Maria Ressa is second Filipino named Time Magazine’s Person of the Year

Rappler CEO Maria Ressa is the second Filipino to be part of the prestigious “Person of the Year” roster of Time magazine after late President Cory Aquino in 1986.

Ressa, who is facing several tax evasion charges, joins the late Jamal Khashoggi, detained Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe and the Capital Gazette, a small newspaper, in Time’s list of “The Guardians.”

The group of journalists appear in four variant covers of the magazine.

Her inclusion came days after she posted bail of P204,000 for four of the five tax cases the government filed against her in 2018.

Filipino women named as “Person of the Year”

Time described Ressa and Rappler, the news website she helped establish in 2012, as fearless in their reporting of President Rodrigo Duterte’s propaganda machine on social media.

“While the Philippine government denies a political motivation for the charges against Ressa and Rappler, the news site she founded in 2012, international observers regard them as the latest salvo in President Rodrigo Duterte’s bid to muzzle critical press and silence criticism of his administration’s deadly war on drugs,” said Joseph Hincks.

Ressa told Time that being a journalist during Duterte’s presidency is more difficult than her work as a war zone correspondent before.

“I’ve been a war zone correspondent. I’ve planned coverage when one side is shooting against the other side. That is easy compared to what we’re dealing with now,” she said.

Her supporters use the hashtag #Holdtheline as they lauded her for the recognition.

This was her statement on the possibility of getting arrested upon her arrival in Manila on December 2. She went to the United States to receive the international Press Freedom Award given to her by the Committee to Protect Journalists.

The veteran reporter had been indicted over three counts of violating Section 255 of the Tax Code for failing to provide the correct information on her Income Tax Return for 2015, Value Added Tax returns for the third and fourth quarters of that year.

Corazon Aquino

Back in 1986, Aquino, the wife of late Senator Ninoy Aquino, held many “first’s.” She was hailed as the first female president of the country and the first Filipino to be the Woman of the Year.

“Whatever else happens in her rule, Aquino has already given her country a bright, and inviolate, memory. More important, she has also resuscitated its sense of identity and pride,” said Time.

Aquino that time said that being given with such recognition is an achievement of the Filipino people.

“I don’t want to say that this is my achievement. It is the Filipino people together who were able to believe in themselves because of what they were able to do in the election and then in the revolution. Because of this belief in each other they were now also able to look up to their leaders and follow their leaders,” she said.

She succeeded late Dictator Ferdinand Marcos as the leader of the country after he and his family were exiled to Hawaii,

Her son Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III became president in 2016.

The Guardians and the War on Truth

Edward Felsenthal, Time’s editor-in-chief, explained that his team decided to feature journalists this year because of their bravery in surpassing risks just to tell impactful stories.

“This year we are recognizing four journalists and one news organization who have paid a terrible price to seize the challenge of this moment: Jamal Khashoggi, Maria Ressa, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, and the Capital Gazette of Annapolis, Md.,” Felsenthal’s  statement read.

“They are representatives of a broader fight by countless others around the world—as of Dec. 10, at least 52 journalists have been murdered in 2018—who risk all to tell the story of our time,” he added.

Jamal Khashoggi, a prominent Saudi journalist who was a known critic of the Saudi government, was murdered after entering his country’s Istanbul consulate for divorce documents.

Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, Reuters journalists from Bangladesh, were detained in their home country for documenting the deaths of 10 Rohingya Muslims.

Five members of the Capital Gazette or the Capital, the local paper in the city of Annapolis in the state of Maryland, were gunned down inside their newsroom last June 28.

source: interaksyon.com

Lucky Chinatown celebrates Filipino-Chinese Friendship Day with week-long events

June 8, Saturday, marks the 12th year that the country is celebrating Filipino-Chinese Friendship Day and Lucky Chinatown is marking this wonderful occasion with a grand week-long festival called “Silken Ties: 12 years of Filipino and Chinese Friendship.”

Lucky Chinatown Mall in Binondo, Manila pays tribute to the rich and uniqueness Filipino-Chinese culture with a line-up of performances, activities and exhibits, in an event called, “Lucky Chinatown’s Silken Ties.”

Leading these series of events is a Fil-Chi Chic Fashion Exhibit that opened on June 3 and will run till June 9 at the ground floor. On display are the exquisite creations of top Filipino-Chinese designers such as Lizanne Cua, Gerswin Qua and Edwin Uy.

