#Ambassador of the World Philippines 2019

[onenettvchannel]

BREAKING NEWS: 'Alvinnn!!! and the Chipmunks' comes to an abrupt end after Season 5 [#K5NewsFMExclusive]

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA -- The cancellation of the beloved 2015 animated series 'Alvinnn!!! and the Chipmunks' after Season 5 has taken cartoon fans worldwide by surprise, leaving them perplexed about the fate of the anticipated 6th and 7th seasons. The unexpected revelation came to light in a phone interview conducted by Billboard Magazine News with Ross Bagdasarian Jr., who is a show's executive producer.

'Alvinnn!!! and the Chipmunks' first graced television screens in the early mid-May of 2015, with Nickelodeon Asia hosting the world premiere. The Philippines, in particular, witnessed the show's debut through a live streaming simulcast on iWantTV (now known as iWantTFC), marking a cultural touchstone, 5 years before the global Coronavirus Disease-19 (CoViD-19) pandemic struck.

Before captivating audiences in Asia and the United States of America (U.S.A.), the French children's programming block "M6 Kid", took the lead in introducing the mischievous Chipmunks to the viewers in France alone. Airing from late-March 2015 until March 4th, 2023; 'Alvinnn!!! and the Chipmunks' on M6 Kid covered Seasons 1 through 5, culminating in an unexpected halt to the series.

The heartbreak intensified with Bagdasarian Jr.'s revelation to the Billboard Magazine News that production had ceased the year before, leading to the cancellation of the anticipated 6th and 7th seasons. The news marks the end of an era for the animated sensation, leaving fans grappling with the sudden farewell to the charismatic Seville trios of Alvin, Simon and Theodore.

DWFH-FM 97.7mhz's K5 News FM Dumaguete learns that the untimely end of 'Alvinnn!!! and the Chipmunks' has left fans and industry insiders alike wondering about the reasons behind this abrupt decision.

The show's popularity transcended borders, with its catchy tunes such as "It's a Magical World", "Busy as a Bee", etc., and endearing characters winning the hearts of audiences globally. The French connection to 'Alvinnn!!! and the Chipmunks' adds an intriguing layer to its narrative. A kids' show often serves as a cultural ambassador, and M6 Kid played a pivotal role in introducing the Chipmunks to French audiences, setting the stage for the show's international success.

As we bid farewell to the mischievous Seville brother's trio, it's worth noting that the 5th season, now revealed as the final chapter, encapsulates the charm and nostalgia that 'Alvinnn!!! and the Chipmunks' brought to fans worldwide, and even right here in Central Visayas and Negros Oriental. The French TV series not only entertained but also resonated with audiences of all ages, making it a memorable chapter in the world of animated entertainment.

For now, fans are left with the echoes of those catchy Chipmunk tunes, reminiscing about the adventures that Alvin Seville, Simon Seville and Theodore Seville brought into their lives. The legacy of 'Alvinnn!!! and the Chipmunks' will undoubtedly endure, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of those who danced to their tunes and laughed at their antics.

FILE PHOTO COURTESY for REPRESENTATION: Le Figaro BACKGROUND PROVIDED BY: Tegna

DJ Unikitty Mac (formerly ColeThePony from Canada) was contributed on this exclusive news report.

SOURCE: *https://www.fernsehserien.de/alvinnn-und-die-chipmunks/folgen/5x26a-das-spielhaus-1626660 [Referenced TV Listings #1 via Fernseh Serien] *https://www.fernsehserien.de/alvinnn-und-die-chipmunks/folgen/5x26b-die-grosse-tour-1626661 [Referenced TV Listings #2f via Fernseh Serien] *http://thefutoncritic.com/showatch/alvinnn-and-the-chipmunks/listings/ [Referenced TV Listings via The Futon Critic] *https://www.nickalive.net/2019/11/alvinnn-and-chipmunks-renewed-for.html [Referenced News Article via NickALive! News Bureau] *https://www.billboard.com/business/publishing/chipmunks-christmas-song-how-much-money-make-each-year-1235521178/ [Referenced News Article via Billboard Magazine News] *https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvinnn!!!and_the_Chipmunks *https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvin_et_les_Chipmunks(s%C3%A9rie_t%C3%A9l%C3%A9vis%C3%A9e_d%27animation,2015) *https://www.mikrosanimation.com/en/project/alvinnn-and-the-chipmunks/ *https://www.facebook.com/268035966640514/posts/718126928298080 [Referenced FB Captioned Post via Nick Asia] and *https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IWantTFC#iWant_TV(2010%E2%80%932018)

-- OneNETnews Team

[behind-the-screen-of-bangtan]

j-hope (제이홉)

Real name: 정호석 (Jung Hoseok)

Birth date: 18 February 1994

Home city: Gwangju

Former stage name: Smile Hoya (2008)

Studio name: Hope World

Instagram account

BU character: Jung HoSeok

BT21 character: Mang

(src)

Biography

For a more complete biography, you can check these ressources: 

biography from the volume 1 of the Japan Official Fanclub magazine (trans by kocchi)

pre-debut timeline

Thread about his participation in a musical in 2008

Central Sauce’s article by Elliot Sang “J-Hope’s Journey: From Teenage B-Boy to BTS’ Rap Star”

j-hope has also shared tidbits of his daily life:

HOPE WORLD!😳 (he introduces his 2018-2019 studio)

[VLOG] Very Important Business (2019)

확신의 J VLOG (J VLOG of certainty) (2022)

Letter from #jhope (eng)

A letter to help us wait while j-hope performs his military duty

Birthday albums: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 , 2024

Recommendations

Music

Spotify playlist

You can find Youtube playlists of the songs he shared on Spotify, on Vlive/Weverse and on Twitter or during interviews.

Books/Movies/Series/Anime

Google sheet of his recommendations

Solo activity

Music (discography)

V, j-hope  - “안아줘 (Hug me)” (gift for the Festa, 2015)

“1 VERSE” (2015)

Hope World (2018) (see this post)

RM, SUGA, j-hope - 땡 (Daeng) (for the Festa, 2018)

j-hope feat. Becky G - “Chicken Noodle Soup” (2019) (see this post)

“Blue Side” (2021)

--- Chapter 2 ---

Jack In The Box (2022) (see this post)

Crush (크러쉬) - 'Rush Hour (Feat. j-hope of BTS)' (2022)

“On the street” (feat. J.Cole) (2023) (see this post)

HOPE ON THE STREET VOL. 1 (2024) (see this post)

For more details about the songs that don’t have their own post, I listed all the info I had here. For Chapter 2 songs, please check here.

Shows

Hope On The Street (anchor)

j-hope films himself dancing. Note, however, that there are other videos of him dancing that are not associated with the name Hope On The Street

Twitter (another one with Jaesang)

Youtube:

Hope on the street @150920

Hope on the street @151008 - 1

Hope on the street @151008 - 2

Vlive(now on Weverse):

160126 BTS Hope On The Street Live

160126 BTS Hope On The Street Live 2

160413 BTS Hope On The Street Live

화개장터 (Hwagae Market) (2015, anchor)

pre-open

episode 0 [ 대국민사과방송 ] (national apology broadcast)

episode 1 [ 요지부동 ] (try to not react)

episode 1.5 [ 벌칙수행 ] (penalty execution)

SOPE 👨‍❤️‍👨필리핀에 오다! (Came to the Philippines!)

솝 꿀피부를 부탁해😆 (Please take care of my honey-soft skin)

해체 발표 (disbandment announcement) for April Fools

&TEAM Academy : season 1 EP.01 (with. j-hope of BTS)

Brand endorsement

House ambassador for Louis Vuitton (2023): tweets, J-Hope at the Men’s Fall-Winter 2023 Show, j-hope for Men’s Fall-Winter 2023

Magazines

W Korea August release (2022): tweets

Esquire Korea August issue (2023): tweets, interview, #StayTuned, Louis Vuitton 2023 Fall-Winter Men's Collection Behind Scene, j-hope's precious selfies

Interviews

BE comeback interview: “Even just one, single love is beautiful, but we’re getting love from all over the world”

Butter release interview: “I’m not the kind of person to settle for their life as it is”

Proof release interview: “I’m going to look for the way that’s right for me”

Trivia

He forms the group Sope with SUGA. As this subunit, they made the show  화개장터 (Hwagae market) and the Japanese song “Otsukare”.

[sultankudaratofficial]

Sultan Kudarat’s Pride: Yvonne Tañeza Conquers Mrs. Grand Universe 2023

In the heart of Pagsanjan, Laguna, the world witnessed the crowning glory of Mrs. Grand Universe 2023 from December 1st to 9th, 2023. Among the 15 outstanding candidates from different countries, one remarkable woman, Mrs. Yvonne Tañeza, emerged victorious on the Coronation Night of December 9, 2023. Hailing from the modest province of Sultan Kudarat, Yvonne’s triumph not only signifies personal achievement but also serves as an inspiration for the entire community.

A Humble Beginning in Sultan Kudarat

Yvonne Tañeza, now 35, spent her early years in Sitio Nakan, Kapaya, Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat. Her journey to the global stage of Mrs. Grand Universe reflects a life woven with challenges, hope, and enduring spirit. Growing up in poverty, she began working in the fields at the tender age of 9. While others enjoyed leisure, Yvonne found pride in selling yema candy and banana chips during school recess, earning every centavo with determination.

Despite facing humble meals and treacherous river crossings to school, her spirit remained unbroken. Yvonne’s childhood adversities became the bedrock of her strength, propelling her towards a brighter future.

A Beacon of Hope in Hospitality

Armed with a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management and 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry across the UAE and the USA, Yvonne’s professional journey reflects her unwavering determination. Starting as a waitress, she climbed the professional ladder, becoming the Personal Assistant to the Cluster General Manager at the prestigious Wyndham Dubai Deira Hotels and Radisson Blu Dubai Deira Creek.

