woo gave Sandara a towel to cover her legs and was touched by the gesture. 

“I've never been taken care of like this before,” she said. 

He then picked a kalachuchi flower and put it behind her ear. 

“You're prettier than a flower but,” he said. 

The staff asked them how they flirt. 

“I've known you for 16 years now. I don't think we've ever talked about dating,” he said. 

About flirting, he said, “Instead of calling it a flirt, when I like someone, I just go straight for it.” 

Sandara agreed, saying, “I also say it if I like someone and go straight. I hate playing hard to get.” 

“Did you date a lot when you were younger?” she asked him and he replied,  I can't say I didn't meet any girls. There was never any news about my relationships.”

When Sandara said, “I've never had any dating rumors either,” he said, “But I heard you had one.” 

He was referring to actor Lee Joon who joined the Dara Tour in the Philippines. 

“I never had a real rumor. I was barely in a relationship at all. You'd be fired for dating as a trainee. I didn't find that hard. Because I loved work more,” she said. 

But now that she is pursuing her solo career, she said, “So I'm like now…I want to look for love. Bye, my 20s-30s.” Sandara is turning 40 on Nov. 12. 

He said heartbreaking relationships make a person mature. 

“I agree. So a heartbreaking love or if you meet a garbage, then you can select the good from the bad,” she said. 

She added, “Anyway, as I've been in relationships and gotten hurt, my ideal type has changed.” 

Sandara said she is now looking for “a nerd boy who only loves me. I think that's the best.”

“I've been thinking about that a lot lately. I've always been a workaholic and work gets done no matter what. But Sandara as a woman...I want to love,” she said. 

About their careers, Jung Il-woo told her, “I admire us both for working hard in our positions.”

“Yeah, I think the hardest thing is to stay active for a long time. The longer you do it, the more people trust you,” said Dara. 

“Now the only thing I want is to be a good actor,” he said. 

For Sandara, she said, “I just want to enjoy together in the stage with my fans. And if I have one goal…being on stage with the girls [2NE1 members] again.”

In the previous episode of "Dara Tour," Sandara Park said she was so sad when she left the Philippines to go back to South Korea. 

Binibining Pilipinas 2024: Seasoned aspirants, national winners try luck

Binibining Pilipinas candidates #30 Trisha Martinez (Pila, Laguna); #39 Flordeliz Mabao (Rizal); #36 Samantha Acosta (Bulacan); #4 Shaira Rona (Mandaluyong); #14 Vienne Feucht (Calamba, Laguna); #26 Phoebe Godinez (Lapu-Lapu City); and, #34 Vera Dickinson (Tarlac). Images from Armin P. Adina

By: Armin P. Adina

The Binibining Pilipinas pageant is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, and seasoned aspirants have enlisted for a chance to be included in the elite roster of queens, among them are returnees and those who have already claimed titles in other competitions.

Trisha Martinez from Pila, Laguna, and Shaira Rona from Mandaluyong have returned to give another shot at finally becoming Bb. Pilipinas queens, while Bulacan’s Samantha Acosta has crossed over from the Miss Philippines Earth pageant.

Also joining the national pageant’s milestone edition is Rizal’s Flordeliz Mabao, who was crowned Miss Scuba Philippines in 2019, and finished third in the 2019 Miss Scuba international pageant. Tarlac’s Vera Dickinson, meanwhile, was second runner-up in the 2022 Miss Aura Philippines pageant.

Representing Lapu-Lapu City in the 2024 Bb. Pilipinas pageant is 2022 Hiyas ng Pilipinas Tourism Queen International Phoebe Godinez, while Calamba, Laguna, is fielding 2023 Miss Rotary and 2021 Miss Bikini Philippines first runner-up Vienne Feucht.

Martinez has some unfinished business to settle. She was already supposed to represent the country in an international competition after earning the Miss Philippines Tourism crown in the 2021 Miss World Philippines pageant, but her global tilt did not push through. She inched closer to another opportunity to raise the Philippine flag abroad when she cracked the Top 11 in the 2023 Bb. Pilipinas pageant, where she was also “Best in Evening Gown.”

