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Jerry Donato - The Philippine Star
Since she wants to challenge herself and offer something new to viewers, Andrea Torres takes on the wealthy, bold, and smart Czarina in the GMA Telebabad series Love Before Sunrise. Her character is a stark contrast to Andrea’s loving mother, Sisa, in Maria Clara at Ibarra. But what also excites her to be part of the project is the opportunity to work with her idol, Box-Office Queen Bea Alonzo, and actors Dennis Trillo and Sid Lucero.
It’s a breath of fresh air to see Andrea Torres as the fearless and feisty kontrabida Czarina in Love Before Sunrise. This character and her meek, submissive, but loving Sisa of Maria Clara at Ibarra are poles apart.
Regardless of the nature of the role, Andrea commands attention because the Sparkle GMA Artist Center actress is playing it to the hilt.
“This one is far different from the last one I did,” Andrea affirmed the difference between Czarina, the empowered woman, and Sisa, the selfless mother of Basilio and Crispin, in a recent press conference. “Gusto ko kasi laging na-cha-challenge. Gusto ko laging nag-su-surprise ng tao (I always want to be challenged. I always want to surprise the audience by playing something new).”
This speaks about Andrea’s aim to portray varied roles and step up her acting game.
“And I trust my network. When they say, ‘We feel this is the next (right) project for you,’ gagawin ko talaga yun (I will do it),” added she, “kasi yun din ang naisip nila sa akin (That was perhaps the same thought they had for me when they tapped me) for my last one, which is Sisa.”
No matter how long actors have been doing their craft, they know that every role demands painstaking preparation to study and understand the challenges that come with it.
“It’s challenging for me to have Czarina that kind of lalim (character depth), na maka-relate pa rin sa kanya ang tao (and that people can still relate to her despite the character’s quirks),” said she.
“I had very nice scenes with Bea, such as confrontations between her character and mine, na lumabas pa rin yung pagka-kontrabida niya (that the kontrabida side of Czarina is shown). Hopefully, in some extent, the audience will be able to connect with Czarina,” added she.
A piece of information shares that Andrea’s Czarina comes from a wealthy family and is skilled at using her charm and influence to get her wants, wishes, and whims.
As everybody has already known, the character comes in between Atom and Stella, played by Dennis Trillo and Bea Alonzo. Czarina is willing to do whatever it takes, even giving up her engagement, to win Atom, and she takes advantage of the latter’s financial status.
She plays the typical and classic antagonist in any dramatic narrative.
However, when viewers watch the episodes, they usually consider her as someone who is “mean, na sosyal, nag-ti-trip minsan (well-off and sometimes a power tripper),” said Andrea. “Pero makikita ninyo dito sa Love Before Sunrise na merong malalim siyang pinanghuhugutan (You will see in Love Before Sunrise that there’s a deep reason why she is acting that way).”
That’s why when Andrea creates a character from the ground up, she said, “Parang hinahanap ko yung puso niya (I always look for her heart and core), na parang kailangan maintindihan ko siya, medyo nagiging protective ako sa kanya (There seems to be a need for me to understand the character and to be a bit protective of her).”
“I always think that the reason why she has this (privilege) feeling or she thinks she deserves everything is kasi lumaki siya ng walang love from her parents (because she grew up without parental love), the love that she wants from her parents and the support that she needs,” added she.
Aside from playing Czarina, described by one as a daring kontrabida, Andrea has been given the chance to collaborate with Kapuso actors Dennis and Sid Lucero (who plays the doctor named Roald), and her idol and Box-Office Queen Bea. She feels lucky to have shared the screen with them.
“Dennis, Sid, and I were very nervous and pressured to come to the set,” said she about working with Bea. “When she transferred to GMA, I wished to work with her. With Dennis, I also mentioned in my previous interviews my wish (and intention to be working with him). This is our third time. With Sid, we’re working again after My Millionaire’s Wife.”
Andrea and Dennis were part of the hit historical portal fantasy series, Maria Clara at Ibarra. Again, she took on the role of Sisa, while he was Crisostomo Ibarra, Simoun and Barry Torres.
“Grabe silang maka-trabaho, you see their dedication (to work). Ang ganda nung dini-discuss yung scene before it will be done (I like the idea of having a discussion among creatives about a scene prior to its taping).”
A GMA News Online story says that Andrea is learning from Bea by observing how the latter works on set, such as the importance of studying the script well, finding out “little things” in it, and shedding light on them.