Yvonne’s success in the international hospitality arena mirrors her commitment to excellence and hard work, proving that one’s background is not a barrier to success.

A Queen's Commitment to Service and the "RISE AGAINST HUNGER" Advocacy

Yvonne’s commitment to community service earned her the “Most Outstanding Migrant Award for Community Service and Promotion of Cultural Diversity” by the Global Migrant Heritage Foundation, USA. From supporting cancer patients in the Philippines and the USA to being crowned Mrs. Heritage Philippines USA 2019, Yvonne has been a beacon of hope and support.

Her dedication extends globally, reaching distressed Filipino workers, cancer patients, and less privileged children. Through financial contributions, outreach programs, and personal interventions, Yvonne embodies selflessness and kindness. Notably, her advocacy aligns seamlessly with the advocacy of Mrs. Grand Universe 2023: “RISE AGAINST HUNGER.”

Advocating for Education: Mrs. Grand Universe 2023

As Mrs. Grand Universe 2023, Yvonne’s advocacy centers around supporting education for the underprivileged, a cause closely tied to the pageant’s advocacy. Her personal journey from poverty to success fuels her belief that education is a transformative tool against hunger and poverty.

Yvonne’s message resonates: every child, regardless of their socio-economic background, deserves the chance to learn, explore their potential, and lead a purposeful life. Her vision is clear – a universe where every child has the key to bright futures, free from the chains of hunger.

Yvonne's Gratitude for Prestigious Titles

In expressing her deep appreciation, Yvonne extends her heartfelt gratitude to the esteemed judges for acknowledging her efforts and bestowing upon her titles that will forever hold a special place in her heart:

Mrs. Grand Universe 2023

Mrs. Grand Universe 2023 “Brand Ambassador”

Mrs. Grand Universe “Charity Queen”

Best in National Costume

Best in Evening Gown

Caliraya Lake Forest Hidden Resort Ambassador

A Visionary Future for Sultan Kudarat

Yvonne’s success story from the farms of Sultan Kudarat to the global stage inspires every young Filipino dreamer. Her call to focus on education, chase dreams, and carry the heart of a good citizen echoes her own journey.

Looking ahead, Yvonne aspires to usher in prosperity through entrepreneurship and lay the foundation for the education of underprivileged children. Her enduring message reminds us that every challenge, especially the battle against hunger, is a stepping stone to greatness.

Mrs. Yvonne Tañeza’s triumph at Mrs. Grand Universe 2023 not only brings pride to Sultan Kudarat but stands as a testament to the power of unwavering faith, perseverance, dedication, and the collective effort to “RISE AGAINST HUNGER”.

[johnreymalto]

John Rey Malto

John Rey Malto is a Filipino Social Media Personality and Talent Manager. He was born on October 22, 1991 in Manila Philippines. He holds a Bachelor of Arts, major in Political Science, and he also earned six units in Education from Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University. (2013-2017) at San Fernando City, La Union. and he likewise took up a vocational course in Photography at Lorma Colleges in 2018.

He also enrolled in a Masteral Degree in Master of Development Administration: major in Public Administration (undergraduate) from Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University - College of Graduate Studies in 2018 at San Fernando City, La Union.

In 2017, he started handling models and beauty queens. He uses this opportunity to share his knowledge and skills with his talents, and this opens him to the world of show business.

In 2018, John Rey Malto is one of the former directors of the International Modeling Competition in the Philippines and from there he continued to handle the models and talents.

In 2019, John Rey Malto receive a recognition for sharing his expertise during the Film lecture and workshop on basic theater acting, held at the conference hall of the Schools Divisions of Abra on May 19, 2019 by the Department of Education, Cordillera Administrative Region, Division of Abra - Bangued Abra. This recognition for John Rey Malto is because of such act of generosity is highly commendable hence this sincere attestation of gratitude was given to his by the DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

In 2020, during the Pandemic time, John Rey Malto continued to persevere in the Showbiz and Entertainment industry even though it was very difficult then, no matter how difficult it was, he was still consistent in his work for his talents, and at the same time, he worked in an Advertising Company's to support himself for his needs.

In 2021, John Rey Malto is one of the awardees at ATC INTERNATIONAL for GOLDEN STAR AWARD as an "Outstanding Contribution to the Entertainment Industry and Selfless Public Service", held on December 27, 2021 at Seascape Manila Philippines.

In 2022, John Rey Malto also received an awards at Alliance of Hospitality and Tourism Movers of the Philippines (AHTOMP) for the "Most Outstanding Talent Manager, and Inspiring Artist Management of the Year" held on October 08, 2022 at Manila Grand Opera Hotel & Casino.

He was also a former Consultant/Ambassador of a Prestigious Talent Agency. He is a member of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), a former Associate Producer of an Online TV Channel, and currently a freelance Researcher/Talent Coordinator in the showbiz and entertainment industry on the different TV networks, such as GMA NETWORK, ABS CBN, & TV5 and also affiliated as a Talent Coordinator in various Film Productions and Talent Agencies in the Philippines.

Despite of difficulties and challenges in life, the same was not a hindrance to fulfilling his dream's of completing and obtaining a college degree. John Rey Malto was then a working student, he worked in a various Fastfood chain like Jollibee | McDonald's | Chowking - as service crew, 7-Eleven Philippines - as cashier, Lee Jeans & RRJ (Rough Rider Jeans) - as fashion consultant and Real state as Administrator.

As he pursues his career, he encourages the younger generation to value education regardless of their social and economic status.

John Rey Malto is now a fulfilled talent manager dedicated to discovering those who have the talent or quality to become a star one day.

One of his goal is to help aspiring artist's to further improve and shape their talents and skills, so that they can fulfill their dreams of becoming an actor, singer, dancer, model or star in the future.

This year 2023, John Rey Malto is very grateful because he is one of the recognized Talent Managers in the Showbiz industry today.

He added, if you love your passion, don't give up, just keep going, because if you have perseverance in what your dream of, you will achieve it at the right time.

[thxnews]

Anne Curtis: Actress, Model, Host, Entrepreneur, and Recording Artist

  If you are a Filipino teenager who loves watching television dramas and variety shows, then you might have heard of Anne Curtis. For those who do not know her yet, Anne is a Filipino-Australian actress, model, television host, entrepreneur, and recording artist. She started her career as a child actress and rose to fame in the early 2000s. Today, she is one of the most sought-after celebrities not only in the Philippines but also in other parts of the world. In this article, we will give you a glimpse of what makes Anne Curtis such a phenomenal artist.  

Early Days

Anne Curtis was born on February 17, 1985, in Yarrawonga, Victoria, Australia. Her father is a Filipino, and her mother is an Australian. She spent her early years in Australia and moved to the Philippines when she was 12 years old. Her acting career started when she joined a talent search program in 1997. After winning the talent search, Anne's career started to take off. She landed her first television role in the drama series "Ikaw Na Sana" in 1998. Although her role was small, it was enough to get her noticed by producers and directors in the industry. She continued to work hard and take on different roles in different shows. One of Anne's most well-known roles was in the hit drama series "Kampanerang Kuba." In the series, she played the lead role of "Ampalaya," a young girl with a hunchback who had supernatural powers. The series was a huge success and helped propel Anne to greater heights in the entertainment industry. She went on to star in other popular dramas such as "Maging Sino Ka Man," "Ina, Kapatid, Anak," and "BuyBust." It wasn't just in acting where Anne excelled - she also ventured into music and hosting. She released several albums and even hosted popular shows such as "It's Showtime" and "The Voice Kids." Her talent and versatility made her a fan favorite and household name in the Philippines.  

Modeling Career

Anne Curtis started her modeling career at the young age of 12 when she was discovered while in a department store. At that time, modeling was only a part-time job for her as she was still in school. However, her natural beauty and unique features caught the attention of many people in the industry, leading to her first-ever modeling stint for a teen magazine. Her career as a model started to take off when she joined international beauty pageants such as Miss Teen Philippines and the Asian Supermodel Contest. Soon after, Anne signed on as the first Filipina endorser for an international clothing brand, Penshoppe in 2006. The brand's focus on trendy, accessible, and affordable fashion perfectly matched Anne's youthful and edgy personality. With Anne's endorsement, Penshoppe became a household name in the Philippines. Moreover, Anne became one of the country's most influential celebrity endorsers, proving her power as a model. Anne's success with Penshoppe opened more doors for her career in modeling. In 2010, she walked the runway of Dubai Fashion Week alongside other international models. That same year, she also became a brand ambassador for L'Oreal Paris Philippines, joining the likes of international supermodels such as Doutzen Kroes, Karlie Kloss, and Barbara Palvin. With her stunning looks, poise, and modeling prowess, Anne became an winner in the industry. Today, Anne continues to thrive in the modeling world. In 2019, she launched her own fashion and beauty line, BLK cosmetics. The cosmetics brand was a culmination of Anne's passions for both modeling and makeup artistry. Her line features a wide array of products from lipsticks, eyeliners, and eyebrow products to foundations, powders, and skincare items. The brand's mission is to empower women through beauty, an ethos that perfectly embodies Anne's personality.  