“All beauty queens dream of representing the Philippines internationally. So that’s why I’m here. I’m trying my luck. I’m trying, hoping I’d be destined to be able to represent the Philippines in an international stage,” she told INQUIRER.net in an interview.

For Mabao, Binibining Pilipinas is the reason she got into pageantry in the first place. “Ten years ago, before my mother passed because of breast cancer, she told me that she wanted me to join Bb. Pilipinas. So that’s why I started joining beauty pageants. And finally, here, after 10 years, I’m in Bb. Pilipinas,” she said.

Acosta, meanwhile, said she resonated with the national pageant’s thrust. “I’ve always had the heart towards children, and I’m very much happy that BPCI’s (Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc.) vision is the same as my advocacy, Harvesting HOPE (Helping Others Pursue Empowerment). And I’m really looking forward to more of our charity events with Binibini,” she said.

Two winners will be crowned and will be proclaimed Bb. Pilipinas International and Bb. Pilipinas Globe, and they will take home P1 million each, and earn the right to represent the Philippines in the 63rd Miss International pageant next year, and The Miss Globe 2024 contest later this year.

The 60th Binibining Pilipinas Grand Coronation Night will be held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum at the Araneta City in Quezon City on July 7, Sunday. Phenomenal P-Pop boy group SB19 will return to the pageant stage, with Martin Nievera and Gary Valenciano also set to perform.

And like in the last three editions, an all-female hosting team will handle the ceremonies this year, and will be composed of 2014 Bb. Pilipinas Universe MJ Lastimosa, 2016 Miss Grand International first runner-up Nicole Cordoves, 2016 Miss International Kylie Verzosa, and 2018 Miss Universe Catriona Gray.

The four Binibining Pilipinas queens will also be joined by more than a hundred of their Binibini sisters for a grand reunion of queens on stage, the magnitude never before seen on any pageant here or anywhere else.

WORRYING WOULD NEVER HELP!

Some feelings of worry can be healthy, pushing us to find solutions to real and present problems. However, chronic worry, even about things out of our control, can severely impact our mental health.

The German poet Rainer Maria Rilke put it well: “Life is not even close to being as logically consistent as our worries; it has many more unexpected ideas and many more facts than we do.” Worrying is pointless not only because it rarely makes things better, but also because you're rarely ever worried about the right thing!

We hardly count our blessings. We enjoy counting our crosses. Instead of gains, we count our losses. We don't have to do all that counting - computers do it for us. Information is easily had.

Facebook to and fro, back and forth, there and back - how many posts and comments have been posted already with sadness, loneliness, boredom strikes, problems, worries ... .

Just remember this: Opportunity doesn't just knock - it jiggles the door-knob. and "your social media online-friend" - the warrior is with you day and night, at every corner, following your every step. Complaining and grumbling are good excuses, right?

Seniors may experience more anxiety-inducing situations than younger adults, and they may not have as many resources for support. Some people may notice that their anxious thoughts get stronger or more frequent with age, but anxiety is a treatable mental health disorder.

Is social media bad for us? Four billion people, around 50% of the world’s population, use online social media – and we’re spending an average of two hours every day sharing, liking, tweeting and updating on these platforms, according to some reports. That breaks down to around half a million tweets and Snapchat photos shared every minute. Stress, mood, anxiety, depression, sleep (or better non-sleep), self-esteem - Overall, social media’s effects on well-being are ambiguous, according to a paper written last year by researchers from the Netherlands. However, they suggested there is clearer evidence for the impact on one group of people: social media has a more negative effect on the well-being of those who are more socially isolated.

The whole world is an awful place filled with dreadful and horrible negativism. Yes, I confess, I'm also surrounded by many worriers who put their fears into me. Politicians, i.e., many times love to search for some grave alarm that will cause individuals to abandon their separate concerns and act in concert, so that politicians can wield the baton. Calls to fatal struggles and fights are forever being sounded.

