Women dominate music's Grammy nominations, SZA tops with nine

BY AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Nov 11, 2023 08:14 AM

  

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American R&B singer Solána Imani Rowe, known professionally as SZA (AFP)

  NEW YORK (AFP) - It will be a woman's world at the upcoming Grammys, with SZA scooping the most chances for gold ahead of the star-studded music gala with nine, as pop's superstars including Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish dominated across the categories.

Olivia Rodrigo, Phoebe Bridgers and the indie rock supergroup boygenius also will strong contenders at the February 4 event in Los Angeles, where music from the blockbuster film "Barbie" will almost certainly clean up, according to the nominations list released Friday.

SZA -- the acerbic, R&B risk-taker whose layered tales of romance earned her acclaim with her debut "Ctrl" in 2017 and saw her top the charts again with 2022's "SOS" -- is poised to rule the night, with nominations spanning the categories.

And Bridgers, one-third of the supergroup boygenius with Julien Baker and Lucy Dacus, earned seven nominations while the collective group earned six, both in the top fields as well as in the rock categories.

The already decorated Eilish has six chances for a Grammy thanks to her work on Greta Gerwig's summer smash "Barbie" film.

The soundtrack, which also features Dua Lipa, earned a total of 11 nominations in the major categories and the visual media fields.

Rodrigo, who already has three Grammy wins under her belt including Best New Artist, earned six nods this time around and will vie for the night's top awards. 

In-demand producer Jack Antonoff scored six nominations for his work, notably with Swift and Lana Del Rey, the baroque pop singer whose album "Did you know there's a tunnel under Ocean Blvd" earned her five nominations.

If Swift's "Midnights" wins Album of the Year, it would be a record-breaking fourth win of the prize for the 33-year-old, who's already the toast of the music world as she continues her monumental Eras tour.

She is currently tied as the top winner of the most prestigious Grammy with Frank Sinatra, Paul Simon and Stevie Wonder.

Women on top

Jazz polymath Jon Batiste is the sole man up for Record and Album of the Year, two years after he beat out pop's royalty to dominate the 2022 gala.

He earned six nominations this go-around, as did Miley Cyrus and country singer-songwriter Brandy Clark. 

Coveted engineer Serban Ghenea -- who mixed Swift's "Midnights" -- meanwhile earned seven nods.

Rising R&B star Victoria Monet also finished with seven nominations, including for the prestigious Record of the Year and Best New Artist prizes.

Industry watchers predict Ice Spice will win the latter category, after a banner year that saw the bubbly Bronx rapper go viral on loop and collaborate with Swift.

And pop futurist Janelle Monae earned her second Album of the Year nomination for "The Age of Pleasure."

Rihanna picked up a nomination for the song she worked on for the "Black Panther" sequel, but the best visual media category will likely go to one of four songs from the "Barbie" movie.

That award is for songwriters, and includes tracks performed by Eilish, Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice, Dua Lipa and Ryan Gosling, who plays Ken in the film.

Bernie Sanders -- yes, that Bernie Sanders -- has a second chance to win a Grammy in the audiobook and narration category.

The leftist senator's reading of "It's Ok to Be Angry About Capitalism" is up against efforts by Michelle Obama, Meryl Streep, William Shatner and Rick Rubin in one of the night's quirkier categories.

The Rolling Stones earned a nomination for Best Rock Song for "Angry," while Grammy catnip Foo Fighters is poised to take home prizes in the rock fields, where boygenius could also be a factor.

Dang-good music

The banner year for music's women is a long time coming for many critics of the Recording Academy -- the institution behind the Grammys -- which for many years has faced flak that it overwhelmingly honors white, male acts.

"Women had dang good music -- some of the biggest records of the year and the biggest songs," Recording Academy chief executive Harvey Mason Jr. told The Los Angeles Times.

"And our voters were obviously moved by a lot of it."

The sea change comes as scandal continues to brew within the ranks of the Academy.

In 2019, the former chief of the powerful institution, Neil Portnow, left his post after saying that women artists should "step up" if they want more recognition, comments he delivered at the #MeToo movement's peak.

This week, Portnow was sued in Manhattan for allegedly drugging and raping an unnamed woman artist in 2018.

The suit also accuses the Academy of negligence, saying it protected Portnow and dismissed accounts of his abuse. Both the organization and Portnow vehemently deny the allegations.

