The return of former Kapamilya actors to the network has been trendspotted.
After making the rounds of the Kapatid and Kapuso networks, Mother’s Day brought Nora Aunor back to her much-awaited special appearance in celebration of Maalaala Mo Kaya’s 25th anniversary in a maternal drama of love and sacrifice to a special child.
The introduction of Eddie Garcia as Don Emilio in FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano has revealed his sweet past with Susan Roces as Lola Kap. This brings us closer to the secrets of the Tuazon family in relation to the killing the father of Coco Martin’s dual role as Cardo and Ador.
Gina Pareño, an award-winning actress of the Kamilya network for the longest time, switched to Kapuso only to return as Kapamilya. She is Madam Olga, keeper of the high-end red house in Ang Probinsyano.
Princess Punzalan is Clodette Lowery in The Story of Us. Long known for her delicate portrayal of goody-goody roles, Princess turns heartless to her son’s girlfriend, Kim Chiu as Tin and to her own son, Bryan Santos as CJ Lowery, when he decides to be independent-minded.
Director Eric Quizon as Miguel in a well-loved role as a couture designer (with Rodjun Cruz as boyfriend Gino) in Dolce Amore and the mad organ transparent doctor, Doc Ivan Gomez in Ang Probinsyano, is back to doing dramatic roles.
Same with director-cum-starmaker Edgar Mortiz as Dodoy, the the kind-hearted but cardiac-troubled adoptive father of Enrique Gil as Tenten in Dolce Amore.
This sub-plot drives Kean Cipriano as Binggoy to kidnap Liza Soberano as Serena in a secret deal with Cherie Gil as Luciana Marchesa in exchange for the hospital money the family needs for his father’s heart operation.
For sure, ABS-CBN’s full-programming strategy has brought multi-casting that has encouraged the return of former stars with its complement of superstars, hotshots and freshmen. This trend puts novelty into television productions by enhancing cast variety in its shows.
The Kapamilya network knows that programming success depends on the correct actor for the correct role. This includes the return to the Channel 2 screen of ex-actors to supplement homegrown child, teen, adult and senior artists.
For example, there is the hiring of original Star Magic members who had opted to leave such as Carlo Aquino, now playing the major role of Pocholo, the father of the love child of Melai Cantiveros as Maricel.
Do you imagine Dominic Ochoa getting a starrer at mid-age? Yes, he did just that as Dodong/Super D in My Super D. And he did that back-to-back with another returnee, Marvin Agustin as Tony.
Jolina Magdangal has her own weekday morning talk show, Magandang Buhay, in a full complement of women types with Karla Estrada and Melai.
Gio Alvarez, Oliver Aquino, Marc Solis, Marc Acueza, Jan Marini, Mico Palanca, Justin Cuyugan, Kathleen Hermosa, Carla Humphries and Lester Llansang have made their much-talked-about appearances as citizens or crooks in Ang Probinsyano. The list is long. Real life brothers Carlo Muñoz and Leandro Muñoz are reel siblings in Dolce Amore.
Jeric Raval and Jess Lapid Jr. are included in the comeback list. Jim Paredes and Buboy Garovillo’s return would have completed an APO reunion if Danny Javier were in.
This just shows that being an actor knows no loyalty. Where there is a role, a real actor will take it regardless of “K” affiliation — whether Kapuso, Kapamilya or Kapatid.
TRANSFORM INTO BOY GEORGE! Open to the fierce and daring! Entries must show four frames of step-by-step transformation into Boy George. Post your entries on the Royale Chimes Concerts & Events Inc. page on Facebook. Deadline is on May 29. Top 10 best entries will be chosen and posted. Winner will be based on Likes, Shares and Comments. Winner gets P5,000 cash, an autographed concert shirt and two VIP concert tickets. Send your entries now!
ANGEL STILL IN LOVE WITH MIKO? Angel Locsin did not forget to commemorate the 34th birthday of first boyfriend Miko Sotto. Miko passed on 13 years ago when he accidentally fell from the ledge of his Mandaluyong City condominium unit. She fell in love with Luis Manzano, but that did not last long as they broke up for a reason only they know for sure.
Then Angel fell in love with footballer Phil Younghusband, but broke up with him eventually as he was allegedly unable to cope with the demands of the relationship. Luis and Angel decided to get back together. After spending last Christmas in the US, they returned to the Philippines no longer a couple.  
WHAT CAUSED ZSA ZSA’S SPLIT WITH FIANCEE. Calling off her scheduled wedding to fiancé architect Conrad Onglao after being together for two years, Zsa Zsa Padilla’s back in the Marina home she shared with Dolphy after living in with Conrad. Karylle said her mother is not holding any grudges against Conrad. Ricky Lo of The Philippine Star attempted to shed light on the split and learned that it might have been caused by Conrad’s attitude towards celebrities and showbiz in general.
Ricky’s source of information claimed that Zsa Zsa, who is very sensitive, might have decided to split when she got “fed up” with Conrad’s “hurtful” words at entertainment industry people. The source added that Zsa Zsa might have been surprised about Conrad’s harsh attitude given how “gentle” Dolphy was.
A FEW ‘GOOD GUYS.’ “I’m praying for a grandchild. I’m praying for a lovely person to end up with my daughter,” Megastar Sharon Cuneta wished. And her dream may be closer than as ever as eldest daughter KC Concepcion had admitted dating Aly Borromeo, the former captain of the Philippine Azkals.
The two were spotted together at an intimate home party held in celebration of the 20th anniversary of KC’s parents, Sharon and Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan. Since then, KC has described Aly as one of the few “good guys” left. Following her much-publicized split with Piolo Pascual, she was buzzed to have dated Paulo Avelino and basketball player Chandler Parsons, among others.
WILLIE’S WOWOWIN CELEBRATES FIRST ANNIVERSARY. The use of the Wowowin studio for the GMA-7 coverage of the May 9 elections pre-empted regular airing. But it also gave host-producer Willie Revillame time to prepare for Wowowin’s first anniversary celebration. Studio facilities were improved as more exciting games and bigger prizes were prepared. Willie and the Wowowin staff used the election vacation for a planning session at his Tagaytay property. Wowowin is now airing as a pre-taped show at 5 p.m. from Monday to Friday.

(Buzzstation celebrates a Duterte in this issue as it starts a series of interviews with Filipino visual artists entitled 13 Answers using the question-and-answer format. An invited artist is e-mailed 20 art-related questions and selects 13 to answer. US-based artist Ulysses Duterte Jr. inaugurates the series. Ulysses finds an unverified blood relationship with presumptive President Rodrigo Duterte, but as his answers show, a love of the visual arts is in his genes.)

The Scriptures apply not only to erotic love (eros), but to the agape love, which is “based on principle.” It preaches that if we apply Agape Love in our daily lives, we will always watch our words to preserve relationships. When salt is used in the right amount, it will preserve food for human consumption.
This is the message of Duterte Jr.’s 12" x 9" acrylic on canvas board Let Your Utterance Be Always Seasoned With Salt (2016).
When dealing with everyone, Duterte Jr. explains, it is vital to follow the apostle Paul’s counsel: “Let your utterance be always with graciousness, seasoned with salt.” (Col. 4:6) Such tasteful, appropriate speech is essential to good communication and peace.
Good communication does not mean saying everything you are thinking and feeling at any given moment, especially if you are upset. The Scriptures show that uncontrolled expression of anger is a mark of weakness, not of strength.
The Scriptures commend the exercising of restraint and discretion, or good judgment, when we speak. “In the abundance of words there does not fail to be transgression, but the one keeping his lips in check is acting discreetly.” (Prov. 10:19; 17:27) Yet, discretion does not mean never expressing oneself. It means speaking “with graciousness,” using the tongue to heal rather than to hurt (Proverbs 12:18; 18:21).
Duterte Jr. starts off this column’s “13 Answers” series of interviews with visual artists where it sends 20 art-related questions and the respondents chooses 13 questions to answer that will be published here verbatim. Works by the artist will be used to visualize responses.

As a visual artist, what is the one thing the public do not know about you?
That I am one of the artists living outside the Philippines. If we are given the same opportunities/shows given to Filipino artists living in the Philippines, they can be proud of their visual artists living abroad.

What training did you get as an artist?
I am a self-taught artist. As far as I remember, I started drawing when I was about three or four years old. I was the graduating class artist of the year both in the Elementary and High School. When I was in high school there was an art gallery attached to our school building which showed Fernando Sena’s works. I studied every detail of his paintings. I was also the youngest member of the Bicol Artists Guild way back in the early ‘90s.
I was able to show with Gus Albor, Renato Habulan, Justin Nuyda and Wilson Belarmino. I learned a lot from their works plus my frequent visits to CCP, Metropolitan Museum, Ayala Museum and other galleries when I visited Manila. I considered those visits part of my schooling. It gave me opportunities to study every painting on the museum walls. Madalas akong pagalitan ng guwardiya dahil halos dumikit ang mga mata ko sa paintings just to see how the artists painted in details. Promdi looking din ako noon kaya natatawa na lang ako noon kapag ang tingin sa akin ng nagbabantay sa museum at galleries ay mula ulo hanggang paa.
Walang Painting sa Fine Arts noon sa probinsiya so I took Architecture in College. I am short of one semester before graduation when I immigrated to the United States. In California I had the opportunity to show with Mark Justiniani, Joy Mallari, Papo de Asis, Alfredo Esquillo and Roland Distor. Again I learned a lot from them. My trips in the US brought me to major museums like the Guggenheim Museum, MOMA, SFMoma. Also I spent a lot of time in Louvre, D’Orsay Museum and Versailles in France. There I’ve learned a lot from European Masters.

Who is the artist who inspires you the most?
Jose Joya. I admire his drawing and painting skills. It was during that one week art workshop that Joya told me to keep drawing and to keep painting. Also his humble spirit and dedication to his work really moved me to concentrate on honing my skills. Sinundan ko ang mga exhibits niya. Nalungkot ako nang maaga siyang mamatay. When it comes to style, I like Salvador Dali. I attended his retrospective show in Guggenheim and there I saw his smallest to biggest paintings. Visiting his museum in France was a highlight of my tour.

