Pilita Corrales turns 85

BY MANILA BULLETIN ENTERTAINMENT

Aug 21, 2024 02:06 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Now semi-retired from performing, Pilita observes her 85th birthday with her family, treasuring the quiet moments when she can look back at the beautiful memories of her incredible career.

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Pilita Corrales

Asia’s Queen of Songs, the legendary Pilita Corrales, turns 85 on Aug. 22, marking nearly 70 years as one of the country’s greatest entertainers.

Born in Cebu to Spanish parents, the young Pilita left her finishing school studies in Madrid to take up show business after her father's sudden death.  

Initial success came as a recording artist and television presenter in Australia.  Her recording of Come Closer to Me topped the charts and led to several albums and other shows.  She was so popular that a street was named after her in Victoria.

Back home in the Philippines, she went from radio star of La Taberna to the biggest draw in stage shows at the Clover Theater and the Manila Grand Opera House and the star of Manila’s posh nightclubs. 

She was also a favorite in the concert scene which included performances with The Beatles, Matt Monroe, Sammy Davis Jr. and other foreign acts.  She also performed in Las Vegas and joined Bob Hope on tour.

Pilita’s recording of A Million Thanks to You, composed by Alice  Doria Gamilla, became one of the few original Filipino songs to top the hit charts. This led to her own weekly TV show, Your Evening with Pilita, one of the highest-rated and most awarded in local television history.   

A pivotal moment in her career came with her recording of the album Philippine Love Songs.  The collection of old Filipino originals like Dahil Sa Iyo, Irog Ako ay Mahalin, Hinahanap Kita, and others is now considered the turning point of the local music industry.  

Pilita’s new versions, with its modern pop touch, brought the old songs to the attention of young music lovers.  This is believed to have provided the jumpstart to the golden age of Philippine pop music during the 70s era.

Philippine Love Songs included a song titled Kapantay ay Langit, composed by then-new songwriter George Canseco. This became Pilita’s other signature song and the apt vehicle for her famous backbend. 

Canseco also wrote My Daughter, which brought Pilita the Best Singer Award at the Tokyo Music Festival in 1972. Pilita is also a movie and television actress and comedienne. 

Now semi-retired from performing, Pilita observes her 85th birthday with her family, treasuring the quiet moments when she can look back at the beautiful memories of her incredible career. 

Manila Philharmonic Orchestra performing 'Hamilton,' 'Star Wars,' 'Game of Thrones' tracks at 25th anniversary concert

Kristofer Purnell - Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — The Manila Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) is celebrating its 25th anniversary this October with a concert featuring special performances and guests.

The MPO's 25th anniversary concert is titled "Lights, Camera, Encore! — Music from the Stage and the Screen" as the orchestra led by founder and music director Maestro Rodel Colmenar performs iconic tracks from popular films, television shows and stage musicals.

These include "Hamilton," "Star Wars," "Les Miserables," "Game of Thrones," "La La Land," "A Star is Born" and select Studio Ghibli films, with more being teased.

Joining the concert as guests are Bituin Escalante, Lara Maigue, Arman Ferrer, the University of Santo Tomas Singers and the Philippine Madrigal Singers.

Tickets for "Lights, Camera, Encore! — Music from the Stage and the Screen," happening on October 29 (7:30 p.m.) at Makati's Samsung Performing Arts Theater, are already available via the Ticketworld website and outlets.

There are six sections to choose from: Upper Balcony (P2,500), Lower Balcony (P3,000), Loge Left/Right (P4,500), Loge Center (P5,500), Orchestra Left/Right (P5,500), and Orchestra Pit/Center (P6,500).

A portion of ticket proceeds will go to The PARC Foundation's PARC Aralan Project which helps underprivileged children through music and the arts.

Long weekend alert: What will the weather be?

BY ELLALYN DE VERA-RUIZ

Aug 21, 2024 09:34 AM

  

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The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said “fair” conditions, with partly cloudy weather and a “high chance” of rain showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon or evening, will prevail throughout the country until the approaching long weekend.

PAGASA Weather Specialist Obet Badrina said the southwest monsoon (habagat) is at the edge of the country and has little to no impact as of Wednesday, Aug. 21.