Events Host

Anne Curtis is a household name in the Philippines when it comes to hosting. She has proven time and again that she is more than just a pretty face on television. Anne is a versatile host who can keep a crowd engaged and laughing for hours. Her hosting skills are not limited to just the noontime variety show "It's Showtime," as she has also hosted numerous international events.   Natural Charm and Wit Anne Curtis has a natural charm that attracts people to her. She has the ability to make people feel at ease and comfortable with her. This charisma enables her to connect with her audience, making them feel that they are part of the show. Anne also has a great sense of humor that keeps the audience engaged throughout the show. Her wit is particularly evident during her impromptu segments where she interacts with the audience.   Versatility Anne Curtis is versatile in hosting various types of shows. She started her hosting career on the reality show "Qpids," then eventually hosted "ASAP" and "The Voice Kids." However, her most prominent hosting gig is "It's Showtime," where she has been a mainstay for many years. Anne has also hosted international events such as the "Asian Television Awards" and the "New York Festivals International Television and Film Awards." Her versatility is evident in the way she adapts to the different formats of each show.   Professionalism Anne Curtis is a professional host who takes her job seriously. She prepares well for every show and ensures that she knows all the segments, scripts, and even the guests before they go on air. Her professionalism enables her to handle unexpected situations with ease, making her a reliable host. Anne also exudes a positive attitude and is respectful of her co-hosts, guests, and crew, making her a joy to work with.   Timeless Appeal Anne Curtis has been in the entertainment industry for over two decades, and yet, she continues to be relevant and in demand. Her timeless appeal transcends generations, making her a favorite among teenagers, adults, and the elderly alike. Her hosting style is relatable and authentic, making her stand out as a host that everyone loves.   Philanthropy Aside from hosting, Anne Curtis is also active in various charities. Her charitable endeavors are a testament to her kind heart and genuine desire to help those in need. She has established the Anne Curtis Foundation, which focuses on helping disadvantaged children by providing them with healthcare, education, and even livelihood programs. Anne's philanthropic work shows that she is more than just a host, but also a compassionate human being who cares about the welfare of others.  

Conclusion

Anne Curtis is more than just a celebrity. She is a multi-talented artist who has succeeded in various fields. Her success in the entertainment industry is a testament to her hard work, talent, and dedication. She is an inspiration to many young Filipinos, especially those who aspire to make it in show business. Anne Curtis is not only a phenomenal artist but also a philanthropist who uses her platform to help others. She is truly a role model that Filipino teenagers can look up to.   Sources: THX News & Wikipedia. Read the full article

[jovelagraceorabe]

FAMOUS FILIPINO WRITERS

Photo edit: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/07/05/when-the-nation-was-an-easy-street/

PAZ MARQUEZ- BENITEZ

Paz marquez was a celebrated filipino writers, known for her contribution to philippine literature the early 20th century. She was born on March 3, 1884, in Lucena City Quezon Province, Philippines and grew up in a family of intellectuals.

Benitez received her education at the University of Philippines, where ahe became involve in various literary organization and publication. In 1925, she wrote her famous work, the short story "Dead Star" which was published the Philippine history and has since became a classic of Philippine.

"Dead Star" explores theme of love and regret and the passage of the time and its noted for its vivid characterization and masterful use for language. The story also reflected tension between tradition and modernity in the Philippines society, which were becoming increasingly pronounced during the early 20th century.

Benitez was also deducted teacher and educator. She taught English and Literature at the University of the Philippines for over three decades and was known for her committed to promoting the values of education and social responsibility

Paz Benitez passed away on November 10, 1983 at the age of 89. Ther legacy as a writers and educator continues to inspire generations of Filipino.

photo edit: https://www.carlospromulo.org/bio

CARLOS ROMULO

Carlos P. Romulo was born on January 14, 1899, in Camiling, Tarlac, Philippines. He was the son of Gregorio Romulo, a former mayor of Camiling, and Margarita Pecson. Romulo's parents were both educated and had high aspirations for their children. Romulo's father encouraged him to pursue an education in law, which he did, graduating from the University of the Philippines in 1918.

Romulo began his career as a journalist and worked as a reporter for various newspapers in the Philippines and the United States. He then went on to work for the Manila Bulletin, where he eventually became editor-in-chief. In 1941, he was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for his coverage of the war in Europe.During World War II, Romulo served as an aide to General Douglas MacArthur and played a significant role in the liberation of the Philippines from Japanese occupation. After the war, he served as the Philippines' ambassador to the United States from 1946 to 1952. He was also the president of the United Nations General Assembly from 1949 to 1950.

In addition to his political and diplomatic career, Romulo was also a prolific writer. He wrote numerous books, including his autobiography, "I Walked with Heroes," and the Pulitzer Prize-winning play, "The Shroud of Darkness." He was also a regular contributor to various newspapers and magazines, including the New York Times.Romulo was known for his eloquence and his passionate advocacy for the Philippines and the Filipino people. He was a staunch defender of democracy and human rights and played a significant role in shaping the political and social landscape of his country.

[normanblogs]

Ambassador and Ambassadress of the World Philippines 2019: The first four pairs of Official Candidates

Ambassador and Ambassadress of the World Philippines 2019: The first four pairs of Official Candidates

An upcoming event that is not your typical pageantry. A mixture of confidence, talent and beauty. Astonishing the audience with the candidates’ sharp wit and remarkable talent that will bring-forth the world an epitome of versatile models.

Witness who will be crowned Ambassador and Ambassadress of the World-Philippines 2019 on June 22, 2019.

—

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———— Support your candidate’s journey and…

[takeoffphilippines]

Getting Out of Her Comfort Zone, Bea Alonzo Sizzles as the New Tanduay Calendar Girl

2021 has been a year of changes for Bea Alonzo, and it has also been a year of growth. People not only saw her transfer to GMA from her former mother network of more than two decades; they also saw her become more confident and open to conquering new challenges.

This is what makes her the perfect Tanduay Calendar Girl for 2022, as the brand wanted someone who is brave enough to try new things and is willing to change in order to grow.

“She is the Tanduay Calendar Girl we need during these uncertain times. Someone who will remind us that change can be a good thing, but you have to be strong as you breeze through these changes. No stress, just be calm and collected, so you can emerge beautifully out of every situation you are in,” said said Marc Ngo, Tanduay Senior Brand Manager and International Business Development Manager.

He added that Bea is a top-caliber actress, who has remained relevant over the years and even during this pandemic.

“She’s going through a transition in her career, a blossoming stage, if you may call it. She values her craft and her authenticity shines through,” Ngo said.

The theme for Bea’s Tanduay Calendar Girl shoot is La Dolce Vita. While she was briefed about the theme, the talented actress was given the freedom to interpret it with direction from the Creative Team.

“I was really nervous at first because it was my first time to do a sexy photo shoot (Kinakabahan ako at first kasi first time ko gagawa ng sexy photo shoot),” Alonzo confessed.

Ngo said that the shoot came out the way they envisioned it.

“It was done tastefully with Bea exuding her natural, subtle sexiness into the whole composition. The setting is the countryside, which complemented the calming effect when one looks at Bea,” he said.

Alonzo expressed that she is more than excited to become part of the elite circle of women who became Tanduay Calendar Girls.

“Each of them are not only beautiful, but have many admirable attributes as well. They’re strong, independent, and talented,” she said.

Previous Tanduay Calendar Girls include Heart Evangelista, KC Concepcion, Ellen Adarna, Barbie Imperial, and 2021’s Ivana Alawi, among others.

Asked how she felt when she learned that she was chosen to represent the brand for the coming year, Alonzo said that she was surprised at first and ecstatic the next.

“Hindi ako makapaniwala! Tanduay kasi is an iconic brand na kilala sa buong mundo at napakadaming natanggap na international awards. Napakalaking karangalan para sa akin na maging Tanduay calendar girl. (I couldn’t believe it! Tanduay is an iconic brand that is known all over the world and has received so many international awards. To be the Tanduay calendar girl is a huge honor),” Alonzo said.

Alonzo herself has numerous awards to her name. In 2019, she was declared the “Leading Lady of the Century” by the Film Development Council of the Philippines. She also has several Best Actress awards for movies and TV, and has been a recipient of a Box Office Queen award and a Phenomenal Box Office Star award.

Apart from the Tanduay Calendar Girl project, the company is also exploring other collaborations with the actress.

As for her movie and TV projects for the coming year, fans can look forward to her first primetime teleserye as a Kapuso, and a movie with Embassy Whiskey brand ambassador Alden Richards, among others.

“Tibay Tanduay. That’s something we need as we welcome the changes in our life. Have the courage to do something different. It’s only when you open yourself up to changes that you will grow as a person,” Alonzo said.

-

[kalebishop]

Hope in a Mean World

The January 06 2021 US Capitol Attack. The Decaying Great Barrier Reef. Cancel Culture. Mean comments in social media. Asians attacked on American streets. COVID-19. The death toll of COVID reaching 2.5 million and rising.

 The list of deaths, disasters, conflicts, violence and wars from recent reports to the archived ones goes on and on, and the future may bring many more. Everyday there is always something new reported in the news, and without a doubt, there will always be something awful, unbelievable, or shocking, and only once or twice within an entire 30-minute news program will there be good news, unless of course it’s a magazine program. Some people view this as just information on the current events, but there are others who have been overexposed to these images of violence and abuse, thus they have begun to believe that we live in an evil world, a dangerous world…  a mean world.

 The phenomenon when someone believes in such a world is called ‘The Mean World Syndrome’; a hypothesized cognitive bias coined by George Gerbner back in the 1960s. The effects tend to overwhelm us viewers and consumers of these forms of media and it draws us toward the conclusion that we are living in a hostile world. It’s not just found in the news, but it’s also found in our Film, TV, and with the dawn of the internet the channels which violence can migrate to have expanded to social media, web searching, and video games. With the evolution of technology comes the evolution of communication, both good and bad, and in the latter’s case, it has invented cyberbullying, hate mails, hate messages, mean comments, and cancel culture, because of its ease of use to communicate such messages to others.

 Messages of violence tend to spread and evolve. For example, Trump’s Supporters attacked the capitol after Trump himself ordered them to do so. News reports and live coverage followed later of masses of people banging on the doors, breaking windows, and injuring police just to seek the heads of the Democrats and Nancy Pelosi herself. What followed were gunshots, tear gas, control tactics, and the arrival of military reinforcements. There were also reports of vandalism to have occurred. There was also a scaffold of a hanging station found.