Be RICEponsible: Each year, wasted rice can feed 2.5 M people

BY MANILA BULLETIN

Nov 11, 2023 00:04 AM

  

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Rice is our staple food.  To Filipinos, no meal is complete without rice. Unfortunately, because it is a staple, many people have developed the bad habit of taking more than enough rice on one’s plate – and leaving to waste what is not consumed.

Each Filipino wastes at least two tablespoons – or 10 grams of rice – annually. The accumulated amount can feed at least 2.5 million people each year, according to the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice).  

The government agency has a cost for that waste – ₱7 million worth of rice – a significant amount especially when viewed as a fund that could be used to feed more hungry people. And there are many hungry people in the population. A recent survey conducted by OCTA Research said that 11.3 million Filipino households, or 43 percent, described themselves as food-poor in the second quarter of 2023; and 3.9 million families experienced hunger in the second quarter of 2023 (16 percent of them went hungry often or always).  A household is listed as having five members.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, “based on the preliminary results of the family income and expenditure survey in 2021, poverty incidence among the population was recorded at 18.1 percent,” which is 19.99 million Filipinos.

We cannot afford to waste rice.  It is a situation that each of us can take an active role to solve.  

Rice wastage has been traced to many bad habits, one of them, the “takaw-mata” attitude, a term describing persons who get too much food on their plates simply because it looked appetizing.  Dining out at food establishments, which many now do, has also been identified as a source of rice wastage due to the minimum one-cup rice order, the “unli-rice” promo, and the food buffet. 

While some may not think twice about ordering more than a cup of rice for a meal, there are many who are unable to consume a cup and leave much to be wasted. The “unli-rice” and buffet always attract the “takaw mata” attitude to add more to the waste.

Already, there are some 46 local government units that have passed ordinances for restaurants to serve half-cups of rice.  To extend this practice around the country, Dr. Karen Eloisa Barroga, PhilRice deputy executive director, said the agency plans to revive Senate Bill 1863, the proposed “Anti-Rice Wastage Act” which was filed by then senator Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in 2013.  The bill seeks to impose fines on establishments that refuse to serve half-cup rice orders.

The agency, which is attached to the Department of Agriculture, has also started to disseminate data on rice wastage to food establishments to encourage them to implement measures to cut the waste.

The fact that our annual rice wastage can feed at least 2.5 million people is the focus of the “Be RICEponsible” campaign launched by PhilRice last Thursday to mark National Rice Awareness Month. Presidential Proclamation No. 524 signed in January 2004 had proclaimed November for this observance.  Activities during the month aim to boost awareness not only on cutting rice wastage but also on efforts to address malnutrition and poverty, and attain rice self-sufficiency.

Many of us have heard this from our elders who used to say – Finish what’s on your plate because many go to sleep hungry.  Today, government agencies have placed figures that tell us how much rice we waste and how many people feel hungry more than once a day.

It is time to “Be RICEponsible!” 

PAL earnings surge 167% to P19.2 B

BY KHRISCIELLE YALAO

Nov 10, 2023 05:07 PM

  

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The country's premiere airline Philippine Airlines (PAL) reported a 167 percent surge in its net income to P19.2 billion for the nine month period in 2023 from P7.2 billion in the same period in 2022 as air travel continues to boom. 

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), the airline's passenger revenues also grew by 51 percent to P120.1 billion for the nine month period this year compared to P79.5 billion last year. 

However, cargo revenues declined by 35 percent this third quarter because of "softening in the air cargo market."  

PAL's operating income also grew 114 percent to P24.6 billion for the January to September 2023 period from P11.5 billion in 2022. 

According to PAL, its significant financial performance "reflects the continuing growth of passenger travel and the corresponding expansion of flights across the flag carrier’s global network."  

The airline's passenger count for the first nine months of 2023 increased by 72 percent, amounting to 11 million from 6.4 million in 2022. 

In the third quarter alone, PAL's passenger count this year was 54 percent higher to four million from 2.6 million in the same period in 2022. 

PAL President and Chief Operating Officer Capt. Stanley K. Ng assures the public that the firm will "continue investing in brand-new aircraft, upgraded products and digital innovations that will help us deliver better service and a more satisfying experience for the people who entrust their flights and shipments to Philippine Airlines."

