Taylor Swift endorses Kamala Harris for US president

 

Maggy Donaldson - Agence France-Presse

September 11, 2024 | 2:12pm

This combination of pictures created on September 10, 2024 shows (L) American singer and songwriter Taylor Swift performs on stage as part of her Eras Tour in Lisbon on May 24, 2024 and (R) US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris listens to former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speak during a presidential debate at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on September 10, 2024. Taylor Swift, a self-declared "childless cat lady," has endorsed Kamala Harris for president of the United States. The global megastar broke her silence on the current state of US politics September 10, 2024, voicing support for Harris over Donald Trump for the White House, and calling the Democratic candidate a "steady-handed, gifted leader."

AFP / Andre Dias Nobre and Saul Loeb

NEW YORK, United States — Taylor Swift, a self-declared "childless cat lady," has endorsed Kamala Harris for president of the United States.

The global megastar broke her silence on the current state of US politics Tuesday, voicing support for Harris over Donald Trump for the White House, and calling the Democratic candidate a "steady-handed, gifted leader."

"I will be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 Presidential Election," Swift, among the biggest names on the planet, posted on Instagram.

She did so in the minutes following a televised presidential debate that saw the candidates face off for the first time, which the singer said she tuned in to.

"I'm voting for @kamalaharris because she fights for the rights and causes I believe need a warrior to champion them," Swift wrote. "I think she is a steady-handed, gifted leader and I believe we can accomplish so much more in this country if we are led by calm and not chaos."

She signed off her Instagram post by dubbing herself a "childless cat lady," a swipe at a much-mocked sentiment expressed by Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance, which he had wielded in a bid to insult Democratic women.

Until Tuesday, Swift had been conspicuously quiet on the subject of 2024's race, even as many of her fans began organizing under the banner "Swifties for Kamala" and raising more than $150,000 for the Democratic hopeful.

But the 34-year-old said discovering AI-generated images of her falsely endorsing Trump -- which "conjured up my fears around AI, and the dangers of spreading misinformation," she said -- had inspired her to speak up.

"It brought me to the conclusion that I need to be very transparent about my actual plans for this election as a voter," she said. "The simplest way to combat misinformation is with the truth."

She encouraged her legions of loyal fans to "do your research."

Swift, fresh off the European leg of her blockbuster "Eras" tour, balked at explicitly telling her ardent supporters to vote Harris, instead saying "I've done my research, and I've made my choice."

"Your research is all yours to do, and the choice is yours to make."

She also shared the post to her Instagram "stories" with a voter registration link.

The artist voiced special support for Harris's choice of a running mate, Tim Walz, praising the Minnesota governor for "standing up for LGBTQ+ rights, IVF, and a woman's right to her own body for decades."

Team Harris has been quick to latch on to any boost she can get from the pop world, which generally skews left, and a number of stars have publicly backed her.

Beyonce has not outright endorsed the Democrat but she allowed the Harris camp to use her song "Freedom" in advertisements and on the campaign trail.

And British artist Charli XCX saw her smash album "brat" become core to the early online Harris campaign, as the Democrats vie to stay current on social media's pulse.

'With love and hope'

But until now, Swift hadn't chimed in.

A global celebrity with hundreds of millions of social media followers and a wildly loyal -- and chronically online -- fan base, Swift's influence is vast and her approval coveted.

For years the "Blank Space" singer stayed emphatically out of politics, including in 2016 when Donald Trump won the presidency.

Speculation abounded that the superstar was a closet Republican until 2018, when she broke both her silence and the internet by endorsing the Democratic opponent of far-right politician Marsha Blackburn in Tennessee.

Blackburn won anyway, but it ushered in a new chapter for Swift.

She later explained that handlers had urged her against voicing political opinions, telling her it could damage her career -- particularly in the country music industry, which despite its complexities is often associated with conservatism.

Since then, Swift endorsed Joe Biden in 2020 and has conveyed pro-LGBTQ messages through her songs and music videos.

She also condemned the Supreme Court's reversal of the federal right to abortion, and has encouraged droves of her fans to register to vote.

But Swift's massive popularity has also meant she's a regular target for political misinformation and right-wing conspiracy theories, often fueled by AI and amplified by the likes of Trump.

Speaking out on her own terms gripped the news cycle within seconds of going live Tuesday night, and her post notched more than two million "likes" after just 30 minutes.

"With love and hope, Taylor Swift," she concluded her message.

Galanza returns as Cool Smashers sweep Foxies ahead of Invitational finals

BY KRISTEL SATUMBAGA-VILLAR

Sep 11, 2024 06:20 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Jema Galanza returned to Creamline duties with a bang as the Cool Smashers blasted the Farm Fresh Foxies, 25-15, 25-13, 25-19, ahead of their finals stint in the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City on Wednesday, Sept. 11.

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Jema Galanza returned to Creamline duties with a bang as the Cool Smashers blasted the Farm Fresh Foxies, 25-15, 25-13, 25-19, ahead of their finals stint in the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City on Wednesday, Sept. 11.

