FIBA World Cup gives PH its moment of glory

 

By The Editorial Board

TODAY, a new and exciting chapter in Philippine sports history opens as Manila hosts the 2023 FIBA World Cup, basketball's biggest spectacle. For the next 17 days, 32 teams, which survived a long and grueling elimination phase, will face each other in the final showdown to determine who will reign as champion for the next four years.

The Philippines fought tooth and nail for the chance to host this year's FIBA World Cup. We could not afford to let it slip by, since it may be decades before the next golden opportunity comes along.

We are co-hosting the World Cup with Okinawa and Jakarta, but the medal round will be played here. And that is a grand treat for the millions of Filipino basketball fans who are looking forward to the rare experience of watching their idols play.

To describe Filipinos as basketball-crazy is not an exaggeration. In almost every village, there is a basketball court. The ring may be skewed and rusty, nailed to a warped backboard, and the court nothing but a leveled-out patch of bare ground. But it is where barefoot boys learn the game. It is where the dream begins.

The roots of basketball in the Philippines are difficult to trace, because historical details are scarce. One account credits American teachers for bringing the game over toward the end of the 1800s, when America took the country under its wing. The game was just catching on in the US, having been developed by Canadian-American doctor James Naismith in 1861.

Dribbling a ball and shooting it towards a hoop (originally a peach basket with its bottom removed) quickly appealed to the local boys, and a national sport was born.

For a while, the Philippines was the unchallenged king of basketball in Asia, winning the crown during the 1913 Far Eastern Games.

The appeal has since grown into a national obsession. More than a century later, basketball has mesmerized an entire nation. We have professional and semi-pro leagues, and basketball is the glamor sport in the UAAP and the NCAA. For many barangay (villages), a fiesta celebration is not complete without a basketball tournament.

According to one report, the Philippines is Nike's third biggest basketball market after the US and China.

Multi-awarded PBA coach Tim Cone caught the essence of the Filipinos' romance with basketball during a recent interview. "We have three seasons: rainy season, [dry] season and basketball season, and we play basketball through it all. That's the passion," Cone said.

Not surprisingly, the holy grail for many young players is suiting up for the national team. To join the roster, which includes the all-time greats of Philippine basketball, is a distinct privilege and honor.

Among the legends who played for the flag and country was Carlos Loyzaga. The six-foot-one Loyzaga led the national team to a third-place finish in the 1954 World Basketball Championship in Rio de Janeiro.

It was the best finish for the Philippines in the tournament that was the forerunner of the FIBA World Cup.

Other court heroes have responded to the call to play for the Philippine team. Lauro Mumar was Loyzaga's teammate in the 1954 championship. Narciso Bernardo and Ed Ocampo were fixtures in several national teams. So were Alvin Patrimonio, Bogs Adornado, Manny Paner, Ramon Fernandez and Allan Caidic.

Robert Jaworski was the driving force behind many Philippine teams.

It is fitting that FIBA has chosen the World Cup in Manila as the venue to honor Loyzaga by formalizing his posthumous induction into its Hall of Fame.

The quest for basketball glory continues today. The Philippines' Gilas will be up against some of the world's best teams. It will be the underdog, but Gilas prides itself in having puso — a fierce fighting heart.

For that, Gilas deserves the admiration and wholehearted support from the country as it basks in national pride for being the center of the basketball universe for the next two weeks.

Signal no. 1 up in parts of Batanes, Babuyan, Cagayan, Isabela

Radio Veritas to hold Grand Marian exhibit

BY CHRISTINA HERMOSO

Aug 25, 2023 09:41 AM

  

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Church-run Radio Veritas is inviting the faithful to a Grand Marian Exhibit, a prelude to the celebration of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Sept. 8.

 Grand Marian Exhibit (Photo courtesy of Radio Veritas)

“The Marian exhibit aims to help spread devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and is part of our evangelization efforts, especially since the venue is inside the mall where mall goers can visit and learn more about our Blessed Mother,” said Veritas Religious department head Renee Jose over Radio Veritas.
 

The Grand Marian Exhibit will be held at the Fisher Mall’s activity center in Quezon City from Aug. 30 until the Solemnity of the Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Sept. 8.

Rev. Fr. Anton Pascual, Radio Veritas president and Caritas Manila executive director will lead the launching of the exhibit on Aug. 30.

To be featured are 70 reverend Marian images under different titles from around the country including Our Lady of Veritas. 

Interested parties may get in touch with Ms. Jose at 0917-6314589 for love offerings and mass donations. 

