Meet the young women of ABS-CBN Music

BY MANILA BULLETIN ENTERTAINMENT

Mar 14, 2023 09:49 AM

  

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The young women of ABS-CBN Music

Brave, empowered, and unique.

These words describe today’s young Kapamilya singers who are gradually carving a name in the industry with their talent, ingenuity, and musicality.

Meet some of the talented artists from the ABS-CBN Music roster who use their music to support their fellow women:

Angela Ken

Angela Ken

Discovered on TikTok with her then unfinished song “ Ako Naman Muna ” that eventually
turned out to be a massive hit upon release, Angela Ken is one of the fastest-rising artists
today because of her relatable and empowering songs. Last year, she was also able to
showcase her versatility in the iWantTFC Originals series “Lyric and Beat.”

Belle Mariano

Belle Mariano

Belle Mariano has fully blossomed from being a timid child star to a young superstar that
she is now with hit movies, series, and music in her portfolio. Her single “ Sigurado ,” one of
the tracks in her debut album “daylight,” already earned 25 million Spotify streams, and
fans can look forward to more of her songs this 2023.

CESCA

CESCA

Star Pop recording artist CESCA released her debut EP “Travel” last year, taking listeners on
a journey of leaving own’s bubble to boldly take risks and face hardships. Her soothing voice
now shines in “Kung Makakapili Lang,” one of the theme songs of ABS-CBN’s hit series
“Dirty Linen.”

Cool Cat Ash

Cool Cat Ash

Cool Cat Ash, named PMPC Star Awards for Music 2021 Novelty Artist of the Year and 2022
Rock Artist of the Year, actually started in the music industry when she was just five years
old. Today she is also a songwriter, music producer, sound engineer, DJ, and film scorer
who is currently studying Music Production at Berklee College of Music in Boston. She also
co-founded a female-led music production company, Aunorable Productions, with her sister,
Marion Aunor. She has just released a song called “Changes” about embracing constant
changes in life, including the good, the bad, and everything in between.

FANA

FANA

The former “Idol Philippines” season 1 contestant FANA is out to make a name for herself
not only with her edgy musicality but also with her wit as she joins the cast of the newest
iWantTFC Originals series “Teen Clash.” Last year, she lent her voice to the alternate song
“Sa Dulo,” one of the soundtracks of “The Broken Marriage Vow.”

Janine Berdin

Janine Berdin

“Tawag Ng Tanghalan” season 2 grand champion Janine Berdin made waves in 2022,
capping off the year by gracing a billboard in Times Square in New York as the cover of
Spotify’s EQUAL playlist. She also launched her debut album, “WTF i actually wrote these
songs” with six relatable tracks she penned herself. This month, she happily shared that she
has fulfilled her dreams of having her own band. She is also set to release a new single,
“bntp,” on Friday (March 17).

Maymay Entrata

Mamay Entrata

From her “PBB” days to becoming the ‘Amakabogera’ that she is today, Maymay Entrata has
evolved to become a successful P-pop soloist. Her “Amakabogera” music video has
generated over 20 million views on YouTube to date and she even got a nomination from no
less than MTV Europe Music Awards for Best Asia Act in 2022. Recently, her “ Puede Ba ”
music video already hit over 1.1 million views on YouTube.

Trisha Denise

This talented but low-key singer-songwriter has written many songs for her fellow
Kapamilya singers, such as Belle, Maymay, and Moira dela Torre. Trisha Denise’s album
“Piece of the Puzzle,” showcased her artistry while also giving inspiration to her listeners.
She recently sang “Hindi Pa Natin Alam,” a collaboration with Benedix Ramos and one of the
theme songs of the iWantTFC Originals “Tara G.”

Vivoree

Vivoree

The former “Pinoy Big Brother: Lucky 7” housemate has turned a new leaf in her career
upon the release of her solo single, “ Matapang ” that speaks of becoming fearless with one’s
feelings. Vivoree is also set to work with some of the most talented female songwriters and
producers this year for her much-awaited coming-of-age EP.

Zachary

Zachary

Last year, Zachary debuted with her alluring sounds “ dahan-dahan ” followed by “RBND.”
This time, listeners can expect more modern pop and R&B songs from this young Filipino-Canadian songstress that promise to dwell on real experiences and sentiments of today’s youth.

Check out the music of Angela, Belle, CESCA, Cool Cat Ash, FANA, Janine, Maymay, Trisha
Denise, Vivoree, and Zachary. For more details, follow Star Music on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram,  Tiktok , and YouTube.

