Manila Bulletin honors Newsmakers of the Year

BY POCH EULALIA

Feb 17, 2024 10:40 AM

  

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NEWSMAKERS — The Manila Bulletin holds its first-ever Newsmakers of the Year Award as it celebrates its 124th anniversary at the Tent City of the Manila Hotel on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024. Newsmakers of the Year recognized 10 personalities representing themselves or organizations that have captured the nation’s attention and imagination with their achievements full of inspiration and motivation – Sarisuki, Magdalena Gamayo, Gilas Pilipinas, Kathryn Bernardo, Jeremy de Leon, Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Expedock, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, Kindred, and Tagbilaran City. Joining them are Manila Bulletin Chairman Basilio C. Yap, MB President and Vice Chairman Emil C. Yap III (second row, fifth and fourth from left) and MB Publisher Sonny Coloma (third row, fourth from left). (Noel B. Pabalate)

 

As Manila Bulletin celebrated its 124th anniversary, it took pride in presenting the first lineup of its Newsmakers of the Year awardees during a special ceremony held on Thursday, Feb. 15, at The Tent City, Manila Hotel.

“The Newsmakers are more than just their stories. They are also catalysts of change, embodiments of inspiration, and living testaments to the power of human potential,” said Manila Bulletin president Emilio C. Yap III during his opening remarks. These 10 individuals and organizations were honored for their remarkable initiatives, achievements, and success stories from the previous year. Their inspiring endeavors have empowered and captivated readers and viewers alike, both online and in print.  

• Magdalena Gamayo, a master weaver of the inabel cloth, is known for her unique weaving techniques. She was conferred with the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA) award in 2012 and recognized as a National Living Treasure. Gamayo celebrated her 99th birthday on Aug. 13, 2023, making her the oldest living GAMABA awardee.

• Expedock, a game-changer in the global supply industry, is an AI-powered supply chain startup that aims to automate the international freight industry. Its founders King Alandy Dy, Rui Aguiar, Jeff Tan, and Jig Young were included in the 2023 Forbes 30 Under 30 list under the industry, manufacturing, and energy category.

• SariSuki, established by Brian Cu, Philippe Lorenzo, Bam Mejia, and Angelo Loo in 2021, is a virtual grocery store that purchases directly from farmers, enabling sustainable opportunities for community sellers. It partnered with AIR21 in 2023 to bring fresh produce from farmers in the province to community sellers in the metro.

• Jeremy De Leon, through his invention of a keychain microscope known as the Make-roscope, has provided users easy access to the microscopic world. His invention allows cameras on smartphones and tablets to magnify objects up to 400 times.The Make-roscope represented the Philippines in the international round of the 2023 James Dyson Award and was awarded as the national champion.  

• Kindred, a pioneering FemTech startup founded in 2022 by Jessica de Mesa and Abetina Valenzuela, is known for its dedication to improving women’s healthcare. It was included in the Forbes Asia 100 to Watch 2023 list. It also successfully secured $1 million in seed funding just after a year of operations.

• Kathryn Bernardo, hailed by her generation as the “Box Office Queen,” is the first and only Filipina actress to reach the ₱800 million mark for her top-grossing films. Last year, she was named Outstanding Asian Star at the 18th Seoul International Drama Awards for the TV series 2 Good 2 Be True, making her the second Filipina actress to win the award.

• Tagbilaran City, together with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, launched the Paleng-QR Ph program in January 2023. The program aims to build a nationwide digital payments ecosystem by promoting cashless QR payments in public markets and local transportation. The program’s rollout was widely accepted by merchants and transport groups in the city's Dao Public Market.

• Gilas Pilipinas, under the guidance of coach Tim Cone, helped bring a 61-year gold medal drought to an end by defeating the Jordanian team and bagging the win in men's basketball at the 19th Asian Games.

• Aboitiz Equity Ventures’ and Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Plc's (CCEP) joint acquisition of Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines, Inc. (CCBPI) in a $1.8 billion deal made it one of the country’s biggest corporate takeovers in 2023. 

• Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte’s efforts in transforming Quezon City into an environmental trailblazer earned her the distinction of becoming the first Filipino to be recognized as a “Champion of the Earth” by the United Nations Environment Program, the UN’s highest environmental honor.

The Manila Bulletin Newsmakers of the Year Awards was co-presented by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI), GCash, SM Development Corporation, and The Medical City. This event was also supported by its major partner SM Supermalls. Each awardee was presented with a uniquely crafted trophy made from an upcycled metal printing plate, an integral item in the newspaper printing process. The printing plate, rolled up and affixed on a wooden block, represents a medium that continues to be relevant and resilient in the digital era.

