IN PICTURES: Meet the official candidates of Mr. and Ms. Chinatown Philippines 2024

BY CARISSA ALCANTARA

Sep 27, 2024 09:54 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• During the special presentation, Ma. Lourdes Chiong De Leon of Quezon City and Denzel Royce Chang of San Juan City were chosen as Darlings of the Press.

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Mr. and Ms. Chinatown Philippines 2024 official candidates 

Celebrating a decade of the Filipino-Chinese culture and values, a new era has emerged as the newest batch of Mr. and Ms. Chinatown Philippines 2024 takes on the challenges of becoming the ambassador and ambassadress of the Fil-chi community.

During the press presentation held at the Glass Ballroom in Okada Manila, last  Sept. 13, 12 male and 11 female hopefuls, came from various schools and backgrounds, ranging from athletes to professionals strut the runway as they represent their community.

As part of the remarkable celebration, reigning Miss Chinatown 2023 Jercy Raine So, also made an appearance during the press presentation. Showing off her elegant beauty in the crowd, Jercy also took the time to piece advice on the aspiring candidates of MMCP 2024. 

"As cliche as it may sound, my advice to you is just to be yourself and enjoy the moment because people, will love who you are. As a Filipino-Chinese, we're unique and authentic, we all have values, and we saw the best of both worlds in the Philippines and Chinese culture," Jercy said. 

During the special presentation, Ma. Lourdes Chiong De Leon of Quezon City and Denzel Royce Chang of San Juan City were chosen as Darlings of the Press.

Here are the official candidates of Mr. and Ms. Chinatown 2024.

Female candidates 

Eliza Nicole Adviento - Antipolo

Krizle Ann Leung - Baguio Benguet

Shi Jiajia - Binondo Manila

Khane Mikkel Ko - Dasmarinas 

Jemme Zavdielle Tan Del Rosario - Las Pinas

Maya Hong Sales - Makati  

Alicia Logarta - Manila 

Cindy So - Ongpin

Jamila Clarise San - Pasay

Maria Lourdes Chiong De Leon - Quezon City 

Allyson Jade C. Flores - Valenzuela 

Male candidates 

Wilburt Hans Yan Wei - Antipolo

Darwyn Albert Tanya Mendoza - Binondo Manila 

Jefferson Rufino - Cabanatuan 

Jude Gamalie T. Del Rosario - Las Pinas 

Kimho Cotaoco - Manila

Laurenz Ding - Pasay

Robert Lawrence Guido - Pasig

Wilhelm Hendrick Tan Wei - Quezon City

Denzel Royce M. Chang - San Juan

Juan Luis A. Zandueta - Rizal

Ralf Lim - San Miguel Manila

Neron Zach Teng Mendiola - Sta. Mesa

Mr. and Ms. Chinatown Philippines 2024 Candidates in photos: 

Female

Eliza Nicole Adviento - Antipolo

Krizle Ann Leung - Baguio Benget

Shi Jiajia - Binondo Manila

Khane Mikkel Ko - Dasmarinas

Jemme Zavdielle Tan Del Rosario - Las Pinas

Maya Hong Sales - Makati

Alicia Logarta - Manila

Cindy So - Ongpin

Jamila Clarise San - Pasay

Maria Lourdes Chiong De Leon - Quezon City

Allyson Jade C. Flores - Valenzuela

Male Candidates 

Wilburt Hans Yan Wei - Antipolo

Darwyn Albert Tanya Mendoza - Binondo Manila

Jefferson Rufino - Cabanatuan

Jude Gamalie T. Del Rosario - Las Pinas

Kimho Cotaoco - Manila

Laurenz Ding - Pasay

Robert Lawrence Guido - Pasig

Wilhelm Hendrick Tan Wei - Quezon City

Denzel Royce M. Chang - San Juan

Juan Luis A. Zandueta - Rizal

Neron Zach Teng Mendiola - Sta. Mesa

Mr. and Ms. Chinatown welcomes its new president

Continuing her father legacy, Vanessa Agbayani-Lo was also appointed as the new MMCP President during the event. 