BIR honors top tax paying celebs of 2022

BY STEPHANIE BERNARDINO

  

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Several celebrities were recently honored during a ceremony hosted by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in a Quezon City mall recently.

This, for being among top tax paying personalities of 2022.

Among those cited were Coco Martin, Kathryn Bernardo, Daniel Padilla, Anne Curtis, Willie Revillame, Jed Madela, and Bugoy Drilon.

Also making it to the BIR list of top tax paying celebrities were Liza Soberano, Vic Sotto, Judy Ann Santos, Sarah Geronimo, Maja Salvador, and Michael V., among others.

In his speech, Daniel thanked the agency for the recognition.

"Maraming-maraming salamat po sa award na ito at maraming-maraming salamat sa dami naming binayaran na tax," he quipped.

Kathryn, on the other hand, said: "Hopefully, this would inspire everybody to do our responsibility bilang Pilipino na magbayad ng tax."

Anne echoed the same thing.

"I just wanna say that now I am a mother, I think it's so important that we lead by example to the future generations and encourage others to think about the progression of our country as well for the future generations that have yet to come," she said. "So, let's all lead by example and support the BIR and let's pay everything on time."

Latest California storm turns deadly, breaks levee

WET WHEELS Cars are partially submerged in floodwaters in Watsonville, California on Saturday, March 11, 2023. AP PHOTO

March 13, 2023 

 By Agence France-Presse 

PAJARO, California: Another powerful storm pummeled California overnight into Saturday, forcing thousands to evacuate and killing at least two people, while causing a levee to give way in coastal Monterey County.

"We were hoping to avoid and prevent this situation, but the worst-case scenario has arrived with the Pajaro River overtopping and levee breaching at about midnight," Luis Alejo, a Monterey County supervisor, said on Twitter on Saturday.

Residents told Agence France-Presse (AFP) they were alerted by local fire officials in the middle of the night that they needed to evacuate.

"Just the noise of the fire department — their sirens and all — woke us up," said Moses, a resident of the area for about 20 years who preferred to give only his first name.

He said officials later came and knocked on his door multiple times, but that he decided to wait until 5 a.m. to make a decision.

After returning home from surveying the flooding, Moses said water was beginning to cover his street.

"That's when I told my wife: 'Hey, we got to get out of here,'" he added.

The area remained under a flood warning on Saturday afternoon, the National Weather Service said.

On Friday night, state emergency services director Nancy Ward announced that the storm had already claimed at least two lives.

Images posted on Twitter by the state's National Guard account showed guardsmen rescuing residents trapped in their cars by high water.

At least one road was washed away in Santa Cruz County, just north of Monterey.

Residents in several towns, mostly in the north, have been ordered to evacuate.

An unusually intense and seemingly endless series of storms has battered California for weeks.

The latest storm was expected to dump as much as 9 inches (23 centimeters) of rain on already saturated ground.

Part of a powerful atmospheric river, known as a "Pineapple Express" — for the warm, subtropical moisture it brings from Hawaii — this latest storm will speed the melting of the enormous snowpack that has built up in higher elevations.

The resulting runoff threatens to aggravate already serious flooding.

In Pajaro on Saturday, the fire department and national guard used drones to survey the flooded areas, checking for people stranded in their homes, AFP reporters saw.

Two cousins, Angel Martinez and Christian Garcia, waded through the water carrying a plastic bag of food salvaged from the kitchen.

They told AFP their neighborhood was a "wreck," with water 3-feet (1-meter) deep in their backyard.

They were only able to grab cellular phone chargers, some blankets and a first aid kit when they hastily evacuated.

US President Joe Biden on Friday approved an emergency declaration that clears the way to expedite federal aid to the western state.

Biden called Gov. Gavin Newsom on Saturday to reaffirm full federal support for the impact of flooding and landslides on the state, a White House pool report said.

Newsom said California was "deploying every tool we have to protect communities from the relentless and deadly storms battering our state."

Storms in January were blamed for the deaths of 20 people.

Frasco couple gives off 'newlywed' vibes in Berlin

BY ELLSON QUISMORIO

Mar 13, 2023 07:36 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• It's easy to mistake Cebu 5th district Rep. Vincent Franco "Duke" Frasco and Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Frasco for newlyweds with the way they look at each other.

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It's already March, but it still feels like love month when you're around Cebu 5th district Rep. Vincent Franco "Duke" Frasco and his wife, Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Frasco.

Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Frasco gets 'interviewed' by Cebu 5th district Rep. Vincent Franco "Duke" Frasco in Berlin, Germany. (Facebook)

The couple always gives off "newlywed" vibes, as what can be seen in this recent Facebook upload from the Cebu congressman.