“At the same time, we have to be ready to face potential major challenges in the coming months, as geopolitical upheavals drive up fuel prices and threaten economic disruptions," he added. 

As PAL’s parent company, PAL Holdings Inc. President and COO Lucio Tan III said that it will "continue to fortify the Philippine Airlines Group against external headwinds such as volatile fuel prices and the impact of world events, while building up PAL as a resilient and dynamic competitor."

“We reaffirm our commitment to provide safe, reliable and efficient service in line with our mandate as the nation's flag carrier, looking forward to the coming peak travel season,” added Tan. 

Big time rollback sa petrolyo, nakaamba sa susunod na linggo | Frontline...

#FrontlinePilipinas | Big time rollback ang posibleng sumalubong sa mga motorista sa susunod na linggo. Posible pa umano itong magtuloy-tuloy hanggang sa katapusan ng taon. #News5 | via Gerard de la Peña

Cool Smashers outhustle Angels, remain unbeaten in PVL

BY KRISTEL SATUMBAGA-VILLAR

Nov 9, 2023 11:31 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Creamline survived the gritty challenge of Petro Gazz with a tough 25-22, 23-25, 25-27, 25-19, 15-13 victory to remain unscathed in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City late Thursday, Nov. 9.

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Creamline survived the gritty challenge of Petro Gazz with a tough 25-22, 23-25, 25-27, 25-19, 15-13 victory to remain unscathed in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City late Thursday, Nov. 9.

Creamline's Tots Carlos, right, scores against Petro Gazz's Jonah Sabete. (PVL Images)

Michele Gumabao and Tots Carlos sizzled at the net by conspiring for 34 kills to finish with 19 and 16 points for the Cool Smashers, who tightened their grip of the top spot with their fifth straight victory in as many outings.

Down two sets to one, Creamline came through with huge plays to steal the fourth frame before hanging tough in the pivotal fifth set to hand Petro Gazz its second loss against four victories.

The Cool Smashers also survived the explosive performances of Grethcel Soltones and Jonah Sabete, who pumped in 23 and 22 points for the Angels that eventually went down the drain.

Petro Gazz, behind the efforts of Remy Palma and KC Galdones, was equally assertive in the defensive department after making 10 blocks, but Creamline was a tough nut to crack with Jema Galanza, Alyssa Valdez and Bernadeth Pons also lending a helping hand.

Galanza chipped in 15 points, while Valdez and Pons added eight points apiece.

PH can make it to global stage with ‘Tatak Pinoy’

BY MANILA BULLETIN

Nov 10, 2023 06:43 AM 

“Tatak Pinoy.” 
 

Yes, we need to come up with a Filipino brand that we must be proud of — something that is at par or can even surpass global standards. Producing our own quality product is the only way we can compete in this very competitive global market. It will also help shield the country from supply disruptions as we will be less dependent on imported products.
And the recent passage of the proposed Tatak Pinoy Act, which mandates the formulation, financing, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of comprehensive and multi-year Tatak Pinoy Strategy (TPS), in the Senate is a step in the right direction.

“With the Tatak Pinoy bill, we are confident that we will be able to help our industries in expanding their reach in the world market, provide a significant boost to our economy, and provide our people with greater opportunities to earn more,” Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara said after his pet bill was passed on third and final reading in the Senate. “Tatak Pinoy will strengthen the partnership between the government and the private sector. With better coordination between the two sides, the government will be able to implement more projects that will benefit the private sector—be it infrastructure or other initiatives such as those that will improve the skills and capabilities of our workforce.”

President Marcos’ certification of the bill as an urgent measure is a testament of how vital the proposed Tatak Pinoy Act is to the country.

Just to underscore the potential of putting the Philippines among the ranks of the world’s most vibrant and strongest economies through the Tatak Pinoy program, Taiwan was cited as an example during the period of interpellation. Angara had pointed out that Taiwan had transformed itself as one of the world’s biggest manufacturers of high-tech goods and has positioned itself firmly in the global supply chain.

If Taiwan made it to the global stage, there is no reason why the Philippines would not make it. Filipinos have the necessary skills and the country has the needed resources. We have the potential to make it big.

A couple of years ago, the Swiss Import Promotion Programme (SIPPO) conducted studies on Philippine products and its potential in the global market.