Andrea and the rest had some time to preview some parts of the TV series before airing. The Kapuso actress said Love Before Sunrise seems like a movie, perhaps with its cinematic approach, “kung paano i-nin-troduce sina Atom at Stella at silang dalawa na mismo, pati na ang lahat ng mga taong nakapalibot sa kanila (like the way Atom and Stella were individually introduced and then as a pair, as well as the people who surround them). Nakaka-proud.”
Since Love Before Sunrise is about finding true love, falling out of it and giving love a second chance, the topic on having what-ifs was brought up.
“I don’t have what-ifs, feeling ko kasi lahat ay may reason talaga (I feel everything happens for a reason). Light lang akong magdala ng mga nangyayari sa buhay ko (I take things lightly in my life),” concluded she. “Hindi ko iniisip masyado yung mga ganung bagay sa buhay ko (I don’t think much about them). I just go with the flow, happy lang always (I am always happy).”
(Watch Love Before Sunrise weeknights at 8:50 on GMA 7 and GMA Pinoy TV. Advanced episodes are available on Viu.
BY KRISTEL SATUMBAGA-VILLAR
Creamline made short work of Gerflor, 25-15, 25-12, 25-10, to remain unscathed in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Ynares Center in Antipolo on Thursday, Oct. 26.
Creamline made short work of Gerflor, 25-15, 25-12, 25-10, to remain unscathed in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Ynares Center in Antipolo on Thursday, Oct. 26.
Everybody contributed a little of everything for the Cool Smashers with Michele Gumabao pacing with 12 points highlighted by 10 kills.
It was the third straight win in as many outings for Creamline to take the solo lead while pushing Gerflor deeper into the cellar with a 0-3 hole.
Confident of their chemistry and cohesion, Cool Smashers coach Sherwin Meneses shuffled his lineup to attack the struggling Defenders on all angles.
There were no signs of slowing down for Creamline in the third set as they took a commanding 12-3 and 14-7 leads and never looked back.
Jema Galanza and Tots Carlos also carried the fight for the Cool Smashers with seven points each, while Bernadeth Pons and Pau Soriano chipped in six points apiece despite seeing action in only two sets.
Creamline also exposed Gerflor’s lethargic plays by dominating in attacks, 44-20. The Cool Smashers also provided strong net defense by posting 11 blocks against the Defenders’ only one, apart from firing four aces.
Gerflor mentor Sammy Acaylar also tried to find the right formula for his stalwarts, but nothing was working as Mary Grace Berte and Menchie Tubiera scoring five points apiece.
The romantic drama series “Love Before Sunrise” is the latest collaboration between Philippine broadcast giant GMA Network and leading pan-regional over-the-top (OTT) video streaming service Viu.
The right kind of love will surely be felt as GMA Regional TV brings the cast of “Love Before Sunrise” — to Davao City this Friday, Oct. 27.
"Love Before Sunrise" lead actress Bea Alonzo, together with her co-stars – Andrea Torres and Rodjun Cruz – will definitely make hearts flutter and bring one-of-a-kind entertainment through surprises and performances in a love-filled Kapuso Mall Show in Vista Mall Davao, Davao City. The fun starts at 5 PM.
The romantic drama series “Love Before Sunrise” is the latest collaboration between Philippine broadcast giant GMA Network and leading pan-regional over-the-top (OTT) video streaming service Viu. It tells the story of ex-lovers Atom (Dennis Trillo) and Stella (Bea). They separated after realizing they had found the right love at the wrong time. Years later, their paths cross again, and they regret losing each other after both ended up in unhappy marriages. Things become more complicated as they give in to their rekindled feelings and choose to continue their love at a forbidden time.
“We are grateful for the unwavering support of our Kapusong Dabawenyos to GMA, programs and artists. We’ll continue to come-up with exciting activities and initiatives, and bring our Kapuso stars in the regions. And this Friday, no less than Bea Alonzo, Andrea Torres, and Rodjun Cruz are joining us for a memorable mall show,” said GMA Senior Vice President and Head of Integrated News, Regional TV.
During the question and answer portion, Nicole was asked: "Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the United Nations have targets that are set to be achieved by 2030. What have you done so far in terms of SDGs initiatives?"
Cebuana beauty queen Nicole Borromeo won third runner-up at the 61st Miss International beauty pageant held in Tokyo, Japan on Thursday, Oct. 26.
