Saturday, May 26, 2012

...the Sailor becomes the designer

Fil-Am ex-sailor places 2nd in 'Fashion Star' design tilt in US


May 26, 2012
GMA News

Jessica Sanchez, the 16-year-old Filipino-Mexican-American runner-up in the reality singing contest "American Idol," was not the only person with Filipino roots to bring honor to the Philippines recently.

Like Sanchez, Filipino-American Ronnie Escalante Jr., 33,  also placed second in a US reality show -- National Broadcasting Company's (NBC) "Fashion Star," the search for the next big brand in fashion.




According to a report of the news site Asian Journal, Escalante was declared runner-up of "Fashion Star' after 10 weeks of amazing showmanship.

The grand prize winner was Kara Laricks who received a $6 million contract for her creations to be sold at Macy’s, H&M and Saks Fifth Avenue, three of America’s biggest retailers.

The show gave 14 unknown designers the opportunity to ‘be the next big brand in fashion’ when they showcased their designs every episode to America under the guidance of celebrity mentors and fashion moguls Jessica Simpson, Nicole Richie and John Varvatos.

Asian Journal said many Filipino-Americans were rooting for Escalante, dubbed the “resident master of flounce and glamour” who earned a total of $420,000 in four sales.

On a blog posted on the NBC website a day after the finale, Escalante said: “Last night was bittersweet.. The Fashion Star experience has been a life-altering experience. And sadly, it’s over for now… I won’t trade it for anything. And as the other designers say, ‘it takes a lifetime to get in the room around these people."

The Navy Times Scoop Deck earlier said Escalante was a former sailor who grew up in an agricultural province -- Bulacan -- but was "surrounded by fashion, as his cousin worked as a ‘beader’ in a local fashion house."

His biography posted on the official website of "Fashion Star" said "at the age of 17, Escalante and his family moved to the US and soon after, he joined the US Navy where he served for four years."

After serving in the military, Escalante studied at a fashion design school in San Francisco.

Escalante later moved to Columbus, Ohio to design for Abercrombie and Fitch at their headquarters.

He worked in the Female Outerwear Department for two years where he learned the tricks of the trade not only in fashion but also in business. - with Andrei Medina, VVP, GMA News

...the PHL Pavilion In Yeuso


Phl Pavilion in Korea expo attracting 4,000 daily

By Sheila Crisostomo
(The Philippine Star)
May 27, 2012




MANILA, Philippines - More than 4,000 people visit daily the Philippine Pavilion in the ongoing Yeosu Expo in Korea, organizers said yesterday.




Philippine Organizing Committee (POC) Commissioner General Domingo Ramon Enerio III said the visitors include high-ranking government officials from other countries, international travel agents and foreign media.

Enerio said majority of the visitors were senior citizens, followed by students and families with children.

“The most popular attraction is the Philippine mascot ‘Bok,’ with whom the visitors would take photos for souvenir. The most typical comments are about the sweetness of the Philippine mango, the amazing sand of Boracay, and the visitors’ desire to taste the Filipino food,” Enerio added.

He said the “most popular Philippine brochure,” on the other hand, is on ESL or English as Second Language courses.

“The most popular activity inside the Philippine Pavilion is touching the sand, picture-taking at the digital hub, shopping at the ECHOstore, and watching the butan-ding (whale shark) animation,” he said.

The onsite digital hub is where visitors can acquire various information about the Philippines using their smartphones, while the ECHOstore is where they can shop for environmental products and souvenirs.

Other attractions are the interactive marine map through which visitors can identify fish and coral species, the interior pods and the façade’s coral pores that are all made of recycled materials.

According to Enerio, the interactive features of the Philippine Pavilion have been enhanced by the “WeConnect Wall where photos and video messages about the holiday experiences in the Philippines can be posted.”

The country’s tourist destinations remained a principal attraction. The brochures about Boracay, Bohol, Cebu, Palawan and Davao always had to be replenished because of the huge demands from visitors.

The Philippine Pavilion was themed “Islands of Diversity, Seas of Connectivity” consistent with the Yeou Expo’s “Living Ocean and Coast” theme.

Crafted by marine scientist and UP Prof. Edgardo Gomez, the Philippine theme was interpreted and applied in various design statements by Korean-based brand activation firm PICO North Asia and its team of Filipino architects.

The technical and creative application of the Philippines’ theme statement has reportedly impressed the company of international promotional manager Rosy Mosca of the Consorzio Milano Expo 2015 who is also a contributor to online news channel Webit.

...the "Top Models' in Manila

'Top Model' alums reunite for PH fashion show

05/26/2012
 
 
MANILA, Philippines – Former contestants of the reality model search "America's Next Top Model" are in the country to walk the fashion week runway donning Filipino creations.
 
 
Allison Harvard (left) and Dominique Reighard (right)
Former "Top Model" contestants Dominique Reighard (Cycle 10) and Allison Harvard (Cycle 12), who both returned for the "All-Stars" edition of Tyra Banks-hosted show, will represent local clothing line Bench in the Philippine Fashion Week on Sunday .

Reighard and Harvard are set to walk the runway wearing celebrity designer Rajo Laurel's new line for Bench, and are gearing up for their launch endorsement for fashion designer Michael Cinco's new Bench fragrance "Impalpable."

"It's goning to be a fierce show. I'm excited to walk for Rajo's jean line, and to work with Michael Cinco with the launch of his fragrance. It's going to be super exciting. I love Michael," said Reighard, who finished fourth in last year's "All-Star" season.

"I'm excited to be here in the Philippines, the energy is incredible. And I can only imagine if it feels like  this stepping off the plane, the day of the show,  it's going to be insane," Reighard added.

On being reunited months after their stint on "Top Model," Harvard, who finished runner-up, admitted having lost touch not only with Reighard but with other former contestants as well.

"I will say that we lost touch a little bit post-show, but was really excited when I heard [Reighard was] also coming. I just haven't seen or spoken to [her] in the situation we're in," Harvard said.

"I just think it's really refreshing and it's nice to reconnect with someone perhaps even after losing touch because people grow a lot in a short time span. It's nice to see the same people in a new place and be productive in new ways -- in a much more professional environment without any underlying twists," she added.

