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ARTS AND CULTURE Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra going on UK tour this May
ARTS AND CULTURE
Kristofer Purnell - Philstar.com
February 14, 2025 | 6:40pm
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) will embark on a nine-city tour across the United Kingdom (UK) in May after finishing its 40th concert season.
Maestro Grzegorz Nowak will lead the PPO during the tour alongside soloists, including cellist Wen-Sinn Yang, violinist Diomedes Saraza Jr., pianist Mark Bebbington, and composer Jeffrey Ching.
Among the pieces the PPO are expected to perform during the tour are Felix Mendelssohn's "Symphony No. 4 Italian," Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake Suite," Ludwig van Beethoven's "Symphony No. 5," among others.
"Performing internationally allows the PPO to showcase Filipino artistry on the global stage," said Kaye Tinga, President of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, in a statement.
"This tour is also a way to connect with our fellow Filipinos in the UK and introduce our rich musical heritage to international audiences."
From May 13 to 16, the PPO will perform single shows in Bristol Beacon, London's Cadogan Hall, Birmingham's Symphony Hall, and Guildford's G Live.
After a one-day break the tour continues in Norwich's Theatre Royal then Manchester's Bridgewater Hall, followed by another one-day break then shows in Sheffield's City Hall and Bradford's St. George’s Hall.
The tour will end with the PPO performing at the Perth Festival of the Arts in Scotland on May 24, wrapping up nine shows in 11 days as it strengthens cultural ties between the Philippines and the UK.
The PPO still has two more shows in its 40th season — "Concert VI: Homecoming" on March 14 and "Concert VII: Finale" on April 11 — both at 7:30 p.m. at Makati's Samsung Performing Arts Theater.
The finale will include a commissioned work by Ching and the participation Sazara Jr., who serves as the PPO's Concertmaster and Artiste-in-Residence.
Charie Vega: Manila-based visual and digital Artist finds her way internationally
Her unique style, characterized by vibrant colors and intricate details, quickly captured the attention of art enthusiasts and collectors in Europe, allowing her to carve out a niche for herself in the international market.
Feb 15, 2025 09:50 AM
Charie Vega, a talented visual and digital artist based in Manila, has successfully penetrated the international art scene, notably selling her digital paintings across Europe. The journey of her artistic career took a significant turn in 2020 when the world was gripped by the Covid-19 pandemic. As a talent manager and owner of Vega Entertainment Productions and Euro Talent Festival, Charie's professional life in the music industry was abruptly halted due to the widespread shutdowns caused by the virus.
Faced with the challenges of the pandemic, Charie turned her attention back to her art, a passion she had cherished for years. It was during this time of uncertainty that she rediscovered her creative voice and began to produce and sell her digital paintings. Her unique style, characterized by vibrant colors and intricate details, quickly captured the attention of art enthusiasts and collectors in Europe, allowing her to carve out a niche for herself in the international market.
In addition to her digital paintings, Charie is also skilled in stippling, a meticulous drawing technique that involves creating images through the use of tiny dots. This impressive method has enabled her to produce stunning works that have also found their way into the hands of collectors abroad.
Charie Vega's resilience and adaptability during a challenging time have not only allowed her to thrive as an artist but have also showcased her ability to bridge cultures through her work. As she continues to expand her reach and influence in the art world, Charie remains a shining example of how creativity can flourish even in the face of adversity.
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Our need for God is constant and indispensable
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By Fr. Roy Cimagala
Chaplain
Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)
Talamban, Cebu City
Email: roycimagala@gmail.com
IT’S the most basic need we have, since God is and should be everything to us. Our need for him is much more than our need for air, food, etc. Without him, we can only go nowhere, and worse, the animal part of our humanity takes over, and we know what that means.
It’s amazing that many popular love songs today regard the human objects of the lovers as everything to them. “You’re my everything” goes one title of such songs. Lines like “You give me strength when I am weak,” “You are the light that guides me in the dark,” “You are my inspiration in my moments of dryness,” etc. abound in such songs.
We, of course, can take those expressions with a grain of salt. They can even be legitimately used by us but referring them to the One who really matters in our life, and that is God.
The challenge for us is how to develop that sense of our constant need for God. We cannot deny that even if we are not afflicted with serious illnesses and problems, we always have with us our own load of weaknesses, we always have to contend with all sorts of temptations and sins around.
We may not be doing anything really wrong, but we cannot deny that very often we get caught in the grip of laziness, disorder, complacency and lukewarmness that sooner or later develop into something bigger and more deceptive as when we develop a hidden addiction to drinks, drugs, pornography, etc.
The challenge is how to make us feel that our greatest need is, in fact, God whom we ought to love first and last. He is the greatest good that we can aim at, infinitely better than any earthly good we can find in ourselves and in the world.