What fascinates you the most about art?
Art can make you closer or farther away from your Creator. Many artists say, “they create” but in reality only God can create. We just recycle and use whatever God have created. So to show my gratitude to my Creator I make sure that my works are positive and that they can influence the viewers in a positive way.

Do you paint for money or pleasure?
That’s a hard question. Ito na lang…” It gives me extraordinary pleasure to paint but I want to retire painting.

Who do you think is the best Filipino visual artist?
Me. Just kidding. In a serious note I guess every “dedicated and humble” visual artist can be at his best, not needing a word of approval from others. I hate to see some artists of these kind being forgotten just because “businessmen” did not patronize their art.

Under what condition do you prefer to do your work?
Alone. I like to socialize but when I paint, I prefer to work alone.

Are your works Filipino in spirit?
Most of my models are Filipino in nature but my message is universal. There is no purity in art. Art should be universal.

Does criticism help you become a better artist?
Yes, especially constructive criticisms. I criticize my work too even destroying what I didn’t like.

How do you determine when an art work is done?
The moment one gets the message of my artwork and appreciated or hated it, I know my painting is done.
Are you a prolific artist? I try to just now. Mahirap maging prolific artist if you have a day job here in the US. But after work I make sure I paint.

Do you associate with other artists to stay competitive or to socialize?
As of now, Facebook helps me connect to artists. It’s harder to socialize here in the US. Everybody’s busy.

What is the question you’d like to ask yourself and how will you answer it?
(Question:) Will my art contribute to a positive spirit? (Answer:) There’s a lot of negativity in the world right now. I don’t want to be a part of it.

SHOWS AT HARD ROCK CAFE. Enjoy Hard Rock Café’s amazing line-up of performers this May. Catch show band Part 3 on May 22, 27 and 29; rock band Red Picasso on May 21; show band Street Beat on May 21 and 28; Paula Bianca on May 23 and 30; soul band Inner Voices on May 24 and 31; show band Arpie & the Multivitamins on May 25; and retro band 70s Super Band on May 26. Look forward to fun and exciting evenings with these top performers as they dish out live a selection of today’s hottest chart-toppers mixed with party anthems, standard favorites, and homegrown hits as well as a delicious sampling of all-time favorite throwback hits from the ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s. All shows start at 9 p.m.

BUZZBLAST! ABS-CBN had introduced the Tatlong Bibe song-and dance routine even before The Running Man challenge dominated the Internet. The former was inspired by a scene in Be My Lady with actors Erich Gonzales and Daniel Matsunaga leading the routine. After It’s Showtime featured it in the show, the routine went viral. Who will win the unofficial faceoff?

MA’ ROSA WENT TO CANNES. Jaclyn Jose and Andi Eigenmann have come to terms with each other professionally for a long time now, but it took their participation at the 2016 Cannes International Film Festival to confirm that mother and daughter are stars in their own right.
Jaclyn was shocked the A1-list film festival picked her as Best Actress for her role in Brillante Mendoza’s Ma’ Rosa. It was the Philippines’ first Best Actress win at Cannes and Jaclyn’s second time to walk the red carpet, the first time being Brillante’s Serbis in 2008.
Andi made it to Vanity Fair’s list of “Best-Dressed Celebrities” at the 2016 Cannes red carpet. It was very much a mother-and-daughter victory that Andi went up the stage with Brillante to share the victory with Jaclyn who received her Best Actress diploma and trophy.
“I’m at a loss for words! I am so surprised and moved. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all the Jury members. I thank the director Brillante Mendoza, whose instructions I simply followed,” Jaclyn told members of the Jury and Brillante in her acceptance speech. “He’s a brilliant director, a genius. I am so happy you liked the film. I’d like to salute the Philippine people.”
Variety describes Jaclyn’s hotly-contested win as: “The best actress contest had therefore been viewed as a particularly competitive one this year. Indeed, the field was so deep this year that the jury managed to blindside virtually every punter with their choice of winner — a stunned Jaclyn Jose, the Filipino star of Brillante Mendoza’s Ma’ Rosa.”
Jaclyn beat Charlize Theron for The Last Face, Marion Cotillard for Mal de Pierres (From the Land of the Moon), Sasha Lane for American Honey, Isabelle Huppert for Elle, Elle Fanning  for The Neon Demon and Ruth Negga for Loving.
Critics who covered the festival praised Jaclyn’s performance in Ma’ Rosa: Variety said she represented her character “with naturalistic grace.” Screen International pointed out that she “cuts an imposing figure … she (is) the heart of the (compelling) story.” Hollywood Reporter labeled her as “resilient yet understated.”
Aside from Andi and Brillante, Jaclyn was with cast members Neil Ryan Sese, Jomari Angeles, Luis Ruiz, Natileigh Sitoy and John Paul Duray with Maria isabel Lopez as guest attendee.
Julio Diaz, who plays Jaclyn’s husband July, was supposed to be with them, but was advised by his doctor to rest due to his recent brain attack. He is now resting in Baguio where the cold weather is conducive to his recovery.
Jaclyn didn’t do much research for the role of a typical Filipina mother in the metro’s depressed areas. She said, “The biggest challenge for me was not to act. Especially since I am coming from television shows where I play loud and campy characters.” She had to tone everything down. She was not even allowed by Brillante to put on makeup.

SHOWBIZ ROYALTY. Jaclyn’s daughter with award-winning actor Mark Gil, Andi is showbiz royalty all the way. She joined the likes of Hollywood stars Kirsten Stewart, Eva Longoria, Kate Moss, Kendall Jenner, Blake Lively, Helen Mirren, Julia Roberts, Victoria Beckham and Katy Perry in the magazine’s list of names who “stopped the show at this year’s fest.”
Vanity Fair’s Lauren Le Vine highlighted Andi’s look for the opening photo call, where the actress donned a simple yet elegant white jumpsuit from the collection of Filipino fashion designer Patty Ang.
For the actual red carpet, Andi wore a figure-hugging sheath dress made by another local talent, designer Boom Samson.
When Jaclyn received her award, Andi wore a sexy blue gown with a low neckline and shoulder strap.

A BEAUTIFUL FAMILY CAUGHT IN THE METRO’S UGLINESS. Ma’ Rosa is Brillante’s neorealist indictment of police corruption. What sets the film apart from other competing films is its visual and thematic ugliness.
Ma’ Rosa is Rosa Reyes (Jaclyn), a slightly overweight but no-nonsense kind of woman, a beautiful woman with good-looking children living in squalor and poverty.
Shopping with her teenage son, Erwin (Jomari), she throws a fit at the checkout counter because they don’t have any change. Besides those noodles, she sells small quantities of drugs on the side with her husband July (Julio) from her Rosa Sari-Sari store.
The police raids the store and takes the couple and their drug stash to the station. Their choice is go to jail without bail, hand over P200,000 or to help them catch their supplier so he can cough up the same amount.  
Ma Rosa’s supplier (Kristofer King) is hauled in; he’s beaten up and then manages to come up with only a part of the desired sum. The Reyes’ offspring — Erwin, his older brother, Jackson (Felix Roco) and their sister, Raquel (Andi) — are then sent out into Manila to come up with the remainder. Raquel begs family members for donations, Jackson has a hard time trying to sell their TV and the delicately featured Erwin raises the biggest share by sleeping with an older businessman for money.
The film turns into a reflection of a decaying society in which the poor have no options and morals are a luxury in which few can indulge. It assumes children have the responsibility to bail out their parents from dire predicaments that only Filipinos will understand fully.
Ma’ Rosa continues Brillante’s expose of the Philippines’ underbelly that we have come to accept as reality and live through it without protest. It shows Jaclyn and Andi as the country’s most gifted performers.

ZSA ZSA AND CONRAD UP FOR A RECONCILIATION? Architect Conrad Onglao, ex-fiancee of Zsa Zsa Padilla, has finally broken his silence in a statement over their botched engagement. Expressing, “She’s the best thing that ever happened to me, ever!” Conrad added: “I love and respect her a lot and whatever issues we have are between us and hopefully we can work it out and who knows maybe get back again.” Then are Zsa Zsa and Conrad up for a reconciliation? Most likely, but reconciliation will not be fast on Zsa Zsa’s part, the sensitive woman that she is, as she was terribly hurt.

When friends led by Baby K. Jimenez and Mercy Lejarde visited Nora Aunor at the shoot of her Mother’s Day special presentation for the drama anthology Maalaala Mo Kaya, now celebrating its 25th year, the only Superstar treated them to freshly fried banana-cue.
Who does not crave for the low-priced but filling mid-afternoon delight? Considered as a people’s snack item and popular street food, peeled ripe saging na saba (plantain) is deep-fried in coconut oil and smothered with brown sugar before being skewered by twos and threes in bamboo sticks.
The last shoot day of the drama of a mother with four of her five children suffering from disorders but never giving up her love for them, Nora hailed a banana-cue vendor and purchased his stock which was then distributed to the MMK cast and crew and all present Noranians.
This made her nostalgic as she used to do the same in shoots during her peak in the 1970s.
“Tuwang-tuwa ang Lola Guy because present kami ni Baky K,” exclaimed Mercy.
Known as the “Qoutation Queen” among entertainment columnists, Mercy commented: “Puwedeng lagyan ng background that goes, ‘Three old friends meet again, sharing happy moments together…’ ‘Yun na!”
Mariel Rodriguez-Padilla confirmed on Its Showtime that she is pregnant for the third time after two botched ones. Co-host Amy Perez dutifully stated that she would continue to give her favorite banana-cue. It now appears banana-cue is her favorite snack, even her conception craving.
When Inigo Pascual was newly introduced as Star Magic royalty and started to develop his body, just like dad Piolo Pascual, he went to the gym with him to develop bulk. After a workout, long-time personal assistant Moi Marcampo once took the photo of father and son sharing a stick of banana-cue.
You see, saba is recommended for bodybuilders aiming to put on mass. Otherwise, latundan and lacatan are recommended, for bodybuilders like Arnell Ignacio and Nico Antonio, usually with boiled kamote and puti ng itlog as part of their diet.
Although saba and latundan have lower vitamin content than lakatan, nutritionist Michael Van Straten, author of The Healthy Food Directory, wrote that bananas in general can alleviate 14 medical conditions including diarrhea, fatigue, heartburn, insomnia, nausea, menstrual problems, kidney problems, fluid retention and circulatory problems.
When KC Concepcion guested in Magandang Buhay with siblings Frankie, Miel and Miguel, the eldest daughter of Megastar Sharon Cuneta and senator-elect Francis Pangilinan showed her skill at making banana-cue. Host Karla Estrada, Jolina Magdangal and Melai Cantiveros dutifully took a bite of the freshly fried food.  
As if the banana-cue as celebrity food is not enough, it has turned gourmet at Gallery Vask. The grilled saba is presented on a premium stick with a graphic artist-designed brown paper bag with logo.  
Gallery Vask is a contemporary art gallery with a fine-dining restaurant at Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Metro Manila. It was awarded as number 39 in Asia and Best Restaurant in the Philippines, by Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants.
The awards were based on votes from more than 300 chefs, restaurateurs and experts in six countries across Asia. Gaggan of Thailand, its cuisine described as “progressive Indian cuisine,” bagged top spot for the second year in a row.
If turon, another dessert made from thick slices of saba, is now gourmet food at 9601 Restaurant of the ELJ Communication Center, why not banana-cue as snacks using saba such as maruya and minatamis na saba?