Reighard and Harvard join the growing stable of international celebrities endorsing Bench, which includes American pop singer Joe Jonas, "American Idol" finalist David Archuleta, "Pretty Little Liars" star Lucy Hale and "The Vampire Diaries" actor Michael Trevino.

...the PH business confidence



Business confidence in economy up in 2nd quarter


(philstar.com)
 May 25, 2012



MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - Businessmen in the Philippines are more confident about the prospects of the country's economy due to the seasonal increase in demand for their products and the increase in government spending, the Philippine central bank said today.

Results of the recent business expectations survey done by the central bank showed that overall Confidence Index (CI) in the second quarter rose to 44.5 percent compared to 40.5 percent in January to March.

"The increased confidence of businesses suggest that a faster pace of economic expansion could be expected in the second quarter, " the central bank said.

Businessmen cited the increase in orders and new projects, expansion of product lines, increased government spending and seasonal uptick in demand during summer and enrollment as reasons for their optimism.

"Also contributing to businesses' improved sentiment were lower interest rates and manageable inflation as well as the steady growth of overseas Filipinos' remittances," the central bank said.

All business sectors were bullish about the economic prospects for the second quarter. Firms in the construction and the services and industry sectors were among the most upbeat.

The survey also revealed that businessmen will remain optimistic about the economy in the third quarter with the Confidence Index projected to reach 44.6 percent.

The quarterly survey involved more than 1,000 respondents, culled from a list of leading firms provided by the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission. The survey, done from April 2 to May 11, is one of the data used by Philippine monetary officials in setting policies and macroeconomic targets.

...the hero's statue

Dr. Jose Rizal statue to rise in Carson City

 05/26/2012
 
 
CARSON, California – In the next few months, the statue of Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal will rise in this city that will make Filipinos around the world feel proud. 
 
The bronze Rizal statue will stand nearly 7 feet on top of a 6-foot tall granite base helped funded by the Jose P. Rizal Monument Movement. It is the first statue in what will be the International Sculpture Garden, which broke ground last November.
 

The Sculpture Garden is the brainchild of the City of Carson Mayor Jim Dear. He said, not only will this be a place dedicated for public art, but he envisions a walking history museum, where people can take their children to learn about heroes from around world. It just so happens that the Philippines wanted to display theirs first.
 
Dear said, “I feel it’s very important for young people to understand who these leaders were, the work they did, the changes they made in world history, and by having a sculpture garden with statues it’ll bring forth a greater educational experience for children who come here, and not just for Filipino American children, but all children.”
 
Dear said Rizal stands for everything right. Though some of his colleagues and community leaders from other ethnic groups complained at first about why a Filipino who died in 1896 should be erected first, he and fellow Councilman Elito Santarina quelled that controversy by teaching them about Rizal and the Filipino’s message.
 
Santarina said, “Dr. Jose Rizal is a man of peace, a champion of human rights, being a national hero. When they start to get to know more about Dr. Jose Rizal, they start to accept that.”
 
The theme of the garden is “Heroes of Liberation, Freedom and Justice from Around the World.”
 
Rizal was a proponent of democracy and peaceful reforms. He preached peace and justice but eventually became a martyr for his people in the Philippines.
 
There are only 8 Rizal statues in the US sculpted by Toym de Leon. This will be the first in California.
 
Officials said they hope to complete and celebrate this project before June 19, Rizal’s birthday

Thursday, May 24, 2012

...the choir fest winner in Ireland

Ateneo Glee Club wins top prize at choral fest in Ireland


May 24, 2012
GMA News

The Ateneo de Manila College Glee Club (ACGC) was recently awarded the prestigious Fleischmann International Trophy at a choral festival in Ireland, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

In a news release, the DFA said ACGC received the award during the 58th Cork International Choral Festival on May 19.
The Fleischmann International Trophy competition is a three-part performance where the world's best adult choirs sing:
  • a piece composed before 1750,
  • an original work by a living composer, and
  • a work by a composer of the choir’s native country.
The 39-member ACGC, headed by their conductor Professor Maria Lourdes Venida-Hermo, won against other top-notch choirs from Germany, Ireland, Sweden, Slovenia, Singapore and England.

In an email to GMA News Online, the ACGC said they received the Heinrich Schütz Perpetual Trophy Special Award for their performance of Schütz's Selig sind die Toten.

The ACGC was also awarded the PEACE Trophy.

The choir also performed Benedictio by Urmas Sisask and Koyu no Tebulul by Filipino composer Eudenice Palaruan.
Philippine Charge d’affaires, a.i. Hjayceelyn Quintana praised the ACGC for gracefully representing the Philippines in one of Europe’s top-tier chorale contests.

...the NZ Queen's Service awardee

Pinay in NZ awarded with Queen’s Service Medal

05/24/2012
 
 
MANILA, Philippines – A Filipina in New Zealand has received the Queen’s Service Medal (QSM) for her services to the Filipino community.
 
 
 
 
Gladys Grace Stephens accepted the QSM from His Excellency Lieutenant General The Rt. Hon. Sir Jerry Mateparae, Governor General of New Zealand, during the Investiture Ceremony at Government House in Auckland last month.

Stephens moved to New Zealand in 1988. She has been giving her services to refugee and migrant settlers in Hamilton since the early 1990s.

In 2002, she took the lead volunteer role as Event and Program manager for Shama Hamilton Ethnic Women’s Center Trust, where she serves to this day as a Trustee on the Shama Board. She also served as Justice of the Peace in Hamilton.

Stephens was also played a role in the establishment of the Waikato Filipino Association (WFA) that aims to preserve and promote Philippine culture in the Waikato Region, which is home to about 800 Filipinos.

Since 2005, she has directed and developed school holiday programs in Hamilton for children and helped run an eight-week Filipino language course for children between 8 and 14 years old which is held every Sunday.

Philippine Ambassador to New Zealand Virginia Benavidez described Stephens as “a shining example of a Filipina blessed with so much talent and a generous heart as she shares her time and resources to promote Filipino cultural heritage and make a difference in the lives of the Filipino community in Hamilton”.