That is why Christ, when asked what the greatest commandment was, simply said that it is to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” (Mt 12,29)
God should be first, last and always in our life. Everything else should just be an occasion, a means, an instrument and reason to fulfill that need of ours. Let’s consider these words from the Book of Deuteronomy:
“Love the Lord thy God, and walk in his ways, and keep his commandments and ceremonies and judgments, and you may live, and he may multiply you, and bless you in the land, which you shall go in to possess.” (30,16)
And it continues to tell us what would happen if we fail in fulfilling this duty: “But if your heart is turned away, so that you will not hear, and being deceived with error you adore a strange god, and serve them: I foretell this day you shall perish…” (30,17)
Let’s never forget that we are meant to be always with God. Our life, given the way we have been created, cannot but be a sharing in God’s life and nature. To stay away from him would be a fundamental anomaly that would have bad consequences for everything else in our life.
We should therefore give priority to our spiritual needs of prayer, recourse to the sacraments, development of virtues, the habit of having the presence of God always, doing everything with God and for God, etc.
When we feel the sting of our weaknesses, and much more so, when we are assailed by persistent temptations, we should beg God for help. He is always around and is most eager to help. Things would just depend on how strong our faith in him is.
EVERY MAN FOR HIMSELF
And of course: every woman for herself. It's used for saying that everyone needs to look after themselves and not worry about anyone else. Everyone looks out for his or her best interest. Originally this phrase expressed approval. It appeared in Chaucer's The Knight's Tale (“Ech man for him-self, ther is non other”), implying that if one did not look out for oneself no one else would.
It's always been this way in reality and should be for good reason. “Every man for himself” is an individualistic ideal. It teaches self-reliance, self-sufficiency and independence.
Each individual puts his or her own interests foremost. For example, In this company no one helps anyone—it's every man for himself . In Chaucer's day this dictum was stated approvingly, meaning “if you don't look out for yourself, no one else will,” but today such selfishness is usually censured.
Yes, each person does what is best for himself or herself. Yes, times are getting tougher. I think you, my dear readers, know what I am talking about. No reason to list everything again. Sometimes, there is no team spirit in this office; it’s definitely every man for himself. Neighbors would tell each other: mind your own business. The tone between us humans is becoming more and more harsher.
Some people live alone because friends and families have abandoned them. Important helpline is Psalm 27:10 for them. “When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take care of me.”
And solitary survivors like Robinson Crusoe, or the hero in the movie Castaway, fascinate. But the loner is someone who purposely holds himself aloof, like the Unabomber, Mathematician Ted Kaczynski. People doggedly moving ever farther away from one another constitute hell in C.S. Lewis’ book, The Great Divorce.
Fact is – Proverbs 18:1 says: A man who isolates himself seeks his own desires; he rages against all wise judgment.
Living in community and helping one another is foundational for all who wish to follow Christ. We know from Acts 2 that the early church took this seriously, seeing many examples of believers helping one another, including materially, so that there would be no one in need within their group.
Much has been written about the benefits of strong relationships. I wrote about it at this corner several years ago. People are healthier, live longer, and are generally happier if they have strong friendships beneficial for helping and encouraging each other. And let me repeat it – especially during these tough times … .
Jim Mathis , a writer, photographer and small business owner in Overland Park, Kansas, got it to the point last year, when the pandemic started: "Personally, one big change that took place when I decided to follow Christ was shifting from a self-centered existence to community-centered living. My life changed dramatically for the better when I stopped looking out only for myself and started finding ways to help others with a sense of community. Life went from an individual sport like a race to a team sport, working toward our mutual benefit".
Friday, February 14, 2025
Filipinos and Valentine's Day: Why chocolates are at the heart of unforgettable moments
Euden Valdez - Philstar.com
February 14, 2025 | 10:40am
MANILA, Philippines — Many of us have probably heard of this chocolate fact: Cacao beans were as valuable as gold in Aztec culture.
It can be thus said that adoration for chocolate began in ancient times. As early as the 1500 B.C., cacao trees were already being cultivated and grown in Central and South America. The beans of these trees would soon be discovered as the prized ingredient for chocolate drink, which the Olmec, Mayan and Aztec civilizations loved.
While the association of Valentine’s Day to romance dates back to the 13th century, its commercialization as a public holiday came much later in the 1840s thanks to Queen Victoria of Great Britain. The people of the time, called Victorians, “…loved showering their significant others with Cupid-bedecked gifts and cards, but Valentine’s Day was about to get happier,” the Smithsonian magazine reported.
The reason, chocolates! Thanks to George and Richard Cadbury—brother scions of the British chocolate manufacturing company—looked for a way to make chocolates more “palatable.” In 1866, they turned their company’s drink made with cocoa butter into totally unadulterated cocoa, making it “Absolutely pure, therefore the best!”
It marked a major turning point for the company as it soon led to the creation of Cadbury Dairy Milk, which combined a glass and half of milk with the pure cocoa butter. And this new product would be marketed in heart-shaped boxes with Cupids and rosebuds—making it a perfect and romantic Valentine gift.
This helped give way to the tradition of giving chocolates during Valentine’s Day, which to this day remains.
As a celebration-loving race who value family, friendship and different forms of relationships, we Filipinos quickly picked up the gesture, putting chocolates at the heart of unforgettable Valentine moments.