KIM NAKED IN CAMOUGLAGE.  Kim Kardashian has fresh attention grabbers.
Most likely feeling the pinch of declining viral counts, Kim’s appearance with husband Kanye West at the recent Met Gala failing to do it, she pulled a fast one at the 100th anniversary party of the British version of the French Vogue. After her boob constantly showed when she attended the debut of Sofia Coppola and Valentino’s La Traviata at the Rome Opera House, she then flew to London with Kanye and attended the Vogue shindig naked in camouflage.
Although she did not have the same problem as in the Eternal City, her boobs showed through her see-through gown with a leather belt and strategically placed flimsy lace design over her privates. It is meant to show them, her lower private turning a feast for fast-eyed curious. With Kanye trailing several meters away for the red carpet moment, she romped with so much class it did not turn into a vulgar act.

A NEW KIND OF GRAFFITI. French street artist JR claimed to have made the Louvre Pyramid “disappear.” But it is nothing more than pasting grayscale photos of the Louvre Museum to “hide” the world-famous glass pyramid designed by Chinese-American architect I.M. Pei with the approval of museum authorities.
Aimed to give it an even newer perspective, the glass pyramid was installed in front of the Louvre for a contemporary appeal. If you are expecting acts of illusion like that of the two Davids — Copperfield and Blaine — it appears nothing more than a new kind of graffiti from this celebrated artist who started as a graffiti artist at age 13. For sure, we are now at an age when anything can be presented as art. Marcel Duchamp must be happy in artists’ heaven!

BILL’S STRATEGY. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court denied the request of comedian Bill Cosby, 78, to delay the pre-trial hearing of his sexual assault case. His teen girl victims were regularly dispatched to him by a modeling agency. He admitted this in 2005 and 2006 depositions that he gave them booze and drugs before having sex with them.
Bill appeared in court for a preliminary hearing of the case of Andrea Constand, now 43, who owned up in a deposition to have sexually assaulted in 2004. Besides his lawyers questioning the legality of using these depositions in the case, they are likely to use the “with consent” strategy to go scot-free or for a lighter sentence.
 
INSIGHT! The self-proclaimed psychic Stargazer predicted “chaos” in the presidency of presumptive president Rodrigo Duterte in a DZMM Teleradyo interview. Everything she forecasted is obvious except one issue: Whether he will finish his term as a result of the widespread changes he intends to implement. Although she did tell him “to be careful with his health.” Again, that is predictable as he is suffering from Buerger's disease and Barrett's esophagus besides being 71.
Working on the principle of generalities, Stargazer avoided specifics. Will he finish his term? Will there be attempts to assassinate him?0 Will he be ousted by a coup d’état? Will be impeached successfully or unsuccessfully? Or anything that is not widely probable. She even avoided more generalities. Will he succeed or fail in his reform agenda? 
Believe it or not, you and I can claim ourselves to be psychics.

An evolution that is bound to happen is taking place this year.  
“It is now even more difficult to find interpreters,” revealed PhilPop head Maestro Ryan Cayabyab at the launch of the 2016 digital album on Spotify and the big reveal of their interpreters. “Name interpreters are hard to come by because they are afraid to lose to newbies or even to less popular singers,” Ryan explained.
As such, the annual premium festival of pop songs now on its fifth year introduced composers as interpreters for the first time. “Of the 12 entries, five are composers-interpreters, while seven got celebrity interpreters. This allowed not only the discovery of fresh talents, but also the better interpretations of materials by their own composers,” he shared.
Simultaneously, it also launched the PhilPop 2016 Commemorative Special Edition Book to be available from commercial sources in two weeks’ time.
The competition with seasoned and first-time interpreters will be held on July 23, 6 p.m., at the Kia Theater, with delayed telecast on TV5 at 10 p.m.
A new breed of songwriters was given their break and veteran composers were provided with yet another avenue to showcase their immense talent.
Competing for P1 million; P500,000 and P250,000, plus trophies designed by a National Artist, 12 finalists were culled from over 1,000 entries this year.   
The interpreters were specifically handpicked to lend their voices and performances for specific compositions in this competition. They form an outstanding mix of veterans and upstarts with diverse styles and music influences to guarantee PhilPop’s audience a wonderful celebration of music.
Brimming with musical zeal just as the way it was on the day the festival was conceptualized and founded in 2012, the five composers-interpreters, some celebrity interpreters, are:
1.Ramiru Mataro for “Kahon” as interpreted by Ramiru Mataro;
2. Joan Da for “Baliw Sa Ex-boyfriend Ko” as interpreted by Sugar and Spice featuring Joan Da;
3. Jazz Nicolas and Wally Acolola for “Di na Muli” as interpreted by the Itchyworms featuring Jazz Nicolas;
4. Miguel and Paolo Guico for “Tinatangi” as interpreted by Cookie Chua, Bayang Barrios and The Benjamins; and
5. Aikee Aplacador for “Pabili Po” as interpreted by Banda ni Kleggy and Aikee.
The line-up of songs with celebrity interpreters are:  
1.Jeroel Maranan for “Sintunado” as interpreted by Nyoy Volante;
2. JC Jose for “Stars Are Aligned” as interpreted by Acapellago and Jimmy Marquez;
3. Karl Gaurano and Daryl Reyes for “Friday Night” as interpreted by Kenjhons;
4. Johann Garcia for “Binibini sa MRT” as interpreted by The Juans;                                                          
5. Keiko Necesario for “Nobody But You” as interpreted by Monica Cuenco;
6. Mike Villegas and Brian Cua for “Dumadagundong” as interpreted by Yassi Pressman; and
7. Soc Villanueva for “Lahat” as interpreted by Jason Dy.
PhilPop chairman Manny V. Pangilinan said in a video presentation during the announcement: “We want to encourage songwriters to churn out original Filipino sound, to remind the world that Filipinos are not just great singers and performers, but also great songwriters.”
MVP emphasized PhilPop’s singular vision — to give Pinoy Pop “a spot on the world stage.”
BARON IS THE VICTIM THIS TIME AROUND. For the second time in May, Baron Geisler got involved in an altercation, this time as the victim. The first time was when he was given an idiot board for a UP student film project instead of a script. He felt terribly insulted that he cursed the director and confronted him physically.   
In last Wednesday’s incident, Baron tried to shake the hand of indie actor Kiko Matos at Tomato Kick bar on Tomas Morato, Quezon City. Kiko heckled Baron as a troublemaker while making a speech at the bar. Baron approached Kiko to shake his hand as a peace offering, but instead got punched. People in the bar interceded as Baron resisted and Kiko cursed repeatedly as he was escorted away from Baron.

SANDWICH OR FRANKFURTER? Merriam-Webster, widely held as the “most trustworthy dictionary and thesaurus of American English,” has opined that the hotdog is a sandwich, not a frankfurter (http://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/to-chew-on-10-kinds-of-sandwiches/hot-dog). It explains the decision by defining a sandwich as “two or more slices of bread or a split roll having a filling in between.” It went on to define filling as “a food mixture used to fill pastry or sandwiches,” rather than broadly as “something used to fill a cavity, container, or depression,” excluding that “any single-item filling to qualify a food item.” But we’re aware nothing will convince if one does not want to believe.
TURNING SERIOUS ‘TRAPO’? Boxing icon and Senator-elect Manny Pacquiao turned down the opportunity to box at the Rio Olympics, losing the chance to win a gold medal for the country. It looks like he’s taking his retirement from boxing and lawmaking duty seriously. He played basketball last Saturday with incoming President Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte’s men, hoping to start a friendly relationship with him.
Manny said he would try to cure his record of chronic absenteeism once he is sworn into the Senate next month. “Kung makaya natin ma-perfect (ang attendance) bakit hindi?Nakakahiya sa taumbayan na naglagay sa akin sa posisyon tapos unang buwan ng serbisyo ko wala ako,” he told reporters. Let us just hope they are not empty promises like Digong’s.
He showed his “trapo” (traditional politician) tendency when he opened up that he has always been for Digong despite being in the senatorial slate of Vice President Jejomar Binay whose political party made him win as Senator. It looks like many has not learned from making controversial statements.

MEET MS. MARZSARINA VARGA. This blonde woman projects the four of the Philippines’ best entertainment personalities: the fierceness of Maricel Soriano, the fabulosity of Zsa Zsa Padilla, the heart and style of Korina Sanchez-Roxas, and the sensuality of Verni Varga! She is Chuck Gomez’s muse — none other than Ms. Marzsarina Varga — his tribute to the four women who greatly helped his public relations career. Chuck promises a separate tribute to the non-active performer in his life, the woman who shares his expertise — Angeli Pangilinan-Valenciano!