Jema Galanza finally sees action for Creamline. (PVL Images)

Galanza, fresh from her stint with the national team, came off the bench in the second set and delivered 13 points built on 11 kills and two blocks to lead the Cool Smashers to a four-game sweep of the preliminaries.

They await the winner between Cignal and defending champion Kurashiki Ablaze for the winner-take-all finals.

Creamline refused to slow down even after winning the Reinforced Conference, exposing Farm Fresh sluggish plays by pumping in 51 attacks, five blocks and three aces.

So weak were the Foxies particularly in their defense that they laid a big fat egg on blocks despite 35 tries. No player also managed to land a single ace.

Everybody contributed a little of everything for Creamline with recently crowned Reinforced Conference and Finals MVP Bernadeth Pons posting eight points, Michele Gumabao adding seven, and Lorie Lyn Bernardo chipping in six points.

Japanese import Asaka Tamaru  scored 10 points in a losing cause for Farm Fresh, which finished with a 0-4 card.

‘Mga Arya't Kundiman’ concert celebrates inclusivity through shared music, FSL performance

BY JONATHAN HICAP

Sep 11, 2024 06:52 PM

  

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The concert “Mga Arya’t Kundiman” featured performances by excellent talents, and Filipino Sign Language (FSL) and Deaf students. 

It was held on Sept. 7 at YSpace at the Yuchengco Museum in Makati and presented by HearLife-Verein, which helps Deaf children. 

HearLife-Verein partner artists performed at the show. They were Isabela Samson Madero, Evangeline Ng Lao, Lance Keiffer Sy Lato and Sherine Ann Escolar Koa, all with Associate of the Royal Schools of Music (ARSM).  The show also featured Sharlene Morta, ARSM, Piano 8 and MED-EL cochlear implantee. 

“Mga Arya’t Kundiman” (HearLife)

The finale of the program featured the performance of “Araw-Araw sa Maynila” by FSL and Deaf students. 

This was through the efforts of the FSL for Inclusive PH (FSL4IPH), a non-profit student organization at the British School Manila (BSM) in Taguig aiming to promote FSL and bridge the gap between the Deaf and hearing communities. 

The participation of FSL students at the show started when Johann Chan, co-founder and president of FSL4IPH and a budding singer, was invited to watch the concert by his teacher, Perpy Heath. 

When Heath mentioned that the pianist was Deaf and has a cochlear implant, FSL4IPH offered to provide interpreter service for the show. 

This led to FSL and Deaf students not only watching the show but performing as well with invited Deaf guests.

FSL4IPH collaborated with the artists to ensure that the lyrics, including the foreign-language arias, would be translated into English and an interpreter would be present to sign the songs in FSL. 

Concert performers (from left))  Isabela Madero, Sherinne Ann Koa, Evangeline Lao and Lance Sy Lato (Photo provided by FSL4IPH) 
 

"Mga Arya’t Kundiman" hearing and Deaf concert performers with (from left) FSL4IPH interpreter Olivia Aguila, HearLife-Verein Program Director Tosh Jacob-Soliven and FSL4IPH interpreter Leah Apuli (Photo provided by FSL4IPH) 

FSL4IPH student leaders Johann Chan, Seth Yang and Liam Conlin, and Deaf performers Maricor Mesitas, Audrie Grace, Kierbie Nhoel Liabiaga, Japet Jones Dumangon, Raymond Calexterio, Tyrone Miguel, Catherine Joy Patriarca and  Rance Aaron Barquilla during the "Araw-Araw sa Maynila" performance (Photo provided by FSL4IPH) 

Deaf and hearing participants rehearsing together with Deaf coach Catherine Joy Patriarca (Photo provided by FSL4IPH)

Technical rehearsal with Leah Apuli as interpreter (Photo provided by FSL4IPH)

 

Marites Racquel Estiller-Corpuz, former president of the Philippine Federation of the Deaf, leading the FSL of the Philippine National Anthem (Photo provided by FSL4IPH)

FSL4IPH advocates, friends and supporters with HearLife-Verein concert performers and organizers (Photo provided by FSL4IPH)

Deaf performers taking turns signing the concert songs using FSL (Photo provided by FSL4IPH) 

In addition, FSL4IPH held fundraising efforts with the group’s supporters Malou Ng, Cassie Yang and Global Mission Advocate being mainly instrumental in sponsoring the tickets, meals, and transportation for the Deaf guests.

The concert was seen as an important step to unite hearing and Deaf communities through a musical show. The efforts were spearheaded by Hearlife Program Director Tosh Jacob-Soliven, and in collaboration with FSL4IPH student leaders Ethan Chan, Johann Chan, Seth Yang, and Liam Conlin, Deaf coach Catherine Joy Patriarca, interpreters Leah Apuli and Olivia Aguila, Deaf students from Commonwealth High School and other Deaf guests.  

Marites Racquel Estiller-Corpuz, former president of the Philippine Federation of the Deaf, led the FSL of the national anthem. 