Meanwhile, he said the low pressure area located 1,215 kilometers east-northeast of extreme northern Luzon is now outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR).

Badrina pointed out that there is still a slim chance of a tropical cyclone developing within the PAR in the coming days.

He said the easterlies, or warm winds from the Pacific Ocean, will be the dominant weather system, bringing warm weather until noon and a high likelihood of isolated rain showers or thunderstorms in the afternoon or evening.

In the next 24 hours, partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms may prevail over Eastern Visayas, Caraga, and Davao Region due to the easterlies.

The rest of the country may also experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers because of localized thunderstorms.

Badrina said similar weather conditions may persist until Friday, Aug. 23, during the commemoration of Ninoy Aquino Day.

By Sunday, Aug. 25, he said the habagat may again affect parts of the country, especially Mindanao.

Meanwhile, the rest of the country is expected to continue to enjoy fair weather.

These conditions may persist through National Heroes Day on Monday, Aug. 26.

Laughter is the Best Medicine

 

Laughter is a pleasant physical reaction and emotion consisting usually of rhythmical, often audible contractions of the diaphragm and other parts of the respiratory system. It is a response to certain external or internal stimuli.

The aphorism “laughter is the best medicine” has been attributed to the Book of Proverbs in the Old Testament: “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones”. This ancient wisdom might also hold true for some medical conditions.

It’s true: laughter is strong medicine. It draws people together in ways that trigger healthy physical and emotional changes in the body. Laughter strengthens your immune system, boosts mood, diminishes pain, and protects you from the damaging effects of stress. Nothing works faster or more dependably to bring your mind and body back into balance than a good laugh. Humor lightens your burdens, inspires hope, connects you to others, and keeps you grounded, focused, and alert. It also helps you release anger and forgive sooner.

With so much power to heal and renew, the ability to laugh easily and frequently is a tremendous resource for surmounting problems, enhancing your relationships, and supporting both physical and emotional health. Best of all, this priceless medicine is fun, free, and easy to use.

As children, we used to laugh hundreds of times a day, but as adults, life tends to be more serious and laughter more infrequent. But by seeking out more opportunities for humor and laughter, you can improve your emotional health, strengthen your relationships, find greater happiness—and even add years to your life.

Laughter boosts the immune system. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.

Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.

Laughter protects the heart. Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.

Laughter burns calories. Okay, so it’s no replacement for going to the gym, but one study found that laughing for 10 to 15 minutes a day can burn approximately 40 calories—which could be enough to lose three or four pounds over the course of a year.

Laughter lightens anger’s heavy load. Nothing diffuses anger and conflict faster than a shared laugh. Looking at the funny side can put problems into perspective and enable you to move on from confrontations without holding onto bitterness or resentment.

Laughter may even help you to live longer. A study in Norway found that people with a strong sense of humor outlived those who don’t laugh as much. The difference was particularly notable for those battling cancer.

More than just a respite from sadness and pain, laughter gives you the courage and strength to find new sources of meaning and hope. Even in the most difficult of times, a laugh–or even simply a smile–can go a long way toward making you feel better. And laughter really is contagious—just hearing laughter primes your brain and readies you to smile and join in the fun.

Laughter shifts perspective, allowing you to see situations in a more realistic, less threatening light. A humorous perspective creates psychological distance, which can help you avoid feeling overwhelmed and diffuse conflict.

Laughter draws you closer to others, which can have a profound effect on all aspects of your mental and emotional health.

Laughter releases endorphins, known as 'feel-good hormones'. It increases the oxygen-rich air you take in and reduces stress hormones, bringing down your heart rate and blood pressure, and causing your muscles to relax.

Well, even if we think we don't have reasons to laugh during times today,we should try to express mirth spontaneously, and we should try to be merry or gay. We still have reasons to start with the softest form of audible laughter - the vocalized smile. This is what I learned and experienced from the first moment on while travelling in Asia since 1978, and being an expat living in the Philippines since 1999 for good. Keep smiling - even you are overloaded with huge problems.