The Chinese influence in Philippine cuisine is showcased in The Melting Pot: Filipino Chinese Fusion Cuisine Exhibit. Ongoing till June 7, mall goers can take a look at this gallery of mouth-watering Filipino-Chinese fusion dishes, which gathers well-loved dishes such as the Patatim, Lumpiang Shanghai, Chinese-Style Fried Chicken, Pancit and many more. These dishes are also available at different Lucky Chinatown restaurants and food establishments until June 16.


Shoppers looking to know more and experience different arts of either Filipino or Chinese origin can drop by the Chinoy Cultural Fair on June 8 to 9. Math enthusiasts can stop by the abacus exhibition, while artists will surely enjoy seeing Chinese brush paintings. Mall-goers can also have fun learning more about their personalities at the Handwriting Analysis booth or get a lovely drawing from the Kho Shou Art Club. They can also check out a display on charms from Dragon Phoenix and those who want to brush up or learn Hookien can visit the You Speak Hokkien booth.

The Filipino-Chinese Friendship Day festivities at Lucky Chinatown culminate with a community celebration to be led by Chinese-Filipino Business Club Inc. (CFBCI) and various Chinese schools and community groups. From 10am onwards on June 8, spectators will be treated to a grand cultural affair, which will be highlighted by spectacular dance numbers and musical performances among others.

With educational exhibits, workshops and cultural performances in store, Silken Ties is a can’t miss weeklong celebration for both Filipinos and Filipino-Chinese. Families can have fun and learn more about Filipino-Chinese culture in this Filipino-Chinese Friendship Day Festival only at Lucky Chinatown.


For more information on Silken Ties: 12 years of Filipino and Chinese Friendship, contact the Megaworld Lifestyle Malls Concierge at (+632) 576-8139 or log on to www.megaworldlifestylemalls.com.

source: interaksyon.com

PXC star Mark Striegl to headline four-man tournament for featherweight belt

Filipino rising MMA star Mark ‘Mugen’ Striegl is set to headline a four-man featherweight tournament that will decide the fate of the vacated Pacific X-treme Combat (PXC) 145-lb. division title.

With champion Joe Taimanglo making a move to US-based MMA promotion Bellator, the featherweight belt is now very much up for grabs, and two matches with major title implications will be on the PXC 37 card slated for May 18 at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

Striegl, one of the country’s fastest-rising local stars, will fight debuting Japanese fighter Yusuke Yachi, a Shooto champion from the famed Krazy Bee dojo in Tokyo, while longtime contender Jang Yong Kim of Korean Top Team takes on Hawaii’s Nate Thorell in the other side of the bracket.

The winners will be scheduled to fight for the title in August.

Striegl, undefeated in 12 MMA fights and 2-0 in the PXC, catapulted himself into contention after a high-profile win over PXC lightweight champion Harris Sarmiento at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum in PXC 34.

The Filipino-American fighter out of Fight Corps MMA in Baguio has breezed through his PXC opposition, winning both of his fights with submission finishes in the first round.

Striegl was actually in line to fight for the belt before Taimanglo was released so he could pursue a title in a US mainland-based promotion.

But Striegl’s young opponent figures to be a challenge, touting an impressive 9-3 Shooto record and becoming a champion at only 22 years old, with significant victories over veterans like Wataru Miki and Yuji Hoshino. One of his losses was to PXC fighter Guy Delameau in 2011.

Yachi joins the crop of new talent in the PXC, a promotion that has prided itself on showcasing future MMA stars on their way to the top level of the sport like the UFC.

“We pride ourselves on recruiting young talent and giving them exposure with tough fights against some of the best fighters from California to China,” said PXC CEO and promoter EJ Calvo. “We are happy to welcome Yusuke Yachi to our PXC roster of elite featherweights. He is an exciting technical fighter on his feet as well as on the ground.”

On the other end of the bracket, South Korean challenger Kim , whose most recent fight was a loss in a title fight against Taimanglo, looks to re-establish himself in the division as he takes on 808 Fight Factory’s Thorell, who is 4-1 as a pro and 1-0 in the PXC so far.

Kim, like Striegl, holds a win over lightweight champ Sarmiento in the 145-lb. division.

PXC 37 will also feature Filipino bantamweight champion Crisanto ‘The Slugger’ Pitpitunge defending his belt against dangerous challenger Michinori Tanaka and another homegrown PXC titlist, flyweight champ Ale Cali, making a defense against young contender Louis Smolka.

The event will be broadcast nationwide on AKTV via IBC-13 and streamed online via PXC’s Facebook page. Those interested can visit www.pxc.com.ph or www.facebook.com/pxcmma for more news and information.