These collections merge Davao’s design prowess with the heritage of Ilocos Norte

Fashion designers Neil Patrick Jimlani and Mark Joseph Sayad reimagine National Living Treasure Magdalena Gamayo’s inabel tapestries into modern Filipino wear

BY JOHN LEGASPI

  

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The culture of the Philippines’ northern region made its way to the south as the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) unveiled the “Panaglaga Ti Ladga: Weave Transcending Time,” a Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA) fashion exhibition dedicated to celebrating the life and works of Ilocano master weaver Magdalena Gamayo.

GAMABA Magdalena Gamayo (Photo courtesy of the NCCA)

A collaboration between the NCCA, the City Government of Davao, and SM Lanang Premier, “Panaglaga Ti Ladga: Weave Transcending Time” aims to bridge the knowledge of indigenous weaving traditions and innovation as it significantly underscores the need to enhance the resilience of the ties that link traditions and modernity. It celebrates both Magdalena’s legacy as a cultural bearer and Davao City’s thriving fashion scene.

“Davao City, for so long, has been doing fashion infused with Mindanao textiles,” NCCA’s executive director Oscar Casaysay said. “We have to strengthen the ties between the South and the North. [With that,] we focused on bringing the Northern cultural communities to Davao in time for its celebration of the Kadayawan Festival.”

Mark Joseph Sayad, Nicole Cordoves, Oscar Casysay, and Neil Patrick Jimlani (Photo courtesy of the NCCA)

For the event, the NCCA tapped two of Davao City’s emerging designers, Neil Patrick Jimlani and Mark Joseph Sayad, who reimagined the inabel tapestries of National Living Treasure Magdalena Gamayo into wearable art, in accord with the respectful treatment of indigenous expressions. Their collections were showcased at the mall’s atrium on Aug. 20, with TV host and former beauty queen Nicole Cordoves closing their runway presentations. Both hailed from the Tausug tribes, Neil and Mark described the first time working with inabel fabric as challenging and fulfilling.

‘Molino Ti Angin’

Neil looked at Ilocos Norte’s Bangui Wind Farm as his inspiration for his collection. Dubbed ‘Molino Ti Angin,” presented modern Filipino wear and resort wear for men and women in shades of blue and red. The collection is his way of paying homage to the stunning windmills that adorn the Bangui shoreline.

‘Molino Ti Angin’ collection (Photo courtesy of the NCCA)

Present in his collection were the inabel textiles with binakol and impalagto techniques, which were utilized to bring out the intricate designs of the cat paw pattern, known as paddek pusa, and the beautiful inubon a sabong or the string of flowers that earned Manlilikha ng Bayan Magdalena Gamayo the well-deserved award.

One of our favorite pieces from his collection was the maroon dress with an asymmetrical hemline that’s lined with fiery orange beading and tulle flounces. Another stand-out look was his take on the butterfly sleeve, which he incorporated into a jacket for men. Last was his finale look, worn by Nicole, a one-shoulder pale blue terno trumpet gown with delicate beading and kisiskos inabel.

‘San Pedro Cathedral’

Putting his Roman Catholic faith on the runway was Mark with his collection inspired by the San Pedro Cathedral. A known landmark in Davao City, the church has beautiful architecture, which heavily influenced the designer’s collection.

‘San Pedro Cathedral’ collection (Photo courtesy of the NCCA)

Mark used GAMABA Magdalena’s inabel to make modern formal wear, from elegant gowns to suit ensembles for men. The intricate pinalagtwan and kahonado, as well as the timeless binakol kusikos, were made into contemporary pieces with geometric embellishments.

The highlights of his collection were the gray oversized dress coat with binakol kusikos pattern, the bags made of inabel, and the deep blue halter gown with geometric weaving worn by Nicole.

The pieces from the two collections, as well as the art of other GAMABA awardees, are on display at the “Panaglaga Ti Lagda: Weave Transcending Time” exhibit at the mall’s atrium until Aug. 25.

Banner photos courtesy of SM Lanang Premier and NCCA.

Get cozy with Numcha in her latest EP 'hewantscoffeebutiamtea'

BY MANILA BULLETIN ENTERTAINMENT

Aug 25, 2023 07:20 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Having performed at LUCFest, Very Festival, and Double Happiness Festival by 88rising, Numcha has also collaborated with Converse, Fender Japan, renowned artiste Kuo from ‘Sunset Rollercoaster’ and Korean indie-pop artiste, Adoy.

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Numcha

Thai Indie-pop singer-songwriter Numcha is no stranger to Asia, especially in countries like Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan and Thailand! 

Having performed at LUCFest, Very Festival, and Double Happiness Festival by 88rising, Numcha has also collaborated with Converse, Fender Japan, renowned artiste Kuo from ‘Sunset Rollercoaster’ and Korean indie-pop artiste, Adoy. 