"I'm very honored to come forward and continue the legacy of my father Wilson Ngo-Agbayani, his vision has not only shaped our organization's success but also its lasting cultural impact on the Filipino-Chinese community. I am committed to continuing his vision, and ensuring that our organization continues to inspire," Ms. Vanessa said. 

Vanessa Agbayani-Lo 

Embarking on a new era of MMCP, the organization now upholds a new motto, "Rooted in Culture, Elevated by Elegance."

According to Ms. Vanessa, this new batch of candidates will be the visual example of their motto. 

"This batch of new candidates is the new era, we will show you our purpose in a very elegant way, and we will stay to our culture, we will continue to promote our Filipino-Chinese community," she added. 

Aside from the newly appointed MMCP President, the organization will be migrating to a more digital aspect as it gives them an idea of how the candidates can establish their online presence as well as discover how they can use the digital age as their platform. 

 

Kevin Costner philosophical as epic Western premieres   

BY REUTERS

SEPTEMBER 27, 2024

Reuters

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VENICE—Kevin Costner says the poor box-office performance of his Western epic “Horizon: An American Saga” probably led the studios to delay the release of its sequel, but he refused to be downhearted.

Putting a positive spin on the setback, Costner said the decision meant that he could premiere “Chapter 2” at the Venice Film Festival, just four months after the first installment opened to poor reviews at the Cannes Film Festival.

“It didn’t have overwhelming success,” the US actor-director Costner told reporters on Saturday.

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CAREER DOUBTS

You may experience doubts as soon as you start your studies simply because you do not know enough about the many career paths that are available to you ...

Realize that doubt is a normal part of the achievement process. Doubt happens to all of us. Sometimes, you'll set big career goals and then actively prevent yourself from achieving them. You may even get close to achieving these big goals, but then, right before you do, you'll blow everything up.

Start conducting exploratory interviews. Attend industry conferences, and network with key organizers, asking one or two for their time to learn more about their own personal career path. Find a mentor from whom you can get direction, who can assess your strengths and interests and help you brainstorm new career paths.

Career is a rapid motion. A course of action. Sure! A professional conduct in life. Even a progress through life. Here we are! That means, a careerist is one, who rushes widely and makes his own personal advancement as well as his (or her) own aim in life!

What can we do, if "career doubts" won't go away? First allow me to quote my bible, especially Jude (Watching out! Sounding an alarm!), who writes in the style of a teacher who is watching a freight train bear down on his student's driver. Yes, bells ring out: "Be merciful to those who doubt." (Jude :22).

My parents always wanted me to become a banker. So far so good. Why not? Maybe I would have been much happier in my job during those times. Maybe not? I wanted to be a journalist already at the age of 6... . Believe it or not.

The pressure "to be" (or later NOT TO BE - thank you Mr. Shakespeare!), started early in my life. Not only my parents, also my peers and teachers began to exert their influences on me. Yes, I even didn't know yet where my inclinations lay. I only knew, I wanted to become a journalist... .

Suddenly being a doctor or a lawyer? Yes, I was interested in law and medicine at that time. I really got very lucky becoming an editor of German law magazines during my last 18 years in Germany. But I never became a lawyer - or doctor! Now, I would ask myself - who cares?

Fear of failure: Perfectionism and a fear of failure reinforce feelings of self-doubt. In a state of self-doubt, you may attribute your past successes to luck, downplaying your true abilities. (A term for this experience is imposter syndrome, which is when successful people feel unworthy of their wins.).

"The way that people pick up careers is incredibly  primitive," said Nicholas Lore, founder of the Rockport Institute, a career coaching firm, and author of "The Pathfinder". Strong tobacco, indeed. That's why so many people are indeed dissatisfied with their jobs. I wanted to be a journalist, but mass communications wasn't MY subject yet. Publishing house management - yes! Banker again? Once upon a time... .