The overbearing person, who tyrannizes the weak, who wants to domineer and to bluster, is simply nothing else than a worrier, who claims to be a friend. But he isn't. Really not! The bullying of fellow citizens by means of dread and fright has been going on since Paleolithic times. The night wolf is eating the moon. Give me silver and I'll make him spit out.

Well, when will we start counting our courage and not our fears, or enjoy instead of our woe? Worrying itself is pointless.Of course, no society has achieved perfect rules of law, never-ending education or unique responsible governments. Let's seek out the worries but avoid the warriors, because they try to avoid liberty.

Worry, that sense of insecurity, unease, and fear over what negative events may happen – as unrealistic as these concerns may be – is one of the most unpleasant emotions that you can experience as a human being. It is also one of the most common. While everyone has worried at some point, many people suffer from chronic worrying in the form of anxiety. In Australia alone, 2 million people will suffer from anxiety in any one year.

If you worry often, you’re far from alone. In fact, it may comfort you to know that many of us tend to worry about the same issues. All of those anxieties and stressors that may plague your life also affect a huge chunk of the rest of the world as well.

Melanie Greenberg, Ph.D., is a practicing psychologist, author, speaker, and life/business coach, with more than 20 years of experience as a clinician, professor, and researcher. She says:" One of the most helpful things you can do instead of worrying is problem-solving. Problem-solving means defining the problem in a way that you can do something about it (e.g., "How do I prepare for a possible loss of income?" or "How can I learn to accept that my ex has moved on?"). Once you have a defined problem, you can generate some possible solutions and think through the likely consequences of each (e.g., "What is most likely to happen if I do X?"). Finally, you can implement your favorite solution, whether it involves taking action, discussing the situation, finding out more information, or working to accept something you cannot change".

If you are still worrying right now about something, try to read Jeremiah 29:10-14 or Revelation 21:1-8, just to mention these two. It works.

Faith should guide us in our trials

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

THAT’S what we can get from the gospel episode of Christ’s disciples buffeted by big waves in the middle of the sea and Christ was just asleep. (cfr. Mt 8,23-27) “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” the disciples woke Christ in terror. But Christ reproached them. “Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?” he said. Then he got up, rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm, leaving the disciples completely amazed.

In life, we cannot avoid some special or extraordinary storms of trials and challenges. We, of course, should first go to Christ, and instead of being overly terrified or overwhelmed, we should strengthen our faith in the omnipotent providence of God who takes care of everything and who knows how to derive good from whatever evil we can encounter in life. (cfr. Rom 8,28)

We need to realize that our life always has more to offer to us than what we can understand, let alone, cope. In the face of all this, I believe the attitude to have and the reaction to make is to be calm, pray hard, and while we do all we can, we have to learn to live a certain sense of abandonment in the hands of God.

In this life, we need to develop a sportsman’s attitude, since life is like a game. Yes, life is like a game, because we set out to pursue a goal, we have to follow certain rules, we are given some means, tools and instruments, we train and are primed to win and do our best, but defeats can always come, and yet, we just have to move on.

It would be unsportsmanlike if we allow ourselves to get stuck with our defeats and failures, developing a loser’s mentality. That would be the epic fail that puts a period and a finis in an ongoing narrative, when a comma, a colon or a semicolon would have sufficed.

We need a sporting spirit because life’s true failure can come only when we choose not to have hope. That happens when our vision and understanding of things is narrow and limited, confined only to the here and now and ignorant of the transcendent reality of the spiritual and supernatural world.

This should be the attitude to have. It’s an attitude that can only indicate our unconditional faith and love for God who is always in control of things, and at the same time can also leave us in peace and joy even in the worst of the possibilities.

We have to follow the example of the many characters in the gospel who, feeling helpless in the many predicaments they were in, earnestly rushed to Christ for some succor. They went to him unafraid and unashamed and they got what they wanted.

