Aespa bags grand prize; NewJeans, ITZY win at The Fact Music Awards Day 2

BY JONATHAN HICAP

Sep 9, 2024 08:48 AM

  

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K-pop girl group Aespa took home the grand prize on the second and final day of the 2024 The Fact Music Awards (TMA) held at Kyocera Dome in Osaka, Japan on Sept. 8. 

The Korean music awards ceremony, emceed by Jun Hyun-moo and Seohyun, was held for two days on Sept. 7 and 8, and was hosted by media outlet The Fact. 

Aespa (X)

NewJeans (X)

ITZY (X)

NCT Wish (X)

&Team (X)UNIS (X)

JO1 and NewJeans (X)

Xikers (X)

Kiss of Life (X)

This was the first time that the TMA was held outside South Korea to celebrate the news site’s 10th anniversary. 

On the second day of TMA, Aespa won the grand prize, the highest award based on single and album scores (60 percent) and judges’ score (40 percent). They also won Listener’s Choice and Artist of the Year. 

"We've prepared so hard this year, so we feel dazed but also so grateful. There were times when the members weren't in good condition, but it feels like we're being rewarded. We're really grateful to our fans,” Aespa said as they received the award, according to The Fact. 

NewJeans, which headlined the Coke Studio Ultimate Fandom Concert in Manila on Sept. 5, won four awards: Worldwide Icon, World Best Performer, Artist of the Year and Musinsa Popularity Award. 

NCT Wish garnered the Next Leader award, JO1 won Artist of the Year and TMA Popularity Award, and &Team bagged the Global Generation award. 

Here are the winners on the second day of the 2024 The Fact Music Awards: 

Grand Prize (Daesang) - Aespa

Artist of the Year - NewJeans, Aespa, JO1, ITZY

Listener's Choice - Aespa

Worldwide Icon - NewJeans

Musinsa Popularity Award  - NewJeans

Today's Choice - UNIS

Hottest - UNIS 

World Best Performer - NewJeans, ITZY

TMA Popularity Award - JO1

Global Generation - &Team 

Global Hot Trend - Kiss of Life, Xikers

Next Leader - NCT Wish 

Winners on the first day of The Fact Music Awards (TMA) on Sept 7: 

Next Leader - TWS 

Hottest  - NEXZ

Global Hot Trend  - EVNNE, n.SSign

Hot Potential  - WOOAH, Young Posse

Global Generation  - Kep1er

Artist of the Year - TWS, NiziU, Kim Jae-joong

Today's Choice - TWS

Hot Stage of the Year - Kim Jae-joong

FanNStar App Category

Angel N Star - Lim Young-woong

Fourstar Award - Stray Kids

Best Music (Spring) - BTS’ V

Best Music (Summer) - Lim Young-woong

Best Music (Winter) -  Lim Young-woong

FanNStar Choice Award (Solo) - Lim Young-woong

FanNStar Choice Award (Group) - Plave

Rash judgments, detraction, calumny

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

THEY often go together and we are very much prone to them. Thus, we have to be properly guarded, training ourselves to practice restraint and to be quick to rectify once we fall into them.

We are reminded of this phenomenon in that gospel episode where the usual critics of Christ were observing closely whether Christ would cure a man with a withered hand. (cfr. Mk 6,6-11) They really did not know who Christ really was, and thus branded Christ as a violator of their man-made beliefs, laws and traditions.

Rash judgment is when one assumes as true without sufficient foundation, the moral fault of another person. Detraction is the unjust violation of the good reputation of another person by revealing something true but confidential about him. While calumny or slander is when what is imputed about a person is not true.

These moral anomalies usually come about when people indulge in what may be considered as a popular pastime, which is gossiping. To gossip is at least bad manners. If ever we have to talk about somebody with some of our friends, only nice, edifying things should be said.

We actually have no right to say negative things about others for the simple reason that the ones concerned would have no chance to explain and defend themselves and those talked to usually do not have any way to do anything about those negative things, since they have nothing to do with the persons gossiping about.

We have to be most careful when in a conversation the topic would touch on a certain person who is not there. If the tone is not positive, the most likely thing to happen is that the conversation will turn into backbiting and mudslinging. The temptation is usually strong, and many find it irresistible.

Even if the negative things said of a person are true, it is still wrong to gossip because that would be a form of detraction. It would still go against the commandment of charity which has as its finer points the demands of magnanimity, compassion, mercy, understanding, etc.

But what usually happens in that hush-hush tone of gossip is that the negative things said are not true or are already compromised, what with all the exaggerations and distortions and the voicing of biases and prejudices that are typical of gossip. In this case, one would commit calumny or slander which is a more serious offense against a person.

Gossips encourage rash judgments, silly loquacity and reckless considerations of persons. They actually dehumanize gossipers. They spoil the tongue by letting it have its way without the proper guidance of the right reason, let alone, charity.

Especially nowadays when we are into rapid communication, we have to be most careful with the words we are using. Words, which are a staple in our exchanges with one another and have great power of influence, need to be handled properly. 