Apparently, Rep. Frasco was pretending to interview the tourism chief on the sidelines of the International Tourismus Borse (ITB) in Berlin, Germany.

(Facebook)

"It was also great to meet the Filipino community based in Germany during the Bisita Be My Guest launch," the House deputy speaker wrote in a separate post.

The Frascos have been married since August 2009. They have four children.

Learn to live by faith

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

THAT gospel episode where Christ in the synagogue in Nazareth faulted the people for their lack of faith (cfr. Lk 4,24-30) reminds us that we have to learn how to live by faith, with our thoughts and intentions and everything in our interior world mainly inspired and directed by faith rather than just by our human estimation of things. We have to be wary of our tendency to literally disparage this divine gift of faith.

“There were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when the sky was closed for three and a half years and a severe famine spread over the entire land,” he said. “It was to none of these that Elijah was sent, but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon. Again, there were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha the prophet; yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.”

The reaction of his townmates to these words was one of fury. They even wanted to throw him from a cliff. That’s how bad we can also be with respect to our attitude toward being guided by faith. We prefer to think and live simply by ourselves, as if we can handle all the challenges and predicaments we can encounter in our life.

Living by faith is actually meant for all of us, since our life is a life with God. And living by faith is completely practicable, though it obviously would require a certain discipline. Yes, it will require a lot of effort and sacrifice, a lot of self-denial. But let’s also remember that there is also God’s grace given to us that would enable us to enter into the spiritual and supernatural dimensions of our life.

To live by faith means, first of all, that we believe that God is always with us. And he is not with us in a passive way, but is actually actively intervening in our lives. We should not question this basic truth about God and us since as Creator, God not only creates us but also keeps us in existence. 

And given the way we are, with our intelligence and will, plus his grace since we are God’s image and likeness, we are meant to have a personal and intimate relation and connection with God all the time. We are supposed to have an abiding sense of his presence in us, always discerning his promptings.

We are not making this up. We are not fantasizing here, although it’s true that feeling his presence and discerning his promptings will certainly require a lot of effort. That’s because God is way above our nature to comprehend. It’s like having a case of “being so near yet so far.” God is present everywhere. We can always connect with him anytime, but he also remains as the most mysterious of all the mysteries.

That is why we need to go through a certain plan of life that would help us establish and maintain this abiding and intimate relation with God, always conversing with him, referring things to him, asking him questions as well as for help and enlightenment, etc.

We have to study the doctrine of our faith, now clearly and authoritatively taught by the Church, and then avail of certain ascetical and spiritual practices, like regular meditations, contemplation, recollection, retreats, etc.

The ideal to pursue is that of becoming a true contemplative even while being in the middle of the world. A contemplative person is always in conversation with God in all the events of his day and of his whole life!

* Chaplain Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE), Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

LPA enters, to bring rain in Mindanao

By Arlie O. Calalo

March 13, 2023 

A low pressure area (LPA) has entered the Philippines but it has a slim chance of escalating into a tropical depression, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Monday.

However, the LPA, last spotted some 630 kilometers east-southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, will bring rain in the eastern side of Mindanao, forecaster Obet Badrina said.

"Based on Pagasa's forecast track the weather disturbance is unlikely to develop into a storm but we are still monitoring its movement," Badrina said.

The weather disturbance is affecting Caraga and Davao Region where overcast skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms may prevail in the next 24 hours.

Meanwhile, the northeast monsoon or "amihan" is bringing cloudy skies with rains in Cagayan Valley, Apayao, Aurora and northern Quezon.

Visayas and the rest of Mindanao will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.

The northeast monsoon is also affecting Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon where partly cloudy to cloudy skies with light rains may be experienced, Pagasa said.

What are some facts about the Philippines?

 

Ronna Lou

Philippine-Women.com Dating Coach and Matchmaking Consultant

Matchmaking Consultant2016–present

Studied Information Technology

Lives in Phoenix, AZ2017–present

The country is made up of 7,641 islands, making it the second-largest archipelago in the world.

The world's largest pearl was discovered in the Philippines, known as the "Pearl of Lao Tzu". It weighs 14 pounds and is valued at approximately $40 million.

The Banaue Rice Terraces in the Cordillera region of the Philippines are known as the "Eighth Wonder of the World." They were carved by hand over 2,000 years ago and cover an area of over 4,000 square miles.

It is home to the world's smallest monkey, the Philippine Tarsier, which can fit in the palm of your hand.

It is the only country in Asia that is predominantly Roman Catholic due to its Spanish colonial past.