PXC 37 is presented by San Mig Strong Ice and Sports 5. With special thanks to PLDT MY DSL, Fitness First, FHM Philippines, FHM.com.ph, Premiere Condoms, Healthway Agility Philippines, Beer Below Zero, Real Sports Radio, Loqal.ph, Filquest Media Concepts, Eden Night Club, SM Tickets and TicketWorld.

source: interaksyon.com

Pacquiao kicks off Wild Card training for Marquez on October 15

Manny Pacquiao won’t be showing up for training at the Wild Card in Hollywood until October 15, giving the Filipino star about seven weeks to rev up for his fourth match with Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico on December 8.

Pacquiao usually trains eight weeks for a big fight but even if he won’t be under the watchful eyes of Freddie Roach until the second week, Pacquiao is not taking Marquez for granted.

The last few days, Pacquiao has been spotted doing his morning roadwork in General Santos City and sweating it out at the gym owned by boxing patron Rey Golingan in the afternoon.

Mike Koncz, Pacquiao’s Canadian adviser, said they made a promise to Roach during the promotional tour weeks ago that Pacquiao will begin the first day of the grind on October 15.

With Pacquiao in the US for nearly two months, there will be instances when he will shoot a commercial for an American-owned company, Koncz said, stressing that he’ll make sure it won’t affect the boxer’s training.

Pacquiao, who turns 34 on December 17, is a 4-1 favorite over Marquez although most ringsiders are of the opinion that it’s a pick ‘em kind of matchup.

Marquez, 39, is already in the thick of training in Mexico City.

source: interaksyon.com

Silicon Valley superstars search for Pinoy protégés

What do Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg and Dado Banatao have in common? They hacked their way into Silicon Valley —and succeeded.

Thanks to them, we now have Apple, Microsoft, and Facebook. And every computer in the world runs on the chip set that was developed by Banatao —the lone Filipino in the bunch.

Now, in an effort to give something back to the place of his roots, Banatao and fellow Filipino technopreneurs Winston Damarillo and Sheila Lirio-Marcelo are looking to boost the creativity of Filipino software developers.

Banatao is also the chairperson of PhilDev, a charity organization, and one of the managing partners of Tallwood Venture Capital, an investment firm focused on semiconductor technology and products. Apart from this, Banatao is also managing a number of other firms related to semiconductors.

Meanwhile, Damarillo is one of the founders of Morphlabs, a company providing cloud computing solutions, and Exist Software Labs. Marcelo, on the other hand, is the chief executive officer of Care.com, an online portal for caregiving and other domestic help services.

The trio recently formed Hack2Hatch, an entrepreneurship bootcamp for software developers all over the country. Damarillo, together with PhilDev and DevCon (Developers Connect), a non-profit organization dealing with information technology (IT), launched the bootcamp in a party held in a restaurant in Makati City on Sept. 5. (See site here: http://hack2hatch.com/)

“We can only do so much by being on the podium, per forum, talking about the big idea. We really want to make sure that we roll our sleeves and get down the business,” said Damarillo.

Hack2Hatch boot camp will be held on Oct. 5 to 7 in Cebu City. Damarillo said that while they wanted to set up the program for the entire country, they wanted to start in the middle, which is Cebu City.

The boot camp is composed of three phases, said Damarillo.

First thing the participants would do is to pitch an idea. A mentor—Banatao, Damarillo, Marcelo, and other Filipino technopreneurs—will adopt the idea and coach the participants. After the coaching, the participant is expected to pitch a prototype product again. From that pitch, the organizers will pick at least ten participants who will be awarded a seed fund of P100,000.

The boot camp is open to software developers of all ages. In fact, Damarillo said, “We are expecting (some) participants (to be) between 14 to 15 years old.”

Focus on software industry

According to international IT data and review provider Sourcing Line, the Philippines is an “emerging player in the IT services market.”

International outsourcing firms don't come to the country for call centers, but rather for animators, web designers, and engineering-related services. (See related report here.)

Damarillo sees this as an opportunity.

“Apparently we have 50,000 employed (in IT) with retained revenue of $16,000 (P670,000). It should be 200,000 employees with $30 to $40,000 (or up to P1.7 million) retained revenue,” Damarillo said.

Retained revenue refers to the portion of net income that stays with the company rather than distributed to its owners or stockholders.

“We should be if we’re not already number one in ASEAN,” he added.

Damarillo also said that the IT industry has a potential to contribute a huge chunk to the country’s GDP.

“It’s basically for us to use,” the entrepreneur added.

'From hacker to founder'

Damarillo believes that while the Filipino IT professionals have the talent, they have low exposure to opportunities.

“It (Hack2Hatch) is a wake-up call for us to stop being (just) sub-contractors… We want Pinoys to realize that we should build our own companies,” Damarillo said.