“New Zealand's recognition of her sterling qualities and sacrificial service to both the local and Filipino communities bring much pride and honor to the Philippines and the Filipino people," she added.

The embassy also presented a Certificate of Commendation to Stephens for her active and dynamic role in enhancing the positive image of the Philippines as the home of world-class talents, and elevating the status and profile of the Filipino community as among the best migrant groups who have integrated themselves well in the local communities and contributed to development activities and programs throughout New Zealand.

The Queen’s Service Medal was instituted in New Zealand in 1975 to recognize voluntary service to the community. Recipients of the Medal may use the letters "QSM" after their name. Persons who are not New Zealand citizens or citizens of Commonwealth nations of which The Queen is head of state, may be awarded an "Honorary" Medal.

...the list

THE LIST: Pinoy success in US reality TV

05/24/2012
 
 
As Filipinos celebrate Jessica Sanchez’s amazing run on “American Idol,” making it all the way to  the runner-up to this season’s winner Phillip Phillips – the highest finish so far for a contestant with Filipino roots – let’s look at some of the other Filipino-Americans who have made their mark on other American reality TV shows. You’ll be surprised at how many have even succeeded to go all the way.

Jabbawockeez

Winner, “America’s Best Dance Crew” Season 1

Who are they: The seven-member, male, hip-hop dance crew with Fil-Am members Chris Gatdula, Phil Tayag, Rainen Paguio and Joe Larot was easily the most striking group during the first season of the Randy Jackson-produced dance competition with their uniform masks and white gloves. They are also the first Filipinos ever to win a US reality TV competition.

Best moment: The group’s performance of Michael Jackson’s “PYT (Pretty Young Thing),” where they had to incorporate signature dance moves of the late pop legend, was hailed by Randy Jackson as the best in the show’s seven seasons.

Super Cr3w


Winner, “America’s Best Dance Crew” Season 2

Who are they: Formed from three different b-boy dance crews from the US West Coast, half of the members of the six-member Super Cr3w are Filipinos -- RJ Puno, Ronnie Abaldonado and Angelito Casal. They wowed audiences with their athleticism and stunts.

Best moment: For the finale, Super Cr3w came out in a jacket that was half the Philippine flag and half the Puerto Rican flag. In terms of performance, however, Jackson picked the ninja-influenced “Get Up Offa That Thing,” which quickly established the group as frontrunners.


Quest Crew


Winner, “America’s Best Dance Crew” Season 3

Who are they: The hip-hop dance crew from Los Angeles, California is considered by many as the best crew ever to win the MTV dance reality show. The group is composed entirely of Asian-Americans including three with Philippine roots -- Dominic Sandoval, Daniel Ryan Conferido and Aris Sheldon Paracuelles. Sandoval and Conferido also competed as solo dancers on “So You Think You Can Dance.”

Best moment: The group’s performance based on its original composition “orQUESTra” is No. 2 on Randy Jackson's all-time list. Conferido actually played the piano during the middle of the performance while Sandoval performed headspins to the alternating tempos on top of the piano. At the end of the performance, Sandoval did a vertical back flip sideways over two members, and ended with the Quest Crew salute.

Poreotix


Winner, “America’s Best Dance Crew” Season 5

Who are they: The all-male dance group specializes in popping, choreography and robotics and for wearing dark glasses for all of their performances. The members are either from Vietnam or the Philippines -- Andrew Fausto Mayate, Lawrence Bravo Devera and Justin Valles.

Best moment: During the regional finals, the crews performed to a song of their choice and Poreotix picked the unlikely country hit “Love Story” by Taylor Swift, easily moving into the next round.


Paul Qui


Winner, “Top Chef” Season 9

Who is he: Born in Manila, Qui moved with his family to Virginia when he was 10 and then to Houston when he was 17. He attended the Texas Culinary Academy, which is now called the Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts. When he joined the show, the 31-year-old was executive chef at Uchiko restaurant.

Best moment: Qui had the most wins – eight – throughout the season but he himself picked the “Enchanted Forest” of beets, cherry, candied jalapenos and bacon as the best dish he has made on the show. Tasked to create a dish inspired by the movie “Snow White and the Huntsman,” Qui won this challenge, which had actress Charlize Theron as guest judge.

Sally Camacho



Runner up, “Top Chef: Just Desserts” Season 2

Who is she: Born in Clark Air Force Base, the Los Angeles-based Camacho works as the executive pastry chef for Wolfgang Puck's WP24. Camacho was the runner-up, along with Matthew Peterson of Arlington, Virginia, while Chris Hanmer of Las Vegas, Nevada was declared the winner.

Best moment: Camacho scored her only solo win when the contestants had to create a dessert in disguise based upon a savory dish from a cuisine of their choosing. Camacho created a “Cuban sandwich” as a brioche with cream cheese mousse and strawberry caramel gel with a side of “potato salad,” which is actually made from pineapple, banana and Asian pear.


Manila Luzon



Runner up, “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 3

Who is he? This Filipino-American drag queen (his real name is Karl Westerberg) who lives in New York City famously impersonated former Philippine First Lady Imelda Marcos on the drag contest. Not coy about his Filipino roots, he took his drag name from his mother’s home city. His father is American of German and Swedish ancestry.

Best moment: Luzon got into the finals after winning a key challenge where the contestants had to create three looks – swimsuit, cocktail attire and evening gown – and perform a choreographed lip-sync to “Just Wanna Dance” bu guest judge LaToya Jackson. Luzon got positive critiques from the judges, although Jackson thought her hair was too big.

Marco Germar


Top 3, “So You Think You Can Dance” Season 8

Who is he? The 22-year-old Filipino-American grew up in Guam and moved to Los Angeles in 2008 to pursue his career in dance. He landed a job in Disneyland, performing in a show based on the movie “Aladdin.” Interestingly, Germar was competing against another Filipino that season, Tadd Gadduang from Daly City, California. Gadduang finished fourth, while Germar made it to the Top 3.