We have to be sport and adventurous in facing the different conditions of our life. And it would greatly help if we too can have an abiding sense of humor. Otherwise, we would just fall into states of sadness, pessimism and despair which actually are unnecessary and are avoidable.

This we can do if first of all we have a strong and deep faith in God, our Creator and Father. If we have that faith, we know that God holds everything in order through his providence. He takes care of everything, irrespective of how things go. Ours is simply to relate everything to him and to go back to him everytime we go astray, especially at the end of the day.

Documents and briefers

PHOTO RELEASE CAPTION

July 1, 2024

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano shares a glimpse of the documents and briefers submitted by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) ahead of Wednesday's hearing on the new Senate Building (NSB). In a Facebook update on Monday, July 1, 2024, Cayetano, the Senate Committee on Accounts chair wrote that he “will be busy reading” these documents to prepare for the upcoming hearing about the project. This follows after the senator set a deadline to DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan last Friday to submit and give the committee time to review the materials thoroughly before the hearing on Wednesday, July 3. ###

 

 

 

 

Tagalog:

 

Ipinakita ni Senador Alan Peter Cayetano ang natanggap na mga dokumento at briefer mula sa Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) bago ang itinakdang pagdinig sa Miyerkules tungkol sa New Senate Building (NSB). Sa kanyang Facebook post nitong Lunes, ibinahagi ni Cayetano, na Chair ng Senate Committee on Accounts, na masusi niyang babasahin at pag-aaralan ang mga dokumento bilang paghahanda sa pagdinig. Ito ay matapos bigyan ng deadline ng komite si DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan na isumite ang mga dokumento upang mabigyan sila ng sapat na panahon para suriin ang mga materyales bago ang pagdinig sa Miyerkules, July 3.###

 

 

Facebook link post: https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1091087345707899&id=100044199320970&rdid=O0O4cGXv50F0v7hr

You will need to be wealthy to be healthy

By: Moira G. Gallaga - @inquirerdotnet

I flew in to the Philippines more than two months ago to attend to some family business matters. Two weeks into my stay, I experienced frequent bouts of nausea, fatigue, an outbreak of rashes and blemishes on my skin, vomiting, and difficulty keeping down food. As I have autoimmune and gastrointestinal issues, it appears that these symptoms were being triggered all at once.

Then, just a little over a week prior to my scheduled departure back to Sweden, I fainted and dropped to the floor. I was out very briefly. This has happened to me before, the most recent being in February this year. As soon as I could, I went to the emergency room of a private hospital to get myself checked.

My three-day hospital confinement made me think about and raise questions related to the health-care system in the Philippines. First of all, I wish to point out that we have very good and capable medical professionals and staff, and a number of both public and private hospitals are, likewise, of good quality. While there continues to be significant gaps and issues concerning the health-care system and services in the Philippines, there has been growing improvement over the years. The passage of the Universal Health Care Act in 2019 has strengthened PhilHealth’s ability to provide better coverage as the country’s public health insurance provider. Efforts are also underway to pass additional public health-care-related laws to further improve the situation, though these are currently facing funding challenges.

Given that quality health-care services and treatment are available in the Philippines, what came to my mind, in light of my hospitalization, is access to them. Perhaps, in terms of preventive and primary care and services, there are more options and opportunities for access, especially in cities and large towns. What I would like to focus on though are cases involving serious and life-threatening diseases or injuries that require highly specialized treatment and facilities. In this situation, the options are mostly narrowed down to private hospitals, access to which will be significantly hampered by the costs involved.

I am fortunate that, in addition to my PhilHealth, I also have private medical insurance coverage. As of 2019, there are around four million Filipinos with access to health maintenance organizations, 90 percent of which are under corporate plans. Then again, not all medical insurance policies are the same. The better and more comprehensive the coverage with higher benefit limits and lower out-of-pocket expense and deductibles, the higher the premium. If you work for a company that provides a generous health-care package, then good for you. Then again, even if the policy isn’t that comprehensive, it is far better than having none at all.