 Another example, is the picture posted by a Chinese government official about an Australian soldier about to kill an Afghanistan child at knifepoint. This is in reference to the controversial misconduct of Australian soldiers killing innocent civilians during their fight against terrorism in the country. Several Ministers, most notably the Prime Minister, The Opposition Leader, and the Foreign affairs minister, were outraged by this post and called China to take the post down and demand an apology from them. That same week, a Chinese Embassy Ambassador to Australia named Wang Xining testified in the media that he was disappointed in the Prime Minister’s reactions to the work of an ‘artist’.

 Not just through tech, but through the people it evolves too, or perhaps it’s more accurate to say, the people have evolved to abuse technology, or technology was upgraded to be easy to use for everyone, including the abusers.

 With that said, with all the facts, news reports and evidence, is the world truly evil, irredeemable, and hopeless?

After a long hard fight against COVID-19 from December 2019 until the present, countries such as Australia and New Zealand have reported minimal cases and have begun opening up again. Millions of frontline workers have been working tirelessly day and night and finally they are starting to receive vaccinations that they need including those from the Philippines, and soon the rest of the world will too, and at this rate we are expecting countries to start reopening by June of this year. With pandemic protocols, people have found new ways to generate income while making time for the things that matter to them such as spending time with their family, picking up or continuing a hobby, or finally getting a good night’s rest. A CNN Philippines news report, which was at March 10 2021, at the time of this essay’s first draft, was about the entertainment industry finally resuming production and will put over 400,000 workers back in a job. Finally, you, the reader, are a survivor of this COVID-19 pandemic and are still fighting to live another day; it’s a big news to keep celebrating about, even if it isn’t mass media worthy.

 The Mean World Syndrome, although growing in numbers, is simply a cognitive bias that could greatly affect our mental health if subjected to repeated exposure to such images of violence. However, it can also be countered by exposure and acknowledgement of a lot of good news and counting the good facts, or in other words, counting your blessings, and counting the things that bring you love. We don’t really do that every day, I understand, we are either so caught in our busy lives, or there truly is a lack of a newsletter which provides hopeful news bulletins all the way. If a journalist’s job is to cover relevant stories and events, then it’s our job to keep ourselves updated with the good things around us, and yes, it’s really a 24/7 full-time job to be our own ‘good news’ journalists.

 Don’t know where to start? First, you’re alive. Second, You have people who love you. Third, you’re working towards a better version of yourself today. Every smallest good news counts, heck even entertainment news covers every sensitive detail about celebrities, and gossip covers every little flaw in a person, so why can’t something as simple as a baby’s first laughter be news?

[bountyofbeads]

https://amp.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/21/trump-state-visit-cancellation-over-greenland-shocks-danes?CMP=twt_gu&utm_medium=&utm_source=Twitter&__twitter_impression=true

Donald J. Trump is the world's WORST negotiator. No wonder he has gone BANKRUPT 6Xs.

Greenland highlights Trump’s willingness to offend close US allies

By cancelling his state visit to Denmark, the US president has again showed his thin skin

By Simon Tisdall | Published:07:51 Wed August 21, 2019 | Guardian | Posted August 21, 2019 100:00 AM ET |

Donald Trump’s abrupt decision to cancel his state visit to Denmark after it rejected his unsolicited offer to buy Greenland at a knockdown price took most people by surprise, not least his own ambassador.

“Denmark is ready … Partner, ally, friend”, tweeted Carla Sands, the neophyte US envoy to Copenhagen who was previously an actor and chiropractor. Hours later, it was off.

The embarrassment of Sands, a loyal Trump campaign fundraiser best known until now for her starring role in the 1988 film Deathstalker and the Warriors from Hell, elicited scant sympathy from Danes apparently relieved the US president was not coming.

“Hahaha, well maybe your boss should update you about what is going on in his mind. This proves how crazy this administration is,” one Twitter user wrote. Some American respondents apologised for their president’s behaviour.

Greenland’s unsought role in this new Nordic saga, wacky even by Trump’s eccentric standards, has again raised questions about his mental state and a chaotic decision-making process in Washington that often leaves partners and allies out in the cold.

Trump recently secretly ordered military strikes on Iran, then called them off with 10 minutes to go. He caused more Scandinavian amazement and amusement last month when he sent a hostage negotiator to Sweden after the American rapper A$AP Rocky was arrested for common assault.

Anthony Scaramucci, a former communications director for Trump, told the BBC the much-pummelled president was like a punch-drunk boxer still standing in the 12th round with no real idea what he was doing. His handlers should throw in the towel, Scaramucci suggested.

That may be an overly kind explanation. The Greenland episode has also highlighted Trump’s personal rudeness and undiplomatic willingness to offend close US allies. The visit next month was at the invitation of Queen Margrethe II, who, unlike Prince Hamlet, was apparently prepared to tolerate something rotten in the state of Denmark, at least for a couple of days. She will not be amused.

Mette Frederiksen, the Danish prime minister, was glacially cool towards the idea of selling Greenland to Trump. She described the US, which maintains a military base in Qaanaaq, also known as Thule, in north-west Greenland, as a valued strategic and Nato partner. But she poured cold water on the purchase, suggesting it smacked of disrespectful neocolonial attitudes.

“Thankfully, the time where you buy and sell other countries and populations is over. Let’s leave it there,” Frederiksen said during a trip to Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory. The attempt to buy it was “absurd”. It is this blunt response that seems to have provoked the thin-skinned Trump to put his trip on ice.

The idea of such deals is not new, though dated. An expansionist US, pursing what was once called its “manifest destiny”, often bought or seized territory in the past. In 1803, it paid Napoleon $15m for a huge area of land ranging from what is now Canada to the south-eastern US, a deal known as the Louisiana purchase.

In 1848, the US relieved Mexico of about half its national territory, including most of what is now California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Wyoming. In 1867, it bought Alaska from the Russians. In 1898, it took possession of the Philippines, Guam and Puerto Rico after fighting a war with Spain. The US once harboured designs on Cuba and Panama.

But Greenland residents plainly do not want to follow the US Virgin Islands, sold by Denmark in 1917. They have reportedly dismissed Trump’s offer, calling it patronising and unwelcome. Yet the fact the idea was even raised may serve to reinforce longstanding resentment, mostly directed at Copenhagen, that Greenlanders are treated as second-class citizens.

Political tensions have fuelled calls for independence among residents of the vast, sparsely populated island where about 57,000 people occupy 836,000 sq miles. Despite its largely untapped mineral wealth, which is what is said to most interest Trump, it is heavily dependent on more than £400m in annual subsidies from Denmark.

In common with other Arctic territories, Greenland has a recent history of social problems, including high rates of alcoholism, drug abuse and suicide among the indigenous Inuit people. Increased tourism has proved a mixed blessing.

Greenland is also disproportionately affected by the climate crisis and global heating.

According to a CNN report from Kulusuk this week, scientists say 12.5bn tonnes of ice melted on one day this month – the biggest single-day loss ever recorded. That’s no joke – and it is a problem Trump stubbornly refuses to address.

‘A narcissistic fool’: Danes hit out at Trump over cancelled visit

US president faces criticism for calling off Denmark trip after he is told Greenland not for sale

Shaun Walker | Published Wed 21 Aug 2019 08.59 EDT | Guardian | Posted August 21, 2019 9:48 AM ET |

The Danish prime minister has said she is surprised and disappointed that Donald Trump has called off his planned visit to the country over Copenhagen’s refusal to sell Greenland to the US.

Mette Frederiksen said the US president’s decision would not affect strategic, military or commercial cooperation between their two countries. She had previously said his Greenland proposal was absurd.

Politicians from across the spectrum were united in their condemnation. “There are already many good reasons to think that the man is a fool, and now he has given another good reason,” Eva Flyvholm, the foreign policy chair for Denmark’s Red-Green Alliance, told Danish media.

The former prime minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt tweeted: (See Website or Twitter)

Villy Søvndal, a former foreign minister, said the decision “confirms that Donald Trump is a narcissistic fool”.

The US president had been due to visit Denmark in early September but announced on Twitter late on Tuesday night that there was no longer any point in the visit. “Based on Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen’s comments, that she would have no interest in discussing the purchase of Greenland, I will be postponing our meeting scheduled in two weeks for another time,” Trump wrote. The White House later confirmed the visit had been called off.

Søvndal told the Danish newspaper Berlingske that Trump’s decision showed he was unaware of the basic rules of diplomacy. “If he had been a clown in a circus, you could probably say that there is considerable entertainment value. The problem is that he is the president of the most powerful nation in the world,” he said.

The awkwardness was compounded by the fact that the US ambassador to Denmark had tweeted her excitement about the upcoming visit a few hours before Trump made his announcement. “Denmark is ready for the POTUS visit! Partner, ally, friend,” she wrote.

A spokeswoman for the Danish royal household, which had formally invited Trump, said she was surprised by the cancellation.

Greenland, a vast island bordering the Arctic Ocean that is 85% covered in ice, was a Danish colony until 1953. It gained autonomous territory status in 1979, but the island’s economy depends heavily on Danish subsidies. It has 55,000 inhabitants, many of whom favour full independence from Denmark.

Many in Denmark had initially assumed the story of Trump’s desire to buy the large, sparsely populated island was either meant in jest or as a distraction tactic. Trump even tweeted a photograph of a small Greenland village with a large Trump tower photoshopped in, but he appears to have been serious about the proposal, or at least offended by the firm rebuff it received.

Why might Donald Trump want to buy Greenland?

Greenland harbours some of the largest deposits of rare-earth metals, including neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium and terbium, along with uranium and the byproducts of zinc.