Now with 18 million streams on “Keep Cold'' and 300K monthly listeners, she just released her four-track EP “hewantscoffeebutiamtea”! 

This EP is about various “rollercoaster” feelings that not only her, but others she saw, went through. Numcha quotes that she witnessed others who suffered and tried “to be fine through a thunderstorm,” having come out stronger and fresher. 

She dedicates this EP to all that have been on an emotional rollercoaster, reminding people to find possibilities and when you can’t.  She wants others to remember through this EP that sometimes, “at least you know yourself better and know a reason to breathe.” Numcha certainly is a comfort you know you need through tough times!

'I've always looked for what I truly needed.'

Tracklist:

Powder Blue 

Afterglow 

Floor 

Cup of tea 

Naming it “hewantscoffeebutiamtea”, Numcha related to this phrase the most whenever she was going through a hard time. She chooses to spend it reflecting on herself as “it’s the rarest item in life”.

Afterglow is the focus track of this dreamy and beautiful EP and it speaks about the aftermath of tougher phases. With dream-like melodies mixed in with beats, Afterglow is a song you can play when you’re getting ready with a cup of hot chocolate, or when you’re riding your bicycle with the wind in your hair. It is a song of comfort and tunes that’s like a companion along the beach. Ready to stay with you, Afterglow will glow up your day and keep you listening on repeat!

This EP on a whole is like a pocket of dream and hope. During down days, “you will find a friend who is truly beside you and bring you warm tea on a rainy day.” She wishes for all who listen to this EP to be comforted knowing that you’re not suffering alone and that through the emotions and introspection, you’d find a reason to carry on again. 

“Hewantscoffeebutiamtea” is now available on all streaming platforms!

Numcha tours Asia again at the upcoming Pentaport Rock Festival in Korea last Aug. 6 and Singapore’s Music Mosaic Series on Aug. 26.

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PAGASA: LPA east of Cagayan develops into tropical depression Goring | ANC

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Rundown: The low pressure area off Cagayan has developed into a tropical depression.

Gov Gonzaga leads the Inaugural Oath-Taking Event of Junior Youth Public Officials in DdO

Nabunturan, Davao de Oro --- In a momentous event that embodies the spirit of civic engagement and empowerment among young individuals, thirty-seven (37) youths in various municipalities of the province set the stage for a new era of leadership and community involvement as they affirm as Junior Youth Public Officials (JYPOs) during the Oath-Taking Ceremony, today, August 22.

 

Governor Dorothy Montejo-Gonzaga administered the oath-taking event at the Provincial Capitol Grounds, Nabunturan, during the Convocation program of the employees and officials.

"This is also our surest way for you to be inspired to soon be involved in government service, pinaagi sa pag apil sa mga programa ug labaw mas maayu kung kamo gyud mismo maoy mamahimo na mag hupot sa mga posisyon in the near future", expressed Governor Gonzaga in her weekly message.

Governor Gonzaga added that "this activity is really gearing toward their genuine appreciation of the tasks and functions sa tagsa-tagsa ka mga department heads, appointive officials, ug mas labaw na sa atong elective officials".

Meanwhile, Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President Charlemagne B. Bautista said in his address that today marked the third day of their journey as delegates representing various departments and officials within the provincial government.

These young individuals displayed exceptional performance during the thorough screening and examination, leading in their selection as JYPOs based on the result released by the Sangguniang Kabataan - Davao de Oro FB page on August 17.

"We would like to encourage our officials and different heads of offices to warmly welcome and guide your equivalent Junior Youth Official as they engage themselves in quality public service and bureaucratic leadership," said SKFP Bautista.

Additionally, the JYPOs 9-day emergence in the provincial government started last Sunday, August 20, during the convergence and orientation at the Activity Hall, Provincial Capitol. Their engagement is set to wrap up on Monday, August 28.

The election, appointment, and installation of these young officials were part of the International Youth Day and Linggo ng Kabataan 2023 celebration with the theme "Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable Youth," as this was also supported by Section 8 of Provincial Ordinance No. 94-2022 that specifies the annual election of young officials on the first day of the Linggo ng Kabataan Celebration.

With the efforts of the Panlalawigang Pederasyon ng Sangguniang Kabataan with the support from the Governor, Department of the Interior and Local Government, PSWDO-Youth Development Division, and SK-Davao de Oro, the undertaking stands as the province's commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders which not only highlighted the importance of active youth participation in governance but also exemplified the passing of the torch to a generation poised to shape the future of the province. (Jaynus Fernandez)

Vina Morales waited 10 years before finally being accepted on Broadway's 'Here Lies Love'

BY ROBERT REQUINTINA

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Vina will play the role of Aurora Aquino as she replaced Filipino Broadway star Lea Salonga in the first all-Filipino production of "Here Lies Love" on Broadway from Sept. 22 to Oct. 22.

