It's Showtime' to continue airing on GMA Network in 2025

BY ROBERT REQUINTINA

Dec 21, 2024 00:16 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• "Its Showtime" premiered on GMA on April 6, 2024. 

The cast of 'It's Showtime' (Facebook)

The popular noontime program "It's Showtime" will continue to air on the noontime slot of GMA from Monday to Saturday.

In an official statement on Dec. 20, ABS-CBN and the "It's Showtime" family expressed gratitude to GMA for their continued trust and support.

It added: "We will continue to inspire and bring happiness to our audiences. 

"Thank you Kapuso, Kapamilya, and Madlang People."

Before this, rumors were that the Kapuso noontime variety program, "TicToClock," would replace "It's Showtime" and begin in January 2025.

"Ang alam ko ay may nangyayaring negotiation ngayon ang It's Showtime and GMA. Yun lang ang alam ko sa ngayon," said Kuya Kim, one of the hosts of "TicToClock," during an ambush interview recently.

This was the same statement made by GMA Network Senior Vice President Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdes, when she officially addressed the rumors that "It's Showtime" will be replaced by GMA variety show “TiktoClock” once the former’s contract expires this month. 

“We are in negotiations now for the renewal of ‘Showtime,’” said Annette in November.

"Its Showtime" premiered on GMA on April 6, 2024.

Wird das Fliegen nochmal teurer? Flugsicherung hebt Gebühren kräftig an

Stand:20.12.2024, 17:31 Uhr

Von: Leon Fasse  

Die Deutsche Flugsicherung hat ihre jüngste Gebührenerhöhung vehement verteidigt: Es würden lediglich EU-Vorgaben umgesetzt werden, heißt es aus der Chef-Etage. Kunden müssen höhere Kosten erwarten.

Langen - Die Deutsche Flugsicherung erhöht die Gebühren für ihre Lotsenleistungen zum Jahreswechsel erneut deutlich. Überflüge werden für die Fluggesellschaften 27 Prozent teurer, für Starts und Landungen sind sogar 40 Prozent höhere Gebühren fällig als im laufenden Jahr. 

Finanzierungslücke von über einer Milliarde Euro soll bis 2028 abgebaut sein

Die bundeseigene Gesellschaft setze damit lediglich verbindliche EU-Vorgaben um, sagt DFS-Chef Arndt Schoenemann. Diese verlange in einem genau festgelegten Verfahren, die in der Corona-Zeit aufgelaufenen Mindereinnahmen in den Folgejahren wieder hereinzuholen. Pro Flugticket machten die Flugsicherungsgebühren insgesamt maximal sechs Euro aus. 

Der Flughafen Frankfurt: Millionen von Menschen fliegen jährlich über deutsche Flughäfen. Ihre Ticketkosten dürften sich in Zukunft erkennbar erhöhen. © Andreas Arnold / dpa

Schoenemann beziffert die Finanzierungslücke auf 1,2 Milliarden Euro. Sie soll bis 2028 stufenweise abgebaut werden. Bereits in den Vorjahren hat die DFS die Gebühren hochgesetzt. Für Starts und Landungen berechnete sie im laufenden Jahr bereits mehr als doppelt so hohe Gebühren wie im Jahr 2020.

Tickets werden teurer: Steigende Kosten treffen Kunden

Der Luftverkehr in Deutschland hat sich im europäischen Vergleich nur sehr langsam von der Corona-Krise erholt. Die Branche macht dafür in erster Linie die hohen staatlich veranlassten Gebühren und Steuern verantwortlich. Eine Airline drohte sogar damit, sich von deutschen Airports zurückzuziehen. 

Neben den Flugsicherungsgebühren sind das die Luftverkehrssteuer sowie die Luftsicherheitsgebühr, die für die Kontrolle der Passagiere und ihres Handgepäcks erhoben wird. Hier steigt die Obergrenze zum Jahreswechsel von 10 auf 15 Euro pro Passagier. Sämtliche Kosten werden über die Ticketpreise an die Kunden weitergegeben.

DFS: Finanzierung funktioniert nur bei steigender Zahl der Flüge

Schoenemann kritisiert das europaweite „Schönwettersystem“ der Flugsicherungsgebühren. Es funktioniere nur bei stetig steigenden Luftverkehrszahlen. Tatsächlich werde man in Deutschland erst im Jahr 2029 wieder das Vor-Corona-Niveau aus dem Jahr 2019 erreichen.