Experts also say good humor works because it helps people feel easier in mind. The French psychotherapist Sylvie Tenenbaum stressed that, in her patients, laughter often signals the dawning of a wholesome awakening to reality. Gallow humor might be dubious in the eyes of others. But try to sing out loud, try to cry, but try to laugh!

As a devout Christian I love reading the bible. Ecclessiastes 3:1-4 say: "There is a time for everything ... a time to be born and a time to die ,,, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh!"

Frayna, Fronda, Canino impress in Germany

BY MANILA BULLETIN SPORTS

Aug 19, 2024 05:00 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• World Chess Olympiad-bound Janelle Mae Frayna, Jan Jodilyn Fronda and Ruelle Canino made significant gains with solid performances in the Sparkassen Trophy tilt in Dortmund, Germany over the weekend.

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World Chess Olympiad-bound Janelle Mae Frayna, Jan Jodilyn Fronda and Ruelle Canino made significant gains with solid performances in the Sparkassen Trophy tilt in Dortmund, Germany over the weekend.

Janelle Mae Frayna

Frayna, the country’s first and only Woman Grandmaster thus far, downed German FIDE Master Timo Kuppers in the ninth and final round to finish with 5.5 points for a share of 37th place.

Fronda fell to German International Master Gerlef Meins in the last round and wound up with the same score as Frayna. 

From their performance, Frayna earned 23 elo rating points and should have her current rating increase to 2185 from 2162 while Fronda jumped from 2089 to 2140 after gaining 51 rating points.
It came more than a week after their impressive finish in Vlissingen, the Netherlands where Frayna finished in a share of 13th with 6.5 points and Fronda in a group at No. 16 with six points.

Canino, 16, for her part, was equally impressive as she ended up with five points despite defaulting her first three games after some travel hitch and losing her fourth-round duel with India’s Arun Manukonda.

She finished with five points though and earned 96 rating points and should improve from 1908 to 2004.

Next stop for the troika, whose trip is financed by the Philippine Sports Commission and backed by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, is the Open Internacional d’escacs Santis-Ciutat de Barcelona scheduled Aug. 23 to Sept. 1 in Spain.

From there, they’ll be flying back on home Sept. 3, rest and join with the national team seeing action in the biennial Olympiad edition scheduled Sept. 10 to 22 in Budapest, Hungary.

There is no health without mental health

Shattering the stigma

BY MB LIFESTYLE

Aug 20, 2024 00:20 AM

  

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Photo: Christopher Catbagan / Unsplash

By HONEY REYES 

 

A silent epidemic in Manila's busy heart shadows the vibrant Filipino life. Mental health challenges, once secret and shameful, now affect many.

Depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues can be overwhelming. They can leave people feeling isolated and hopeless.

Today, we call for a collective awakening. It's time to break the stigma around mental health and focus on every Filipino's well-being.

 

The pervasive nature of mental health challenges

Recent studies reveal a dire state of mental health in the Philippines. The WHO estimates that 3.3 million Filipinos have depression. Another 3 million suffer from anxiety disorders.

These numbers are a fraction of the actual burden. Stigma and a lack of awareness prevent many from seeking help. Untreated mental health issues harm more than individuals. They affect families, communities, and the nation.

Productivity declines, relationships suffer, and the economic cost is significant. It is time to acknowledge the urgency of this crisis and take decisive action.

 

Breaking the stigma

The first step to a healthier Philippines is to shatter the stigma around mental health. We must make open talks about mental health a norm everywhere: homes, schools, workplaces, and communities. We must educate ourselves and others about mental illness. We must challenge harmful myths and stereotypes.

Fostering empathy can create a safe space. This will allow people to seek help without fear of judgment or discrimination.

 

Prioritizing mental wellbeing

Prioritizing mental wellbeing is not a luxury but a necessity. As we care for our physical health, we must also nurture our mental and emotional health. Regular exercise, adequate sleep, and a balanced diet reshape our mental health. Additionally, it is crucial to seek professional help when needed. Mental health professionals can provide support, guidance, and treatment.

Building supportive communities is another crucial aspect of prioritizing mental wellbeing. Families, friends, colleagues, and neighbors can help create a safe, supportive space. It should be a place where people can share their struggles and seek help.