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VIna Morales (Instagram)

Vina Morales has revealed that she waited 10 years before she was finally accepted on Broadway's 'Here Lies Love'.

"For those who don't know, I auditioned for Here Lies Love more than 10 years ago, and that's why our directors Alex Timbers and David Byrne are familiar with me," wrote Vina on Instagram on Aug. 22. 

Vina will play the role of Aurora Aquino as she replaced Filipino Broadway star Lea Salonga in the first all-Filipino production of "Here Lies Love" on Broadway from Sept. 22 to Oct. 22. 

Her full post:

“For I know the plans I have for you”- this is a phrase that is carved in my heart and mind. I am still overwhelmed with how God works and for the warm welcome about my Broadway debut. 

"For those who don't know, I auditioned for Here Lies Love more than 10 years ago, and that's why our directors Alex Timbers and David Byrne are familiar with me. 

"When I joined the theater portraying the role of Sherrie in "Rock of Ages" by Atlantis production, a part of my dream was to be able to perform on Broadway. 

"10 years later, while I was doing my Australian concert tour, I got a call from dear friends @msleasalonga and Direk @thebobbygarciaco to do a self-shoot video audition for the part of Aurora Aquino. My “coach” Lea was very kind and supportive along the process until I got accepted. 

"Can you imagine more than 10 years of waiting?!? Ika nga ni Tito Boy Abunda, “Good things happen to those who wait”. This is another check off my bucket list . A dream come true indeed . I am grateful and thankful to all of you who are cheering and praying for me. 

"Thank you to my family esp my baby girl @ceanaml and my @starmagicphils family for their full support and love. I promise to give my best in every show in @herelieslovebway  . To God be the Glory.

"Still vivid in my mind when Coach Lea asked me, “Are you ready for your Broadway debut”? I am ready. See you soon mga Kababayan on Broadway. I’ll be playing from Sept 22-Oct 22 Maraming Salamat po."

The Nathanael in us

 

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

THE Feast of St. Bartholomew, Apostle, originally known as Nathanael, offers us hope of also becoming closely related to Christ despite all the defects and weaknesses that we have. 

The story of his calling as an apostle (cfr. Jn 1,45-51) is both amusing and uplifting since it clearly tells us that we too can be called to be an apostle and to be intimately involved in Christ’s continuing work of redemption in spite of all the warts we all have.

Christ described Nathanael as a “man with no guile” because he was quite spontaneous in his raw reaction to the news that a friend of his, Philip, told him. But it was also this being a “man with no guile” that made him to immediately rectify himself when Christ told him something that must have been in his mind for a while.

Nathanael embodies the ordinary person who, in spite of warts and all, still has that basic, irreducible trait of exposing his heart, no matter how defective, to the truth. He does not run away nor hide from it. 

He is truly a man with no guile, no pretensions, no need for covering. Except for the normal need for discretion and modesty, he is completely transparent. What you see is what you get.

That’s why you immediately feel good every time you meet such persons. They always exude such a welcome and wholesome aura about themselves in spite of their imperfections. They contribute in making society more at peace and in harmony.

Children are such persons, though their being guileless is due to their innocence and lack of exposure to the world. But when you see such quality in a person who is already exposed to the world, then you really feel good.

Let’s remember and imitate St. Bartholomew in his simplicity of heart and sincerity. His story shows that before we look for the truth, it is God first, Truth himself, who looks for us. 

Once we find it, let’s earnestly engage ourselves to it, never playing around with it to serve our self-interest, but rather conforming ourselves steadily to its requirements. 

This is when we can see more things, just as our Lord said: “Blessed are your eyes because they see…. For amen I say to you, many prophets and just men have desired to see the things you see, and have not seen them…” (Mt 13,16-17)

Otherwise, we will get our just deserts. Let’s remember St. Paul’s warning: “Because they receive not the love of the truth that they might be saved, God therefore shall send them the operation of error, to believe lying.” (2 Thes 2,10)

Let’s try our best to be always simple, yet shrewd but not complicated. Let’s not be daunted by this undeniably difficult combination of qualities we all ought to have. There's God's grace to help us. As long as we also do our part, things would just jell.

The fact is that Christ tells it to us very clearly. “Look, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be as shrewd as serpents and as innocent as doves.” (Mt 10,16)

Indeed, we cannot deny that we are in an increasingly complicated world. There are now many smart people around, quick to rationalize their actions. This is especially true among our political leaders, who in their quest for power, will do everything—mostly unfair means and reasonings—to gain or keep that power.