The buzz is that the 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) faces some serious problems due to sweeping changes the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has made to its mechanics starting this year.
Officials appointed by outgoing President Noynoy Aquino’s government expires on June 30, 2016. This includes MMDA Chairman Emerson Carlos, the lawyer who currently heads the 2016 MMFF Executive Committee (Execom).
The incoming MMDA chair is duty-bound to carry on the 2016 Execom’s decisions. This means he/she must implement 2016 MMFF based on approved mechanics and plan.
Due to the “finished film format” that the MMDA adopted, the buzz is that film producers have not started shooting entries, which must be submitted on Sept. 28 at 5 p.m. for possible inclusion in the 2016 MMFF with the announcement of finalists scheduled on October 11. Only finished films that haven’t been screened commercially here or abroad will be considered for selection.
The Execom believes this method will enhance the quality of film as main basis for inclusion. This will avoid palakasan and the fest’s past dependence on bankable stars.
Their rationale, as the buzz goes, is why pour millions of pesos in a film project that they are not sure of getting a slot among the eight available.  
As mandated by its charter, the MMFF Execom automatically changes membership by yearend. Besides Atty. Carlos, its 2016 members are as follows:
PSSUPT. Rhoderick Armamento, representative of PDIR Joel Pagdilao, PNP-NCRPO;
Edward Cabagnot, academe representative;
Jessie Ejercito, producer;
Teodoro Granados, FDCP executive director;
Moira Lang, writer/producer;
Bryan Ian Montances, representative of Sen. Sonny Angara;
Marcus Ng, vice president, MMTA;
Boots Anson-Rodrigo, president, MOWELFUND;
Jun Romana, Bureau of Broadcast Services;
Edgar Tejerero, president, SM Lifestyle Entertainment Inc.;
Wilson Tieng, president, MPDAP;
Rep. Alfred Vargas, House of Representatives, Quezon City; and
Atty. Eugenio Villareal, chairman, MMDA.

SHAKEDOWN OR SHAKE-UP? The “finished film format” means only films that are done will be considered for selection. In the past, the official entries were selected based on scripts submitted to the Competition Committee as the Selection Committee had been renamed by the Execom.
The Execom also made changes in the criteria for judging the entries: 40 percent for story, audience appeal and overall impact; 40 percent for cinematic attributes or its technical excellence; 10 percent for global appeal; and 10 percent for Filipino sensibility.
This criteria reflects the fest’s new vision to become “a festival that celebrates Filipino artistic excellence, promotes audience development and champions the sustainability of the Philippine movie industry.”
As such, commercial viability is no longer the priority. But it is aware that the audience cannot be ignored as commercial films are not necessarily bad movies. It believes a film becomes a hit precisely because it’s successful in engaging and entertaining an audience.
Toward this end, the crucial issue of assurance that all entries will have a minimum guaranteed run in cineplexes is expected to end the “first day-last day” syndrome. But this is still to be negotiated with theater owners as ticket sales, the source of their income, will always be their priority.
Members of the Competition Committee will all be first-timers. There will be no holdovers from previous years. Its members will compose the board of jurors.

THE TRUTH ABOUT THE ‘LOST INVESTMENT’ THEORY. But the “lost investment” rationale is not necessarily logical as there are valid reasons for adapting such measures and alternatives in case not selected:
Most film festivals such as Cannes, Berlin require finished film submissions. As such, the submission method is up to the festival’s organizers to achieve its goals. There is no logical reason for script submission except when its production is subsidized and/or perhaps when working with fresh filmmakers.
Subsidized film festivals such as Cinemalaya and Cinema One Originals require script submission prior to production. This is understandable as they have financial interests to safeguard. This is not true in the case of the MMFF as the works are independently produced.
The new rule prevents late submission of entries of pre-qualified scripts, which have been a perennial MMFF problem. This had caused substitutions and such as in the case of the 2015 MMFF when an alleged anomaly in the selection of festival winners took place.   
Expected to participate in 2016 MMFF are the major film studios such as Star Cinema, Viva Films, M-Zet/APT Productions, Regal Films and Quantum Films.
Cannes Best Director Brillante Mendoza and Gil Portes have announced that they are entering for competition Ma’ Rosa and Moonlight Over Baler, respectively.
Submitted film entries to the 2016 MMFF, which are not selected, can still be screened before or after the festival. What is lost is perhaps the opportunity to join the lucrative event.
Of course, acceptance is not necessarily an assurance that the entry will earn. As previous festivals have firmly showed, commercial films turn profitable and quality films get the awards. Quantum Films’ English Only, Please had showed a quality film can also be a commercial success depending on the marketing strategy.
Lav Diaz’s Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis is the kind of film the 2016 MMFF hopes to attract, but who will watch an eight-hour black-and-white film on Christmas Day?

TURNING INDIE? What the Execom has not announced is if the New Wave section of the MMFF will continue. This section of the annual filmfest has always been a big joke as it is scheduled during a period when moviegoers are busy with Christmas parties and preparations for the holidays.
Or, for all we know, the MMFF has been turned into an indie film festival as its new criteria vaguely describes an indie film. The anti-commercial film intention is precisely what gave rise to indie films.
Buzzstation hopes the Execom does not work on the wrong assumption that the 2016 MMFF can impose on holiday revelers to watch dark films about misery and injustice that they cannot understand, much more even appreciate. It is very much against the season’s merrymaking impulse.

Depicted as a fully accessorized bare-breasted Igorota maiden with a Ferris wheel as halo to symbolize commercialization of Cordillera culture, Abe Luna Orobia’s 48” x 24” oil on canvas, “Ang Birhen ng Ferris Wheel (Ang Unang Perya)” (2016), is an allegorical work that comments on how the natives were displayed as living exhibits at the St. Louis World’s Fair in 1904. Entitled “Philippine Living Exhibits,” it is blurbed as “better than a trip through the Philippine island.” Among its highlights were the “40 different tribes, six (reconstructed/set-up) villages, 70,000 exhibits, 130 buildings and 725 native soldiers” who are described as head-hunters and dog-eaters.
Orobia comes from a family of artists. His father, Rogelio Orobia, is an impressionist painter and founder of the Kapisanan ng mga Pintor sa Pilipinas Atbp. Sining Inc. His mother, Fe, was from the lineage of the patriotic Luna family. A Painting-major graduate at the College of Fine Arts and Design of the University of Sto. Tomas, he is currently an instructor and lecturer at the College of Saint Benilde’s School of Design and Arts. With a figurative style, he counts seven one-man shows and 77 group exhibitions to date. Among his achievements as an educator, he was being invited as a lecturer in three prestigious schools and graduate program in Indonesia in 2009.  
“Ang Birhen ng Ferris Wheel (Ang Unang Perya)” will be exhibited at the “Perya” banner exhibit, “Looking for Juan,” by Canvas Center for Art, New Ventures and Sustainable Development at the UP Vargas Museum opening June 8, 2016.
What fascinates you the most about art? Content then the craftsmanship of the artist. Skill will develop overtime through hard work and continuous practice but content is the soul of the work.   
What training did you get as an artist? I started at a young age. My father taught me to use several medium, guided and supported my career. Mostly, I learned a lot by watching him do his art. I am a keen observer so basically I just transfer or adapt the techniques on my style. As a child, I worked on multi-figure arrangements which translate to my art now into super-detailed compositions. Art-making is an everyday challenge, in fact, you cannot teach people how to draw or paint but rather guide, encourage and inspire them. Each technique may differ from the other. It is like solving a mathematical problem; you can add, subtract, multiply, divide and the like because at the end of the day the artist (the creator) is his or her own judge how to solve the riddles of his work. The artist is his own critic. There are some standard technical know-how to memorize but it will only get you as far by being to safe or to academician. Art must answer a need, firstly the creator to be satisfied by it and secondly to convey it’s message to the audience.                                     
Do you paint for money or pleasure? I am a college instructor by profession. I teach art, design and history. Nevertheless, I paint and try as much as possible being relevant and visible in the art scene. I am an artist and educator. I paint using my advocacy for the love of the country. I call this contextualized or inculturated art. I paint not just Filipino-themed subjects with symbolisms and historical backgrounds but to answer what is becoming a Filipino. On the other hand, I would be a hypocrite if I will say I don’t need money. Everything revolves around money. It is not realistic and very impractical to support your art without budget. Art is very subjective, some may claim theirs is universal in content but still art answers differently to each viewer. Art without philosophy is like a body without a soul.                    
Who do you think is the best Filipino visual artist? I always look on masters how they did it. On becoming great like them, you should not follow their footsteps but rebel against them and create your own identity. In turn if someday I could surpass them, then that is the greatest respect I can give them.
Under what condition do you prefer to do your work? I prefer working at night if not mid-afternoon so I can concentrate on my work, at these times there are less distractions. I hate it when I am getting disturbed. Mostly I eat my meals besides my painting I am working on and even turn-off my gadgets so I will not be obliged to answer and mingle with people. Practically speaking I am on a man-cave when I am painting. Additionally, I put a timetable on my work. I hate losing momentum.
Are your works Filipino in spirit? My artworks speak for themselves and I think there is not much to explain about it unless I am asked to explicate about it. My work is not for everyone; few people love history. They think of it as boring and plainly nostalgic. Art is born not to entertain but educate. I put symbols on my work that create intrigue besides my attention to details.
Does criticism help you become a better artist? There is a saying that once you displayed your work it is considered public. You will get praises as well criticisms. Some are constructive some are negative. We learn from other people not just by ourselves, but we should not be easily affected by opinion of other people. Take what you think is crucial and important and leave the unnecessary. Criticisms are at best reflection of the artist’s presence to his/her the audience. Artists must live and die with it.     
How do you determine when an art work is done? According to Leonardo da Vinci, “Art is never finished only abandoned.” Yet it is up for every artist to lift-up his/her brush and say, done! The process of art making is all about satisfaction, it is up for the artist to decide as long as it pleases all of his or her senses. Artists are motivated by several factors, it drives them to create their pieces and put meaning on it. Art is all about form and content whether it is personal or universal.    
Do you associate with other artists to stay competitive or to socialize? I attend exhibitions and read about art trends, share some techniques with my colleagues. Support them by either going to their exhibitions or organizing for them. I believe that, art is not about competition of style or who is selling, it is all about being honest to your genre, to improve, tweak and innovate it.
Will you describe your work space as orderly or disorderly? My workspace is orderly. For me it’s not an issue if you have an orderly or messy studio. Art making depends on mood setting of the artist.  
Are you a prolific artist? I can say I am an active/practicing artist. I teach in college and as an educator I must inspire them not just in the classroom. To see me having exhibitions regularly is a big boost to the morale of my students. I want them to remember as a very passionate artist.  
Do you think an assistant makes an artist’s work less important? Some works really needed apprentices. It is not a new thing. Even the masters such as Titian have a line of assistants, for him to work productively. Sculptors most of all need assistants particularly if they are doing monumental works. Having assistants does not make the work less important. It can benefit the student by passing to him your knowledge, your skills and techniques. I am a purist both in style and on work. I do it alone. I did yet come to a level where there are number of commissions I cannot accommodate. I am open to having apprentices if it’s really needed as long as they will be doing only what I have instructed.     
What aspect of your art is distinctively yours? It is up for the people/critics to decide. There is nothing new in this world but rather an improvement or innovation of the earlier/previously done techniques. You cannot claim I have invented fire so you should be given credit for it. Knowledge is infinite. It is the concept that is unique in very artists. Remember what Kandisky said “Every work of art is the child of its time.”

