...the pipe drum record

Maynilad sets world record as ‘largest pipe drum ensemble’

INQUIRER.net
02/02/2011

MANILA, Philippines – Filipinos have another reason to be proud as the country’s own Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) made world history by setting a new Guinness World Records™ feat last January 31.

In a gathering of more than 2,000 guests, Maynilad employees rocked the SMX Convention Center by using water pipes to play out a rhythm of beats in unison, which earned them the record of “Largest Pipe Drum Ensemble”. London-based Guinness World Records™ adjudicator Kimberley Dennis witnessed the event.

The record-setting victory was among the highlights of Maynilad’s 2011 Customer Service Rally graced by the company’s Board of Directors headed by Maynilad Chairman Mr. Manny V. Pangilinan and Board Member Mr. Jorge A. Consunji, together with Maynilad’s top leaders led by Mr. Ricky P. Vargas, President and Mr. Herbert M. Consunji, Chief Operating Officer.

Mr. Vargas congratulated and encouraged everyone to continue to move together as one team as they bring safe, reliable, and affordable water to Filipino families. “We can do all of these if we have the correct mindset,” Vargas said. “We have to continue to put our customers first.”

According to Mr. Chris Lichauco, Head of Business Operations, the Guinness record that Maynilad has set was symbolic of how everyone’s participation, hard work, and dedication are key in achieving a common goal. “The last three years has been all about breaking records for Maynilad. This year is the most ambitious yet,” Lichauco added, as he shared the company’s various plans to further improve its services, such as infrastructure, service area expansion and customer service, among others.

Special guest and famed motivator Bo Sanchez also shared a few moving words that both inspired and delighted Maynilad employees while celebrity Ryan Agoncillo fired up the crowd with his hosting skills.
The event was conceptualized and organized with help from Y&R Philippines, Inc. (Y&R Phils.), a through-the-line agency that counts events management among its various services. “We are truly honored to have been part of this momentous occasion,” says Y&R Phils. COO Mary Buenaventura.

Maynilad Water Services, Inc. is owned and managed by DMCI-MPIC Water Company, Inc. (DMWCI), a joint venture between Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC) and DMCI Holdings Inc. (DMCIHI).

Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) provides water and wastewater services to the cities of Manila (all but portions of San Andres & Sta. Ana), Quezon City (west of San Juan River, West Avenue, EDSA, Congressional, Mindanao Avenue, the northern part starting from the Districts of the Holy Spirit & Batasan Hills), Makati (west of South Super Hi-way), Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas and Malabon, all in Metro Manila; Cavite City, and the towns of Bacoor, Imus, Kawit, Noveleta and Rosario, all in the Cavite province.

...the tube

Pinoy invention causes sensation on YouTube

'Pure energy' vehicle draws attention of DoE, DoST

 

 

By ELLSON QUISMORIO

February 12, 2011

 

 

MANILA, Philippines — A little over three months ago, googling “Ismael Aviso” would have you come up with a couple of YouTube videos showing a stationary, skeletal-looking car with a running engine fed not with petroleum but with power apparently coming from a box of capacitors and a thick, horizontal antenna that collects and harnesses free-flowing energy.

Now, Ismael Aviso has his own gleaming feature page over free energy concepts-sharing website Pure Energy Systems Wiki (PESWiki) that practically hails the Filipino as the next big thing in green technology.

“When we hear of electric vehicles, we typically envision a trunk full of batteries. Not so with an electric vehicle prototype developed by Filipino inventor, Ismael Aviso. In his small prototype vehicle, one 12-volt battery is all that is needed, because his vehicle is not running from the storage capacity of the battery, but the battery is merely serving as the delivery point for the energy that is being harvested from unseen energy all around us through his special circuitry,” wrote Sterling Allan in Aviso’s PESWiki page.

Aviso, the 54-year-old mineral water business man and electric car inventor from Navotas City, is on his way to becoming a viral presence online, if he isn’t already.

His emergence over the Internet and on the pages of this daily could not have come at a better time for Filipinos, whose one enduring headache has been the high cost of domestic fuel.

Since November, when Aviso was still improving on his design, petroleum prices have climbed by R4 to R5 a liter, depending on fuel product.