Their quality both reflects and builds up the kind of person and society we are. We just have to make sure then that they do us what is truly good, that they contribute to the common good. We have to develop a keener sense of responsibility over them even as we grow in our sense of freedom in using them.

Sad to say, many now are the indications we are abusing the use of words. Gossips and idle talks are now going viral. All forms of defamation, whether of the detraction type or that of calumny, are spreading like wildfire. 

Loquacity seems to be the rule of the road nowadays, dumping us with all kinds of exaggerations, reckless words and stray insinuations. 

2 LPAs form outside Philippine area of responsibility; possible to become tropical cyclones

BY ELLALYN DE VERA-RUIZ

Sep 8, 2024 08:52 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Both LPAs are expected to maintain strength over the next 24 hours, but their possibility of developing into tropical cyclones in the coming days cannot be ruled out.

• The next tropical cyclone names on PAGASA’s list are “Ferdie” and “Gener.”

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The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said two low pressure areas (LPAs) had formed outside the country’s area of responsibility on Sunday, Sept. 8.

PAGASA Weather Specialist Grace Castañeda said one LPA is located east-northeast of extreme northern Luzon, while the other is located far east of Mindanao.

She said both LPAs are expected to maintain strength over the next 24 hours. However, the possibility of developing into a tropical cyclone in the coming days cannot be ruled out.

The next tropical cyclone names on PAGASA’s list are “Ferdie” and “Gener.” 

By Monday, Sept. 9, Castañeda said the LPA east-northeast ng northern Luzon could either enter the PAR or approach the northern boundary.

She added that if this happens, the LPA may slightly enhance the southwest monsoon (habagat) and increase the likelihood of rainfall in the western sections of Northern and Central Luzon.

Meanwhile, Castañeda said the LPA east of Mindanao could also slightly enhance the habagat if it moves closer to the country’s area of responsibility by the second half of the week. 

This could lead to rainfall in the western parts of the Visayas and Mindanao as a result of the enhanced habagat, she added.

Over the next 24 hours, the weak habagat may bring cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms to Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Batanes, and Babuyan Islands.

PAGASA warned of possible flooding or landslides due to moderate to heavy rains.

The habagat may also bring partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms to Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon.

Meanwhile, the rest of the country may experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers due to localized thunderstorms.

PAGASA also warned of potential flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms.

Enhanced literacy promotes peace, better quality of life

BY MANILA BULLETIN

Sep 8, 2024 03:40 AM

  

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Literacy is a fundamental human right.  It is a foundation for people to acquire broader knowledge and skills to enable them to seek more opportunities to have better lives.

Most people may think literacy is a fading problem because worldwide, governments have strengthened education programs and technology has made it possible for many to get educated through online classes.  

Contrary to that, the United Nations said that according to latest reports in 2022, at least one out of seven adults aged 15 and above – or 765 million – still lack basic literacy skills. “Additionally, millions of children are struggling to acquire minimum levels of proficiency in reading, writing, and numeracy, while some 250 million children of six to 18 years old are out of school.”

Literacy is not only about knowing how to read and write.  In the present situation, the UN defines “literacy” as “beyond its conventional concept as a set of reading, writing and counting skills.”  Literacy is now understood as a means of understanding and communication in an increasingly digital world.

“Literacy is a continuum of learning and proficiency in reading, writing, and using numbers throughout life and is part of a larger set of skills, which include digital skills, media literacy, education for sustainable development and global citizenship as well as job-specific skills.”

Skills such as computer literacy, information literacy, and media literacy will empower people, and in particular youth, to develop critical thinking to build resilience to disinformation. 

The need to spread literacy has become more important today because literate parents will guide family members to pursue education to upgrade skills and to have better paying jobs. 

In the national setting, literacy has the “transformative potential for promoting mutual understanding, social cohesion, and peace,” a UN statement said of its goals in relation to the observance of International Literacy Day on Sept. 8 of every year.

The annual celebration of International Literacy Day (ILD), which started in 1967, aims to “remind policy-makers, practitioners, and the public of the critical importance of literacy for creating more literate, just, peaceful, and sustainable society.”

The UN program to promote literacy in formal and non-formal settings focuses on four priority areas: strengthening national strategies and policy development on literacy; addressing the needs of disadvantaged groups, particularly women and girls; using digital technologies to expand and improve learning outcomes; and monitoring progress and assessing literacy skills.

“Literacy skills themselves are expanding and evolving as people engage more and more with information and learning through digital technology,” the UN said.

The theme for this year’s observance of International Literacy Day is "Promoting multilingual education: Literacy for mutual understanding and peace.” 

“Literacy empowers and liberates people. Beyond its importance as part of the right to education, literacy improves lives by expanding capabilities. As a result, it reduces poverty, increases participation in the labor market and has positive effects on health and sustainable development.”

Government and private sector support for education should find more ways to spread literacy to all its citizens. It is the foundation of better lives, mutual understanding, and peace.

Gillian Vicencio hopeful her edgy look will bring her more success in showbiz

BY ROBERT REQUINTINA

Sep 7, 2024 10:32 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• "Talahib" is one of the officialentries to the 2024 Sinag Maynila Film Festival from Sept. 4-10. Theawards night will be held at the Metropolitan Theater on Sept. 8.