US corporations once thought of China as a benign supplier of rare-earth metals for mobile phones, computers and more recently electric cars. And the US government was relaxed when Chinese companies began hoovering up mines across central and southern Africa to secure an even greater dominance of the global market.

But the arrival of Xi Jinping as China’s leader, and his more aggressive foreign policy stance, has spooked many US policymakers. Among Trump’s advisers, the need for greater economic independence has raced up the agenda.

A potential target for the US is Greenland Minerals, an Australian company that has generated a good deal of excitement since it started operating on Greenland’s south-west peninsula in 2007 to develop the Kvanefjeld mine, which is home to many rare-earth metals.

More than 100m tonnes of ore are believed to be sitting below the surface and the project is expected to become one of the largest global producers outside China.

[phgq]

PH evaluates repatriation requests of OFWs in Italy

#PHnews: PH evaluates repatriation requests of OFWs in Italy

MANILA — The Philippines is currently receiving repatriation requests from overseas Filipino workers in Italy amid the rapid spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in the European state.

Philippine Ambassador Domingo Nolasco on Tuesday said the embassy is currently evaluating the requests.

"May mga nag-request na so ini-evaluate namin iyon ng isa-isa kung talagang legitimate ba ang pag-uwi nila kasi 'yong iba gusto pa nilang bumalik... gusto munang magpalipas ng panahon dito kasi natatakot sila (There are requests already so we are evaluating it individually whether the request to go home is legitimate because some still want to come back)," he said in a Laging Handa briefing.

The envoy has not indicated the timeline as well as the number of those who requested, but assured the Philippines is ready to assist OFWs.

With Italy under lockdown, Nolasco said the biggest concern for most Filipinos there is employment.

"Ang pinakamalaking concern nila ngayon, karamihan sa kanila ay nawalan ng trabaho o nabawasan ng oras ang trabaho, so ang mga request po sa amin ay for financial assistance. 'Yung iba naman gusto nang umuwi muna, ini-evaluate namin 'yong mga requests (Their biggest concern is employment because some have lost their job, so the request are mostly financial assistance, the others were repatriation, we are evaluating the requests," he said.

On Sunday, the government repatriated a total of 370 Filipino crew members from three cruise ships docked in Italy.

This follows the series of repatriation of distressed Filipinos affected by the Covid-19 pandemic from China, Japan, Macao and US.

In the entire Europe, including Italy, there at least 97 Filipinos infected with Covid-19. Citing the privacy laws of Italy, Nolasco deferred from providing specific figures.

According to the latest data from the World Health Organization, there are a total of 693,224 Covid-19 cases globally. Of this number, at least 97,689 were recorded in Italy. (PNA)

***

References:

* Philippine News Agency. " PH evaluates repatriation requests of OFWs in Italy." Philippine News Agency. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1098328 (accessed March 31, 2020 at 10:32PM UTC+14).

* Philippine News Agency. " PH evaluates repatriation requests of OFWs in Italy." Archive Today. https://archive.ph/?run=1&url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1098328 (archived).

[dimensionsunited]

SEPTEMBER 2019 DIMENSIONS ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULES & REVIEW

Members may earn 3 points each (up to 6 points) for writing, by the end of October 7 KST:

A solo para of 400+ words based on their monthly schedule (does not count toward your monthly total).

A thread of six posts (three per participant, including the starter) based on their monthly schedule.

Threads do not have to take place directly during an important date listed on the schedule, but must be related to what the muse is mentioned to be doing in the paragraph explaining their schedule/the company’s schedule for the month and/or their thoughts on the mentioned activities or lack thereof.

These schedules may be updated throughout the month if new information needs to be added.

Reminder: August schedule posts are due by the end of September 7 KST.

Overall Company

A break for Dimensions idols has been a rare sight recently, but they’ve all been granted Chuseok off for a three-day break unless they have other individual voluntary activities to attend to. For many of the artists under Dimensions, this won’t so much be enough time to recuperate after their recent schedules as it is the eye of the storm of their nonstop activities as Dimensions attempts to cash in as much as possible on their rise.

Important dates:

September 12-14: Chuseok break (no activities save for specific voluntary individual schedules).

Dimensions Soloist 1

The Asian leg of her tour wraps up mid-month in Tokyo and at the end of the month she begins her European leg of the tour, which is the final leg of the tour for her. Her comeback has been internally confirmed for October, but executives have made the final decision to do a single release instead of an album as they’d originally planned since the release will be too late to have much of a chance at awards. By the end of the month, the song will be completely recorded and mastered and she should know the choreography to the song by heart.

September 6: Warning Tour concert at Taiwan University Sports Centre in Taipei, Taiwan.

September 19: Warning Tour concert at TSUTAYA O-East in Tokyo, Japan.

September 26: Warning Tour concert at Indigo at the O2 in London, England.

September 29: Warning Tour concert at Progresja in Warsaw, Poland.

Dimensions Soloist 2

It’s finally the month of his first solo concert so management around him is buzzing in a way that usually only happens during comeback season. The tickets have sold well, so things are looking food for him as long as the concerts go off without a hitch, which Dimensions plans on ensuring by making sure the set list is drilled into him over and over again with practice leading up to the big weekend.

Important dates:

September 21: Ever After concert at Yonsei University Auditorium in Seoul, South Korea.

September 22: Ever After concert at Yonsei University Auditorium in Seoul, South Korea.

Gal.actic

Their pride festival performances last month went well and Dimensions is considering the possibility of expanding their target demographic more now. In the mean time, they’ve managed to book a deal as the new faces of sports wear and sports equipment brand Sports 7330 and will film a CF for them. Additionally, they’ll begin filming the reality show they were promised and the concept will be revealed to them as a show where they attend college to study skin care and cosmetics alongside a male comedian and a rising male model. The show will be titled Gal.actic Beauty School. The first of four episodes will film at the end of the month. They’ll learn about the making of cosmetic products and brainstorm about what product they want to make in teams, then they’ll have a meeting with their team leader’s friends which will be filmed with a “group date” vibe this episode for the “college experience”.

Model team: Leader/main vocal, main rapper/main dancer/vocal, and vocal

Comedian team: Lead vocal, maknae/vocal, and lead rapper/lead dancer/vocal

Important dates:

September 19: Sports 7330 CF filming.

September 27: Gal.actic Beauty School episode one filming.

Alien

Though they’re in the middle of music show promotions, Dimensions have opted for a big push overseas, which is evident in Alien’s schedule. Early in the month, they’re set to perform in the Philippines, and after Chuseok, their English version of Play It Cool releases as a prelude to a a few performances in Las Vegas. After they officially wrap music show promotions, they’re booked for a German K-Pop festival and once they return to Seoul, they’re on the clock quickly ticking down to the beginning of their world tour next month.

Important dates:

September 7: Performance at Klook Cosmic Celebration at Hall D, World Trade Center in Manila, Philippines.

September 18: Release of Play It Cool English Version.

September 20: Performance at iHeart Radio Music Festival at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV, USA.

September 21: Performance at Life Is Beautiful Festival in Las Vegas, NV, USA.

September 21: Performance at iHeart Radio Music Festival at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV, USA.

September 26: End of music show promotions.

September 28: Performance at Finger Heart Festival at SAP Arena in Mannheim, Germany (also performing: Element).

MARS

English lessons are on the schedule up until Chuseok along with practice for their Canadian fancon. There will be cameras present at some of their lessons and practices to record clips for a mini docu-series on the fan-con Dimensions plans to release on YouTube. They leave for Toronto on the 25th and in the days leading up to the fan-con they’ll film more for the mini-series by exploring Toronto together, with the itinerary mostly being up to the members. On the 28th, they’ll do a surprise public performance of “Cactus” and “Callin” and will later in the day stage a surprise for a dance cover group who is performing their song in public by joining them.

Important dates:

September 25-September 30: Mini docu-series filming.

September 29: MARS Global Fan-Con in Toronto, Canada.

September 30: MARS Global Fan-Con in Vancouver, Canada.

7ROPHY

Music show promotions end with only one win, but that’s still better than was expected from them before this year. Dimensions has taken advantage of demand for them in Thailand by booking them two different performances there at the end of the month, but before that, they continue their job as Kaja Beauty brand ambassadors and continue refreshing their Japanese for their Japanese comeback next month.

Important dates:

September 6: End of music show promotions.

September 10: Kaja Beauty photoshoot and individual interviews.

September 21: Performance at K-Crush 2019 Concert at Impact Challenger Hall 1 in Bangkok, Thailand (also performing: Gold Star Soloist 2).

September 29: Performance at KCON Thailand at Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand (also performing: BC Soloist 1)

Unity

The beginning of the month will look promising to fans who have been asking for Unity to be given a break, but contrary to their lack of public schedules, they’re hard at work behind the scenes to learn and record the English version of “Highway to Heaven” which will be released, non-promoted, next month. Following Chuseok, they’ll fly back out to the US to film the music video in the Mojave Desert over two days before returning to Seoul. Starting from the 21st, they’ll have a series of overseas performances and appearances to keep them busy.

Important dates:

September 16 & 17: Highway to Heaven (English Ver.) MV filming in the USA.

September 21: Performance at K-FLOW2 Concert at National Taiwan Sports University Arena in Taipei, Taiwan.

September 23: Angel Japan 1st Meeting 2019 Welcome To Our Playground Part 1 & Part 2 fan meetings at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan.

September 25: Release of Awaken Japanese album.

September 26: Awaken Hi-Touch at Roppongi Hills Arena in Tokyo, Japan.

September 28: Performance at Global Citizen Festival at Central Park Great Lawn in New York City, NY, USA.