Andrea Rubio of Venezuela was crowned Miss International 2023.
Other winners were: Colombia, 1st runner-up; Peru, 2nd runner-up; and Bolivia, 4th runner-up.
During the final question and answer, Nicole was asked: "Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the United Nations have targets that are set to be achieved by 2030. What have you done so far in terms of SDGs initiatives?"
Nicole answered: "As someone who experienced the wrath of natural disasters, home is everything. I've worked tirelessly with Habitat for Humanity under the SDG goals of number 11, sustainable cities and communities. It is through this volunteer work that I can see in the faces of the children, how much they wanted to help, how much they want to be a part of the future. Because when it comes to sustainability, we must keep in mind that it's not only for the next generation but to include them in the process."
Winners of special awards were:
Best National Costume - Angola
Best In Evening Gown - Indonesia
Miss Fitness - Zimbabwe
Miss Photogenic - New Zealand
Seventy candidates competed for the title of Miss International 2023.
Berlin – Die Bezüge von Rentnern mit Erwerbsminderung haben in den letzten zehn Jahren einen beachtlichen Anstieg erfahren. Sie sind um fast 60 Prozent auf durchschnittlich 1065 Euro pro Monat angestiegen. Zum Vergleich: 2013 betrug die durchschnittliche Brutto-Erwerbsminderungsrente noch 678 Euro pro Monat.
Neben den jährlichen Rentenanpassungen ist die Erweiterung der Zurechnungszeit seit 2014 ein Grund für diese positive Entwicklung. Diese wurde in den letzten Jahren mehrmals verlängert und gilt nun bis zur Regelaltersgrenze von 65 Jahren und 8 Monaten, die im Jahr 2018 festgelegt wurde.
Dadurch werden Erwerbsgeminderte, die zum ersten Mal eine Rente erhalten, so behandelt, als hätten sie bis zum Erreichen der Regelaltersgrenze mit ihrem bisherigen durchschnittlichen Einkommen weitergearbeitet. Zudem haben Einkommensminderungen in den letzten vier Jahren vor der Erwerbsminderung keine rentenmindernde Wirkung mehr, so die Deutsche Rentenversicherung (DRV).
Eine Gruppe von Rentnern mit Erwerbsminderung war jedoch lange Zeit benachteiligt. Es handelt sich dabei um diejenigen, die als Langzeit-Erwerbsgemindert eingestuft sind, daher eine deutlich kürzere Versicherungszeit haben und infolgedessen deutlich weniger Geld erhalten haben. Aber diese Gruppe kann sich nun auf einen monatlichen Zuschlag freuen.
Um den Zuschlag zu erhalten, muss der Bezug der Erwerbsminderungsrente zwischen dem 1. Januar 2001 und dem 31. Dezember 2018 begonnen haben. Außerdem muss die Erwerbsminderungsrente dann noch durchgehend bis zum 30. Juni 2024 bezogen werden. Auch Altersrenten, die sich direkt an die Rente wegen Erwerbsminderung anschließen, erhalten den zusätzlichen Betrag, wie das Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales (BMAS) auf seiner Website erläutert. Laut Ministerium sollen etwa drei Millionen Rentner den Zuschlag erhalten.
Bei der Höhe des Zuschlags wird zwischen zwei Rentenbeginn-Zeiträumen unterschieden:
Im Durchschnitt bewirkt der Zuschlag laut DRV eine Erhöhung um 70 Euro bei Rentenbeginn bis 30. Juni 2014 und um 40 Euro bei Rentenbeginn nach diesem Stichtag.
Doch auch alle anderen Rentner und Rentnerinnen könnten im neuen Jahr eine Erhöhung bekommen. So erwarten Ökonomen eine Erhöhung der Renten im Jahr 2024 um 5,5 oder 6 Prozent. Wir haben für zwei Werte berechnet, wie sich das konkret auf die persönliche Rente auswirken könnte:
Die Anpassung der Renten richtet sich nach der Lohnentwicklung in Deutschland. Heißt also: Wenn die Löhne steigen, steigen auch die Renten. Im 2. Quartal 2023 lag der Nominallohnindex bei 6,6 Prozent, im ersten noch bei 5,6 Prozent. Mit den Tariferhöhungen in vielen Branchen dürfte sich dieser Trend auch in der zweiten Jahreshälfte fortsetzen.