Best moment: Germar and partner Melanie Moore immediately impressed the judges and their fellow contestants right from the start, when they performed a contemporary piece from Travis Wall to Ingrid Michaelson’s “Turn to Stone,” where they played statues who come to life.


Jasmine Trias



Top 3, “American Idol” Season 3

Who is she? Jasmine Trias and fellow Hawaiian Camille Velasco were the first Filipino-Americans to make the Top 12 of the popular US talent search. But it was Trias, who was born in Honolulu to Filipino immigrants from Cavite, who almost made the finals, finishing in the Top 3, in a season that also included eventual winner Fantasia Barrino and future Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson.

Best moment: Apart from the flower which she wears on her hair, Trias is best remembered for her version of Natalie Cole’s “Inseparable.” Judge Paula Abdul threw a flower on the stage after Trias’ performance and the acerbic Simon Cowell simply said, “Jasmine, it was just superb.”


MiG Ayesa



Top 3, “Rockstar: INXS”

Who is he: MiG Ayesa was born in Manila but was raised in Sydney, Australia before moving to London, where he started his career in musical theater as Galileo Figaro in the musical “We Will Rock You.” Since appearing in “Rockstar: INXS,” Ayesa has released a solo album and eventually returned to the stage, notably as the male lead on Broadway’s “Rock of Ages.”

Best moment: Ayesa was considered among the frontrunners in this reality competition to search for the new lead singer of the Australian rock band, especially after he got the prime “encore performance” spot for his stripped-down version of Peter Frampton’s “Baby, I Love Your Way,” while accompanying himself on the piano.

Asia Nitollano*


Winner, “Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll”

Asia Nitollano, who has Filipino, African-American, Mexican and Puerto Rican ancestry, won this reality talent search for the newest member of the popular girl group. It was a 1-2 win for the Philippines on the show as the runner-up Melissa Reyes is also of Filipino descent.

However, her win has been in question since, according to news reports, Nitollano never actually made it to the group. Speculations swirled that she wasn’t good enough and that she had a diva attitude. While the network which produced the show stressed that Nitollano wasn’t booted from the Pussycat Dolls, the CW did admit that Nitollano won’t be a member after the winner opted for a solo career instead.

...the Vampire Diaries star

Ian Somerhalder has fallen in love with the Philippines

 
May 24, 2012
GMA NEWS
 
 
“The Vampire Diaries” star Ian Somerhalder spends a lot of his time compelling people to do his bidding as the snarky, sarcastic, arrogant, attractive vampire Damon Salvatore in the hit TV series.  
 
This time, though, he’s the one who is utterly captivated. Somerhalder has fallen in love with the Philippines, and an original vampire didn’t even have to compel him.
 
“You’re incredibly lucky,” he said when asked about what he has seen of the country so far. “I wasn't aware that there were 7,000 beautiful islands in this country. When you look at it on a map, you can't quite grasp exactly what you're gonna see… Get on a plane, get on a boat, and explore your islands.”
 
Green-blooded vampire
 
Thirty-three-year-old Ian Somerhalder has been modeling since his teens, but made his breakthrough in the entertainment industry when he was cast in J.J. Abrams’ cult science-fiction TV series, “Lost.” His popularity rose when he joined “The Vampire Diaries.”  
 
Ian Somerhalder said he was blown away by Filipinos' generosity and kindness. Meann Ortiz
He is also known for being an active environmentalist and founder of the Ian Somerhalder Foundation which “aims to empower, educate and collaborate with people and projects to positively impact the planet and its creatures.”  
 
And he’s not shy about using his popularity in the name of his advocacies.
 
“’The Vampire Diaries’ is targeted to a younger audience. And what I realized is that I can use that exposure to actually educate the youth of the world—which, mind you, is the most underappreciated, undervalued groups of people in the world,” he said. “We are doing ourselves a great disservice if we don't put the wheels of education in motion and empower our youth to become smarter consumers.”
 
‘Smolderhalder’ mania
 
In the few days that he has been in Manila and in El Nido, Palawan, where his photo shoot for local clothing brand Penshoppe was held, Somerhalder has come to admire the country and its people.
 
“El Nido is probably one of the most beautiful places on the face of the planet.” he gushed. 
 
“And the people—everyone here has been so incredibly wonderful, intelligent, and soulful. It's been such a phenomenal experience and I'm really happy to be here. Thank you for the warm welcome and all the wonderful thoughts and the screams,” he said.
 
The screams from his admiring fans have been following him everywhere—from the airport to all of his appearances so far—prompting him to tweet that he now feels “like one of the Beatles.”
 
Leading the charge
 
Somerhalder was also impressed by what he has seen of how some Filipinos have taken steps toward caring for the environment.
 
“When we went to El Nido, we flew on this little charter plane, and what this company has done is they have a little card inside the plane that says one flight produces x amount of CO2, so they plant six trees for every passenger to offset that,” he related. “How cool is that? If Delta or any other giant airline did that, then there will be forests as far as the eye can see.”
 
He plans to adapt this idea for the animal sanctuary and sustainable agriculture farm that his foundation is putting up.  
 
“I want to start planting trees for every person who's flying in to the farm. I want to offset all that carbon,” he said.
 
“There are big corporations who take massive strides in protecting and conserving everything from resources that fall from the sky to resources that we create and extract, on a corporate level,” he added. “The Filipino people are actually leading this charge toward a green future; I think people should know that.”
 
And Somerhalder is willing to spread the word.
 
“I've been blown away and humbled by your generosity and kindness. It's incredible. When I go home, I'll tell them you have to check this place out and what they’re doing to better themselves, and raise awareness for this place,” he added. –KG, GMA News

...the Fil-Spanish sculpture

Award-winning Fil-Spanish sculptor debuts at London art fair

   

LONDON - A Filipino-Spanish artist exhibited his work in England for the first time at an international art fair in the capital, following his successful exhibits in other parts of Europe.

Sculptor Raimundo Folch showcased his work at the Parallax Art Fair in Chelsea, a curated exhibit of contemporary artists from around the world across various disciplines including painting, photography and sculpture.