It is the world's leading producer of coconuts and pineapples and is also a major exporter of bananas and mangoes.

The world's largest indoor arena is the Philippine Arena. It has a seating capacity of up to 55,000 people.

It is the first country in Southeast Asia to gain independence from a colonial power, which is the United States in 1946.

Hope this helps!

[photo edited from Canva]

GMA presents the country’s first figure skating drama 'Hearts on Ice'

  

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AT A GLANCE

• The country’s first-ever figure skating drama on primetime television is headlined by the fresh pairing of Sparkle actress Ashley Ortega as Ponggay and multi-talented actor Xian Lim as Enzo.
• Completing the star-studded cast are Amy Austria as Libay, the cold mother of Ponggay who doubts her dreams of becoming a figure skater; Tonton Gutierrez as Gerald, the rich and charming brother of Yvanna and Libay’s ex-lover; Rita Avila as Yvanna, the hostile mother of Monique and a rival of Libay; Lito Pimentel as Ruben, the supportive and loving father of Ponggay; Ina Feleo as Coach Wendy, one of the best figure skating coaches in town who sacrificed her career for love; Cheska Iñigo as Vivian, the controlling mother of Enzo and Yvanna’s ally in persecuting Ponggay.

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Xian Lim and Ashley Ortega

Beginning March 13, GMA Network brings to light another groundbreaking show with “Hearts on Ice.”

The country’s first-ever figure skating drama on primetime television is headlined by the fresh pairing of Sparkle actress Ashley Ortega as Ponggay and multi-talented actor Xian Lim as Enzo.

Completing the star-studded cast are Amy Austria as Libay, the cold mother of Ponggay who doubts her dreams of becoming a figure skater; Tonton Gutierrez as Gerald, the rich and charming brother of Yvanna and Libay’s ex-lover; Rita Avila as Yvanna, the hostile mother of Monique and a rival of Libay; Lito Pimentel as Ruben, the supportive and loving father of Ponggay; Ina Feleo as Coach Wendy, one of the best figure skating coaches in town who sacrificed her career for love; Cheska Iñigo as Vivian, the controlling mother of Enzo and Yvanna’s ally in persecuting Ponggay.

Adding excitement and inspiration to the series are Miss Philippines Earth 2020 Roxie Smith as Monique, a competitive figure skater and Ponggay’s best-friend-turned-enemy; Kim Perez as Bogs, the whimsical friend of Enzo and secret admirer of Ponggay; Skye Chua as Sonja, an excellent figure skater who bullies Ponggay and Monique.  

“Hearts on Ice” follows the story of Ponggay who aspires to fulfill her mother’s broken dreams of becoming a figure skating champion. Despite Ponggay’s leg impairment, she works hard to be a figure skater to receive validation and love from her mother.

Later on, Ponggay discovers an online content creator whose music brings out the best of her capabilities. As she begins to pursue her passion with the right music, Ponggay meets the snobbishly attractive Enzo who appears to be her anonymous online idol and the one who will soon make her fall in love.

Will they be each other’s strength and inspiration to continue dreaming? Does love really conquer all challenges?

Meanwhile, Ponggay’s determination will also be tested as she faces some wicked figure skaters who see her as a big joke in the industry. Until one day, she meets Monique, a talented figure skater from abroad. They form an unlikely friendship without knowing that their mothers used to be bitter opponents in the figure skating world.

How will their camaraderie slowly turn to hate and competition? How far can Ponggay go to achieve her dreams and make her loved ones proud?

“Hearts on Ice” is made possible under the supervision of GMA SVP for Entertainment Group Lilybeth G. Rasonable; VP for Drama Cheryl Ching-Sy; AVP for Drama Helen Rose Sese; Program Manager Edlyn Tallada; and Executive Producer Darling Pulido.

The creative team behind this inspirational drama is composed of Creative Director Aloy Adlawan; Content Development Consultant Ricky Lee; Creative Consultant Jojo Nones; Head Writer John Roque; Writers Liberty Trinidad-Villaroman, Marlon Miguel, and Brylle Tabora; and Brainstormer Louize Andrei Al-Sheri. 

Catch the world premiere of Hearts on Ice — under the helm of esteemed director Dominic C. Zapata — this March 13, weeknights at 8:50 p.m. on GMA and at 11:30 p.m. from Monday to Thursday and at 11 p.m. every Friday on GTV. 

44 candidates vie for Mr. & Ms. Posture Philippines 2023

BY ANNALYN S. JUSAY

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Mr. and Ms. Posture Philippines is  organized by Mabuhay Chiropractic Clinics and takes pride in being the only pageant promoting the natural health lifestyle, with an essay round as one of the criteria for determining the winners.