Believe me, I always thought about a true calling for myself. Sure, people, whose careers aren't the fight fit, often  feel like impostors, as Professor Robert I. Sutton, an organizational psychologist at Stanford University in Palo Alto, said. Very, very well said, Sir.

How about you, my dear reader of this column? Are you also placing too high a value on the external rewards of a job, like money, prestige and power? Of course, for many of us (most?) These things are indeed important. Hold on, please! The work you do and the skills  your opportunity  requires and the value of your work are really more vital to fulfilment. Paper work, or not... . You think, you find a better career fit? Go ahead - but don't expect that this is your life's career!

I waited for my "better calling" (what a terrible term!) experiencing many even better and wonderful moments in life. I also experienced that what I did in the past had not been very much compatible to me, as what my parents thought... .

Meanwhile, I reached the age of 71. I am looking back. I still like to teach the new generation... .

Let’s always be childlike

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

THAT’S what Christ wants us to be. In that gospel episode where the disciples were discussing who among them was the greatest, Christ jolted them by putting a child in their midst and said the following:

“Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. For the one who is least among all of you is the one who is the greatest.” (Lk 9,48)

And if we wonder why that is so, the only answer we can think of is that having the spirit of a child, who is always simple and trusting, would enable us to accept Christ without any difficulty and to accept everybody else as well irrespective of how they are.

We have to be wary of losing this spirit of a child, especially as we grow in age, knowledge and experience. The ideal condition should be that the older we get, the more knowledgeable and experienced in life we become, the more childlike we should also become. Otherwise, we would surely lose our touch with Christ.

Yes, it always pays to be simple, humble and childlike, because as St. Paul once reminded us: “God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.” (1 Cor 1,27-29) Of course, St. Peter said something similar: “God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble.” (1 Pt 5,5)

Amid the complexities of our life today, we have to learn to stay humble and simple because that is the basic way to precisely handle these complexities well. When we are humble and simple, we would know how to blend openness, tolerance and versatility on the one hand, and to stick to the truth in charity on the other hand.

It is genuine humility and simplicity that would enable us to face the complexities of our life because these are the virtues that liken and identify us with Christ. And with Christ, we can manage to tackle anything.

That is why Christ said: “Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden light.” (Mt 11,29-30)

Of course, this is a mysterious and intriguing kind of reasoning that Christ is telling us. And that is simply because he is telling us something that is mainly spiritual and supernatural in character. He is not giving us an indication that is meant to tackle purely natural situations and predicaments.

We have to realize that our life does not only have material, temporal and natural dimensions. It has an eminently spiritual and supernatural character for which the spiritual and supernatural means are more important and necessary than the natural ones.

Humility and simplicity are the virtues that would make us acknowledge that we are nothing without God. They sort of open our soul for the grace of God to enter. And it is this grace that transforms us, irrespective of our human impotencies, mistakes and errors, into becoming children of God.

Let’s try our best to remain childlike always!

Harmonies of faith: The inaugural Asia Gospel Christian Music Awards

BY GODDES HOPE O. LIBIRAN

Sep 26, 2024 00:04 AM

  

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The power of music is something that goes beyond words — it reaches into the depths of our hearts and souls. And when it comes to Gospel music, it touches us in ways that are truly profound. While worldly songs may inspire or entertain us, Gospel music does so much more. It heals, restores, and draws us closer to the Almighty. That’s what makes the Asia Gospel Christian Music Awards (AGCMAs) so special to me. As a Christian who grew up immersed in “Papuri” songs and Gospel music, this event isn’t just a celebration, but a reflection of the music that has shaped my spiritual journey.