“Nations all over the world are making a stake on electricity-powered cars,” Aviso bared. “Pinoy e-car technology is better, cheaper and more efficient. We should not be left out; instead of importing this technology, we must employ this know-how to build our own e-cars and sell it to the world.”

Both the Department of Energy (DoE) and Department of Science and Technology (DoST) have taken notice of his fuel-less car invention, which, when repackaged into a conversion kit, can turn petroleum-guzzling vehicles into electric ones.

The DoST will lead the conduct of a possible road test this month on Aviso’s car, to be witnessed by DoE’s Alternative Fuels and Energy Technology Division.

The spectacled and gray-haired Aviso remains hopeful that a successful test run would lead him to investors and venture capitalists, that is, if the government doesn’t help finance his endeavor.

“The Philippine government can help me gain an easy way to get a huge loan from a bank. From then on I’ll focus on producing conversion kits,” he said, simplifying his plan.

Aviso manages to send a powerful message in one of his YouTube videos wherein he drove around his impoverished town aboard his bare-bones prototype car, providing a first-person view of his neighborhood.

“Here’s the picture of where I’ve been living for the past 35 years, but I’m happy. Most people here have low salaries and cannot afford decent homes or nutritious food.”

“Maybe I can do something to uplift the living condition of my neighborhood once I get the right car manufacturer to mass-produce my conversion kit.” he said, even as the people whom he is referring to seem to ignore his strange-looking car as he passes by.

...the filmmaker's tale

How Filipino movies land in world's oldest tilt

ANN

Friday, February 11, 2011

Manila (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN) - Paolo Bertolin, consultant for the Venice International Film Festival, has been a constant visitor to Manila since he first came here in 2007. However, he was quite familiar with local cinema even before that first time.

He had read books and essays by local critics and seen the works of Ishmael Bernal, Mario O'Hara, Mike de Leon and Tikoy Aguiluz. He says Lino Brocka's "Maynila sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag" is "one of my favorite films ever".

Renewed interest

And now he has caught up with the works of more current filmmakers Brillante Mendoza, Raya Martin, Khavn de la Cruz, John Torres and Mes de Guzman.

Lav Diaz's "Ebolusyon ng Isang Pamilyang Pilipino" sparked his renewed interest in Philippine movies, Bertolin related to Inquirer Entertainment in an exclusive interview.

Seeing Diaz's 10-hour epic in Rotterdam in 2005 was a turning point, he said. "It was an astounding epiphany. 'Ebolusyon' is monumental, a great work by an artist paying homage to his country, its history and its people. It touched me deeply."

Since then a string of Filipino movies has been included in the line-up of Venice, the world's oldest film festival. Bertolin championed Diaz's "Death in the Land of Encantos" and "Melancholia", which, along with Francis Xavier Pasion's "Jay" and Pepe Diokno's "Engkwentro", were shown in the Orizzonti section; and with Brillante Mendoza's "Lola" in the main competition.

Last year, Teng Mangansakan's "Limbunan", yet another Cinemalaya entry (after "Jay" and "Engkwentro"), made it to Venice--this time in the International Critics' Week. "It was the Philippines' first time to be included in that section," said Bertolin. "I find 'Limbunan' compelling."

Financing is key

Last month, the festival director was in Manila yet again. He met with directors and producers in search of documentaries for the Visions du Reel section of the Nyon International Film Festival in Switzerland. He also observed at the auditions for the forthcoming Cinemalaya fest.

How can Filipino filmmakers sustain the world's interest? "The main problem now is finding financial support apart from the usual sources of grants," Bertolin said. "As of now, the only Filipino filmmakers who can count on a solid source of financing are Brillante Mendoza and Raya Martin."

More grants and subsidies here and abroad should be explored, he asserted. "The [Filipino film] scene is very rich in terms of talent and stories, but not in terms of resources."

No formulas

Bertolin counseled young Filipino filmmakers to persevere. "Don't copy what someone else has done already," he said. "Be original. Be sincere and honest. There are no formulas. Paradoxically, going against formulas proves to be more successful sometimes."