Long live Filipiniana!

Is the revival of the terno only a trend?

BY POCH EULALIA

Jan 25, 2024 11:19 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• If you’re not convinced of the global appeal of the terno, why don’t you go back to 2008, when the sleeves so closely associated with the Philippine terno fluttered down the Chanel runway at Paris Fashion Week in 2008? 

If you still think the Philippine dress, the terno, is a thing of the past, you must have been living in the past.
The Filipino formal wear isn’t even always formal anymore, and yet as formal wear, it is so unmistakably haute. Just looking at the intricate process alone to make such outfits is enough to make anyone appreciate it as the thing to wear to something special.
But for your sake, in case you think this is just some passing fancy, like the hipster movement, let’s debunk a few of the myths surrounding the iconic dress.

Photo Ternocon 3 | Instagram

Wearing a terno is old-fashioned
Once upon a time, much of the imagery younger generations would associate with the terno was that it was something older people wore or something to consider to a costume party. They would imagine lolas dressed up like doñas from the Spanish era, flaunting off riches and proud of their status from the olden days. While some ternos you see around still look old-fashioned—now you call them vintage—you can’t help seeing every designer—young or old, classic or progressive—doing their bit to give the terno a new spin. Just take a look at the vibrant and playful designs presented by Lesley Mobo at last year’s Ternocon 3, where Joey Samson, drawing inspiration from Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, also brought the terno, as well as other Filipiniana, to the next level.  It was as though the pages of the books came to life, except this time with the attitude of Michelle Dee and the swagger of David Licauco!  

Photo Rommel James de Dios | Facebook

Photo Kultura website

Photo Yassi Pressman | Instagram

You can’t wear the terno to the movies
If you think kids like yourself consider it only suitable for formal affairs like Filipiniana-themed weddings or the State of the Nation Address or, worse still, a barrio fiesta, think again. For University of Sto. Tomas College of Fine Arts and Design graduate Rommel James de Dios, the terno can be worn as every day, everywhere. As seen from his thesis photo collection shared on Facebook, the young designer drew inspiration from famous K-Pop and P-Pop girl groups to create a casual terno look perfect for your next hangout. Who knows, maybe you’ll find these stylish modern ternos worn by the next big P-Pop group in the future? There's also Kultura's recent campaign that had some of the most inspiring women of the Philippines wearing stylish new takes on the classic dress, showcasing how it can be worn in different settings by women of various backgrounds. Then there's Yassi Pressman, standing out from the LA crowd of a Jo Koy performance, for rocking a crop top terno fit designed by Dee Javier. 

Photo De La Salle College of Saint Benilde

Ternos only ascribe to one style.
You might think the terno only has one specific style, but it only takes a glance at the history of the outfit to learn it has gone through so many iterations over the decades, particularly over the last 10 years. Hoping to shed light on the terno’s rich history, several dresses were put on display at De La Salle College of Saint Benilde during the limited exhibition Fashion, Power, Modernity: The Ternos of the Benilde Collection, held last year. It showcased designs from four icons of Philippine fashion—Ramon Valera, Pitoy Moreno, Ben Farrales, and Aureo Alonzo. The exhibit had over 31 quintessential ternos and four traje de mestizas. One look at the set of 1950s ternos just from the personal wardrobe of former First Lady Luz Banzon Magsaysay by National Artist of the Philippines for Fashion Design Ramon Valera is testament enough that no two ternos are exactly alike, unless you were the Single White Female type preying on your current bestie.

Photo Rakuten Fashion Week website

Terno doesn’t have a global appeal
If that were the case, then you must have missed the Rakuten Fashion Week in Tokyo, Japan. In what is regarded as one of Japan’s most well-known fashion festival, the terno took center stage as part of a collaboration between Bench and the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Much of the crowd were at awe by the terno outfits designed by Dennis Lustico, Chito Vijandre, Ricky Toledo, and Joey Samson. If Tokyo, one of the most fashionable places in Asia, could find appreciation for the terno, then it certainly does have a global appeal. 
Either that or you’ve never heard of the butterfly sleeve unfurling itself on high at the Paris Fashion Week haute couture spring/summer 2022 shows, in which Samar-born, Dubai-based Michael Cinco unleashed a kaleidoscope of ternos at the American Cathedral in Paris in the presentation of the 30-piece collection of crystal-studded ball gowns and menswear he proudly described as “very Filipino.”
If you’re not convinced of the global appeal of the terno, why don’t you go back to 2008, when the sleeves so closely associated with the Philippine terno—many thanks to presidential mother, the Imeldific, Imelda Romualdez Marcos and her reign as first lady-to-watch from 1965 to 1986—fluttered down the Chanel runway at Paris Fashion Week in 2008?