Furthermore, while 90 percent of the population is reported to be registered with PhilHealth, a study has shown that Filipinos still shoulder 34 to 44.7 percent of out-of-pocket expenses even as members of this state health insurer. So just imagine what patients and their family go through if they don’t have any insurance coverage at all.

Aside from worrying about the effects of the disease or injury and the outcome of any treatment administered, there is the added stress and pressure of scraping up the money to cover the hospital bill, the doctors’ fees, and cost of medication. Even after the money is somehow raised and the treatment is successful, the family will most likely be saddled with considerable debt.

These issues need to be tackled. For many families and individuals, all it takes is for one member to develop a very serious disease or get life-threatening injuries for them to lose everything they’ve saved up for, and get their lives upended. How all these can be effectively addressed, I leave to those who know better about these matters. As they say, “health is wealth,” but given the current state of things, it appears that you will need to be wealthy in order to be healthy.

Moira G. Gallaga served three Philippine presidents as presidential protocol officer, and was posted as a diplomat at the Philippine consulate general in Los Angeles, and the Philippine Embassy in Washington.

Cloudy skies, scattered rains to prevail over parts of Visayas, Mindanao

Two weather systems are expected to bring cloudy and rainy conditions to parts of Visayas and Mindanao in the next 24 hours, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Monday, July 1.

IRONMAN 70.3 Davao returns with new course, stronger support

BY MANILA BULLETIN SPORTS

Jun 30, 2024 10:55 PM

  

---

AT A GLANCE

• With an exciting new course, new backers and full support from the host city, the IRONMAN 70.3 Davao Philippines promises to surpass all previous editions of this premier endurance race in terms of participation, prestige and challenge when it is held on Aug. 11.

---

With an exciting new course, new backers and full support from the host city, the IRONMAN 70.3 Davao Philippines promises to surpass all previous editions of this premier endurance race in terms of participation, prestige and challenge when it is held on Aug. 11.

Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte (second from right) poses with (from left) Davao City asst. City Administrator Atty. Tristan Domingo; RLC Residences Trade and Events officer Jackie Lou Tolentino; RLC Residences Brand Management head Dan Carlos Torres; and Princess Galura, general manager of the organizing IRONMAN Group Philippinesm, during the launch of IRONMAN 70.3 Davao.

“The event has proven to be very successful in the past three stagings, not only for the city government but also for the business sector. We truly value hosting the event and will give our full support,” said Davao City Assistant City Administrator Atty. Tristan Domingo. “As the athletes are doing their training, the team in the city government is also preparing to be in top shape for the event.”

Aboitiz will be the event’s presenting sponsor, following the signing of a three-year contract in Davao City. Ion+ Advanced Electrolyte Drink joins as another new partner, along with the continuing support of RLC Residences for IRONKIDS Davao and 2GO for the Gwapa Dabawenya event. This strong backing is expected to attract a banner field across various age categories. 

A highlight of this year’s race is the brand-new course along the new Davao City Coastal Road. Athletes will face a new challenge as they swim 1.9km parallel to the coast, bike 90km towards the MacArthur Highway, and return to the coastal road for the 21.1km run to the finish line.

Since its inception in 2018, IRONMAN 70.3 Davao has been well-supported by the local community. The city comes alive with cultural shows, festivities and a competitive team spirit, attracting athletes from all over the Philippines and other countries. In fact, Davao City was recently recognized as the second safest city in Southeast Asia in the Numbeo Southeast Asia Safety Index for 2023, making it an ideal destination for global events like this.

“We have been here in Davao for 78 years. We are proud sponsors of many events and efforts of the city, and we thank Davao for their forward-thinking and promotion of a healthy lifestyle,” said Jokin Aboitiz, Deputy COO of AboitizPower Distribution Utilities. AboitizPower, an energy solutions company providing reliable and affordable power across the country, champions sustainability initiatives that improve the quality of life through the positive impact of sports and a healthy lifestyle.