“At Hack2Hatch, we teach people how to build products, how to protect them, how to patent them, how to strategically differentiate (and) how to adapt certain market. That’s what’s missing,” he added.

He also said that the Philippines has everything it takes to be the top software development country in the ASEAN region in terms of the availability of skilled workers, likelihood of the potential start-ups, and growth ratio stand point.

However, he thinks that encouraging developers to start is just the beginning. He said he would be willing to support the start-up until “day 455” or whenever he thinks his job is done.

“Entrepreneurship doesn’t mean you’re CEO or owner. It means that you’ve taken risk, you’ve done something that nobody has ever done before but has the potential to become one.”

Silicon Valley stars in PHL

In a related program, PhilDev will also host a forum titled "Harnessing Filipino Innovation and Entrepreneurship" on Oct. 8 at the Manila Peninsula, Makati City.

Google Vice President for Technology, together with executives from Facebook, Oracle and Dell shall be speaking in the said event.

PhilDev also invited Toby Stuart, professor for entrepreneurship at Haas School of Business in Berkeley, California, and former Harvard School of Business faculty Loida Nicolas Lewis.— TJD, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com

John Arcilla flattered by Rachel Weisz calling him 'wonderful' and Tony Gilroy calling him 'brilliant'

It felt “surreal" for John Arcilla to finally see himself in the much-anticipated Hollywood action movie, The Bourne Legacy.

The Filipino actor was beaming when he talked about the action thriller where he shares a little screen time with Hollywood lead stars Jeremy Renner and Rachel Weisz.






“Parang surreal, e. Sobrang nakaka-excite kapag nanonood ka ng isang Hollywood film—tapos nakikita mo yung bansa mo, yung sarili mo, ibang klase," John said at the Philippine premiere of The Bourne Legacy held at the Resorts World Manila last August 5.

He also lauded the fast-paced motorcycle chase scene that began on Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard and ended at the Navotas Fish Port.

“Sabi ko nga itong motorcycle chase na 'to, sa lahat ng international films na napanood ko, parang ngayon lang ako nakakita ng ganun ka-superb.

"Ang karaniwan kasi, car chase, pero ito, motorcycle chase na may jeep, may police patrol car. Parang natabunan niya yung buong istorya, yung sa motorcycle chase lang na yun. Exciting!"

Aside from celebrating his participation in this international project, John also takes pride to see the Philippines featured prominently in this fourth installment of the Bourne franchise.

Even if the slums of Metro Manila are prominently seen in the movie, John believes that the country's picturesque landscape will outweigh the impact that the slums may leave.

“Exciting, kasi after so long, ngayong lang ulit tayo nagkaroon ng mainstream Hollywood movie na mahaba ang exposure ng Metro Manila.

“Parang surreal talaga na, ‘Wow, andun ako sa isang Hollywood film!’ Tapos ang ganda-ganda nung Maynila…bilang isang Pinoy, ‘Ito ba talaga yung itsura ng Maynila?’

“Gusto ko rin matutunan ng mga Filipino na hindi nakakatakot makita yung mahihirap na part ng Pilipinas, yung poor areas.

“In the first place, 'pinakita rin yung magagandang places, tulad ng Palawan.

"Maganda nga ‘yan, kasi nakikita sa buong mundo yung istura ng dalawang part ng Pilipinas—at para ma-solve natin kung ayaw natin talaga ng kahirapan."

He was himself stunned by the cinematography showing El Nido in the last part of the film.

"Yung Pilipinas, makikita ng buong mundo. Ang kagandahan nito, bumawi tayo nung ending. Parang suddenly, nakakita sila ng paradise sa gitna ng Pilipinas, wow!"

GOOD FEEDBACK FROM CO-STARS. In The Bourne Legacy, John has a minor role as the chief security guard of a laboratory. It is in this laboratory that Rachel Weisz is a chemist.

He spent over 12 hours shooting his scenes for the movie, and in that span of time, John apparently left a good impression on his co-stars and the film’s director, Tony Gilroy.

"Nakarinig naman ako ng magandang feedback sa director ko. Sa interview, sabi niya na brilliant actor daw ako. Saka sabi naman ni Rachel Weisz, ako daw ay wonderful actor.

"So sabi ko for such a short participation... sabi nga nila there is no small role, only small actors," he said with a hearty laugh.

He added: “For a short scene, more than twelve hours ko silang kasama, and nakita ko sila bilang tao, hindi bilang artista, and wala naman akong nakita sa kanila na star complex.