“England is always a good place for art, especially London. For a curriculum it sounds good, and you always try a market to see if your pieces are accepted,” he told ABS-CBN Europe.

The 52-year-old artist exhibited three of his works at Chelsea Town Hall in West London, including a majestic figure of a horse and chariot, a gentle woman and child, and a surreal galloping horse with wings.


“Raimundo’s sculptures are strong. It’s great to have him on board, and we’d like to have him back for another one. We’ve had a really high quality this time around. This is the fourth we’ve done, so as we get more established, it just keeps getting better each year,” said Kyle Gregg, exhibition manager at Barlow Fine Art Ltd, which organized the fair.

The Filipino-Spanish sculptor has been exhibiting his work in Spain for several years and, since 2010, he also started to participate in art fairs in Germany and France.

In 2011, his work was featured at the Carrousel du Louvre International Painting and Sculpture Exposition in Paris, where one of his pieces entitled “Sea Deity” was awarded the Baumel-Schwenck Prize, the highest distinction in sculpture from the French National Society of Fine Arts.

“Sea Deity was inspired by a simple graffiti line sprayed by someone on the wall near my studio. I really couldn’t believe it when I won. It’s a big achievement because France is an authority in art, where a lot of fashion and art come from. A prize from Paris has a lot of distinction,” he recalled.

Folch describes his style as a “synthesis” of various artistic movements, from classical Greek and Roman, to art deco and baroque, to surrealism and expressionism.

“It begins in my mind. I first have an inspiration which is what they call the ‘pareildolia’ effect, a process in which you see figures of animals or people in clouds and stains. I have a very imaginative mind,” he explained.

“I want to make movement in my sculptures. That’s one the characteristics of my work. If it’s a woman, for example, you can see the hair and clothes flowing in the wind. I’m fascinated by the expression of the body and its poise, but it must be graceful.”

His work is also influenced by surrealist master Salvador Dali, an artist he admires and can identify with since his early years as an artist.

“When Dali was a boy, he was saying that he can see the Lourdes in the teeth of his auntie because of the stain. And I understand him, because I also have an imaginative mind,” he said.

Folch has been living in Valencia since the age of 15. Born in Manila, he moved to the Spanish city with his parents and eventually studied at the School of Arts and Trade of Valencia, as well as the Manises School of Ceramics.

“Valencia has a big influence in my development. It is a land of artists and we have great arts schools there, and also ceramics, and materials for making ceramics, and that’s why all my pieces are made of ceramics.”
After London, Folch is planning to bring his work in New York and Manila. He lives and works in Spain with his wife and their children.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

...the miracle herb


International groups cite Phl malunggay

The Philippine Star
 May 24, 2012



MANILA, Philippines - Various international organizations have forged a partnership with a local wellness company for the advancement of herbal medicine in the country after advocating locally grown malunggay as a “natural nutrition for the tropics” for its nutritional and medicinal purposes.





The International Association of Educators for World Peace, a United Nations NGO, represented by its national chancellor, Dr. Josef de Ubaldo, was also impressed by the healing effects of Malungai Life Oil, the only oil-based malunggay supplement in the market today that is rich in vitamin C, calcium, antioxidants and essential amino acids.





De Ubaldo, a staunch advocate of natural health medicine, was instrumental in lobbying of Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act Law in the Philippines.

He organized the recent sixth Philippine Congress and Exhibition on Natural Health held at Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan City.

The Manila Nature’s Link Inc., maker of Malunggai Life Oil, represented by its president and CEO Ariel Nepomuceno, vowed to support the international organizations in promoting health and wellness worldwide.

Lawyer and philanthropist Loida Nicolas-Lewis recently met with Manila Nature’s officials after learning that Life Oil contains true chlorophyll glowing bright red when it was subjected under UV light. Also present during the meeting was Nelia Fuentebella, executive director of Trees for Life Foundation.

Life Oil was developed from the oil extract of pure Moringa Oliefera or malunggay seeds and leaves. It is rich in organic chlorophyll, essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals.

...the growth forecast (World Bank)



Philippine GDP to grow 4.2 pct in 2012: World Bank
 (philstar.com)

Updated May 23, 2012


MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The Philippine economy is seen to grow 4.2 percent this year on back of strong domestic demand, investment, and increased government spending amid a global slowdown, the World Bank said Wednesday.

The Washington-based lender also forecast in its latest East Asia and Pacific Economic Update that Philippine GDP will expand 5 percent in 2013.

Remittances sent by Filipino migrant workers will continue to fuel the consumption-based Philippine economy.

Increased public spending and monetary easing policies will likewise support growth.

But the World Bank said the government needs to plug holes in its tax system in order to get more revenues and support public spending.

"To sustain such a stimulus, higher tax revenues (through the executive's effort to strengthen tax administration and push for the immediate passage of the tobacco and alcohol excise and fiscal incentives bills) would be necessary," the World Bank said.

...the UK interest

UK firms eyeing Philippine infra projects


By: Ronnel W. Domingo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
 
 
Lord Mayor of London David Wootton: Upbeat on Philippine economy AFP/CARL COURT


Companies based in the United Kingdom are keen on taking part in the Philippines’ public-private partnership projects on infrastructure, London’s top official said Tuesday.

David Wootton, the Lord Mayor of London, said in a briefing that he himself was upbeat about the prospects of the Philippine economy, especially after he met Malacañang officials on Monday and sat down with British businessmen who have interests here on Tuesday.

According to Wootton, who also serves as ambassador for UK’s financial services industry, the Philippines is headed in the right direction, considering that economic indicators are all up.

“There are an increasing number of opportunities for UK businesses in the Philippines, particularly on investing in infrastructure,” as well as the provision of services and expertise, such as design and engineering for such projects, the UK official explained.

Wootton said he had meetings with officials of the Departments of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Industry, Finance, and Transportation and Communications. He also met with officials of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Insurance Commission.

“All those meetings gave me the confidence about the management of the economy and the stability of the financial regulatory regime,” he said. “The Philippines is keyed on UK companies doing projects here.”

Asked what particular projects the British companies were looking at, Wootton mentioned railways, including the light rail systems in Metro Manila, as well as seaports, airports and roads.