Self-care is the way to go

How to thrive in mental wellness

BY POCH EULALIA

Jan 9, 2024 10:11 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Your mental health is everything— prioritize it. Make the time like your life depends on it, because it does.

• — Mel Robbins

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Often when things get so busy, we tend to neglect our own needs. This leads to a burnout of sorts or, worse, a melancholic feeling of not wanting to do anything. To ensure that our lives never get to that level, we need to focus on our mental wellness. Here are some self-care tips to make sure you treat yourself right. 

Prioritize your needs
Self-care makes or breaks our mental wellness. Always make sure you find time to take a break from things to dedicate time to activities that spark joy, relaxation, and rejuvenation. Perhaps choose to sleep in on a free day or engage in a physical activity to keep the blood pumping. Finding a hobby will also help in reducing stress and enhancing your well-being. 

Find time to socialize
Even introverts have a need to interact with their closest friends! Keeping to yourself for long periods can be damaging to your mental health as we are wired to be around others. Hit up a friend you haven’t talked to in a while and reconnect. As they say online, go outside to touch the grass and crack open a cold one with your pals!

Meditation is key
Mindfulness and meditation are powerful tools for nurturing mental wellness. These practices encourage being present in the moment, calming the mind, and reducing stress. Exercises like yoga and Pilates are a great way of clearing your mind and keeping your body active.

Time for a digital detox

Keeping our eyes glued to the screen might be appealing to pass the time but it can also be harmful if done too long. Social media often has us viewing the best parts of other people’s lives. This might lead us to think we aren’t doing things right if others appear to be enjoying more than we are. When you start to feel like this, it’s best to take some time off social media.  Engage in activities that do not involve screens, allowing your mind to rest and recharge.

Seek professional help
Therapy goes a long way. Sometimes there are problems within us that need professional help, and there’s no shame in that! Seeing a therapist or a counselor allows us to get a different view of our life. Often they’ll give us ways to cope, tools for managing stress, and most importantly a safe space to vent about our troubles.

Think positive
To be healthy in the mind, one must be free of problems. But to be free from problems, you need to look at the brighter side of life. Mucking about on the downside of things will only discourage you from being your best self. If life kicks you down, remember to kick back harder!

Rizal’s life in exile

How Dr. José Rizal spent his days in Dapitan City

BY POCH EULALIA

Dec 30, 2023 10:23 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• I rise early in the morning, at five, visit my plants, feed the chickens, awaken my people, and prepare our breakfast. At half past seven, we eat our breakfast, which consists of tea, bread, cheese, sweets, and other things. — Dr. José Rizal

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EXILED TO ISOLATION Hoping to silence Rizal, the Spanish Government had Rizal exiled to the isolated City of Dapitan in 1892

In fear of Dr. José Rizal’s growing influence among the people due to his calls for social reform, the Spanish colonial government hoped to extinguish Rizal’s reach by sending him off to the City of Dapitan in Zamboanga del Norte, Mindanao. He arrived via boat on July 17, 1892. Ever the optimist, rather than lamenting his newfound fate, Rizal put his time in exile to good use by helping improve the isolated city.

Using his share of winnings from a lottery ticket, Rizal bought a plot of land in Talisay, a seaside barangay in Dapitan. There, he lived a simple life, using his time to tend to his farm, treat his patients, teach children, read, and write. He detailed how his morning starts in a letter to his dear friend, Ferdinand Blumentritt, “I rise early in the morning, at five, visit my plants, feed the chickens, awaken my people, and prepare our breakfast. At half past seven, we eat our breakfast, which consists of tea, bread, cheese, sweets, and other things.”

MI CASA, SU CASA Although now only a replica of Casa Redonda, this octagonal hut served as Rizal’s clinic for treating patients and a dormitory for his young pupils

As relaxing as his letter made it out to be, Rizal was a busy man, always on the move to try and improve things for Dapitan. Hoping to pass on his extensive knowledge, Rizal started a school to provide basic education to young children. As most of his students came from further provinces, he took them in as boarders and let them stay in two dormitories on his farmland—Casa Redonda and Casa Cuadrada. In exchange for their schooling, the students assisted Rizal in his chores and farming. 