On Oct. 26, 2024, the Philippines will have the honor of hosting the first-ever AGCMAs at the New Frontier Theater. For the first time in Asia, Gospel musicians from all over the continent will come together to celebrate music that glorifies God, strengthens our faith, and brings people together in worship. I can’t think of anything more beautiful. 

Personally, I can’t help but think of songs like “Dakilang Katapatan,” which have brought me, and so many others, to tears in worship. This particular song has always held a special place in my heart. One of my favorite lyrics goes, “Sa bawat pighati, tagumpay man ay naroon. Daluyan ng pag-asa kung kailanga’y hinahon. Pag-ibig mo’y alay sa’kin noon hanggang ngayon…” These words capture the essence of God’s presence in both sorrow and triumph, constantly offering hope and peace. His love is not fleeting; it’s a steadfast gift that has carried us from the past and continues to sustain us today. Each time I hear or sing these lines, I am overwhelmed by the reminder of God’s unwavering faithfulness. It never fails to give me goosebumps, bring me to tears, and fill me with awe and gratitude for His boundless love. This is the kind of transformative power the AGCMAs aims to celebrate: music that touches lives and brings us closer to God.

This event is presented by Noble Life, an organization committed to promoting the Gospel through music. Their mission aligns with the AGCMAs’ purpose: to recognize those who have devoted their lives to spreading the Good News through their musical talents.

The AGCMAs will feature musicians from across Asia, including Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and, of course, the Philippines. We’ll have performances from renowned artists like Gary Valenciano, Kuh Ledesma, and Victory Worship, as well as international acts like Isaac Ong, Luke Munns, Seo Keun Young, and Sid Mohede. Together, they’ll fill the theater with songs that honor God and celebrate His presence.

These artists aren’t just performers, they’re vessels through which the Holy Spirit moves. Gospel music is more than just entertainment. It’s an offering of praise, an invitation to worship, and a way to deepen our faith. It transcends languages and cultures, making it a universal call to devotion.

The open invitation to experience the power of Gospel music firsthand is an opportunity to commemorate those who have shared the Good News through music, and to feel a renewed sense of community, faith, and purpose. Whether you’re someone who is brought to tears by songs like “Dakilang Katapatan,” or you’re simply looking for an evening filled with worship and inspiration, the AGCMAs is for you.

There’s something truly mysterious and powerful about Gospel music. It stirs the soul in ways that go beyond melody — it speaks directly to the heart. The lyrics tell stories of hope, grace, and redemption, encouraging us to reflect, renew, and reconnect with our faith. Gospel music lifts the spirit, reminding us that even in our darkest moments, God is always there, drawing us closer to Him.

Music feeds the soul, but Gospel music nourishes the spirit. It’s an echo of God’s eternal love. So, mark your calendars for the last Saturday of October, and be sure to reserve your seats. Let this beautiful occasion remind us all of the true essence of worship and the enduring strength that Gospel music brings into our lives.

Heavy rains affect 139 families in Davao region

Several residents, including children, in parts of Matina and Bugac, Maa in Davao City, were kept awake as flooding hit the area due to heavy rainfall on Thursday, September 19, 2024.Contributed photos via Ry Llanes/Facebook

Rojean Grace G. Patumbon

Published on: 

Sep 25, 2024, 7:14 pm

THE Office of Civil Defense-Davao Region (OCD-Davao) reported that some 100 families were affected by heavy rains caused by the Southwest Monsoon as of September 19, 2024.

According to OCD-Davao, approximately 139 families were impacted across the region, including 76 in Davao City, 56 in Davao Oriental, four in Davao Occidental, and three in Davao del Sur.

A total of 10 houses were damaged—six partially and four completely destroyed. These were located in Davao Occidental and Davao Oriental. OCD-Davao noted that Davao Oriental and Davao Occidental experienced tornadoes and destructive winds, while Davao City and Davao del Sur faced flooding.

The heavy downpour also damaged a flood control seawall in Lupon, Davao Oriental.