• The pageant's creator, Dr. Michel Tetrault, noted the growing awareness of the people - particularly the young - to the benefits of chiropathy as a result of the holding of Mr. & Ms. Posture Philippines. Corollary to this, the University of Makati will soon offer a formal degree in chiropractics and the curriculum is being finalized by the Commission on Higher Education.

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The 44 candidates for Mr. & Ms. Posture Philippines strike a pose (Photo by Fab Manila)

A bigger and better staging of Mr. and  Ms. Posture Philippines is expected this year with the presentation and sashing ceremony of the 44 candidates in Makati City recently. This is a big jump from the 24 contestants who joined the pageant during its first year.

Mr. and Ms. Posture Philippines is  organized by Mabuhay Chiropractic Clinics and takes pride in being the only pageant promoting the natural health lifestyle, with an essay round as one of the criteria for determining the winners.

The pageant's creator, Dr. Michel Tetrault, noted the growing awareness of the people - particularly the young -  to the benefits of chiropathy as a result of the holding of Mr. & Ms. Posture Philippines. Corollary to this, the University of Makati will soon offer a formal degree in chiropractics and the curriculum is being finalized by the Commission on Higher Education.

Darling of the Press winners Hanna Michaela Amistad and John Paul Gundayao

"This is your future. We're just here to facilitate this. And why do you think this (chiropathy) is necessary? Because everybody has a spine, you need to have your spine checked for the same reason you need to have your teeth checked, except that we already have plenty of dentists here in the Philippines and not many chiropractors," Dr. Tetrault pointed out.

Also present at the event, which was hosted by Mabuhay Health Officer and Miss Progress International 2017 Jedaver Opingo, were the 2022 winners: reigning Mr. Posture JP Riego who thanked the pageant for opening doors of opportunities for him and Ms. Posture, Ma. Yzabelle Reonal, who credited her winning for changing her life and even treating her mild scoliosis.

Chosen as the Darling of the Press for 2023 are John Paul Gundayao from Tarlac and Hanna Michaela Amistad of San Mateo, Rizal.

Certificates are awarded to each contestant by Mabuhay Chiropractic Clinics founder, Dr. Michel Tetrault (second from right) and Mr. & Ms. Posture PH 2022 winners

Aside from Gundayao and Amistad, here are the remaining candidates of the 2023 Mr. and Ms. Posture Philippines who come from all over the country. Details of the finals will be announced soon.

Male contestants:

Alfred Natividad (Davao de Oro), Asa Agayo (Baguio City), Cirilo Lagnason Jr. (General Santos City) , Edviro Fuentes Jr. (Tacloban City), Emerson Gomez (Tarlac City), Evangel Monreal Jr. (Oriental Mindoro), Gavin See (Filipino-Chinese Community), Jastine Cornejo (San Pedro, Laguna), Lee Zarate (Municipality of Mawab), Joeser Sinfuego (Indigenous People's Community) , Julius Paquingan (Iligan City), Mark Joseph Mangampo (Binangonan, Rizal), Markel Belo Gamboa (Pasig City), Rashid Mir (Las Piñas City), Raymart Manlangit (Victoria, Laguna), Richard Masangkay (Sta. Rosa, Laguna), Roman Solito (Cavite Province), Sandro Cordova (Caloocan City), Shawn Khrysler Sulit (Quezon City), Victor Cheng (Nuro Upi, Maguindanao) VR Relosa (Bulacan), Zandro Gomez (Mandaluyong City)

Female contestants:

Angelica Arvin Camu Evora (Oriental Mindoro), Ardian Vienne Casulla (Pasay City), Arvi Hazel Custodio (Pangasinan), Ayumi Nicole Cayabyab (Tarlac ), Claire Regodon (Alabat, Quezon), Dessa Lontayao (Bicol ), Elena Cocal (Midsayap, North Cotabato), Erlinda Maasab Starbright (Indigenous People's Community), Grayzel Catipay (Iligan City), Jhenice Balabis (BPO Community), Justin Mae Gaspi (Bocaue, Bulacan), Kaithlyn Landicho (San Mateo, Rizal), Katrina Claudia Jamin (Bicol Region), Lianne Elizabeth Duque (Biñan, Laguna), Nicole Grencio (Parañaque City), Nicole Parayno (Fil-Am Community, USA), Patricia Mae Araneta )Las Piñas City), Resalina Toledo (Pasay City), Rose Jean Sanglap (Maguindanao), Seannel Adderrie Cruz (Parañaque City).