“It was an amazing night where the music was heard and felt by the Deaf and the signs were seen by the hearing, united and unobstructed, each with smiles, enjoyed God’s given talents in music and signs,” she said. 

Throughout the concert, members and Deaf guests of FSL4IPH interpreted each song for the Deaf students. 

One of the Deaf performers, Maricor Mesitas, said. "I never expected that I would experience such an amazing concert. I felt the sound of their voice through the help of the interpreter. I had fun and enjoyed the performance since there is a sign language interpreter. I understood the songs. Since I participated in the performance as well, I felt great that I shared my talent.” 

For free Basic FSL and/or Deaf Awareness Training, contact  FSL for Inclusive PH through the following: email: fsl4iph@gmail.com; Facebook page: fsl4iph;  website: fsl4iph.org.

MOVIEGOER: 'Her Locket' - A film so poignant, so heartfelt, so true

BY NESTOR CUARTERO

Sep 12, 2024 09:17 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Directed by J. E. Tiglao, the film was one of seven full-length film entries in Sinag Maynila Film Festival 2024, which played from Sept. 4 to 10 at Gateway Cinema in Cubao and select SM theaters.

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Rebecca Chuaunsu wins Best Actress for the movie 'Her Locket' at the Sinag Maynila Film Festival 2024

Like she herself put it, Ms. Rebecca Chuaunsu leafed through 32 diaries of both her parents in writing the story of the film, Her Locket.

Directed by J. E. Tiglao, the film was one of seven full-length film entries in Sinag Maynila Film Festival 2024, which played from Sept. 4 to 10 at Gateway Cinema in Cubao and select SM theaters.

Rebecca herself leads the cast, which includes Elora Espan̈o, Boo Gabunada, Sophie Ng, Benedict Cua, Tommy Alejandrino, Francis Mata, among many others. 

After watching the film’s premiere Sept. 4 at Gateway, I couldn’t help but rise to cheer the cast and crew. When PR man Toots Tolentino asked me to say a few words at the talkback, I congratulated the team for having come up with a film so poignant, so moving, so heartfelt, and so true. There’s too much sincerity and detailing in the story that one couldn’t anymore distinguish between fact and fiction.  

While the film says it is based on a true story, it also flaunts a disclaimer that its story is an aggregate, a composite of several other stories. Whatever the source, Her Locket paints a universal picture of the dynamics around a Chinese family living in the Philippines from the 1970s onwards. Unwittingly, it exposes well-kept family secrets once placed under lock and key.

The film captures family members’ adherence to age-old customs and traditions broken by rebellion in the case of some, particularly, Rebecca’s effort to stand up in defense of her love for a Filipino partner.

I admitted that I was initially quizzical upon hearing that Rebecca, who is also the film’s producer, had won two best actress trophies in two foreign festivals for her work in this film. 

At the 2023 Morocco International Film   Festival and most recently, on Sept. 1, at WuWei Taipei International Film Festival in Taiwan, respectively. Rebecca also won best actress at Sinag Maynila. 

The cast of 'Her Locket'

But, all that changed after I watched the film.

Rebecca turns in a performance worthy of praise, one that is full of restraint and nuances. There is no effort on her part to over-act or over react to situations around her. Although she plays the lead role, she tends to downplay her presence, allowing the story to flow effortlessly.

The film’s supporting cast, composed mostly of first-timers on film, are uniformly good. They look relaxed in their scenes, behaving like seasoned actors.

Standouts, although they’re not really newcomers, are Tommy Alejandrino (Cinemalaya best actor), Elora Espan̈o, Boo Gabunada, Sophie Ng, Benedict Cua, Francis Mata.

After its participation in Sinag Maynila, Her Locket is expected to travel more parts of the world. I have a feeling that if marketed and promoted well, the film could be our answer to Thailand’s How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies, that smash hit of a melodrama that stormed throughout Southeast Asia, including the Philippines. Both films feature two women in their senior years grappling with family issues.     

Eala gets early boot in Guadalajara Open

 

Facebook / Alex Eala

Ralph Edwin Villanueva - Philstar.com

September 11, 2024 | 2:52pm

MANILA, Philippines -- Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala exited the Guadalajara Open early after falling against sixth-seeded Marie Bouzkova, 6-2, 6-2, Wednesday (Manila time) in Mexico.

Eala fell in the first round against the Czech bet.

The 26-year-old Bouzkova, the World No. 45 player, simply showcased her mastery against the World No. 147 Filipina.

The former tallied three aces and won 35 service points compared to the latter’s 25 service points won.

Eala also registered 28 receiving points compared to Bouzkova’s 32.

The 19-year-old Asian Games bronze medalist went through Hungary’s Fanny Stollar and United Kingdom’s Samantha Sharan in the qualifiers.

“What an honor to be under the lights of Guadalajara!” Eala posted on Facebook. “Didn’t perform how I would’ve liked today but I still had so much fun trying to find my way and solve those problems out on that court.”

Eala’s first round exit came after bowing out of the round of 16 at the Guadalajara 125 Open a few days ago.