When we were young, we gave chocolates on Valentine’s Day to confess our feelings to our crushes in school, or the other way around as the recipient. Then we grew up and still gifted chocolates to express affection, gratitude, and love for the important people in our lives.
Understanding this fully well, Mondelez International in the Philippines continues to set the standard for meaningful connections and gifting during the love holiday.
As the company behind well-loved chocolate brands Cadbury Dairy Milk and Toblerone, Mondelez International is empowering Filipinos to celebrate love in heartfelt, thoughtful and memorable ways this Valentine’s Day 2025.
With Cadbury Dairy Milk, acknowledge that despite differences in relationships, love is “perfectly imperfect.” Love and understanding will overcome different genres of music, different travel goals, or different dining preferences.
This is what Cadbury Dairy Milk is highlighting this love month as it introduces “Perfectly Imperfect” Cadbury packaging. With its smooth chocolate that melts your heart, choose from Milk Chocolate, Fruit & Nut and Hazelnut flavors to express your perfectly imperfect love with your special someone.
On the other hand, Toblerone stands out with its iconic triangular shape, premium Swiss chocolate, and customized packaging. As the chocolate that’s never square, expect to have unique and distinct celebrations with your loved ones.
Its tagline “Never Square” emphasizes personal connections through creativity and individuality—making it the perfect gift not just for romantic reasons but also for expression of appreciation or affection to people we value. It can be our besties since childhood, our team leads in the office, or our titas and titos too.
With these unique messaging, Cadbury Dairy Milk and Toblerone make the most thoughtful Valentine’s Day gifts, while being great for snacking too with their delicious chocolate products.
BINI brings playful vibes in newly dropped single 'Blink Twice'
Nation’s girl group serving looks in 'Blink Twice' music video
Feb 14, 2025 09:40 AM
AT A GLANCE
The group’s latest international release, “Blink Twice,” is a blend of excitement and confusion in waiting for a sign if one’s special feeling is reciprocated.
BINI has released its much-awaited single “Blink Twice,” which features playful lyrics, a catchy beat, and the group’s signature charm. The music video for “Blink Twice” is also now up on BINI Official YouTube channel.
The top-notch MV showcases BINI members Aiah, Colet, Maloi, Gwen, Stacey, Mikha, Jhoanna, and Sheena serving spirited moves and fresh looks in chic outfits and bold colors.
The group’s latest international release, “Blink Twice,” is a blend of excitement and confusion in waiting for a sign if one’s special feeling is reciprocated.
It was written by Amanda Ratchford, Pacific-Joshua Zagabe, Marqueze Parker, Darius Coleman, Pontus Kalm aka Oneye who has worked with BTS and Le Serrafim, and Steven Franks or Mr. Franks who has written songs for Ariana Grande and BLACKPINK. The single was produced by Oneye, Leather Jacket, Mr. Franks, and Glitch under ABS-CBN Music International.
BINI will be performing the song live for the first time at the “BINIverse World Tour: Philippines” to be held at the Philippine Arena this Saturday (Feb. 15).
Check out the newest single of the nation’s girl group, “Blink Twice” (https://orcd.co/bini_blinktwice), now available on music streaming platforms while its music video is available on BINI Official YouTube channel (https://youtu.be/PlySXiQDGsM).
A review of 'Bridget Jones: Mad About a Boy'
BY MANILA BULLETIN ENTERTAINMENT
Feb 14, 2025 10:25 AM
AT A GLANCE
Bridget Jones brings back her quirky mental monologues and entertains us with the same foul mouthed girlyness we all fell in love with.
By Margaret Siytangco
She’s back and better than ever!
Bridget Jones brings back her quirky mental monologues and entertains us with the same foul mouthed girlyness we all fell in love with. The same cast is back, as in ALL OF THEM are back, and it’s a trip down memory lane. Renee Zellweger, Colin Firth, and Hugh Grant, the three points that form everyone's favorite love triangle, are together again, and it’s such a warm feeling to see our old friends on screen.
I say old friends because they are. If you’ve watched the earlier Bridget movies, you’ll fall in love with each. To see them together on the same screen once again, in the same roles as they originated and inhabited for so long, it is like having a reunion of F.R.I.E.N.D.S., where we see them all just chilling and kicking back on that coffee shop couch.
They have some newcomers joining them. Leo Woodall and Chiwetel Ejiofor, and these two add that little grin all women have when watching Bridget Jones.
From the moment she slid down the fireman’s pole to now, Bridget has been the most real woman you can find on screen. She’s messy, disorganized, witty, hopeful, awkward, and full of life. The theme, as always, is about love. Just perfect for Valentine's. I am celebrating this movie because it celebrates all kinds of love a woman goes through. Love felt as a daughter, as a friend, as lover, a wife, and as a mom. This movie brings it all and celebrates all of our ups and downs.
You’ll find yourself gasping, cringing, covering your mouth, feeling embarrassed for her. You’ll cheer and thrill as romance blooms, and you’ll cry as your heartstrings get tugged.
"Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy" celebrates love. Just perfect for this year. If you’ve got a heart, you’ll love this one. Your heart needs this. Your inner me needs this movie.
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