“The focus is on transportation at the moment,” he said. “But they are also interested in water management (or flood control) and energy projects like power plants, and renewable energy resources like wind, solar and biofuels.”

Manila was the London official’s first stop in his three-country Southeast Asian tour.

He left for Thailand on Tuesday, and would soon be on his way to Singapore.

Already, the UK government has beefed up its embassy staff in Manila, in line with its policy to strengthen trade activities in Asia.

According to the embassy, the Lord Mayor’s mission comes at a special time for the UK as London will host the 2012 Olympics while the country celebrates the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

...the surfing destination

PH makes waves in world surfing map



Elaine Abonal on surfboard



By Norman Sison,
VERA Files


With over 7,100 islands to choose from, the Philippines is known for its postcard-lovely beaches. Of late, it has been making waves on the world map of surfing.

One Internet site, Wanna Surf (http://www.wannasurf.com/), describes the Philippines as "one of the last surfing frontiers". It lists 35 spots in the country. Fourteen of those are in Siargao Island alone, in the south.

San Juan town in La Union province is the northern Philippines' surfing capital. It is blessed with two surfing seasons — July to October and November to March — when waves spawned by the north swell crest from five to 12 feet.

Singapore-based Anne-Marie Bakker is often in San Juan with her white fiberglass board when she visits her parents' home in San Fernando City, less than half an hour south of San Juan. "Rain or shine, all the time I'm out there," says Bakker, whose cigar company, JB Global, champions Philippine-made cigars abroad and makes custom blends.

If she's not in San Juan, she is out in the water at her beachfront home. "It's hard not to be in the water and the elements when all is so near and tangible," says Bakker, who is half-Filipina and half-Dutch. Her love for surfing gave her an idea to put up a water company, Alon ("wave" in Filipino), also in Singapore.

At Urbiztondo Beach, resorts sport walls decorated with framed photos of big-name surfers and visitors. San Juan Surf Resort, which boasts of several trophies from past international surfing competitions, is home to Filipino-Australian surfer Luke Landrigan, who has flown the Philippine flag in competitions overseas.

"La Union became known abroad because of surfing," says local resident Joy Agustin-Oropesa, who hails from neighboring Bacnotan town, also a surfing spot. "Before surfing became popular, people just went to the beach during the summer. The beach is the province's only tourism attraction."

A Japanese started the surfing trend in La Union in the 1980s. Kazuo Akinaga, who was then working for a surfboard company, read about the Philippines in a magazine. He came, he surfed, he stayed. Today, he lives near the beach in San Juan. His dream: to produce surfboards "made in the Philippines" as most boards are imported and expensive.

Surfing was only what Elaine Abonal calls an "underground sport" when she took up the board 10 years ago. There were hardly any surfing schools and resorts back then, she recalls.

But things have changed. "More surf brands are coming to the Philippines because they know that there is a market here. There are more events and sponsors," says Abonal, who runs Surfista Travels
(http://www.surfistatravels.com/).

Local tourism in La Union is mostly dead during the rainy season. The province is often in the path of typhoons rampaging usually from the Pacific. But typhoons don't scare off everybody. "Surfing addicts are still at it even after a typhoon," says Oropesa. "Most of them are foreigners. The bigger the waves, the better."

This time of the year is for beginners aside from the usual beachgoers escaping the heat, when waves roll in much more gently, just enough to lift swimmers off their feet. But the sea still pounds the off white sand with a crash.

At the north end of Urbiztondo Beach, to avoid ramming swimmers, local tourists — including children — are on surfboards, lined up in the water, taking pointers from local instructors. They wait for that perfect wave and they get a helpful nudge from their instructors. Most wipe out after three seconds. Girls scream in delight as they go down with a big splash.

Aside from targeting surfers abroad, introducing surfing as a fun ride to locals has become a niche market for tour operators. "Surfing takes going to the beach to a whole new and meaningful level because you actually play with the sea or the ocean," says Abonal.

But surfing is not for everybody. It needs a certain skill set, time for travel and money. "Here in the Philippines, surfing is mostly marketed towards the 18-35 age bracket, associating the sport with the easygoing, beach lifestyle so many of us young professionals yearn for," says Cedric Valera, a managing partner at Travel Factor.

Travel Factor (http://www.travelfactor.org/) offers budget weekend tour packages, bringing visitors from Manila for a day of surfing in San Juan. Surfboards and lessons are included. You leave Manila on a Friday midnight in a van. It is a six-hour ride north. You have stopovers in Tarlac and Pangasinan provinces along the way for bathroom breaks and breakfast. You arrive in San Juan between 6 and 7 a.m., and you are on a surfboard by 9 a.m.

There are factors that come into play when selling surfing to local tourists. "A typical Filipino's idea of a beach is one that is safe, calm and suitable for swimming and frolicking around," says Valera. "Filipinos, in general, are scared of the water!"

Also, Filipinos don't like to travel during the monsoon season. However, that is when peak surfing conditions arrive.

As for selling the Philippines to experienced surfers abroad, the main consideration is the inconsistent quality of the waves. Philippine waters are fickle unlike those in Australia, Bali or Hawaii. So, the trick is to know when to visit.

There are things that make up for it, however, such as that world-renowned warm Filipino touch. "Some of our foreigner participants are so delighted with their one-on-one surfing lessons because their instructor is so kind, welcoming and caring compared to the instructors they enlisted in Bali or Australia," says Valera. "The Philippines has world-class surf spots. Couple that with our trademark Filipino hospitality and we've got ourselves something to offer to the world."




surf board sign

...the record budget surplus

PH budget surplus at record high in April

By: Ronnel W. Domingo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
 
 
The Philippines posted a record budget surplus of P31.02 billion in April 2012 as both revenues and expenses registered double-digit growth year on year, Bureau of the Treasury said on Monday, May 21, 2012. AFP FILE PHOTO/ROMEO GACAD


The government posted a record budget surplus of P31.02 billion in April as both revenues and expenses registered double-digit growth year on year, according to the Bureau of the Treasury.