With founder Stan Cherelstein as guest speaker, Javita Philippines celebrates Original Pilipino Music Week with a special show featuring Filpino pop songs by Filpino pop hits wonder Gretchen on June 14, 7 p.m., at Scout Borromeo corner Morato Avenue, Quezon City, with Javita Philippines team supervisor Juvie Pabiloña and Ramon Estaris as presenters.
Gretchen started singing at six years old and has since evolved as an pop artist with the style of Regine Velasquez and the voice of Nina.
With business opportunity meeting/recognition, ticket price is P200 consumable. This is the second charity event of Javita Philippines. The first was with Mika Layco, principal of RiverSprings School Inc. and Jesus Loves the Little Children Foundation Inc. on May 28.
Javita Coffee Diet System consists of Burn Fat (two cups of Burn + Control every morning help increase your body’s natural fat-burning processes and control your appetite); Feel Full with Fiber, which gives you a feeling of fullness and also helps support your overall cardiovascular health; and Cleanse with Herbal Cleanse Tea, which refreshes and renews your body system, flushing away obstacles in reaching your weight loss goals.
Javita offers superior, one of-a-kind, naturally flavored, fat-free and sugar-free fruit beverages that fit your active lifestyle.
You can be a member of the Javita Philippines Team with a new compensation plan. Join packs are at P3,200 for two boxes; P12,800 for eight boxes; and P21,000 for 14 boxes. The top five enrollers get P50,000 (first place), P40,000 (second place), P30,000 (third place), P20,000 (forurth place) and P10,000 (fifth place).
The Top 10 enrollers are also entitled to a bonus program. First and second placers get iPhone 6S phones while third to tenth placers get Samsung phones, plus trips and cash rewards.
To learn more, contact Hanzel (0906-5810383), Jhee (0995-2702304) or Jubz (0915-1792087).

MEET AND GREET BOY GEORGE ON JUNE 16. “This is one big party!” blurts out Boy George on his first super visit to the Philippines with Culture Club with several party opportunities!
Here’s you chance to meet and greet Boy and Culture Club  members Mikey Craig, Roy Hay and Jon Moss privately on June 16 at Novotel Manila, Araneta Center. MCA Music Inc. presents “Up Close and Personal with Boy George and Culture Club.” SVIP concert ticket at P25,000 entitles a photo opportunity, a two-disc album of Culture Club greatest hits and a commemorative concert T-shirt.
Only 100 of these tickets are for sale. Aside from attending the concert, SVIP ticket buyers can attend a “meet and greet” event and have their photo taken with Culture Club on June 16, 3 p.m., at Novotel Manila, Araneta Center. Tickets for the “meet and greet” event was available (cash payment) on June 10, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., at Greenfield District Central Park’s Kaleidoscope event area, which had a special Boy George and Culture Club night and sing-and-look alike contest.
But due to some travel issue beyond the control of Royal Chimes Concerts and Events Inc., their two-night super concert, “Culture Club Featuring Boy George Live In Manila,” will now be a one-night only party event on June 18, Saturday, at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Ticket holders for the June 17 concert can get their refund at a Ticketnet outlet or have them replaced with tickets for the June 18 show. Refunds and ticket swaps can only be done at the ticket box of Ticketnet at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Yellow Gate.
On June 16, Thurday, there will be a Boy-to-Boy interview where King of Talk Boy Abunda interviews Boy George in Tonight with Boy Abunda over ABS-CBN at 10:45 p.m.
Overwhelming excitement and outstanding reviews caused by Boy George and Culture Club’s performances from last year’s brief mini-tour of the U.S.  drove the group to announce their first full tour in over 12 years spanning 40 cities across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Australia and Asia.
Known for dominating the charts worldwide with their classic hits including “Karma Chameleon,” “Do You Really Want To Hurt Me,” and “Miss Me Blind,” the iconic band will kick off their reunion tour in Australia and will be in Manila on June 18 at the Araneta Coliseum.
This is the first time that Boy George and Culture Club (with Mikey on bass guitar, Roy on guitar and keyboards, and Jon on drums and percussion) will be performing in the Philippines. Those who grew up in the eighties as well as music lovers are excited and can’t wait to see them perform their greatest hits.
Though it’s a given that a lot from the LGBT community will flock to the Big Dome to see this show, many believe that Boy George and Culture Club’s music appeals to everyone because of its poetic lines and universal message.
Over time, George acknowledged that the audience has evolved.
 “When people would ask, ‘Who’s your audience?’ I’m like, ‘Everyone.’ It literally can be young kids to very old ladies, you know, moms,” he said. “It used to be a lot of girls back in the days, and now we seem to get a lot more guys.”
As the first multi-racial band with an openly gay front man, Culture Club has set many records, including being the first band since The Beatles to have three top 10 hits in America from a debut album. In the eighties, the band dominated the charts in over a dozen countries, with multi-platinum albums and more than 50 million albums sold worldwide to date.
“Culture Club Featuring Boy George Live In Manila” is a production of Royale Chimes Concerts and Events Inc. Tickets are now on sale at Ticketnet (911-5555) or log on to www.ticketnet.com.ph. You can also use your BDO credit and debit card to purchase tickets and enjoy a 15 percent discount. For more information, call 0918-4972121 or 0906-4180786.
BUY ONE-TAKE ONE PROMO FOR VITA E. Oxidative materials in the body reduce the amount of vitamin E in the skin, which can also cause the formation of free radicals. Endorsed by actress Carla Abellana, Vita-E contains 400 IU of vitamin E, an antioxidant that effectively protects the cells against free radicals and gives our skin a beautiful, youthful and effortless glow. Vita-E works from the inside making you feel and look great.
Not only is Vita E essential in maintaining the functions of our heart, blood vessels and nervous system, it also gives the immune system a boost. Take care of what’s beneath and flaunt that effortless beauty with Vita-E. Recommended to be taken one capsule per day, it is sold at P14 per soft gel capsule and get an extra one for free at Mercury Drug and other leading drugstores nationwide.

Eyes are the leitmotif of Ryza Cenon’s art. The GMA Network actress, who is also a dancer, model and now visual artist, calls her debut art exhibit “Independencia: Ang Panimula By Ryza Cenon.” The exhibit is ongoing at Guevarra’s by Chef Laudico.
Ryza projects the image of a fashionista painter — an Exi (as Existentialists called themselves in Germany in the 1960s) with her preference for black. During the exhibit opening where she also displayed her painting prowess, she was clad in the dark hue, from her unadorned shift dress, her straight hair under a bowler hat, to her wristwatch and pumps she wore with chic socks.
As the restaurant’s first celebrity exhibitor, she had been drilled in the art of performance and public relations. When she saw Alvin Hipolito, painter-son of the master painter of Philippine heritage Dante Hipolito, Ryza quickly invited him to her upcoming show at Pinto Gallery next year.
You would think the face is her favorite subject as majority of her paintings show the single subject of all kinds — that of women, mother and child, an interpretation of Aura of the Disney film Inside Out in Aura and even animals in Dark Zebra and Peace of War, overlooking all mammals have the sense of sight.
On her smartphone, Ryza showed how a painting of hers evolved from a single female with strong cartoon characteristics to  a primitive interpretation of a favored subject. She embellished it with layers of paint to make it appear like a black woman with her aura emanating from her entire body.
When asked about her favorite subject, she pointed out it is the eyes. That’s not unusual from Ryza. She considers her expressive eyes as the sexiest part of her body. They are also the first things she focuses in a person on first meeting.

FROM WHERE SHE COMES. Ryza signs her paintings as “RACS,” acronym for Rhiza Ann Cenon Simbulan, her real name. Like most of us, she considers the eyes as the windows of a person’s character. It allows one to peer into the soul, determining its past and age They are the central parts of the face that do not lie.
Ryza’s black eyes, for sure, tell of a 28-year-old with an old and enlighted soul. If her preference for black fashion displays her uncomplicated but determined choices, her eyes are its indicators. Her publicity photos have them bleeding with a rainbow of colors, only possible with a real artist’s eyes that see nature in very particular ways.
“I paint to express how I feel. Iba ‘yung nabibigay  niyang satisfaction sa akin, especially kapag stressed  ako sa dami ng issues sa buhay in general and even sa personal life. Painting allows me to express my thoughts and ideas based on my feelings. I told myself, instead of expressing elsewhere your emotions, why not put them into painting?” Ryza shared.  GMA Artist Center handler Mark Salazar asked Ryza to share how she asks to be excused in tapings and shoots when there is downtime to be able to resume painting.
Ryza’s eyes are honest eyes, that of an outsider. She learned the rudiments of drawing and watercolor, she recounted, from a fan/friend. Her first painting was a watercolor of a red apple dated Jan. 15, 2015, a variation of her friend’s ripe apple that she converted into a fruit with a bite.
It seems her contemporary version of Eve’s biblical apple represents a passion that art created in her. She can no longer go back, having savored the forbidden fruit. Ryza has been painting ever since, producing some 50 works, 30 of which are currently on exhibit.