“Kahit napakaikli ng part ko, sinabi nila sa akin yun [papuri], and I don’t think they need that for publicity. I found it sincere and hindi ko makakalimutan yun."

How was it like working with the Academy Award-winning British actress Rachel Weisz?

“Si Rachel Weisz, now and then, pagkatapos ng break, kwentuhan nang kwentuhan lang kami.

“Tinanong niya ako [about the slums], ‘What are you doing about it?’

“Well, ang sabi ko, our government is trying solve it by fighting against corruption. Kasi para sa kanila parang absurd kasi wala namang ganun sa kanilang bansa ng mga ganyang squatters area.

"Kung meron man sa kanilang mga homeless, choice na iyon ng mga homeless, e. Sa atin, dala iyon ng poverty.

“Nakita ko sincere, di yung nag-aacting lang na concerned. Hindi, e, talagang concerned."

In fact, John recalled that Rachel donated money to renovate a playground in San Andres, Manila.

He said he witnessed it. “Kasama ako sa gift-giving, nagbigay sila ng school bags and school supplies sa mga taga doon."

The thespian also had the chance to meet Daniel Craig, the husband of Rachel, when "James Bond" visited the country.

When asked to describe Jeremy Renner, John said, “Si Jeremy, actually, funny siya, super kwela. Hindi siya yung tipong seryoso. Seryoso lang siya kapag shooting na pero pag wala, ang kwela-kwela niya.

“Pagkatapos namin sa eksena pupunta kami sa side, magke-kwentuhan, mag yo-yosi yung mga ganun, simple lang."

John also observed that his co-stars are quite conscious about the number of hours that they spend on the set.

“Kapag lagpas ng eight hours, gumaganun na talaga silang dalawa." John motions as if pointing to a wristwatch.

"Hindi sila nagagalit, pero sa kanila kasi, after eight hours considered overtime na."

Since The Bourne Legacy will be screened in various countries worldwide, the Pinoy thespian believes this movie will have a huge impact on the local film making industry.

“It would open a lot of doors when it comes to international productions here in the country. Yun yung tingin kong mangyayari.

"It would really help a lot of people, hindi lang mga artists on cam pero also artists behind the scenes. This is also a good source of revenue for the government." -- Jocelyn Dimaculangan, PEP

source: gmanetwork.com

Claudine says Gretchen should mind her own lovelife

CLAUDINE Barretto is glad to be a guest in her husband Raymart Santiago’s hit show, "Bantatay." "Nag-guest din naman siya sa drama show ko noon and also, our kids and I are really fans of ‘Bantatay’ as we watch it nightly," she says when ‘Showbiz Central’ interviewed her on the show’s set in Subic. "So when they invited me sa show, I said yes agad to support my husband. But si James Blanco ang katambal ko rito. I play a vet who’ll help Bantay. Tuwang-tuwa nga mga anak namin when they learned I’ll appear with their dad."

How does she feel about persistent rumors of their marital breakup?


"Paulit-ulit na nga, nakakapagod na. Somehow, kahit ayaw mo patulan, you get affected as friends call to ask kung totoo. So explain ka nang explain na hindi."

It’s said the insinuations about their alleged rocky marriage come from one of her own family members. When Gretchen was asked about it, her reply is she doesn’t want to say anything "dahil ayoko magsinungaling," which implies that something is really wrong. "Para namang labas-masok siya sa bahay namin and she knows everything. It’s better kung ang sariling lovelife na lang niya ang pansinin niya, huwag na ang buhay namin."

article source: filipinoreporter.us

How did our society produce a James Holmes?

Not difficult really.

It is a known fact throughout the shocked world that America has long been a growing war freak from the time they’ve been fighting the native American Indians and seizing their ancestral lands.

Another factor is the Second Amendment in the United States Constitution. It is supposed to protect the right of the people to keep and bear arms. It was adopted on December 15, 1791, along with the rest of the Bill of Rights.

This amendment may have been valid in the early days of frontier life when lawlessness reigned and the country was with wild animals. But in today’s civilized society, the second amendment is not as relevant, and yet war freaks condoned by the National Rifle Association still persist. The NRA always wins every attempt to amend or remove this provision.

To make matters worse, America imports violent video games that endorse all kinds of mayhem and brutality. All this is supposed to provide “entertainment” to youngsters.

Along this line, Hollywood produces movies that glamorize guns and gangsters. In some of these movies, the police and agents of the law are portrayed as the bad guys while the gangsters are the heroes! These producers continue to romanticize violence as the be-all of machismo and heroism and how American soldiers are well trained to kill efficiently.