April’s figure brought the deficit for the first four months of the year to P2.88 billion. This is less than 3 percent of the 109.34 billion the government intends to spend on top of the national budget in the first semester.

The four-month deficit was a reversal from P62-million surplus reported in the same period of 2011.

From January to April, expenses reached P517.13 billion, accounting for 58 percent of the program for the first half of the year. The expenses during the period were also 12.1 percent higher year on year.

Budget Secretary Florencio B. Abad on Monday admitted that spending, especially on priority programs and projects, needs to grow at a much faster pace.

“We in DBM will work closely with key departments in the remainder of the second quarter to troubleshoot implementation bottlenecks, address capacity constraints, and accelerate disbursements,” Abad said in a statement.

Even then, the budget chief pointed out that disbursements would continue to grow and “reverse the contraction of disbursements last year.”

Also, four-month revenues reached a total of P514.24 billion, which were 66 percent of the goal for the first semester. They were also 11.4 percent higher than those of last year.

In April alone, expenditures reached P222.24 billion—91 percent higher than the P112.08 billion spent in the same month last year.

Revenues reached P153.27 billion, an increase of 10.8 percent from P138.34 billion.

The April revenue performance proves that there is still room “for tax collections to grow considerably through process re-engineering and efficient tax administration marked by a sustained campaign against smuggling and tax evasion,” Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima said in a separate statement.

“Moving forward, the Aquino administration will continue to plug loopholes in the Philippine tax system, one of which has seen progress after 15 years of continued delay,” Purisima added, referring to excise tax reforms.

From January to April, the Bureau of Internal Revenue contributed P345.06 billion to the national coffers. It was 64 percent of the collection target set for the first half, but 13.9 percent higher than that of last year.

The Bureau of Customs chipped in P94.9 billion, which was 57 percent of the target set for the first semester but 11.6 percent better than last year’s collection.

The Bureau of the Treasury turned in P41.85 billion, exceeding its own first-half target, but 5.7 percent less than that of a year ago.

Other government offices yielded P32.43 billion, which was 78 percent of the first-half goal, and 11.7 percent better year on year.

The government wants to keep the deficit at 2.6 percent of gross domestic product in 2012, trimming it to 2 percent by 2013, and keeping it at that level until 2016 when President Aquino’s term ends.—With a report from Reuters

...the Diablo III artist

3D artist of 'Diablo III' is Filipino

05/22/2012
 
 
MANILA, Philippines – A Filipino-American artist is part of the team behind hit action role-playing game “Diablo III.”
 
Richie Marella, a US-based artist who was born in the Philippines, is one of the 3D artists of the computer game.




Marella was featured in a video posted on the official YouTube page of “Diablo 3,” where he and other artists talked about the game.



“You’re going to really need to use your gems and your enchants (enhancements) to really boost up your defense just to survive and not get one-shotted,” he said in the video, which aimed to answer the question “How hard is this game going to be in Nightmare difficulty (and above)?”

“You really got to play as a team in the later difficulties,” he added.

Facebook user Ahyan Serul gave the tip about the Fil-Am artist to ABS-CBNnews.com on Monday, calling Morella “a pure-blooded Filipino we would always be proud of.”

Morella’s website, Sketchlab7, features his 3D artworks and sketches of mostly game characters. It also has links to his other pages on Facebook, Twitter, DeviantArt and Blogger.

On his DeviantArt page, where he uses the name “Wreckonning,” Marella said he visited the Philippines last April, a month before “Diablo III” was released.

“In the Philippines for a little vacation. It’s been almost 20 years since I’ve been back. It’s nice to be back home,” he said.

Monday, May 21, 2012

...the Chinese connection

PHL expects more tourists, trade from China's Jinjiang City with new direct flights

 
May 20, 2012
GMA News
 
 
Tourists and investors from Jinjiang City in China's Fujian province can now fly direct to Manila, with the recent inauguration of direct flights between the two cities.
 

 
Philippine carrier Zest Air had its maiden flight from Manila to Jinjiang City last April 26, arriving at Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport at 11:30 a.m.

"This flight brings to four, the total of flights from the Philippines to Fujian province," the Department of Foreign Affairs said.

Jinjiang is a county-level city under the jurisdiction of Quanzhou Municipality and is about one and a half hours drive away from Xiamen.

It is the hometown of many Filipinos of Chinese descent.

Philippine Consul Ambrosio Brian Enciso III, representing Consul General Adelio Angelito Cruz, congratulated Zest Air for launching its first direct international flight to Jinjiang from Manila.

Enciso said the flight would be a more convenient way for Fujianese to travel to the Philippines since many overseas Chinese originate from Jinjiang and surrounding areas.

"(He) also expressed optimism that the new flight route would encourage more tourism from this part of China," the DFA said.

Enciso made the remarks at a press conference and luncheon at the Marco Polo Hotel following the arrival of the maiden flight.

Attending the press conference were 100 members of local and Philippine media, travel and tour operators, government officials and businessmen from China and the Philippines.

Quanzhou Vice Mayor Chen Rongzhou was the guest of honor.

Also present to give remarks were Consul General Zhen Zicheng of the Chinese Embassy in Manila, and Filipino-Chinese businessman Donald Dee, Vice Chairman of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Zest Airways Inc. president and chief executive officer Alfredo Yao also attended the press conference.

The event was co-organized and co-sponsored by China International Travel Service or CITS (Fujian) Group Corp., the biggest travel and tour operator in China. — LBG, GMA News

Sunday, May 20, 2012

...the first female amateur boxer titlist



Gabuco PHL's first female world amateur boxing titlist

By Jeremaiah Opiniano,
The Filipino Connection
(philstar.com)
May 19, 2012



MANILA, Philippines – No member of the Philippine women’s boxing team will see action in this July’s London Olympic Games.

But Josie Gabuco made up for that heartache by eking out a come-from-behind win over Chinese Xu Shiqui, 10-9, in the 48 kg. finals of the just-concluded Women’s World Boxing Championships in Qinhuangdao, China.




After being down 3-5 by the end of round 2, Gabuco stepped on the attack and hung on to a 9-8 edge after the third round. Both Gabuco and Xu just scored a point apiece in the fourth and final round.