Lucid

Their second block of Lucid Look After Our Dog shooting is set for this month, on top of two college festival performances and a cover video filming. Dimensions has arranged for Lucid to prepare a mash-up dance cover of some of the year’s boy group releases, Origin’s “Boy With Luv”, Knight’s “Love Shot”, Alien’s “Alligator”, and Unity’s “Simon Says”, for an industry YouTube channel, which will give them a chance to show off their more girl crush charms that have been less prevalent this year. For this month’s Look After Our Dog filming, they remain in the same teams, but meet new dogs for two new live streams. Team B once again wins for episodes 3 and 4 while Team A wins for the first time for episodes 5 and 6.

Team A

Main vocal/lead dancer (Team Captain)

Main dancer/vocal/rapper

Maknae/vocal

Episodes 3 & 4: Binu (Maltese) & Shampoo (Maltese) - Missions: Go camping, feed them cabbage, give them an afternoon nap

Episodes 5 & 6: Danchu (Coton de Tulear) & Kkomaengie (Coton de Tulear) - Missions: Do a wedding photo shoot for the dogs, make a cake for them, throw a birthday party for them

Team B

Main rapper/vocal (Team Captain)

Lead vocal

Leader/lead vocal/lead dancer

Episodes 3 & 4: Kwansun (Afghan Hound) - Missions: Take for a walk, go to the salon and style her hair, create fun memories

Episodes 5 & 6: Nicole (Welshi Corgi) & 7 puppies - Missions: Name the puppies, feed the puppies, go to the clinic and get the puppies’ first vaccinations

Important dates:

September 7: Lucid Look After Our Dogs episode three and four filming.

September 11: Hello82 2019 Boy Group Covers video filming.

September 18: Lucid Look After Our Dogs episode five and six filming.

September 26: Performance at Changwon National University Festival in Changwon.

September 27: Performance at Gyeongbok Provincial College Festival in Yecheon.

[stjohnsglobal]

Without a doubt, Paris has treated me well...

Paris has truly been nothing short of a dream, so much so that I wish I didn’t have to wake up anytime soon. It’s surreal— seeing things I’ve only watched in movies or read about. I’m blown away by the mere fact that I can just wake up and decide to picnic at the Eiffel Tower, or end my day by watching the sunset at Sacré-Cœur. The historical sites are wonderful, but I was also taken by the little wonders woven through the city, like the intricate architecture of the metro stations, or how the Parisians never fail to carry a book along with them on the train. Though a day is enough to fall in love with Paris, a month isn’t nearly enough to discover all the beauty it has to offer. I wish I could stop time for a moment here, but it’s almost like the brevity of it all makes me that much more grateful.  

Though traveling around Europe from here is convenient, I found little desire to venture out of the city, save for Barcelona. I knew I wanted to immerse myself completely in Paris, leaving the weekends for delving deeper into the arts and getting lost any way I could. The first excursion I went on was to Le Crazy Horse Caberet. For the longest time, I’ve been in love with the art of Burlesque; a bit risqué, it dramatizes striptease in a skillful, artistic albeit humorous manner, draped in Old Hollywood Glamour and Vintage Pin-Up. Everything about the show, from the production to the performers, was unbelievably beautiful.  

In the days to follow, I visited Shakespeare & Company quite a lot, choosing a random book and reading beside Aggie the Cat. Despite the many wandering visitors, the bookstore itself was intimate. It is a home for all those who love to read, myself included. My next outing was to the Louvre. I had no idea the museum was so massive! Unlike the size of the building, the Mona Lisa was tiny. It felt unreal standing in the same room as Leonardo da Vinci’s work. Musee D’orsay was next on my list. I was on a hunt for a particular painting: Dance in The Country by Renoir. It seems as though it only depicts a couple dancing happily, but if you look closer, you may notice that there is another person in the picture. Some interpret this painting as a hidden story of unrequited love. The woman outside the terrace seems as though she is longingly gazing at the man from afar, while he is staring closely at his dancing partner, who is beaming at the viewer outside of the painting. The secret admirer does not have a defined identity, but she has been dubbed by some as “The Peeping Woman”. A couple other outings I was able to experience was watching a ballet performance at Palais Garnier, walking up the Arc De Triumph, going to the top of the Eiffel Tower, seeing the Catacombs and strolling through the Palace of Versailles.

Every Wednesday, we would explore neighborhoods of Paris with the help of Matthieu, the Coordinator of Student Life. We first ventured to Champs-Elysees, where we discovered what is described by some as ‘the world’s most beautiful avenue’. Visitors flock to this street to shop, appreciating the high-end stores it has to offer. The next week, we made our way to Montmarte. By far, this was my favorite neighborhood. Matthieu explained that this neighborhood was enjoyed by visitors and locals alike. There were hidden gems sprinkled in every corner, like The Wall of I Love You and the its surviving windmills. The Latin Quarter was our next adventure. We painstakingly thanked the man that created the essay, Michel de Montaigne, by rubbing his foot. I tried Couscous, a North African delicacy, for the first time at Restaurant La Mosquée de paris, and it was wonderful! For our latest excursion, we went to the Marais neighborhood. We found ourselves in the Place des Vosges, which was a the oldest planned square in Paris. My friends and I visited L’as du Fallafel, a falafel sandwich restaurant whose line stretches down the whole street.  

For our Fall Break, I was fortunate enough to visit Barcelona, Spain. During Fall Break, I took a trip to Barcelona. Watching the Cheetah Girls strut through its streets gave me high expectations, and I’m happy to say, the city itself surpassed them entirely. We planned to visit Park Güell, La Sagrada Familia, Casa Mila, the Picasso Museum and the Magic Fountain. Each experience was beyond beautiful. My favorite place to visit was La Sagrada Familia. Walking inside was unreal. I have no words for how the light spilled into the Basilica through the stained-glass windows. The high-reaching walls and intricate ceiling was so well done, it looked like something out of a fairytale book.  

As my last detail, I’d like to include something personal. Last minute, I learned that my extended family’s business, Malagos Chocolate, was invited to Salon Du Chocolate, the biggest chocolate convention in the world, taking place in Porte de Versailles, Paris. Based in the Philippines, they farm and produce their own chocolate from Cacao beans. It was nice to see fans come up to my Lola, acknowledging her for her hard work. I was so happy to see her happy. It was lovely being reminded of home despite being almost 3,500 miles away from it.  

Without a doubt, Paris has treated me well. Though I’m still here, I already miss it. I’m so very thankful to Matthieu, Dheeraj, Farida and Isabelle for taking care of us. Ciao for now, Paris. I’m ready for Rome.  

Jillian K. Dorego, Fall 2019 Social Media Ambassador 

[proeticshadows]

[PR] Nadine Lustre is new GCash endorser

The country’s favorite young artist and model Nadine Lustre is the new face of the Philippines’ leading mobile wallet, GCash.

The multi-awarded actress headlines GCash’s “What Can’t You Do?” campaign to power the dreams of young adults who constantly want to do more, to expand possibilities, and to achieve beyond their own expectations.

“Nadine is the perfect fit for GCash because she represents the true aspirations of young adults and is at that point in her life where taking charge of your finances is becoming more important. She shows how young adults can be independent and take charge of their own lives, and with the help of GCash, “What Can’t You Do?” means so much more,” Chris Manguera, Chief Marketing Officer at Mynt, which runs GCash, said.

After starting out as a singer in a pop band, Lustre evolved to become a much-sought-after actress on TV, with her primetime hits "On The Wings of Love" (2015) and "Till I Met You" (2016).

The 25-year-old actress has fared as well on the big screen, winning the Best Actress awards from Young Critics Circle, FAMAS Awards and the Gawad Urian Awards in 2019 for  hit movie, “Never Not Love You.” Her latest film, “Indak,” a dance musical movie, shows Lustre’s flexibility as an actress.  

Early this year, one of world’s biggest fast fashion brands, H&M, launched Lustre as its first Filipino ambassador. The actress, named by a top magazine as Sexiest Woman in 2017, has her own line of swimwear with H&M.

“She has built her brand and can create the image of a lifestyle that everyone will want to follow. We hope for that to happen with GCash as well,” Manguera said. “We also want to activate her big fan base to help spread the word of financial inclusion and empowerment.”

Lustre, who was voted Artist of the Year and Favorite Female Artist at the Myx Music Awards 2019, is a social media savant who has 6.8 million followers on Instagram.

GCash’s “What Can’t You Do?” campaign pushes the limits of what mobile phones can do for young adults with its innovative financial services accessible through mobile. With over 50,000 partner merchants and 20 million users, GCash remains the country’s leading mobile wallet.

Like Lustre, who has won over the entire country  and has kept everyone’s attention throughout the years by relentlessly adapting to change, GCash continues to evolve not just as digital platform but as a lifestyle brand. 

[ingek73]

We Need to Talk About the Sussexes’ “Global Brand”

Sunday, 23 June 2019

Amidst a flurry of Saturday morning tasks, I caught up with my sister on the phone yesterday. We mulled over several topics before she inquired about the blogs and reports concerning the Royal Foundation: "Why do they blame Meghan for everything? What exactly is she supposed to have done that's not in line with the way the royals operate professionally?"

I've thought about these questions quite a bit since. It led me to carefully consider the reaction to news the Sussexes will leave the Royal Foundation and start their own charitable arm later this year. Surely, this is positive news? Well, apparently not. For this announcement has been met with....you guessed it....more criticism levelled at Meghan. Never mind it's been widely acknowledged the Sussexes did not push for the split, although all four are said to be pleased with the outcome. Headlines and furious social media posts appeared recently with such titles as "This is all Meghan's fault", "The Sussexes don't know their place", "They are not happy with their place within the family", "All they care about is creating a 'global brand'". You get the gist of it...