Based on the studies, it identified three products with great potential in the global market, particularly in Europe. These are value-added textiles — silk, abaca, banana, and pineapple fibers; natural ingredients — desiccated coconut and coconut oil, calamansi extract, carrageenan, and moringa; and processed food — dried fruits, frozen fruit and vegetables, fruit purees, muscovado sugar, coconut palm sugar, coconut palm syrup, stevia, pili nuts, jams, jellies, and marmalades. These are some of the Filipino products that have the potential.
All that Filipino companies and entrepreneurs need is unequivocal support from the government — financial, ease of doing business policies, technical assistance, among others.
A collaboration between the government and the private sector is necessary to attain the goal of making it to the global stage.

We look forward to Tatak Pinoy products making it big in the global market.

Yes, the Philippines can! 

A celebration of happiness in beauty

Happy Skin celebrates 10th anniversary

BY JANE KINGSU-CHENG

  

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Homegrown beauty brand Happy Skin hosted a fun 10th anniversary party at White Space, Makati, last Oct. 3, 2023. An estimate of 400 guests flocked to the venue to celebrate and reminisce about their favorite beauty products over the years.

Carla Abellana, Verniece Enciso, Kryz Uy

A lot of activities were lined up which included bringing home items from their makeup vending and gachapon machines. The brand gives back by partnering with HOPE to build a new classroom at Bulualto Elementary School in Bulacan. Simply purchase their 10th birthday collectible pins and keychains—all proceeds from the sales will be donated to this initiative.

DJ Christi McGarry, Aryanna Epperson, Ashley Colet

Host Janeena Chan got the party going, introducing CEO and Co-Founder Jacqe Yuengtian-Gutierrez on stage. Also seen celebrating were Carla Abellana, Kryz Uy, Verniece Enciso, Marj Maroket, Jessica Yang, to name a few. Dj Christi McGarry kept the party going all night long with her beats.

Jacqe Gutierrez and Diane Tan

Christiana Collings, Coleen Garcia, Erika Hocson, Sam Pinto and Bella Jaeger

Marj Maroket, Janeena Chan, Jessica Yang

Joize Frilles, Mikay Torralba, Kenn Dayandayan

Malaking parte ng Davao City lubog sa tubig-baha

Better to tweak the old curriculum than continue K-12 with dismal quality

 

PRESS RELEASE

November 10, 2023

 

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on Thursday said it is much better to have a tweaked version of the country’s old curriculum than stick with K-12 and continue to experience a dismal quality of education.

“Do we want to have the form na K-12 tayo pero ganyan kababa ang quality [of education], or do we take the criticism na hindi tayo K-12 pero mataas naman ang quality? If you ask me, I’d rather not have K-12 pero higher quality,” Cayetano said during the plenary debate on the proposed 2024 budget of the Department of Education (DepEd).

The independent senator said in the first place, K-12 has not even been “proven to be better,” citing Cuba as a country with fewer school years but with “very good educational systems.”

Cayetano said the main culprit in the learning poverty in the Philippines is the decrease in school hours over the past years under K-12. He cited the latest World Bank report on the quality of education in the East Asia and the Pacific region which showed that nine out of 10 Filipino children cannot read and understand simple, age-appropriate reading material by age 10.

Upon Cayetano’s questioning, DepEd said more than 2,800 out of 47,000 schools nationwide do double, triple, or even quadruple shifting schedules. This means students only get to learn at school for a maximum of six hours a day, compared to eight hours under the old curriculum.

“For me, one thing that will return us to the right path is having enough time for the learners to actually learn,” he said.

Cayetano also said the lack of resources is hindering DepEd from fulfilling K-12’s promise of producing senior high school graduates who are either employable or better prepared for higher education. 

He said the lack of resources was one of the reasons he was one of only two senators who opposed the approval of K-12 in 2013.

“I opposed that (K-12) saying mas gusto ko naka-Volkswagen tayo na hindi nasisiraan at maganda kaysa naka-Mercedes Benz na sira-sira at wala naman tayong pambili ng spare parts,” he said.

Cayetano said while most other countries implement K-12, it is important to study the matter more carefully and see if it is really applicable in the Philippines.

“(There are) all these international studies, but we have to look at what works for the Filipinos,” he said.###