MOST-REALIZED OUVRE. For some reason, Ryza finds unfathomable expression in those two black circles. I get nothing more than renditions of the eyes in its infinite expressions. But Isah Red, entertainment editor of The Manila Standard, found the image of Jesus in Ryza’s 30 by 20-inch acrylic of canvas entitled Heroic Eyes of Innocence (2016).
Appearing like a two-color painting similar to Cesar Legaspi’s amorphous abstracts, it is almost impossible Ryza used the National Artist’s painting as template. You see, she admits being clueless about art and artists. Ryza as a primitive artist is unschooled in its history and heroes. She admits googling paintings without trying to reinterpret them.
I have reason to believe her as, upon closer study of the stylized painting, a face is revealed in the maze of darkness that is embellished by bold strokes and minimally with drip paint. It is not an abstract as I though it to be from afar at first view, not even in the Legaspi style that I originally considered it to be.
Unaware of the isms in the visual arts, Ryza is an expressionist that presents the world solely from a subjective perspective, distorting it radically for emotional effect in order to evoke moods or ideas. Expressionist artists seek to express the meaning of emotional experience rather than physical reality.
It is the panache of Ryza, the most realized application of her self-developed style, the exhibit’s best work as it exudes magic required for artworks to be considered important. Even more with Isah’s observation that he saw Christ’s face.
When asked to interpret the painting, she said it is about the brave eyes of a soldier who battles in darkness, thus, the title. He fights with the innocence of faith that he will come out alive; it is a heroic action as he fully knows he may pay it with his life.
Closer scrutiny discloses this truth. That is why Isah’s vision turns crucial as it confirms every soldier’s will to survive. This is the quality of Ryza’s paintings that many of her viewers see as child-like interpretations of reality unencumbered by master strokes and masterful color schemes.

UNSCHOOLED. Delusion can be very simple, even colorful yet detailed, such as Ryza portraits of life. Their underpinnings are the angels of transparent happiness or monsters of the hidden fears we all have in us — those that walk with us in the shiniest days of life or the dark corridors of our deepest, darkest desires.
Ryza’s frequently basic renditions have to be viewed subconsconsciously, even unconsciously, to be able to appreciate their beauty, truth and meaning as her eyes saw them. They tell of an eternal principle that art cannot just be seen, but have to be savored.
Proceeds from the sale of “Independencia: Ang Panimula By Ryza Cenon” will be donated to GMA Kapuso Foundation. The exhibit runs until July 8 and can be viewed on Facebook at RACS Online Gallery. Guevarra’s by Chef Laudico is located at 387 P. Guevarra corner Argonne Street, Addition Hills, San Juan City.

STATUS UPDATE. Boy George and Culture Club know that people who are going to the highly-anticipated, one-night concert, Culture Club Featuring Boy George Live In Manila, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on June 17 beginning at 8 p.m. are there to party.

Boy George will definitely not allow his sentiments about the devastating Orlando, Florida gay nightclub killings where a gunman suspected to be a closet gay opened fire in the Pulse nightclub in which 50 people were killed. He will offer a tribute, but clearly will not cancel or water down the fun spirit of the show.
Taking to Twitter, Boy was among the entertainment celebrities who shared heartfelt messages: “Heartbroken about the shooting in Orlando. My prayers and thoughts are with you all in America. I pray for this world to change!”
Boy, who was also a The Voice coach, tweeted somewhat poignant as the massacre comes after US contestant Christina Grimmie was gunned down after a concert, also in the gun- and hatred-infested capital city.
As the first multi-racial band with an openly gay front man, Culture Club has set many records including being the first band since The Beatles to have three Top Ten hits in America from a debut album.
In the 80s, the pioneering band dominated the charts in over a dozen countries, with multi-platinum albums and more than 50 million albums sold worldwide to date.
Though it’s given that a lot from the LGBT community will flock to the Big Dome to see this show, many believe that Boy George and Culture Club’s music appeals to everyone because of its poetic lines and universal message.
As promised despite the schedule change from two to one night, this is the first time that Boy George with Culture Club members Mikey Craig on bass guitar, Roy Hay on guitar and keyboards, and Jon Moss on drums and percussion) will be performing in the Philippines.
Those who grew up in the eighties as well as music lovers are excited for this news and can’t wait to see them perform their greatest hits.
Boy George and Culture Club will give their audience a night of unforgettable music and partying. The group will be performing all their hits like “Karma Chameleon,” “The War Song,” “Do You Really Want To Hurt Me,” “Miss Me Blind,” “Move Away,” “Love is Love,” and a lot more.
Boy George will come fully geared. Filipino designer Kim Gan, a certified fan, designed his party attire which is minimalist, Modern Japanese in inspiration. He will wear Hakama pants which is plaited and squared. The dress shirt uses white Italian cotton while the kimono is be0aded black bamboo linen printed black and white.
“This is one big party,” Boy blurted about the concert.
Culture Club Featuring Boy George Live In Manila is a production of Royale Chimes Concerts & Events Inc. Tickets are now on sale at Ticketnet (Tel. No. 911-5555) or log on to www.ticketnet.com.ph. You can also use your BdO credit and debit card to purchase tickets and enjoy a 15-percent discount. For more info, call (0918) 497-2121 and (0906) 418-0786.

BE KIND TO PEOPLE WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER. Many of us are clueless or if we are vaguely aware we don’t give a damn that this controversial actor’s drinking problem (AWDP) is a symptom of a bigger problem, yes, that he is determined by a psychiatrist to be suffering from the largely confused bipolar disorder. That is why they are considered PWDs (Persons With Disability).
AWDP once ignored to take his bipolar disorder medication and when not immediately attended to when buying a pack of cigarettes in a neighborhood store, he lost control. This made him to hit its screen panel with a monoblock and punch in the face and kicked in the abdomen of the store owner.
And most recently, he figured in a brawl with an indie actor. Wanting AWDP to jam bar in a Quezon City, indie actor and company allegedly heckled him to go down the stage. AWDP approached trying to appease him with a handshake but indie actor took him by his head and wrestled him as a video shows.
Indie actor has denied he’s the aggressor and pointed out that AWDP appeared to be drunk. It is widely known that he loses control of himself and has brought many troubles, some ending in legal suits.
Problem about this is that a mixed martial arts group has commercialized the altercation. It challenged AWDP and indie actor to settle and iron out their differences in the octagon on June 25, 2016. This is further complicated by the acceptance of both who have inked the contract.
This is no less than cruelty to a Person With Disability.
Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, is a mental illness that brings severe high and low moods and changes in sleep, energy, thinking and behavior patterns.
People who have bipolar disorder can have periods in which they feel overly happy and energized then alternating with other periods of feeling extreme sad, hopeless and sluggish. In between those periods, they usually feel normal. “I have good ideas and very creative when in manic stage.”
This wide and wild aspect involving many entertainers seem to suggest that it is an industry-related affliction. This is because the life of entertainers is open to public scrutiny.
As the primary symptoms of bipolar disorder are dramatic and unpredictable mood swings, it is thought to be the affliction of creative types such as actors and other artists. But it is not. Even non-creative types can be distressed by such “dramatic” episode.
“The highs and the lows of bipolar disorder gas two ‘poles’ of mood, which is why it’s called ‘bipolar’ disorder.’” It is caused by chemical imbalance of the brain that is why the sufferers battle extreme loneliness almost every day for a period of time. Medications are used to achieve the desired balance to stabilize the sufferer’s moods.
When unchecked, bipolar disorder is known to ruin relationships, both personal and professional.
Even if brain chemicals come from food, bipolarism is a different case when one has a mental condition. Supplements may help but they don’t have therapeutic benefits.
This is the reason the use of medications needs to be balanced like having diabetes or any sickness for that matter. It has to be balanced to stop it from shifting to depressive mood. Psychiatrists prescribe the need to manage to benefit from its advantage.
The medication process is more effective if there is a support circle of relatives and friends, one sure way positive results can be achieved effectively.
But definitely commercializing it will not help the sufferer or promoting greater understanding of the bipolarism.

You know a company is leading when its direction is clear and it has time to celebrate its triumphs.
Gfoxx International Inc., which was officially launched in June 2015 from the alliance and synergy of remarkable business leaders and visionaries from Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines, recently celebrated its first anniversary with a recognition party at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.
Boasting of the most revolutionary compensation system in the industry with a proprietary distribution system through direct selling, Gfoxx is described as the only direct selling company that takes a 21st century approach to prosper its members and stakeholders in 18 countries across the globe.
At the party, Gfoxx recognized outstanding sales performers where Silver Paragon Tintin Guison, Richard Taylo, Harold Raqueno, Paulo Ramos and Jeffrey Triangle were enthusiastically cheered by well-dressed attendees. Gold Paragon Edison Victorino, who earns an average of P600,000 out of sales commissions, was last to be recognized by his Gfoxx colleagues and management.
To top it all, Gfoxx is a multi-awarded company. It recently won the golden globe Annual Award for Business Excellence, Best Cosmetic Brand for Airlift Foundation Cushion.
With their vast experience and expertise in the fields of network marketing, nutrition, bio-technology, R&D and corporate management, this band of great individuals set their sights on the life-transforming power of direct selling. They take pride in the fact that Gfoxx can offer: first-to-market healthy lifestyle products, specializing in the development, manufacture and distribution of premium skincare, personal care, nutritional and wellness products, to markets in the Philippines and around the world.
With the great aspiration to transform lives from ordinary to exceedingly extraordinary, Gfoxx is committed to become a faithful partner for every individual longing for that life breakthrough.
One of the company’s strong points, they say, is its top management’s expertise in the business of network marketing gained through many years of experience. With these network leaders, management heads and lead trainers, the company guarantees a simple and doable income opportunity to empower its distributors to realize their fullest potentials living a life of good health, financial freedom and great success.
Gfoxx is affiliated with EZ Shop Taiwan, the world’s leading TV Shopping company, together with their partner GMP-certified Biotechnology OEM Company.