Making political films is no guaranteed ticket, either, Bertolin added. He said he was impressed by "Engkwentro" because of its "audacity and creativity", and "Lola" because of its "deceptive simplicity". He said he was elated that an experienced director like Mario O'Hara had gone digital with his Cinemalaya entry "Ang Paglilitis ni Andres Bonifacio".

Bertolin pointed out that he's drawn to "filmmakers who are not afraid to experiment and try new things".

...the poomsae artists

PH poomsae team eyes world crown

By WAYLON GALVEZ

February 11, 2011

 

 

MANILA, Philippines — With the recent success of the men’s and women’s teams the past two years, the Philippine poomsae team is determined to win both events in the 6th WTF World Poomsae Championships set July in Vladivostok, Russia.

According to PH team coach Igor Mella, they are now in the final process of selecting the composition of the squad and there is a possibility that the players who won gold medals for the country will be included anew.

“The possibility is there. The women’s team is intact and we are working on keeping the men’s team together,” said Mella during the SCOOP sa Kamayan  on Padre Faura, Manila Friday.

“We’re also bringing in some new players. We still don’t know on who will be included. But one thing is sure, other countries are preparing hard too so we have to really be prepared,” Mella added.

Two years ago in Cairo, Egypt, the poomsae women’s team of Camille Alarilla, Rani Ann Ortega and Janice Lagman captured the gold medal that earned them the PSA Athletes of the Year.

...the young Golfer

Young Pinay golf prodigy wins 'Best Swing in America'

 

By Balitang America staff

02/12/2011

 

 

RIVERSIDE, California - A young Filipina golf prodigy has been named Best Swing in America.

Six-year-old junior golf champion Amari Avery won the Little Linksters Best Pee Wee Golf Swing in America.

The online contest allowed young golfers to show videos of their golf swing.

The contest was judged by Professional Golf Association pro golfers, Annika Sorenstam, Hank Haney, and Kelly Sheehan.

They announced the winners late last month at the 2011 PGA Merchandise Show.

...the Lolas

Lola wins Best Film at Tehran Filmfest By Ricky Lo (The Philippine Star) February 12, 2011

Anita Linda and Rustica Carpio| Zoom

MANILA, Philippines - Anita Linda and Rustica Carpio tied as Best Actress(es) at the just-concluded Tehran International Film Festival in Iran for the indie film Lola which won Best Film.

In the movie directed by Dante Mendoza, Anita and Rustica play grandmothers, the former as that of a murder victim and the latter as that of the suspect.

Lola has won several other awards including Best Film at Dubai International Filmfest, Grand Knight Award at the Miami International Filmfest and Best Film at the Rome Asian Filmfest.

...the band

French musician says he’s really Filipino

Stars for others

Philippine Daily Inquirer
02/08/2011

THOSE WHO WERE there felt proud of these homegrown indie bands: Tek Templo; Julien Drolon Band; Manskee Music; Swissy; Jaycie and Honey; Flush and the Toilet (plus comic-“mentalist” Kel Fabie). The bands played in the benefit gig “We Love Lucas!” on January 29 at Last Home in Madison Square, Mandaluyong.

Interestingly, one of the musicians was not a Filipino, but a Philippines-loving Frenchman, Julien Drolon. With his all Filipino band—Enzo Queyquep, lead guitar; Joseph Duenas, bass; Leal Nanca, keyboard; Joven Palencia, drums—Drolon joined the fundraiser for 2-year-old Lucas Gallardo, who needs an urgent heart surgery. The Pinoy toddler, Drolon says, “needs our support now, but is going to be fine soon.”

Drolon, a former journalist, first came to the Philippines on a writing assignment in 2007. In 2008, he resigned from his job and came back here in 2009 “to sing and create music,” as he has written in Filipino in his blog, “talambuhay.” He has lived in the country since.

After forming his Pinoy band, he produced the No More Divisions and Peace Through Music videos viewable on http://www.youtube.com/.

Why has he picked the Philippines for a home? “Filipinos are always smiling,” is his simple reply. He has also written a song about the country, “Phils So Good,” and claims he is really Filipino.

The Julien Drolon Band is set to release its first album, “Time For Peace,” in March. Meanwhile, the band performs at Music Warehouse, Dagupan City, on February 12, and at the UP Fair on February 15. Diwa Lagura, Contributor