 

The role of government and institutions

Individual efforts are vital. We need a united effort from the government and institutions to tackle the mental health crisis. To create a healthier Philippines, we must invest more in mental health services, improve access to care, and implement mental health policies.

The journey towards a mentally healthier Philippines begins with each one of us. We can create a supportive society by breaking the stigma and prioritizing wellbeing.

It will empower everyone to seek help. Remember the WHO's words: "There is no health without mental health." Let us work together to break the silence.

Dengue is surging—here’s a refresher on this deadly infection

LIFESTYLEHEALTH AND WELLBEING

Essential information for dengue prevention

BY MB LIFESTYLE

Aug 20, 2024 00:34 AM

  

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The city of Ormoc has recently been placed under State of Calamity due to a dengue outbreak. The Department of Health in Eastern Visayas has been ringing the alarm on dengue deaths and illnesses in the province. There has been 13 deaths and 5,730 cases recorded from January to July this year, which means its 152 percent higher than the 2,273 cases and seven deaths in 2023. Dengue fever, recognized by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as the fastest-spreading mosquito-borne illness globally, affects approximately 400 million people each year and is prevalent in over 100 countries. 

Despite the growing threat, many myths and misconceptions continue to cloud public understanding of dengue. Addressing these misconceptions is crucial for effective prevention and protection.

Here are some of them.

 

Myth #1: Dengue fever cannot be contracted more than once.

Fact: The dengue virus (DENV) has four distinct serotypes. Immunity from one serotype does not protect against the others, making subsequent infections possible and potentially more severe.

 

Myth #2: Dengue is contagious.

Fact: Dengue is transmitted through bites from infected female mosquitoes, primarily Aedes aegypti3. It cannot be contracted through human contact or respiratory droplets, making mosquito control essential.

 

Myth #3: An infected mosquito only breeds in dirty stagnant water. 

Fact: Aedes aegypti mosquitoes lay eggs in any stagnant water, whether clean or dirty. Common breeding sites include basins, pots, jars, and rain gutters. Regular maintenance is crucial to prevent mosquito infestation.

 

Myth #4: Dengue fever is only a risk during the rainy season.

Fact: While the rainy season can increase mosquito breeding sites, dengue fever is a risk year-round due to mosquitoes being attracted to carbon dioxide and heat.

Myth #5: The body can naturally recover from dengue fever without medical intervention.

Fact: Dengue fever usually presents as a week-long episode of severe headache, vomiting, and muscle pain. Immediate medical attention is crucial, as some individuals may require hospitalization despite initial recovery with rest and hydration.

With no specific cure for dengue fever, the focus must remain on preventive measures and accurate information. 

Tip: To help manage dengue, and the high costs that come with it, some insurance companies offer financial assistance for dengue medical care. For instance,   PruLifeUK’s protection products like PRUDengue Medcare and Medcare Pro offers coverage especially for dengue cases. 

Le Sserafim reveals concept photos for upcoming album ‘Crazy’

BY JONATHAN HICAP

Aug 19, 2024 09:03 PM

  

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K-pop girl group Le Sserafim unveiled three sets of concept photos for their upcoming fourth mini-album “Crazy” coming out on Aug. 30.

The photos were revealed following an electrifying album trailer and genre-spanning track samplers for each track of the album.

The first batch of photos titled “Thundering Cedar” visually embodies "Crazy" itself with the quintet’s hair levitated by static electricity, while they intensely concentrate on something outside the frame that is anything but ordinary.  

The unique setting is complemented by glowing lightning, a common motif also seen in the album’s trailer and track samplers, that delivers to viewers the overarching message of the album: “Let’s just go crazy together with Le Sserafim.”

 Le Sserafim (Source Music)

Taking a 180-degree turn from the eye-catching set of the previous concept, “Odd Fairy Floss” incorporates the quintet’s real-life favorite items, including sweet desserts, crocheted hats, and cute dolls.  

Stimulating viewers’ imaginations, the members appear to be floating or exploring a dreamlike world, with their bodies either grown as giants or shrunken as fairies. Text bubbles of what seems to be the members’ quirky thoughts, such as “Now, i am ready for a crazy adventure,” catches viewers’ attention.