Power duo
Business operations are spearheaded and managed by two young and dynamic professionals who have been actively involved in the network marketing industry both as part of a management team and as successful distributors.
The management board is also composed of two well-respected businessmen from the Philippines, Wilson Chua and Philip Co, both of whom have established ventures in various countries across the Asia Pacific and North America.
CEO and president David Tan, age 33, graduated with First Class Honors earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Food Science & Nutrition from the University Malaysia Terranganu. He was the recipient of the Anugerah Pelajar Diraja Award conferred by His Royal Highness the King of Malaysia in the year 2005 for Academic Excellence.
Coming from a solid background as an expert network marketer, trainer and motivational speaker, Tan became the youngest to be promoted as country manager for the Philippine operations of an established Asian direct selling company. In his three years as country manager, he achieved a record-breaking performance of 800 percent sales growth, the highest growth posted in the history of the company.
Today, Tan brings the same leadership attributes to build Gfoxx into one of the world’s most innovative networking companies of the 21st century. Under his visionary leadership, Gfoxx has posted record-breaking performance of 1,800 distributors across 18 countries before official launch, one of the most phenomenal growths ever witnessed in the network marketing industry.
Tan now mentors thousands of people across the globe to aspire to a life of great success, earning six to seven-digit income on a monthly basis through the innovations that he initiated in Gfoxx’s compensation plan. He demonstrates the passion, business savvy and expertise to build and lead Gfixx into one of the world’s most innovative networking companies of the 21st century.
Co-founder and vice president John Ernest Fernandez, aged 30, earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Perpetual Help in Manila, Philippines where he was a consistent Dean’s Lister and active youth leader. He was president and CEO of LifeWithAPlus Learning Resources Inc., a training and publishing company he pioneered which was awarded as 2015 Best Financial Management Training Center of the Philippines.
One of Asia’s most successful young entrepreneurs, he is also actively involved in various humanitarian work and was the Recipient of the Ambassador for Peace Award from the Universal Peace Federation.
Fernandez developed a passion for network marketing at the very young age of six, inspired by his father who was a seasoned network marketing trainer. He was a high ranking distributor of an international direct selling. He was also the youngest Deputy Country Manager and Lead Trainer of the Philippine subsidiary of an established Asian direct selling company. Fernandez has authored two best-selling books.
With Gfoxx’s growing management team and commitment  to  product  excellence, Gfoxx International leverages its expertise in modern direct selling to drive our vision for expansion across the region. Leveraging on its unique and equitable entrepreneurial platform and innovative products makes them ready and fully equipped to seize business opportunities in important emerging markets.
Gfoxx encourages innovation within the company, and is continuously on the lookout for talents to enhance all levels of capabilities.
Gfoxx has set its goal to expand its distribution network globally, and establish an entrepreneurial platform which offers a unique financially rewarding program for any individual to pursue financial freedom and personal wellness.
How does it do this? By setting and working on high goals. Achieving a total sales of P10 million for May 2015, it doubled the goal for the second anniversary. For June 2016, it set the target to P20 million. It looks this team of high achievers tops it all!

ARTBLAST! Benedicto Cabrera’s Isadora in Motion (1998) hammered for P37.5 million (with gallery premium), the highest seller at Leon Gallery’s The Spectacular Mid-Year Auction 2016 last Saturday. Carlos “Botong” Francisco’s Untitled (Pista sa Angono) sold for P30.4 million and was second best seller. Ang Kiukok’s Harvest (2004) went for P17.5 million, third best seller. Other top rankers were (4) Jose Rizal’s Jubali (Dapitan, 1894) for P16.4 million; (5) Ang Kiukok’s Cockfight (1997) for P16.3 million; (6) Jose Joya’s Golden Friendship (1975) and Nena Saguil’s Barrio Mother and Child (1954) for P14.0 million; and (7) Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo’s Chateau d’If (undated) for P12.8 million.

WELCOME CHANGE. It was the first time that the new logos of two companies were unveiled in 3D mapping on a magnificent light and sound show reflected on the PLDT Building in Makati City and viewed by guests at the ballroom via live feed. Outside the ballroom, Smart unveiled a 3D diorama of how #SmarterChange will change the digital landscape in the Philippines.
The new logos symbolize the massive transformation the two companies will undergo in the next three years.
According to PLDT information, the logos are shaped like triangles with the three sides representing the business pillars: People, innovations, and customers. The triangle is also the symbol for Delta, the fourth letter in the Greek alphabet, which stands for “change.” Smart’s color is now green, signifying growth and development.
“Its three sides represent the three things we value most: our Customers, our People and our Technology.
With practical innovations that focus on our consumers’ needs, coupled with human-centered service, we aspire to empower Filipinos to enjoy a digital-centered life without barriers.
“As a Smart community, we’ve also grown so much over the last 23 years. Our passion for connecting people has grown into an unwavering commitment to let Filipinos explore their unlimited potential — from mobile to digital, and across generations.
“This logo simply represents our journey to create a better tomorrow for the Filipino consumer.” PLDT and Smart chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan said the two companies will lead the digital revolution by embracing the smart life within the organization, pursuing digital innovations and enabling their customers to go digital in their own ways.
“The new logos signify the powerful convergence of PLDT and Smart, combining fixed and wireless technologies to serve individual and enterprise customers,” said Pangilinan.
Pangilinan led the grand reveal of the new PLDT and Smart logos together with his team.
Subscribers of Smart Communications (Smart) Inc. are in for a lot of surprises and changes, all of them exciting, in the coming days. The Philippine leader in mobile technology is set to break barriers and introduce even more innovations, for which Smart has always been known.
This was revealed during a special event dubbed “A New Day” hosted by Smart and PLDT at the Rizal Ballroom of the Makati Shangri-La, Manila.
Inside the ballroom, guests were amazed at the interactive exhibits depicting the history of the two companies. Each station showed the innovations of PLDT and Smart that have forever changed the landscape of Philippine telecommunications.
“It will be a night of surprises,” said model Bianca Valerio, who co-hosted the event with actor Steven Silva.
And that promise was as guests were treated to surprise after surprise.
After the big reveal, another surprise was announced — the reunion of iconic band Eraserheads, composed of Ely Buendia, Buddy Zabala, Marcus Adoro and Raimund Marasigan.
The performance only proved one thing — that Smart can make everything possible by breaking barriers. Who would think they could unite the Eraserheads, even for just a night?
The band performed 10 songs for the audience. Even better, they had an encore performance where they played five of their biggest hits, including “Toyang,” “Magasin” and “With a Smile.”
Better and bigger things are ahead for Smart and its millions of subscribers.
Smart’s new TVC (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IihEQAG7Co8 #action=shareshows) shows how digital technology bridges generations and connects families. In the coming months, Smart will continue to share the stories of its subscribers through its TVCs, showing that technology has a face and is not just about software and hardware.
What does this means for consumers? It means Smart will continue to break barriers to give it consumers the best mobile experience.
“Faster Internet speeds, a more enhanced mobile experience and integrated business processes that will make everything easier for everyone, whether it be sharing load with their loved ones to paying their bills,” said Ramon Isberto, Public Affairs head of Smart and PLDT.
The changes and improvements across all Smart brands will be rolled out in three years. Isberto said Smart subscribers in certain areas should start experiencing better signal and faster speeds in the next few months, even days.
Welcome change.

SHOWS AT HARD ROCK CAFÉ. Catch Hard Rock Café’s (HRC) amazing line-up of performers this June. Red Picasso powers the house with power ballads and dance music on June 25 (Saturday); pop-rock band Part 3 performs on June 26 (Sunday); show band Arpie & The Multivitamins is all set on June 27 (Monday); Inner Voices takes the center stage on June 28 (Tuesday); Area One dishes out the greatest hits of The Beatles on June 29 (Wednesday); and enjoy a super retro musical party with Kudos Love 80s on June 30 (Thursday).
Hard rockers can also enjoy the best burgers from around the world as HRC recently launch its World Burger Tour that features the best local burgers from around the world. HRC’s World Burger Tour menu is available until the end of July 2016. All shows start at 9 p.m.

In Leon Gallery’s Spectacular Mid-Year Auction 2016, Andres Barrioquinto’s The Kiss (2016) hammered for P9.1 million (with premium), making it the highest seller in the contemporary art sale. Ronald Ventura’s Void (2001) and Dead End (2006) took second and third slots, at P8.2 million and P4 million in that order. Completing the top seven bestseller list are (4) Geraldine Javier’s Extranjeros The Wedding (2005) at P3.7 million; (5) Rodel Tapaya’s Great Catch (2013) at P2.3 million; (6) Ronald Ventura’s Embrace (2000) at P1.5 million; and (7) Joven Mansit’s Market Scene (2007) at P1.2 million.
Overall, Benedicto Cabrera’s Isadora in Motion (1998) hammered for P37.5 million, its highest seller. Carlos “Botong” Francisco’s Untitled (Pista sa Angono) sold for P30.4 million, the second best seller. Ang Kiukok’s Harvest (2004) for P17.5 million comes third.
Other top rankers are (4) Jose Rizal’s Jubali (Dapitan, 1894) at P16.4 million; (5) Ang Kiukok’s Cockfight (1997) at P16.3 million; (6) Jose Joya’s Golden Friendship (1975) and Nena Saguil’s Barrio Mother and Child (1954) at P14.0 million; and (7)Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo’s Chateau d’If (undated) for P12.8 million.
The top seven artworks with record prices as of June 2016 now stand as follows: (1) Magsaysay-Ho’s Fish Harvest at Dawn (1979) that sold for P52.6 million; (2) Cabrera’s Sabel (2003) for P46.7 million; (3) Magsaysay-Ho’s Lavanderas (1957) for P39.7 million; (4) Cabrera’s Isadora in Motion (1998) for P37.4 million; (5) Fernando Zobel’s Garden Window with a Trumpet (1953) for P32.7 million; (6) Carlos “Botong” Francisco’s Untitled (Pista sa Angono)  for P30.4 million; and (7) Zobel’s Seated Man (Nothing III, 1953) for P30.4 million.
Even if the contemporary art sales could hardly make a dent in the current standing to the top seven artworks with record prices, it puts Barrioquinto at the top, beating Ventura even with his three slots in the shortlist. Does this make Barrioquinto the new auction superstar especially considering his work is in newly dried oil paint while the others are at least three years old?
Not really. Ventura still holds the world record for Filipino contemporary with Greyhound and as earlier stated The Kiss is not in the top seven list as he was unceremoniously ditched from it in this auction. And Barrioquinto needs to age because he can join the big leagues of the Masters.
And let us not forget that you just need one determined collector to command seven figures and there is no need for a real bidding to take place.
Nestor Leynes, Father of Socialism Realism in the Philippines, who passed on early this year, joined the block of artists in auction. The death of an artist usually increases the value of his work. His 24-by-18-inch oil on board Untitled (1978), property of the Ingrid Sala-Santamaria Collection, hammered for P0.7 million.   
But provenance is not an assurance that somebody will be interested to purchase. A boseto attributed to Juan Luna failed to attract a buyer.
This auction had perhaps the highest number of Fernando Amorsolo lots, but they continue to fail to command astronomical prices for supply is higher than demand.
And there is no comprehensive register of auction purchases as Salcedo Auctions, the other major auction house next to Leon Gallery, does not publicize its sale prices. As such, the artwork sales reported here is limited to Leon Gallery.            