SHARER OF KNOWLEDGE Rizal’s tools in teaching, a table and blackboard, were used in his makeshift school in Dapitan

Curious as ever, Rizal spent a lot of his time exploring the nature of Dapitan. Collecting various seashells and butterflies, he amassed a wide collection of wildlife during his stay. This curiosity led him to discover four new species—a tree frog, a flying lizard, and two beetles. Using some knowledge of engineering, Rizal also managed to create an irrigation system to bring water from surrounding springs and rivers to the farmlands. 

HIS FINAL LOVE Josephine Bracken, an Irish national, won the heart of Rizal and went on to be his wife

Dapitan also served as a place where Rizal found true love. It was here that he met Josephine Bracken, an Irish woman born in Hong Kong. Their paths crossed due to many speaking highly of Rizal’s skills as an ophthalmologist in Hong Kong. Hoping to have George Taufer, her adoptive father, undergo treatment for his double cataracts, they headed for Dapitan. While Rizal realized there was nothing he could do for Taufer, he found that he had fallen for Bracken. The two were said to spend their days sitting with a view of the sea on a heart-shaped rock, referred to as Mi Retiro Rock, after the series of poems Rizal supposedly wrote on the rock. After only a few months, Rizal hoped to make it official by marrying Bracken.

ROCK HARD LOVE Bracken and Rizal supposedly shared many romantic moments on the heart-shaped rock referred to as Mi Retiro Rock

Unfortunately, with Rizal being excommunicated from the Catholic Church for joining the Masons, he was unable to marry Bracken in a traditional sense. Instead, they would exchange their vows in a common-law marriage. It’s later claimed that the two would get a proper marriage before his execution, but much of its validity is still debated among historians. Perhaps the most tragic part of their romance is the death of Rizal and Bracken’s would-be son after a premature birth. 

Rizal’s four years in Dapitan would come to an end after the hero hoped to embark on a journey to Cuba to serve as a voluntary military doctor in Cuba. Sadly, he would never make it to Cuba after the Spanish government had him arrested mid-travel and sent back home for sentencing. His properties in Dapitan were confiscated by the government. 

Today, Rizal’s life lives on as we dedicate Dec. 30, the date of his execution at Bagumbayan, to commemorate his lifelong achievements.

On this special day, may we learn to live by his example, serving as a man for others and always hoping to improve the lives of our countrymen. 

From purgatory to paradise

A deeper look into the origins of All Souls’ Day

BY POCH EULALIA

Oct 31, 2023 09:13 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Thus you may understand that love alone is the true seed of every merit in you, and of all acts for which you must atone. — Dante Alighieri, Purgatorio

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Each year on Nov. 2, Catholics flock to cemeteries and columbariums to pray over their loved ones who have passed on in celebration of All Souls’ Day. It’s a solemn period, where families gather together to remember the deceased and talk about the memories they have left behind. But it leaves the question, how did All Souls’ Day and the traditions we follow with it come to be?

THE MAN WHO STARTED IT ALL Odilo of Cluny is credited as the man who came up with All Souls’ Day

All Souls’ Day can be traced back to the 11th century. While there is no exact date as to when it started, the celebration was thought of by Odilo of Cluny, who served as the head of the influential monastery of the Abbey of Cluny in medieval France. According to legend, Odilo came up with All Souls’ Day after a pilgrim approached him to share the visions he had while being stranded on an island. These visions were of purgatory, a place where the departed must endure purification and atone for their sins before entering heaven. Intrigued by the visions, Odilo assigned Nov. 2 as a special day of prayer for all the departed, placed just one day after All Saints’ Day when saints are honored.

A BEAUTIFUL TRIBUTE Jorge R. Gutiérrez’s The Book of Life is an animated film that beautifully depicts the traditions observed during Dia de los Muertos

So how does one celebrate All Souls’ Day? It varies worldwide. For instance, anyone who has seen Disney’s Coco or Jorge R. Gutiérrez’s The Book of Life might know that Mexicans observe what is known as Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). During this special holiday, families build private altars containing the favorite food and beverages of their dearly departed. Sometimes they also include memorabilia such as pictures, letters, and other possessions from family members who have passed. Graves are also decorated with colorful flowers. Often the Mexican marigold is used for its vibrant orange color.  