The term "Global Brand" has been bandied about along with outlandish speculation. Harry and Meghan have been accused of attempting to profit personally, running amok from Buckingham Palace with their own agenda and using this platform to break the royal mould. In the eyes of some the Sussexes are the downfall of the monarchy. What with their solid work ethic, proven successful projects, worldwide popularity and desire to use their roles for good, the Queen and her top aides must be positively shaking in their boots (or in Her Majesty's case her black patent Anello & Davide shoes). This is all sounding rather ridiculous isn't it?

Why has this been allowed to continue, escalate and take over the narrative you might ask? It's stemmed from an era of click-bait media where the lay of the land allows online journalists to write first, ask questions later, or better still don't ask them at all. A seething online fan war where misinformation becomes factual and, particularly, a complete lack of understanding, education and knowledge about the monarchy is worn as a badge of honour. I'm going to underline that because this is the crux of the issue and one which badly needs to be addressed before we are to endure months and years of vicious attacks against the Sussexes' foundation and future work. As long as this level of false information circulates on the internet and readers accept this as reality, it's not going anywhere, and I for one find it outrageous.

So, back to my sister's questions... "Why do they blame Meghan for everything? What exactly is she supposed to have done that's not in line with the way the royals operate professionally?" Step by step, I intend to answer that question using facts and senior members of the Royal family.

A 'Global' Royal Family?

As noted above, talk of a global 'Sussex Brand' has been used in the most derogatory sense. Members of the Royal family never focus on global issues, right? Incorrect. The royals' work in the UK is of course their primary job, but it isn't representative of their roles' sum total. Not at all. Representing Her Majesty in the Commonwealth and globally, in addition to supporting their own causes around the world plays a part in the working lives of most of the Royal family. I'm pleased to have learned of, and I'm delighted to share, the extent of those efforts by members of the British Royal family.

Certainly, when one is searching for an exemplary example of charitable work on any scale, we need look no further than the Prince of Wales. I could easily dedicate ten posts to his life's work and only barely scratch the surface. What I will focus on are his efforts and successes outside the UK to demonstrate the reach the Royal family has had for decades. Since Charles founded the Prince's Trust in 1976 (using his navy severance pay) to help vulnerable people get their lives back on track, his interests have grown to the point where he has over 400 patronages. His boundless desire to help others and to maximise the impact of his role has seen him launch, lead and support a number of charities further afield.

Have you heard of the Prince of Wales's Foundation Romania? Established in 2015, to take forward Charles' work in the country, the foundation develops a number of projects to support architectural heritage preservation, farming and sustainable development in Romania. As with much of Charles' work, it's about taking a practical, results-driven, sustainable approach. Relevant skills and practical courses are delivered to small farmers, producers of artisan food as well as Romania's wounded soldiers. Charles fell in love with the country, culture and people following a visit to Transylvania in 2007. During a speech at the Babes-Bolyai University he said: "I have often been asked about what brings me so often to Romania, what makes this place so special. The answer is, to me, very simple: you, my Romanian friends; your cultural and nature patrimony, your traditions, but also your capacity for innovation and change. All that you represent after centuries of history – your identity and your entire potential. All the energy you can expand to change something. These are the things that make you truly special in the entire world."

As with all members of the Royal family, the Commonwealth is an important part of Charles' life. Throughout his visits to member nations, he knew he wanted to make a lasting impact wherever he could. The Prince's Trust Australia delivers social impact by "transforming lives and building sustainable communities in Australia". Promoting enterprise skills, sustainable communities and supporting young people and defence members and their families are the core areas of the trust.

The Prince's Trust Canada is a registered Canadian charity established by Charles in 2011. It provides entrepreneurship training for veterans and transitioning Canadian Armed Forces members, helps young people reach their potential through employability programs, and supports Indigenous communities as they revitalise and protect their languages.

Next, we look at the Prince's Trust International, the definition of an organisation with global reach. Since its launch, the focus has been on delivering pilot programmes in countries around the world. They now have pilot programmes underway and established partners delivering programmes in Australia, Barbados, Canada, Greece, Jordan, Malta, Pakistan and New Zealand. If that's not enough, the plan is to move to a number of others countries in the coming years. Much like the Prince's Trust UK, the goal is to support and enable young people to avail of opportunities and improve their futures.

The Duchess of Cornwall is President of the Brooke, a worldwide organisation providing veterinary treatment for horses and donkeys. They reach over two million working horses, donkeys and mules across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. Organisation staff include vets, animal welfare experts, and advocacy and development specialists. Camilla, a lifelong animal lover, is also a joint president of Elephant Family, a charity founded by her late brother Mark Shand in 2002 to save the Asian elephants. Again, supporting causes close to her heart is in addition to her duties on behalf of Her Majesty - it's not a case of running roughshod over the monarchy.

Shortly before the Earl and Countess of Wessex married, the Wessex Youth Trust was established to help, support and advance registered charities which provide opportunities specifically for children and young people. The Trust is proud to support worthy organisations both at home and internationally. "Internationally, funds have been directed to a wide variety of organisations - a Down Syndrome speech therapy centre in Moscow, and an orphanage in Chernobyl; a paediatric ophthalmology unit, training scheme and Flying Eye Hospital in Nepal and the Philippines as well as an HIV/Aids support programme in Uganda. In addition, donations have also been made to disaster relief operations - such as 9/11 and a children's home in Sri Lanka which helped victims of the 2004 tsunami."

Sophie has been a global ambassador for the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness since 2013. More from the Palace: "In 2013, this role took Her Royal Highness to the Orbis flying hospital programme in India and Qatar where she saw first-hand the many global issues around preventable blindness. Following the Countess' visit to India and Qatar, Her Royal Highness wrote an article for the Telegraph to coincide with World Sight Day. In India, Bangladesh and Nepal the sight-saving organisations are focusing on childhood blindness. In Sudan, Pakistan and Egypt the organisations are focusing on the Trachoma Elimination Programme. Her Royal Highness has drawn much attention to these on-going projects through her visits to the regions and has helped drive the plans forward through working closely with the organisations, and many youth and community events."

More from Buckingham Palace:

'On International Women’s Day 2019, the Countess publicly announced her commitment to champion the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda and the UK’s Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative (PSVI), at a reception for Women Peacebuilders at Buckingham Palace. WPS both recognises the disproportionate impact of conflict on women and girls and the positive role women play in building peace and stability.

The PSVI aims to prevent conflict-related sexual violence as well as responding to the needs of survivors, tackling stigma and strengthening justice and accountability. As a central pillar of the Countess’s work, HRH has spoken at the Commission on the Status of Women at the UN in New York, and attended a Foreign Office conference on PSVI with survivors, government and NGO representatives. The Countess also continues to highlight international efforts towards women’s role in peacebuilding - in India, for example, HRH learnt about the country’s contribution to UN Peacekeeping and heard from women peacekeepers on active deployment.'

A life of service has seen Princess Anne travel all over the world. After serving as President of Save the Children since 1970, Anne officially became Patron in 2016. Most recently, she has travelled to Bangladesh, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Mozambique, Ethiopia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. (with many thanks to Helen G for her research on this). In her role Anne has also visited China, Cambodia, Botswana, Madagascar and the Philippines. Save the Children strives tirelessly to protect children and give them the best possible opportunities in life.

The Princess has been involved in the creation of several charities including TransAid, transforming lives through safe and sustainable transport in 23 countries. More from the charity: "In Sub-Saharan Africa, road deaths are the third biggest killer following HIV/AIDS and Malaria (Source: the World Bank) and the problem will only rise with the growing population. Drivers are at risk every time they sit behind the wheel due to a lack of legal enforcement and training, and badly maintained and overloaded vehicles. People living in rural areas of Africa often struggle to access vital services. Around 75% of maternal deaths can be avoided through timely access to vital childbirth-related care. Our work includes an Emergency Transport Scheme to transport pregnant mothers with complications. We also help community health workers reach the families who need them." Anne also works closely with Riders For Health, an international non profit that provides health care to rural African villages.

The Duke of York launched Key to Freedom following his 2012 Diamond Jubilee Visit to Women’s Interlink Foundation (WIF) in India. The aim of the initiative is to empower women who have been victims of abuse by helping them acquire skills to become economically independent. Today, scarves made by women participating in Key to Freedom are sold at the Royal Collection Trust Shop.

The Foundation in the US

The next segment involves the US element. I think it's only natural to assume the Sussex Foundation will have supporters from the US. After all, Meghan is American. She has very well-connected friends in the US and she's going to bring an element of support to the table from across the pond. This has been largely feted as hugely controversial and another example of Meghan not following a traditional royal path. Using facts, this can be disproved as nonsense once again. When the Royal Foundation become operational in 2011, an American wing was established. American Friends of the Royal Foundation donated over $3.6 million since its inception. Prince Harry joined the US arm of the Foundation in 2013 for a major event supporting projects including the Royal Foundation's partnership with Harlem RBI to support Project Coach.

During a visit to New York in 2014, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended a private dinner for American friends of the Royal Foundation hosted by long-term supporter, Sir Martin Sorrell, the chief executive of the WPP advertising group.

In fact, Prince Charles set up a charitable foundation in the US: "The Prince of Wales Foundation USA is the affiliate organisation of the Prince’s Trust, enabling tax-efficient giving for US supporters of His Royal Highness’s philanthropic interests. We are fortunate to have a growing base of American supporters who see real value in investing in the lives of disadvantaged and marginalised young people in the UK. The Prince of Wales Foundation was founded by HRH, the Prince of Wales in 1997."

Prince Harry's collaboration with Oprah on a mental health series has been cited as the ultimate example of the Sussexes going rogue. Not so. Prince Charles has collaborated with US entities on several documentaries including the 2012 documentary Harmony: a New Way of Looking at Our World. The piece focused on three decades of Charles' work to combat climate change. The film was based on the book of the same name, which Charles co-authored, about how man has become "dangerously disconnected from nature".