„Es wird nicht weniger geflogen, weil die Gebühren so hoch sind“, sagt der DFS-Chef. „Vielmehr sind die Gebühren so hoch, weil so wenig geflogen wird und sich so die Kosten auf weniger Flüge verteilen.“ Er fordert eine Reform der Finanzierung, an deren Ende der Bund einen Sockelbetrag von bis zu 25 Prozent der DFS-Basiskosten tragen könne. Die Flugsicherung sei schließlich ein wichtiger Teil der kritischen Infrastruktur. (dpa, lf)

Winter solstice 2024: Philippines to have longest night on Dec. 21

BY ELLALYN DE VERA-RUIZ

Dec 20, 2024 01:13 PM

  

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Photo from Pixabay

As the world turns and the year draws closer to its end, the Philippines will soon experience its longest night of 2024. 

This year’s December or winter solstice, which falls on Dec. 21, marks a moment when the Sun reaches its lowest point in the sky, signaling the start of winter in the northern hemisphere and summer in the southern hemisphere.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the northern hemisphere experiences the shortest day and the longest night of the year during the December solstice. 

While the difference in day length is less noticeable in tropical countries like the Philippines, the solstice still offers a unique opportunity to reflect on the Earth’s journey around the Sun.

In Metro Manila, on Dec. 21, the sun will rise at 6:16 a.m. and set at 5:32 p.m., giving the region 11 hours and 15 minutes of daylight.

After the December solstice, the nights will slowly get longer, and the days will start to get shorter, bringing more darkness as we move toward the new year.

K-pop girl group Kiss of Life goes to Europe for first world tour

BY JONATHAN HICAP

Dec 20, 2024 01:31 PM 

K-pop girl group Kiss of Life announced the European leg of their first world tour “Kiss Road” that will start on Feb. 20 next year. 

The European and UK leg will kick off at The Alcatraz in Milan, Italy, following their sold-out North American tour. 

Kiss of Life will perform in 13 cities from February to March, with additional dates to be announced, promising to be a tour that fans won't want to miss featuring unforgettable performances, impressive stage production, and an extensive setlist.

Kiss of Life 

Tickets will go on sale on Dec. 19 at 10 a.m. local time HERE. 

“Kiss Road” in Europe Tour Stops

February 20 - Milan, Italy - Alcatraz

February 21 – Zurich, Switzerland - Komplex 457

February 24 - Utrecht, Netherlands - TivoliVredenburg

February 26 - Berlin, Germany - Columbiahalle

February 27 - Vienna, Austria - Gasometer 

March 1 - Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg - Rockhal

March 3 - Munich, Germany - Tonhalle

March 4 - Hamburg, Germany - Grosse Freiheit

March 6 - London, United Kingdom - Indigo at The 02

March 8 - Glasgow, United Kingdom - O2 Academy 

March 10 - Paris, France - Zénith

March 12 - Madrid, Spain - Palacio Vistalegre 

March 13 - Lisbon, Portugal - Campo Pequeno

PHILIPPINE PROVINCES AND IT IS BEST KNOWN FOR!🇵🇭

PHILIPPINE PROVINCES AND IT IS BEST KNOWN FOR!

Cebu City– Oldest City in the Philippines; Gateway to a Thousand Journeys

Davao City – Largest City in the Philippines; Fruit Basket and King City of the South

Aklan – Oldest province in the Philippines

Iloilo – Province with most number of barangays

Negros Occidental – Province with most number of cities

Palawan – Largest Province in the Philippines

Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro – Largest Municipality in the Philippines

Miagao, Iloilo – Municipality with most number of barangays, Onion Capital of Visayas

Nueva Ecija – Rice Granary of the Philippines

Pampanga – Culinary Capital of the Philippines

Marinduque – Heart of the Philippines

Iloilo City – The First queen City of the South, City where the Past is always present

Dumaguete – City of Gentle People

Cagayan de Oro – City of Golden Friendship

Quezon City – City of Stars and New Horizons

Manila – Ever Distinguished Loyal City

Roxas City – Seafood Capital of the Philippines

Antique – Province where the mountain meets the sea

Negros Occidental – Sugar Bowl

Romblon – Marble Capital

Rizal – Cradle of Philippine Arts

Cavite – Cradle of Phil. Revolution

La Union – Surfing Capital of the North

Biliran – Shipyard of Antiquity

Camiguin – Island Born of Fire

Bacoor – Band Capital of the Philippines

Gen. San City – Tuna Capital

Isulan – Oil Palm Capital of the Philippines

Pangasinan – Saltmaking Capital

Negros Occidental – Sugar Bowl

Romblon – Marble Capital

Rizal – Cradle of Philippine Arts

Cavite – Cradle of Phil. Revolution

La Union – Surfing Capital of the North

Biliran – Shipyard of Antiquity

Camiguin – Island Born of Fire

Siquijor – Island of Fire

Makati – Manhattan of the Philippines

Marikina – Shoe Capital of the Philippines

Masbate – Great Wild West of Phil.