 

Meanwhile in the Philippines, the season of Undas has families driving in droves to cemeteries with food, flowers, and candles. Usually, the food is used for a mini picnic for the family to share and eat at the gravesite since it serves as a mini-reunion for those coming from far-off places. Flowers, often the sampaguita, are then placed by the grave as a sign of respect. Candles are lit in hopes of giving peace to our departed loved ones. It’s also a common practice for everyone to recite the rosary during this gathering as it is believed to help lead souls into heaven. 

IN THEIR MEMORY Candles are often lit during Undas season as it is believed it will give peace to our dearly departed

Whatever way we might celebrate All Souls’ Day, it’s important to remember that this is a time to gather with your loved ones and cherish their presence. It’s also a great moment to look back at all the fun memories left behind by friends and family who have moved on to the next life. 

Women in art

How this special art gallery was made

for women by women

BY POCH EULALIA

Oct 8, 2023 10:29 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Women artists are still treated differently from men. — Yoko Ono

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WOMEN IN ART Several Filipina artists’ works were featured at the ‘Her Story in Color: Celebrating the Diversity and Creativity of Women’ art exhibit

When we think about great classical artists, we mostly only remember male artists. Try it for yourself, can you think of any women artists who rose to fame alongside the likes of Renaissance artists like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Caravaggio, and so on? One might also notice that even the symbolizations of women in artworks come from a male gaze-y point of view. 

 

As Lynda Mead points out in her book, The Female Nude: Art, Obscenity and Sexuality, you would find that most of the artworks considered as "high art" were nude paintings of women. She notes that in these paintings, women were often depicted as having idolized bodies. They were drawn with body features that the average woman at the time did not have. She argues that this idolized vision in the art world is due to the increasing power of men in a capitalist world.  

A WOMAN IN POWER Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano leads the opening of the ‘Her Story in Color: Celebrating the Diversity and Creativity of Women’ art exhibit at the Grand Hyatt Manila in BGC, Taguig

Fortunately, in recent years, the art world has found a shift toward a more inclusive space. Nowadays, more people are aware of works by notable female artists such as Frida Kahlo, Margaret Keane, Georgia O'Keeffe, and many more. These are largely due to the collectives of women in the art industry that continue to grow over the years.

 

One such collective is Zonta International. Zonta found its start in 1919 in Buffalo, New York. Its name is derived from a Lakota Sioux Indian word that means "honest and trustworthy." What started as a small collective of businesswomen by Marian de Forest has now grown into a global movement consisting of over 29,000 members in 62 countries. Zonta International has put work into putting up programs hoping to provide better opportunities for women, improving the livelihood of women in their local communities, giving scholarships, and one day achieving a world free of violence against women and girls. Through their efforts, they wish to create a world in which women's rights are recognized as human rights and every woman is able to achieve her full potential. As their vision states, “In such a world, women have access to all resources and are represented in decision-making positions on an equal basis with men. In such a world, no woman lives in fear of violence.” 

Paghihip by Pia Dacanay, 20x20 inches, acrylic on canvas

Just recently, Zonta International held the 22nd Zonta International District 17 Conference at the Grand Hyatt Manila in BGC, Taguig. During this gathering, Zontians from all over the country and our neighbors in Asia were provided a venue to provide one another with ideas on how to uplift fellow women. A highlight of the conference was an art exhibit entitled, “Her Story in Color: Celebrating the Diversity and Creativity of Women.” It contained the works of several Filipina artists and was put together by Mita Rufino, in collaboration with ManilArt and National Art Fair curator Danny Rayos del Sol and NCCA National Committee on Art Gallery head Tess Rayos del Sol. 

Elements by Joy Vocalan Cruz, 36x18 inches, acrylic on wood and resin

Two artists whose works were present at the exhibit, Pia Dacanay and Joy Vocalan Cruz, share their hopes for how such efforts can help women in the art industry. “For me to be able to paint is a blessing already. I did not even expect to be a part of this but I’m grateful for groups like Zonta that they give opportunities for women to be heard (and) to be seen through their works,” says Pia. “Ang hope ko (My hope) is that we encourage more women to still keep on doing what they love doing even if you become a professional or a career woman or even if you become a homemaker, whatever you decide to do with your life, you can still do a lot of things.” Joy, meanwhile, has a hopeful message for those who see the exhibit. “(I hope) that you will be empowered and influenced by all the artworks and do more good as an advocacy to help women (from) all walks of life,” she says.

Zonta.org