The official inclusion of Ion+ Advanced Electrolyte Drink in the IRONMAN Group Philippines events this year will greatly benefit the athletes. Ikigai Nutri Sciences Inc., the distributor of Ion+ in the Philippines, will provide hydration for athletes, ensuring they achieve their goals with a balanced mix of sodium, glucose, and other essential electrolytes like magnesium, potassium, and zinc.

Adding excitement to the event is IRONKIDS on Aug. 10, a duathlon featuring a run-bike-run competition for athletes aged 6-15 years old. A special IRONKIDS run will also be held, with a 1km course for kids aged 6-10 and a 3km course for those aged 11-15.

The 2GO Gwapa Dabawenya Run on Aug. 9 will kick off the big IRONMAN weekend. This 5k fun run has already drawn an impressive 2,000 participants just three days after registration opened.

Meanwhile, listup for the 2024 IRONMAN 70.3 Davao powered by Aboitiz and the RLC IRONKIDS Davao is ongoing. For details, visit ironman.com/im703-davao-philippines.

Backers of the event, organized by The IRONMAN Group, are VinFast, Active, HOKA, ROKA and Breitling (global premier partners); Athletic Brewing Co., FulGaz, Hyperice, Qatar Airways, Santini, AG1 and Wahoo (global technical partners); Always Advancing, Compressport, Ekoi and Nirvana (Asia supplier partners); and media partners Outside+ and Sportograf.

Geraldine Jennings excited to debut in movies, beauty pageant

BY ROBERT REQUINTINA

  

---

AT A GLANCE

• Aside from her film career, Geraldine is set on entering a national beauty pageant.

---

Geraldine Jennings 

Newbie Irish-British-Filipino actress Geraldine Jennings stated that she is fully committed to pursuing a career in the Philippine showbiz industry after obtaining her college degree in London. However, that's two years away. She is determined to graduate from the University of London with a degree in economics and finance.

During a mini press conference in Timog, Quezon City, Geraldine recently expressed her excitement about her debut film, "La Isla Babuyan," which is now in post-production.

"La Isla Babuyan" tells the story of Anastassia (Geraldine), a young half-Filipina and half-European girl who comes to the Philippines to be with her Filipino mother, Rose (Lotlot De Leon). 

Anastasia meets and falls in love with the handsome Jordan (Jameson Blake), who is the scion and heir of a wealthy family. But the conflict begins when Jordan's stepmother (Nathalie Hart) cannot accept Anastassia and will do everything to keep them apart.

Jessie Vilabrille wrote the screenplay from a story he conceptualized with Leo Dominguez and Bam Salvani. Dennis Evangelista line-produced it, and Abdel Langit directed it.

“La Isla Babuyan” is inspired by director Bigas Luna’s film “Jamon, Jamon,” starring Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem (1992).

On working with Jameson, Geraldine said: “Very professional naman si Jameson. I am an actor, he is an actor, and he was super helpful to me. He was very comfortable to work with. That’s part of the job.

“He was a very good actor and a very nice person. I was really surprised at how willing he was to help. He was very mabait and very easy to talk to. I was very comfortable working with him," said the Irish-British-Filipino talent.

Aside from her film career, Geraldine is set on entering a national beauty pageant.

Of all the existing beauty pageants nationwide, Geraldine said she's interested in Miss World Philippines.

“I want to start with Miss World, not Miss Universe right away. I don’t just want to be known as beautiful. I want to show my talent," she said. The stunning 5'8" woman stated that she is willing to undergo rigorous training for the competition.

Geraldine also shared about her upcoming songs under Star Music.

“I also have two upcoming songs, ‘Pwede Ba?’ and ‘Don’t Go,’ written by Viktoria (Agbayani). She gave me the song, Don’t Go, and I will add a remix to make it upbeat for my generation. Viktoria is also under the LBD (Management) of (the late) Leo Dominguez. I miss Leo so much. I also have an original song that’s upcoming," she said.

Geraldine added: "At a young age, I loved singing. My mom enrolled me in singing and guitar classes. I just loved it. I studied it in Los Angeles. And I grew to love the craft. Finally, I got the chance to do it. It's my passion. I love the arts."