Tarlac – Melting Pot of Central Luzon

Bataan – History Hub of Central Luzon

Bulacan – Manila’s Gateway to the North

Palawan – Philippines’ Last Frontier

Guimaras – Mango County of Visayas

Manduluyong – Shopping Capital

Muntinlupa – The Emerald City

Valenzuela – The Only Divided City

Lanao del Sur – Cradle of Muslim Art

South Cotabato – Conference Capital of Mindanao

Dinagat Island – Mystical Province of Love

Surigao del Norte – Surfing Capital

Batangas – Diving and Shipping Capital

Batanes – Land of True Insulars

Quirino – Forest Heartland of Cagayan Valley

Zambales – Chromite Capital

Aurora – Land of Golden Sunrise

Zamboanga del Norte – Province of South’s Twin City

Bukidnon – Pineapple Capital

Eastern Samar – Gateway to Phil. Discovery

Cam Sur – Wakeboarding Capital

Lanao del Norte – Land of Beauty and Bounty

Pateros – Balut Capital

San Juan – Tiangge Capital

Navotas – Fishing Capital of Greater Manila

Laguna – The Silicon Valley

Catanduanes – Land of the Howling Wind

Maguindanao – Seat of Muslim Mindanao

Sitangkai, Tawi Tawi – Venice of the South

Cotabato – Land of Mightiest Mountain

Neg. Oriental – Whale and Dolphin Haven

Paranaque – Fashion Capital

Pasay – Travel Capital

Lucena, Quezon – Biofuel & Biopalm City

Samar – Spelunking Capital

Davao del Norte – Durian and Banana Capital

Baguio City – Summer Capital/ City of Pines

San Fernando, Pampanga – Lantern Capital

Misamis Occidental – Christmas Capital of Mindanao

Benguet – Salad Bowl of the Philippines

Kalinga – White Rafting Capital of the North

Isabela – Rice Granary of the North

Nueva Vizcaya – Watershed Haven of Cagayan Valley

Ilocos Sur – Heritage Haven of the Far North

Oriental Mindoro – Harbor Gateway to the South

Agusan del Norte – Land of Antiquated Finds

Tacloban City – City of Hope

Tagbilaran – City of Peace and Friendship

Tuguegarao – Premier Ybanag City

Butuan – Timber City of the South

Gingoog – City of Good Luck

Dapitan – Shrine and Historic City of the South

Pagadian – Little Hong Kong of the South

Zamboanga City – Asias Latin City, Sardines Capital, City of Flowers

Mati – Coconut City of the South

Catbalogan – City of Captivating Contrast

Tagum – Music Capital of the South

Sulu – Land of Exotic Fruits

Bacolod – City of Smiles

Passi – Sweet City at the Heart of Panay

Antipolo – City in the Sky

Calbayog – City of Waterfalls

Las Pinas – Salt Center of Metro Manila

Taguig – The ProvinSyudad

Valenzuela – Vibrant City of Discipline

Maasin City, Southern Leyte – The Religious City

Lingayen – The Most Romantic Place

Alimodian, Iloilo – Banana Capital of Panay

Dagupan – Bangus Capital

La Trinidad, Benguet – Strawberry Capital

Cauayan, Isabela – Mushroom City of the North

Donsol, Sorsogon – World’s Whale Shark Capital

Legazpi – City of Fun and Adventure; ATV capital

Naga – Bicols Queen City

Mandaue, Cebu – Furniture Capital

Borongan – King City of the East

Dipolog – The Phil. Orchid City

Gutalac, Zamboanga Norte – Pebble Capital

El Salvador, Misamis Oriental – City of Divine Mercy

Iligan – industrial City of the South

Pototan, Iloilo – Christmas Capital of Visayas

Lantapan, Bukidnon – Vegetable Basket of Mindanao

Malaybalay, Bukidnon – Summer Capital of the South

Oroquieta – City of Good Life

Digos – Clay Capital of Mindanao

Malita – Banana Capital of Davao

Samal – Phil. Island Garden City

Kidapawan – City at the foot of Mt Apo

Koronadal – Ilonggo City of the South

El Nido – Heaven on Earth

Puerto Galera – Poors man Boracay

Puerto Princesa – EcoTourism Capital

Cainta, Rizal – Bibingka Capital

Calamba – Hot Spring Capital

Imus – The Philippine Flag Capital

Lipa, Batangas – City of Pride

Molo, Iloilo – Athens of the Philippines

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