In the face of all this climate of violence we then find even in the higher echelons of society a seemingly immature model of a war freak: the president of the most powerful country in the world. He knows only to wage war because he does not know how to foster peace. He invades other countries that he wrongly accuses as terrorists with faulty evidences or even planted ones. To make his image look tough in the world he verbally abuses leaders and calls their countries members of the “axis of evil” out to destroy the U.S. He was successful in angering Islamic countries and we saw what happened on 9/11.

So, am I now surprised to read about the Aurora, Colorado shooting? Of course not. And if nothing is done by way of legislation and in formal education, this will surely happen again.

The NaFFAA affiliate in Southern Colorado announced a Filipino teenager is among the victims of the shooting rampage. He was identified as Ryan Lumba, 17, a graduate of Eaglecrest High School. Ryan is the son of Sam and Remy Lumba. He reportedly received shrapnel wounds in the stomach, and is said to be in stable condition. The Filipino American community requests prayers for Ryan and his family.

source: thefilam.net

Filipino Shoppers Going Modern – Survey

More and more Filipinos are purchasing goods in modern trade channels such as supermarkets and hypermarkets throughout the country but sari-sari stores still rule, a consumer survey by Kantar Worldpanel found.

A study by Kantar Worldpanel, the world-leading provider of continuous, syndicated consumer panels and research solutions into shoppers’ purchase and usage behavior, looked at the venues where Filipino households make their fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) purchases.

It tracked 3,000 urban and rural households nationwide, predominantly from the DE market with an annual household income that is P800 billion more than the national budget

Around 17 million homes comprise the DE market with FMCG purchases amounting to P434 billion.

Almost half of Filipino shoppers (47%) still buy from the sari-sari stores.

However, the Kantar Worldpanel study, “Philippine Households’ FMCG Spending,” reveals that Filipinos are now increasingly buying more goods in supermarkets and hypermarkets where promotions and affordable packs are becoming more available.

An upward trend in the growth of channel shares has been seen in modern trade channels, increasing from 26% to 28% in the past four years, compared to other channels like grocery stores, drug stores and market stalls, which registered flat or decreasing growth.

Filipino homes are also spending more on modern trade. The average FMCG spending in modern trade channels per household has increased to Php 9,495 in 2011 from Php 9,194 in 2010 (301-pesos increase). In fact, average spending on modern trade has also steadily increased in the past four years.

Another key finding in the “Philippine Households’ FMCG Spending” study is the expansion of modern trade retailers to reach more Filipinos. These retailers have been aggressive in opening more branches outside the National Capital Region (NCR). The likes of Mercury Drug, Watsons and SM have post the highest number of branches at 700, 218 and 144, respectively. Evidenced by its number of branches nationwide, Mercury Drug enjoys a market penetration rate of 30.4%, compared to SM at 25.9% and Watsons at 4.5%.

source: mb.com.ph

Nora, Derek Ruffa, ‘Bigtime’ girls meet TV5 fans in San Francisco

Although tired and sleep-deprived, TV5 heavy-hitters Nora Aunor, Derek Ramsay, Ruffa Gutierrez, and the “Wil Time Bigtime” girls gamely met with Filipino fans at a supermarket and a shopping mall in San Francisco on Friday, the eve of TV5 International’s The Big Launch in the city.

Filipino-Americans in Vallejo braved the sweltering heat for a meet-and-greet session with Nora, Derek, and the “Bigtime” girls near the entrance of the Island Paradise Supermarket.

Ruffa caught up with the group and gamely posed for pictures and gave autographs to grateful fans.

The Kapatid delegation’s next stop was the Seafood City Mall in Concord where a long queue of eager Filipinos were waiting to welcome them.

Virginia de los Santos was thrilled by the chance to kiss Derek and pose for pictures with the TV5 hunk.

“Aba’s siyempre masarap, parang anak ko lang siya. Aba’y siyempre pogi!” she enthused.

“Wil Time Bigtime” host Willie Revillame arrived in San Francisco past 11pm. He had cancelled his flight earlier in the day to get some rest.

Although he was feeling under the weather, he said there was no way he would miss this stop of the “Homecoming Tour” of “Wil Time” in California.

“Kahit na naka-wheelchair ako. O naka-kama ako may dextrose, darating ako diyan. Hindi puwedeng hindi,” Willie said.

“Wil Time” will lead the festivities for the second leg of TV5 International’s launch of Kapatid TV5 and Aksyon International in North America in a special show at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium on Saturday night.

TV5 and Aksyon International programs can now be viewed across North America through Dish Network.