On her showbiz influences, Geraldine said: "While I was growing up, it was Miley Cyrus. I love her music. 'Party In The USA' was my favorite. I still love her now. Her new album 'Flowers.' She's my inspiration musical-wise. Right now, Dua Lipa. I love her style. I love how she sings and how she performs. Acting-wise, I will have to say Gal Gadot. She's my favorite in 'Wonder Woman,' 'Red Notice.' Also, Margot Robbie. She is amazing in 'Barbie,' very versatile. Those are my influences." 

When she moved to the United Kingdom in 2009, she returned to the Philippines thrice a year during vacation. She has a second home in Manila.

Geraldine's mom is Gina Cariaga, a Filipino housewife and businesswoman from Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte, and her father is Frank Jennings, a Northern Irish international businessman.

Her mom's side comes from politics and teaching. Her mom's grandfather, Nicasio Cariaga, was the police chief and a teacher who graduated from the Philippine Normal University.

Geraldine is the second child among three equally talented sisters. She also loves equestriansports, polo, clay pigeon shooting, and. fitness and exercise. "I love pilates, indoor cycling, spinning, and running."

Baguio Midland Courier to shut down after 77 years

 

A file photo of a newsstand along Session Road, Baguio City that displays a variety of local and national newspapers.

Jap Tobias - Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — The Baguio Midland Courier, the longest-running English community newspaper in Northern Luzon and a cornerstone of the Cordillera region's media for over seven decades, announced that it will cease operations on July 22, 2024.

Citing the global decline of print media, the company announced the difficult decision through a notice posted on its Facebook page on Sunday.

“The decision to cease publication was a difficult one and the management deeply regrets any impact this may have on our esteemed readers, newsboys, supporters, contributors, and advertisers” the notice read.

In the notice, the company expressed gratitude to its readers, advertisers and the community for their unwavering support since its founding in 1947.

While the print edition will cease, the notice hints at the possibility of "new opportunities" and "different forms" to continue their mission. Additionally, they are exploring options to preserve their archives for future generations.

The Baguio Midland Courier served the community for 77 years, delivering local and regional news to residents of Baguio and surrounding areas. The company's website remains accessible, featuring articles and archives from its extensive history.

As a final farewell, the Baguio Midland Courier, under Hamada Printers & Publishers Corp., will publish three final issues on July 7th, 14th and 21st, inviting advertisers and supporters to participate.

What if I don't have the German skill A1 level and my husband wants to take me with him to Germany?

 

Maria Arango-Kure

Mexican, former Colombian, currently German

567 followers

465 following

Does it mean I won't be given a marriage visa?

Originally Answered: What if l don't have the German skill A1 level and my husband wants to take me with him to German does it mean l won't be given the marriage visa?

Exactly. The spouse visa requirements are very clear and the officials at the consulate won’t even take your application unless you have all the paperwork they have asked for including the certificate of the A1 exam.

The requirement to learn German at an A1 level comes from the idea that if you’re living in the country you need to be able to at least say your name, where you live, read the most basic of signs, answer and understand when being spoken to by the authorities and find your way home if you get lost. It seems reasonable.

Luckily the A1 exam does not require a lot of study or preparation. It’s a very basic level of German that is required. You can use online apps like Babbel (it’s the one I used to learn German up to B2) and download a number of example exams from the Goethe Institute website to prepare. A few weeks time should be more than enough to get there especially if your husband can help you study.

The listening part is arguably the toughest, you get two chances to listen to very short messages and answer questions.

The writing part is mostly about filling out forms and writing postcards.

The reading part is about reading signs and very short texts.

For speaking, it’s a group round and you mostly ask questions about a topic and answer the question that is asked of you. At the beginning you have to introduce yourself, this is something you can memorize and parrot back when needed.

Once you are in Germany, to turn your visa into a residence permit, if you only have the A1 and don’t have a higher education degree that puts you in the highly qualified range you might be asked to do an integration/German course that brings you to B1