The final concept “Heathers Rock” captures the quintet in five very different outfits ranging from flowy dresses, simple sportswear, to hip-hop style looks. Each member engages in seemingly out of the ordinary activities within ordinary settings, such as DJing on an apartment staircase, jumping rope in a neighborhood alley, and posing in front of a trash can. Not limiting themselves from time and place, the quintet is immersed in what they want to do, right here, right now. The group photo also includes Kim Chaewon holding up a flag that reads “Crazy Kids Never Die,” which also appeared in the album trailer, piquing curiosity for the upcoming album.

Le Sserafim will reveal the album’s tracklist on Aug. 22 and highlight medley on Aug. 23. 

 

 

 Le Sserafim (Source Music)

 Le Sserafim (Source Music)

ACCESS gets P76 million from EU for Mindanao flood aid

ACCESS will deliver food, clean water, sanitation facilities, and protection assistance to the hardest-hit, least-served, most remote communities

Manila, Philippines, 19 August 2024 – The ACCESS consortium – made up of five international and nine local organizations implementing the ACCESS Project – has secured PHP 76 million (EUR 1.2 million) in funding from the European Union (EU) to deliver timely, appropriate, life-saving aid to communities in Cotabato, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte and del Sur, and Sultan Kudarat who were affected by the July 2024 flooding and landslides.

 

Said Ansherina Talavera, Humanitarian and Peacebuilding Coordinator of consortium lead CARE Philippines: “As humanitarian workers, we’re committed to addressing human suffering wherever it is found, with a particular focus on the most vulnerable. This funding from the European Union helps us support the hardest-hit communities, who are not only dealing with the aftermath of floods and landslides but are also facing the ongoing challenges of conflict and climate change.”

 

Existing organizational presence enabled quick response

The consortium had been on the ground when floods and landslides hit the region, allowing it to immediately assess the situation, identify urgent needs, and deliver initial relief. This established presence in Mindanao and across the Philippines is made possible by the ACCESS-initiated Equitable Partnership Alliance – a non-formal network of local, national, and international non-government organizations committed to delivering quality humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding programs in the country.

 

The funding will help ACCESS provide food assistance, clean water, sanitation facilities, hygiene promotion, and essential services protecting the rights and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of affected families. As with all its emergency response efforts, the consortium will target the hardest hit, least served, difficult-to-reach areas, prioritizing low-income households for whom recovery may be challenging, and including older persons, pregnant and lactating women, persons with disability, female-headed households, and households from indigenous groups.

 

From El Nino to floods and landslides

The massive flooding and landslides – the result of the interaction of multiple, successive weather systems, including the southwest monsoon – came just as families were recovering from the impacts of El Nino. Many had also been grappling with the protracted, decades-long conflict across Mindanao.

 

Urgent needs

Among affected and displaced individuals, the consortium found high levels of food insecurity; significant losses in incomes and livelihood assets; poor water supply, sanitation, and hygiene conditions; extensive damages to belongings and the loss of important civil documents; heightened risks of sexual violence and exploitation against women and children; and a need for mental health and psychosocial support.

 

Said Talavera, “ACCESS is focused on providing urgent aid and helping families rebuild their lives with resilience and dignity."

 

About ACCESS

ACCESS (Assisting the Most Vulnerable Communities and Schools Affected by Complex Emergencies in Accessing Quality and Timely Humanitarian and Disaster Preparedness Services) is a multi-year, multi-sectoral project funded by the European Union Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO). The ACCESS Mindanao flood emergency response will be implemented by consortium members ACCORD, Action Against Hunger Philippines, CARE Philippines, Community Organizers Multiversity, Humanity & Inclusion Philippines, Mindanao Organization for Social and Economic Progress, and Save the Children Philippines, together with Oxfam Pilipinas and United Youth of the Philippines-Women.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Tanya Mariano

Communications Specialist, CARE Philippines

tanya.mariano@care.org

Tanya Mariano  |  CARE Philippines  |  Communications Specialist for ECHO Actions

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Contact: +63917-851-4881   | (+632) 8351-6458

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