NBC released the following statement at the time of the collaboration:

'NBC is teaming up with Prince Charles for a new TV special about the environment. Harmony, which is slated to air in November, stems from Prince Charles' three decades of work fighting climate change and searching for new solutions to the worldwide environmental crisis.

"The Prince of Wales has such a passion and vision in providing leadership on this crucial climate issue that confronts the world," Paul Telegdy, NBC's executive vice president of alternative programming, said in a statement. "We are honored to partner with him to showcase these issues that are important to American audiences."

The film, which will air during NBC's annual "Green Is Universal" week, features rare footage of Prince Charles' interview with Nobel Peace Prize winner, former Vice President and longtime environmental activist Al Gore, as well as interviews with other government leaders, farmers, environmentalists and entrepreneurs.'

Charles' environmental work has not been without its setbacks. He was actually ridiculed for being one of the first to talk about climate change: "I found myself in conflict with the conventional outlook which, as I discovered, is not exactly the most pleasant situation to find yourself." Determined to following in his father's footsteps, Harry declared last year he hopes to continue his work in Australia: "Ladies and gentleman, those words were shared in speeches dating back to 1970 and up until 2002, by my father, the Prince of Wales. And yet now, nearly 50 years later, those sentiments resonate just as much today, if not more, than ever before. My father and others have been speaking about the environment for decades - not basing it on fallacy or new-age hypothesis, but rooted in science and facts, and the sobering awareness of our environmental vulnerability. And while those speeches would sometimes fall on deaf ears, he and others were unrelenting in their commitment to preserve the most valuable resource we have – our planet."

What About Commercial Partnerships?

Although the Sussexes' foundation does not yet have a name, it has been suggested (with not so thinly-veiled attacks) commercial partnerships may be in its future. Whilst we have absolutely no idea what the plan is at this time, yes it's possible and no it's not unusual. Commercial partnerships have been essential to ensuring the success of Charles' projects. Take Duchy Originals for example. Established almost 30 years ago, the leading organic brand is now stocked on the shelves of Waitrose supermarkets. It's aim is to support local producers and all profits go to charity.

Fundraising

The success or failure of any royal trust or foundation lies with its principles and the team behind it. Harry and Meghan are taking this on with a record of success. Simply look at the Invictus Games, look at Sentebale, the Endeavour Fund, Coach Core and many other projects and initiatives Harry has worked with. Meghan's first project with the Hubb exceed all goals, and smashed it's target of £250,000, raising over half a million. The ripple effect is heartwarming and inspiring. Today, the women of the Hubb were working with British Red Cross to welcome and feed refugees in Hackney London.

The pair have tangible results behind them and there's every reason to believe this will be a success. Fundraising will be an important element; again they've proven more than adept at this, raising millions for Sentebale with 'Sentebale Nights' and the Sentebale Polo Cup.

Again, fundraising has been key to Charles' success. In 2017 he raised £170 million for charity. He raised more money than anyone else in the UK. In 2013-2014 he raised £143 million for 15 of his charities. It's the year-after-year dedication that has led to these results. It's a case of beating the drum constantly, and loudly.

Overshadowing Senior Royals

The next accusation hurled at Harry, and particularly Meghan, is the suggestion they are somehow trying to overshadow more senior royals, namely the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Was Prince Charles trying to overshadow his parents with the Prince's Trust? Was Anne playing a game of one-upmanship against Charles with her tireless efforts and global work? Of course not. Harry and Meghan are not in competition with William and Kate. They are not setting out to outdo them and derail the course of the monarchy.

The Queen is the monarch. Then it will be Charles, and then William. The monarch is the head of the family, there's no issue there. The monarchy is comprised of working members and their collective efforts up and down the country, across the UK, across the Commonwealth, and across the globe. It's a team effort. That's not going to change. Harry and Meghan want to use their roles to the full, they want to work hard on behalf of Her Majesty and, like the other royals referenced, use their platforms to support causes close to their heart. This is all being done with the full approval of the Queen and Charles. The new Foundation has the full support of the family. The Queen appointed Harry and Meghan to Commonwealth roles; she passed her patronage of the Association of Commonwealth Universities to Meghan almost immediately after the marriage. That sounds to me like a monarch who has faith in her granddaughter-in-law. Not a Queen who fears the newest member is rebelling against the system. The rapturous reception the Sussexes have received in Dublin, Morocco, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga is further evidence these roles are ideal for the pair. Their popularity and soft power needs to be harnessed to the full. This is all good for Team Windsor as a whole.

Prince Harry has been a global star all his life; his wife was always going to be under the spotlight. It is not the Sussexes' fault the media are obsessed with their every move. They are an asset to the monarchy and have carried out their roles with aplomb. From the day of their engagement, Meghan has thrown herself into her role, and she hasn't put a foot wrong. To chastise and tear her down because she's an intelligent woman who wants to succeed in this role is appalling and frankly sexist. Ambition is not a dirty word, especially when it's being channeled into a life of philanthropic dedication. The royals have a fantastic platform; they are uniquely placed to be in the position to help others and effect change. The fact they are being belittled for doing their jobs is truly baffling to me. We should unreservedly expect the very best from working members of the family.

The reality is the monarchy must modernise to survive and the Sussexes will play an important role in that modernisation. More from Vernon Bogdanor who famously wrote: "Monarchy has to adapt and evolve to survive. It can't be ahead of public opinion, but it can't be too far behind."

'In November 2005, Chris Mullin, the former editor of Tribune and then Labour MP, was invited to Clarence House where he heard the prince [Charles] speak "without notes, with passion and self-deprecating humour, holding our attention for a full 20 minutes. Always he comes back to the same point. How to widen the horizons of the young, especially the disaffected, the unlucky and even the malign … What influence he has he uses, sometimes to great effect, even at the risk of treading on official toes. It isn't just talk. His mentality is can-do – and he has a track record of achievement clearly visible for anyone who cares to look. Let he who has done more cast the first stone.'

So, when my sister asked me: "Why do they blame Meghan for everything? What exactly is she supposed to have done that's not in line with the way the royals operate professionally?" My answer is quite simple. Meghan has done nothing wrong; she's simply following in the footsteps of those who came before her.

*A sincere word of thanks to those who helped with the research, facts, figures and links on this.

[thxnews]

Skilled Landing on Moving PH Navy Anti-Sub Frigate

  The Philippine Navy's (PN) missile frigate BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151) achieved another milestone as an AgustaWestland (now Leonardo) AW-159 "Wildcat" anti-submarine helicopter successfully landed on its flight deck while the ship was underway off Corregidor Island.   "On the morning of 27 April 2023, the Philippine Navy achieved another significant milestone in its development of anti-submarine warfare capability as the PN AW-159 Mk220 'Wildcat' helicopter, with tail number NH-441, successfully conducted its first deck landing aboard BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151), an ASW (anti-submarine warfare) guided missile frigate, while underway at vicinity 30 nautical miles southwest of Corregidor Island," a post on the BRP Antonio Luna's Facebook page said Thursday night.  

Simbad-RC on BRP Antonio Luna. Photo by Rhk111. Wikimedia.   This achievement demonstrates the growing capability and readiness of the Navy's crews and platforms as a team for ASW operations. "Both the JRCFs (Jose Rizal Class Frigates) and the PN Wildcats were products of the 1st Horizon Projects under the Revised AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) Modernization Program, which were delivered and commissioned into the service in 2020/2021 and 2019, respectively. The JRCFs were built by Hyundai Heavy Industries of South Korea while the PN ‘Wildcats’ was built by Leonardo Helicopter Limited UK (LHUK)," the post further said.   The PN's "Wildcat" aircrew are still undergoing the contracted in-country training with Leonardo Helicopter Limited UK while the JRCFs are being used in the various operational areas of the country. The AW-159s, which the Philippine Navy has two, were acquired to increase the ASW capabilities of the JRCFs. "The PN through the Naval Air Wing and Offshore Combat Force are taking steps to complete the integration of these game-changer assets in order to be deployed together in securing our maritime domain," the BRP Antonio Luna said.   It added that these initiatives are a great contribution to fulfilling the Navy’s vision of becoming a modern, multi-capable naval force responsive to our maritime nation's defense and development. The BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) and its sister ship BRP Antonio Luna are modern warships capable of surface, sub-surface, air and electronic warfare using state-of-the-art electronic sensors, long-range missiles, acoustic guided torpedoes and embarked anti-submarine helicopters. The BRP Jose Rizal was delivered to the Philippines in May 2020 and commissioned in July that year while the BRP Antonio Luna was commissioned on March 19, 2021. The contract for the two ships was placed at PHP16 billion with another PHP2 billion for weapon systems and munitions.  

Philippine sailors aboard BRP Ramon Alcaraz. Photo by U.S. Navy. Flickr.  

PH Navy officers attend 13th IMEX Asia in Singapore

As this developed, Philippine Navy chief Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci Jr. and other ranking Navy officers attended the opening ceremony of the 13th International Maritime Defense Exposition (IMDEX) Asia at the Changi Exhibition Center in Singapore on May 3. A total of 47 delegations were in attendance at the opening ceremony, including 22 Navy chiefs, directors general of Coast Guards, and heads of maritime law enforcement agencies of 38 countries. Singaporean Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen presided over the opening rites and highlighted the importance of strengthening mutual understanding and fostering consensus in a globally interlinked world. After the ceremony, Adaci and Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Medardo Macaraig visited various defense technology and shipbuilding exhibition booths at the center. These opportunities provide the Philippine Navy with an avenue to strengthen its connections and practical cooperation with other Navies and maritime agencies and be updated on contemporary maritime defense trends. Sources: THX News & Philippine News Agency. Read the full article