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Gillian Vicencio (Instagram)

Gillian Vicencio opted for an edgy look as she attended the screening of the slasher film "Talahid," in which she played her first lead role.

During an interview at Gateway 2 Cinema in Araneta City on Sept. 5, Gillian decided to cut her hair short to get noticed with her new look finally.

"Feeling ko kapag naka-long hair ako, hindi ako nag-stand out. So I try to do the other na usually hindi ginagawa ng mga tao. So baka doon mag-standout ako," Gillian said. 

Gillian added: "Sana magustuhan ng mga tao yung movie kasi every movie has a deeper meaning and message."

The actress expressed her belief that each project presents an opportunity for personal and professional growth.

"Hindi ko masasabi na comfortable ako sa kahit na anong project kasi bawat project is a challenge na hindi siya ganon kadali gawin talaga, kinikilala mo pa rin yung character," she added. 

"Talahib" is one of the official entries to the 2024 Sinag Maynila Film Festival from Sept. 4-10. The awards night will be held at the Metropolitan Theater on Sept. 8.

Directed by Alvin Yapan, the movie also stars Kristoff Garcia, Joem Bascon, Jess Mendoza, Kate Alejandrino, Dax Alejandro, Angellie Sanoy, Timothy Castillo, Yam Mercado, Iyo Canlas, Mercedes Cabral, Sue Prado and Johnny Revilla. "Talahib' is produced by Feast Foundation and Est N8.

Synopsis

"Talahib" is a slasher film, in the tradition of the franchise A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), and other local massacre films. A ghost killer preys upon hapless victims who happen to pass by this talahiban (large weeds with razor-sharp edges) in an abandoned subdivision. 

Their bodies are always found asphyxiated before being disposed of in the same talahiban. The story is told from the point of view of PO2 Bong, the police investigator. 

Gillian Vicencio and Kristoff Garcia

He does not believe in ghost killers; even though at one point he will have a close encounter with the killer, shooting him at close range, and slashing through the wild grass that bleeds. 

However, Bong begins to reassess his belief when he encounters a band of friends, all in their 20s or early 30s, conducting a spirit quest at the talahiban, or so they say.

The leader of the group is Mario. He is joined by Vernie, Paul, Patrick, Ria, and Joyce. As it turns out, this band of friends are children of a group of parents who killed the ghost killer (who used to be a hired assassin) and buried his body in the talahiban of that subdivision. 

Now, to stop the violence, the band of friends is trying to exhume the body. But the ghost killer, intent on continuing his killings even in the afterlife, will not let them. He enjoys killing too much. The band of friends will be killed off by the ghost killer one by one, leaving only Joyce behind. 

The cast of 'Talahib'

The movie will be mostly chase scenes among the bleeding grasses of the talahiban which seems to have a mind of its own.

To keep Joyce alive, Bong together with his police partner, PInsp. Roman, will encounter a mysterious character in Stephen, caught loitering in the talahiban. Bong thinks Stephen is only pretending to be mentally deranged to avoid suspicion. 

But as it turns out, Stephen is the son of a real estate mogul who used to hire the killer to do assassination jobs for him. Stephen will become the key to the origin story of the ghost killer.
The movie will be about the problem of forgiveness and the legacy of violence being passed on from parents to their children.

Welcome back! 2NE1 to hold concert in Manila

BY JONATHAN HICAP

Sep 6, 2024 11:09 AM

  

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Sandara Park’s wish came true: The Philippines is included in 2NE1’s comeback concert. 

YG Entertainment, 2NE1’s agency, announced on Sept. 6 that Manila and Jakarta are included in the “2NE1 Asia Tour: Welcome Back” concert. 

In Manila, 2NE1 will hold the concert on Nov. 16, Saturday. They will have their concert in Jakarta on Nov. 23, Saturday. 

The announcement was reposted by Live Nation Philippines. 

2NE1 will hold their concert in Manila and Jakarta (YG Entertainment)

2NE1 (Instagram)

2NE1 at their "All or Nothing" concert in Manila on May 17, 2014 (YG Entertainment)

2NE1 holding a press conference in the Philippines before their "All or Nothing" concert (Photo by Jonathan Hicap)

2NE1 held their last concert in Manila through the “All or Nothing” tour on May 17, 2014. 

In July after YG Entertainment announced 2NE1’s comeback concert, a fan tagged Sandara on X, telling her that she hopes the Philippines will be included in the 2NE1 concert tour. 

“@krungy21 ati sana included philippines sa concert nyo sa 2025 (@krungy21 I hope the Philippines is included in your concert in 2025),” the fan wrote. 

Sandara replied, “Marami pa bang PH Blackjacks?! that is one of my wish syempre (Are there still many PH [Philippine] Blackjacks [fans]? that is one of my wish of course).” 

Before the Manila show, 2NE1 will hold the Welcome Back concert in Seoul on Oct. 4 to 6 at the Olympic Hall in Olympic Park. 

This will be 2NE1’s first concert in 10 years and seven months since holding their “All or Nothing” concert in Seoul on March 1 and 2, 2014.