The first leg was held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on May 26.

source: interaksyon.com

Sharon Stone sued by former nanny

Los Angeles (CNN) -- Sharon Stone's former nanny filed a lawsuit Wednesday accusing the actress of violating labor laws and making derogatory comments about her ethnicity.

Stone called it "an absurd lawsuit" with "made-up and fabricated" claims, filed by "a disgruntled ex-employee who is obviously looking to get money any way she can."

Erlinda Elemen, who is Filipino, worked as a live-in nanny for the actress for more than four years, until she was fired in February 2011, the lawsuit filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court Wednesday said.

Elemen claims she was fired because she refused to give back overtime pay that Stone told her she did not deserve.

Stone told her it was only in January 2011 that she learned from her accountant that she was paying her overtime when she worked holidays or traveled to care for her three children, the suit said.

"Defendant Stone, however, accused Plaintiff of 'stealing' from her by taking the above-described overtime pay, told Plaintiff that it was 'illegal' for Plaintiff to have taken the pay, and asked for it back," the court filing said.

Elemen refused to give the overtime pay back, arguing it was required by state and federal labor laws, the suit said.

"Defendant Stone then began to repeatedly berate Plaintiff in front of her staff, guests and others, for a period of approximately three weeks, for no other reason than Plaintiff had received overtime pay as hereinabove alleged," it said.

The nanny was fired "shortly thereafter," the lawsuit said.

The suit claims the nanny was "repeatedly subjected to numerous derogatory comments and slurs by Stone related to her Filipino ethnicity and heritage" during the last six months of her employment.

The alleged derogatory comments including criticism about the nanny's Filipino accent. "She was told not to speak to the children because Stone did not want her children to 'talk like you,'" the suit said. "In addition, Stone made comments which equated being Filipino with being stupid."

The lawsuit also charged that Stone was "repeatedly verbally dismissive of Elemen's deeply held religious beliefs, criticized Elemen for frequently attending church and, on one occasion, even forbade her live in nanny from reading the bible in Stone's house."

Elemen sought and was given approval from the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing to sue Stone for an unspecified sum for unpaid wages, damages and penalties, the suit said.

"After she was terminated approximately one-and-a-half years ago, she filed claims for alleged disability and workers compensation," Stone said in a statement to CNN. "Now, she is obviously looking for another opportunity to cash in."

She insisted she would be completely vindicated in court.

"This is a frivolous lawsuit for absurd claims that are made-up and fabricated," Stone said.

source: CNN

Young Filipino artist's work in Christie's HK auction

Filipino artist Aleah Angeles is just in her early 20s, but the realist painter is about to get some international attention, as her piece "Lazy Daisy" is included in an upcoming Christie's auction of Asian Contemporary Art in Hong Kong.

Painted in 2010, "Lazy Daisy" is estimated to be worth $4,138 to $7,759, and is featured along with Chinese artists as well as other cross-region contemporary talents.

Her works are described as "lyrical compositions with a warm romantic flair."

"Lazy Daisy portrays Angeles’s alter-ego, falling asleep under a tree with her half read book draped over her face. Trapped in the pages of her fairytale or fantasy novella the heroine in her slumber is sweetly unaware of the looming dream-forest behind her, as though conjured directly from her unfinished tale. With her ruffled skirt, knee-socks slipping down her legs, outflung hand, Lazy Daisy is an archetypal rendition of corrupted girlish innocence," reads the lot notes on Christie's website.

"Inspired by the figures of young girls, which the artist herself relates to and draws from life based on her own photographs; her paintings often show them in recumbent positions, half caught in dreams and fantasy," the notes read.

Angeles is a resident artist of Mendez Big and Small Art Co.

Apart from Angeles, Filipino artists BenCab and Patricia Eustaquio also have works in the auction, which will be held on May 27, 3pm at Christie's Saleroom Convention Hall, Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Center, Hong Kong.

BenCab's 1984 ink and acrylic on paper "Yellow Confetti" goes for an estimated price of $32,350 to $51,776.

Meanwhile, Eustaquio's oil on canvas diptych Reprise III & IV goes for an estimated price of $15,400 to $23,100.

In last year's Christie's Hong Kong Spring sale, Filipino artists new to the market performed extremely well, according to Asian Arts blog LuxArtAsia. "Contemporary art from the Philippines in particular showed an impressive growth, with 95% of the lots by Filipino artists being sold," wrote Sonia Kolesnikov-Jessop.

Artintern also observed that the sale set records for lesser-known Filipino artists like Jose John Santos III and Eustaquio, then a first-time auction participant.