Gabuco’s feat is the first Philippine gold medal — female or male — at the world amateur boxing championships.

The country’s women’s boxing team has been a consistent medal winner since the 2006 world championships. In 2008, it was Alice Kate Aparri who won a bronze in the 48-kg. class at the 2010 worlds in Barbados.

Gabuco’s gold is actually her second world championships medal. At the 2008 worlds in Ningbo City, China, Gabuco won a bronze in the old 46 kg. (pinweight) class.

That same tournament in Ningbo City, Annie Albania won a silver in the light bantamweight (52 kg.) class and Analisa Cruz won a bronze in the flyweight (50 kg.) division.

At the 2006 championships in New Delhi, India, Aparri won bronze in the 48 kg. class while the now-retired Mitchel Martinez won the same medal as Aparri in the 60-kg. division. Aparri and Martinez are the first Filipina medalists in the world women’s championships.

Prior to the gold medal match, Gabuco also came from behind in her 12-7 semifinal win over Russia’s Svetlana Gnevanova, the world’s number two in the 48-kg. class.

En route to the finals, Gabuco pummeled Yairineth Gonzalez of Venezuela, 24-13, then won over Bolortuul Tumurkhuyag of Mongalia by disqualification at the 1:53 mark of round three. In the quarterfinals, Gabuco thumped Kim Klavel of Canada, 21-15.

Host China won the overall title with three golds, and a silver and a bronze medal apiece. The United States won a gold, two silver and two bronze medals; Russia snared one gold and silver medals and seven bronzes; and the United Kingdom had a gold, a silver and two bronze medals.

Like the Philippines, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea won a gold medal — their only medal in Qinhuangdao.

Prior to Qinhuangdao, Gabuco’s ranked only number 28 in the 45-48 kg. class.

Italian boxers dashed the medal hopes of the two other Filipina competitors at Qinhuangdao.

The official Olympic bet of the Philippines, Nesthy Petecio, crashed in her first match at the 49-51 kg. class with a sorry 10-11 loss to Italy’s Valeria Calabrese.

In the 54 kg. class, Alice Kate Aparri almost barged into the semifinals. After a 10-all tie with Terry Gordini of Italy, Aparri just lost on a countback that’s based on the tournament’s computer scoring system.

But for purposes of the 2012 London Olympic Games, only the eight best boxers in the 51, 60 and 75 kg. classes will compete (women’s boxing will be introduced as a medal sport for the first time in the quadrennial Olympiad).

In a local box-off three weeks before Qinhuangdao, Petecio (a natural 54 kg. competitor) went down in weight to beat Aparri to become the country’s official bet for an Olympic berth in the 51 kg. class.

The Filipino Connection is a newly-opened Philippine newspaper in Batangas. Its sports section reports on national and international sports competitions.

...the New York apps top spot winner

Pinoy software developer bags top spot in New York apps contest


May 19, 2012
GMA News

Filipino Joel Natividad and Indian Sami Baig, creators of a software application called "NYCFacets," recently won the top spot in "NYC BigApps 3.0," an annual contest to create mobile and web apps using official New York City data.

A report of the news site New York Daily News in April said Natividad and Baig's application simplified the accessing of data on the city's NYC Open Data portal.

The two software developers will share the grand prize money of $10,000.

Brendon Kessler, CEO of ChallengePost, a local tech startup which powered the competition, said the win gave Natividad and Baig the impetus to leave their former employers and launch their own NYC tech startup, Ontodia.

Out of 96 entries, 11 apps won prizes. The creators of the programs will share $50,000 in winnings. The apps they developed can be found at nycbigapps.com.

Now on  on its third year, the contest is sponsored by the New York City Economic Development Corporation and the Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications.

According to New York Daily News, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said : "New York City is home to the smartest, most creative people, the most talented engineers and a budding technology community."

The official website of the New York City Economic Development Corporation said the winners of the "NYC BigApps 3.0" are:

Best Overall Application

Grand Prize: NYCFacets - seeks to streamline and simplify the process for accessing, understanding, and utilizing the tremendous amount of data available in City’s NYC Open Data site. (Joel Natividad and Sami Baig)

Second Prize: Work+ - helps New Yorkers who traditionally work from home find nearby locations to work in their communities. (Steven Baughman, Xichuan Wang, Kota Kobayashi, Paul Bland, and Robbie Williams)


Popular Choice Award

Grand Prize: New York Trip Builder - a travel site that helps users personalize a trip in just a few quick steps. (Muku Pal, Shefali Sarangal, Charu Malhotra, and Vivek Puri)

Second Prize: Scene Near Me - provides alerts when users are near legendary New York City movie scenes. (Avinash Dabir, Luis Miranda, Dan Blumberg, and Dave Isenberg)
Investor’s Choice Award

The Funday Genie - an application designed to help users plan a free day in New York City. (Joe Foxton, Eran Lobl, Yonit Kariri, and Shirley Cohen-Mintz)
Best Mobility App

Embark NYC - an application designed to make taking the subway simple. (David Hodge, Taylor Malloy, and Ian Leighton)
Best Green App

596 Acres - a public education project aimed at making communities in Brooklyn aware of the land resources around them. (Eric Brelsford and Paula Segal)
Best Education App

Sage: Pre-K and Elementary Schools Search - a mobile application that enables parents to search by location for nearby NYC public Pre-K and elementary schools. (Edward Yau)
Best Health & Safety App

TestFlip.com Personal Safety App (Lite) for NYC - a personal emergency web mobile application which helps alert the nearest Police Precinct, provides a custom emergency phone number by SMS or provides a pre-scripted voice message or a custom email by simply pressing one Emergency Button. (John Yung)


Best NYC Mashup
Work+


Best Student Award

ParkAlly - an application which simplifies the search for available parking spots and eliminates the inconveniences associated with parking in heavily populated areas. (Zacharaiah Reitano and Mason Silber)
City Talent Award

Uhpartments - provides building maintenance reports for those users seeking apartments. (Sam Bauch)
- with Andrei Medina, VVP, GMA News