Spot.ph noted that a number of Filipino artists sold their pieces for more than their estimated price in the 2011 auction. Eustaquio's dreamlike "A Bird in Cloud Country" sold for HK$300,000, almost thrice its estimated price. Ronald Ventura, Geraldine Javier, Tatong Rechata Torres, Kiko Escora and Lynard Paras were also successful.

BenCab's "Edo Gesture" and "Anxiety" were sold for a total of HK$ 1,420,000.

Also auctioned off were Vicente Manansala's 1973 painting "Luksong-Tinik" (HK$1,640,000), Fernando Zobel's "La Piedra IV" and works by Ramon Orlina, Anita Magsaysay-Ho, Onib Olmedo, and Fernando Amorsolo. — KG/ELR, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com

Jobseekers warned as 4 more Filipino victims of human trafficking are rescued in Malaysia

MANILA, Philippines – Four Filipino women victimized by human traffickers and forced to work in nightclubs were rescued by the Royal Malaysia Police earlier this week, the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur has reported.

The four were locked up and forced to work in a night club in Johor Baru, some 220 kilometers away from Kuala Lumpur and is near the Malaysian border with Singapore.

The Embassy lauded the quick action undertaken by the Malaysian police, through its Criminal Investigation Division (CID)-Anti-Human Trafficking Section, Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya said.

The victims, all residents of Metro Manila, were allegedly recruited and escorted by a certain Ramil Garcia from Manila to Zamboanga and then Sandakan in Sabah, with the promise of high-paying jobs in Malaysia .

When they arrived in Sandakan, Garcia turned them over to a certain Norminda Buko Whigan for "sale" to night club owners as customer service workers. The Filipinas were informed of their real work only upon their arrival in Sandakan .

After a two-week stay in Sandakan and with no offers from club owners there, the traffickers brought the women by plane to Johor Bahru in West Malaysia, where they were offered to a club owner Emy Wong.

The ladies were locked up at the Wong residence, and made to work at the club the following day.

The women, with ages between 27 to 36 years old, eventually were able to ask for help from the Blas F. Ople Policy Center and others, which alerted the Embassy.

In the evening of April 18, Malaysian CID agents, accompanied by two Embassy officials, proceeded to Johor Bahru in West Malaysia and raided the club.

The club owner had left the club, together with the Filipinas, minutes before the police arrived.

The team then proceeded to the Wong residence, where the Filipinas were locked up, and rescued the four Filipinas. The police also arrested Mrs. Wong's husband, who was in the house. Mrs. Wong is now being pursued by authorities.

The Filipinas were then brought before a local judge, who issued an interim protection order. They are now in a shelter run by Malaysian police and welfare authorities. They will later be turned over to the Embassy for repatriation to Manila .

The Embassy reminded Filipinos to be aware of the modus operandi of trafficking syndicates, so as to protect themselves from becoming victims.

"Our Filipinos should already beware anytime they are made to exit through the ‘back door’ in the Tawi-Tawi area without proper documentations. In most likelihood, they are being trafficked already," the Embassy said.

source: interaksyon.com

Pinays in The Netherlands celebrate Intl Women's Day

Filipino women gathered in Utrecht, The Netherlands on March 17 for the “Pilipina sa Holland: Ipagdiwang Natin ang Ating Kalakasan,” an event celebrating International Women’s Day.

The event aimed to help Filipino women in The Netherlands become economically independent.

In The Netherlands, 50% of Dutch women are economically independent but only 33% of non-western migrants are, said Diana Oosterbeek-Latoza, coordinator and social cultural worker of Bayanihan, a group that advocates for women's welfare.

Oosterbeek-Latoza said the event aims to "show that the economic position of the women is not yet strong. So the challenge for us, especially to those women who have achieved that level of independence, is to unite and lobby the position of the women in The Netherlands."

"We have to integrate, participate and hold hands together. That is not to say that we, Filipinas, should only join Filipino Women’s Organizations but Women’s Organizations in general," she added.

Philippine Ambassador to The Netherlands Lourdes Morales said much has already been done to make women equal to their male counterparts in the workplace but much still remains to be achieved.

She noted that the United Nations has been crucial in pushing for gender equality worldwide.

Morales said the theme of this year's International Women's Day celebration — Empower Rural Women – End Hunger and Poverty — "recognizes that gender equality and empowerment of women has not been fully reached by rural women and girls who comprise one quarter of the global population.”

She said the international community should give more attention to women in rural areas in their struggle for gender equality and empowerment.

She cited an aphorism or pithy observation from Mahatma Gandhi: "Woman is the companion of man, gifted by equal mental capacities. If by strength is meant moral power, then woman is immeasurably man's superior." - VVP, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com