HOOKED ON TV SHOPPING. If majority is addicted to social networking, television shopping has made many certified junkies not necessarily shop, but discover new and innovative stuff.
A survey in Facebook of 100 respondents revealed that 72 percent of TV shopping viewers shop for entertainment — and not necessarily e-commerce. The intention to buy arises when there is an actual need or cash is available.
ABS-CBN ventured into the Skymall, a TV home shopping lifestyle channel in the 1990s. It closed down after a few years with a valuable business insight that it needed a strong and competent partner to succeed.
TV shopping offers unique products that are distinct from the internet-based online shopping, which can also be categorized as home shopping. Online shopping, however, is not necessarily TV shopping.
What makes TV shopping even more attractive is that it corrects the hassles of traditional shopping, such as parking troubles, extremely large malls (consider searching just to buy a steam iron), and queues at the checkout counters. What starts as fun turns boring.
Aired on “dead hours” as advertising block, usually before and after regular programming (although GMA News TV airs it at early afternoon), TV shopping can easily be made via phone or internet and the orders delivered for free.
Merchandise sells frequently at discounted prices, large items available in installment plan, usually without interest. To compel viewers to make a quick purchasing decision, TV shopping usually comes with a freebie as attractive as buy one, take one.
TV shopping also fully uses the Internet for marketing purposes. It is also available on smart and android phones as an app. There are now 10 TV shopping programs with GMA joining the craze on free TV stations.                      
Among them are Shop TV which is 24-hour shopping that sells advertised products on the Home Shopping Network in the US. Operated by Solar Entertainment Corp., Shop TV with localized price and ordering data airs on 2nd Avenue, Basketball TV, BEAM TV, GMA Network, GMA News TV, ETC, Jack TV and Solar Sports.
TV Shop Philippines, on the other hand, airs on IBC, Cignal, Living Asia Channel, Telenovela Channel, People’s Television and BEAM TV. TV5 has Shop Japan.
ABS-CBN Corp. found a partner in the Korea-based home shopping giant CJ O Shopping Corp. when it reentered into the business in 2013.
Hosts Lesli Lina, Victor Anastacio, Hiyasmin Neri, Sandro Hermoso and Cara Eriguel, among others, work mostly in tandem. One demonstrates the product while the other explains the benefits, complete with sensuous oohs and aahs.                                                
While other networks use canned episodes with American or Asian-looking models, O Shopping puts professional panache by producing episodes in easy-to-understand language incorporating professionally made videos of on ABS-CBN, Sky, Destiny, iWant TV and People’s Television.
Habits die hard including shopping that people largely consider now as amusement.

The Los Angeles-based International Design Awards (IDA) awarded Joyce Peñas Pilarsky of Philippines the Third Prize in Accessory Competition for the Joyce Penas Pilarsky Fashion Jewelry Project.
Visual shows one of the 10 winning pieces, a corset with different small and big seashells from the Philippines and kinds of stones and mother of pearls with Swarovski crystals.
Pilarsky presented the one-of-a-kind and daring jewelry collection with a unique style as the new trend in fashion accessories. She designed with passion and love and always consider that when a person wears it, she will dare to be different and she will always be proud.
She aims also to promote Filipino indigenous materials from different regions such as natural stones, woods, shells, mother of pearls, agate and other Filipino materials. She believes that every woman deserves to feel beautiful and stunning; wearing her creations makes a woman more confident, fabulous and a head turner.
Pilarsky has been proclaimed Grand Champion at Los Angeles Fashion Week Design Competition on Oct. 17, 2015. Tagged as Design Warz by Los Angeles Fashion Week Design Competition, the event is a platform for fashion designers, makeup artists and hair stylists. Twelve artists competed in three design categories — hair design, makeup artistry and fashion design on the runway during Los Angeles Fashion Week.
Pilarsky received rave reviews from different shows she joined and was featured in several magazines in the Philippines, USA, United Kingdom, France and Germany. Being named as the Queen of Philippine Eco-Couture, she is also proud as a model of her own creations which are unique and individualistic fashion accessories inspired by the beauty of nature because it makes a heart smile with happiness.
The IDA is an annual competition recognizes, honors and promotes legendary design visionaries and uncovers emerging talents in architecture, interior, product, graphic and fashion design on global level.
A handful of designers, thinkers and entrepreneurs created the International Design Awards in 2007 as a response to the lack of recognition and celebration for smart and sustainable multidisciplinary design.
IDA exists to recognize, celebrate and promote legendary design visionaries and to uncover emerging talent in Architecture, Interior, Product, Graphic, and Fashion Design. IDA aspires to draw attention to the iconoclasm of design worldwide, conceptualizing and producing great work.
IDA honorary juries examined over 1000 entries submitted by architects and designers of interiors, fashion, products, and graphics from 52 countries throughout the world.
After final decisions had been made, the jury rewarded the best professional and emerging designers for their achievements in design, creativity, usability and innovation. Judging was a rigorous process, with winners received publication of their work in the International Design Awards Book of Designs.
The coveted IDA Trophy will be awarded to all Designer of the Year title winners at the official biennial International Design Awards Ceremony.
Jury members included Alice Blackwood, editor, Design Quarterly; Kahi Lee, host, HGTV’s Design on a Dime, Style Network’s My Celebrity Home; Melissa Sterry, Interdisciplinary Design Scientist, founder, Societas; Josh Rubin, editor-in-chief, founder, and publisher, Cool Hunting; Martin Venzky-Stalling, senior advisor, CMU STeP; Jeffrey Nemeroff, co-founder, creative director, Entra Magazine; Jordan Landes-Brenman, CEO, Haute House PR and Marketing; Raj Nandan, managing director, Indesign Group; William Menking, founder, editor-in-chief, The Architects’ Newspaper; Nicole Lloyd, senior art buyer, Deutsch, Inc.; Rebecca Epstein Kong, co-founder, Artware Editions; Aaron Kenedi, editor-in-chief, Print; Geraldine Grisey, editor, Punky B Fashion Diary.

DANNY TAN OPENS FIFTH BRANCH OF FURRY TAILS. Multi-awarded music personality Danny Tan opened the fifth branch pf Furry Tails, a one-of-a-kind pet store, pet salon and spa and pet wellness at SM Megamall, fifth level, Bldg. A (near car park entrance/exit door).
With a dog jacuzzi and a doggie daycare with a playground kit where dogs can interact and play together while pet parents attend to other errands.  They can pick up their “babies” before closing mall hours. No overnight lodging is provided, though.
Because pet dogs are treated as truly special members of the Filipino family, Furry Tails has pulled out all the stops to offer products and services to include our furry friends in the pet parents/owners’ day-to-day activities as much as possible. 
As in all of its branches, the petboutique at SM Megamall carries a wide variety of dog supplies such as clothes and costumes, travel bags, back packs, sling bags, strollers, trolleys, tents,potty trainers, beds, cooling mats, grooming and fashion accessories, feeding accessories, frosty bowls, shampoos and conditioners, colognes, anti-flea treatments, pet food and delicious treats.
A world-class salon and spa for dogs and dog lovers, it offers services and amenities for man’s best friend’s ultimate pampering experience. Aside from its basic grooming services, Furry Tails offers personalized and creative grooming styles.
It includes pet aqua massage, pet massage, petaromatherapy, pet mud therapy, pet SPA hair treatments, pet hair coloring, PETicure, aromatic bath salt treatment,
charcoal bath and other innovative and exciting service packages. And with its new store design comes the state-of-the-art hydraulic grooming tables, grooming equipment and sterilizer.
Other branches of Furry Tails are  the flagship at SM City North Edsa, SM City Sta. Rosa, and Fairview Terraces Ayala Malls. For more information, call 734-8303 or text 0943-6625920 or visit FB page @FurryTailsByLhulu.

BUZZ-YOU-CAN-USE. Avid fans lead the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Beatles live concert in Manila on July 4, 2016.
On July 3 at the Gateway Food Plaza at the Araneta Center at 3 p.m., Chato and Victoria Ponce with KR Raposes hold a free party, Come Together, featuring volunteer bands Pax Machine, The Summers, Kaleidoscope Eyes and we have solo performers Nyng Piñon and Frederick Flores.
The Official Beatles Fan Club of the Philippines, Ltd. on the other hand, celebrates at the Black Kings Bar x Café at 107 West Ave, Quezon City on July 8. Featuring Play Fountains, Romantic Walls, The Streetlights, Roadizz, Sleeping on Sunbeams, Manila ’66, and The Official Fan Club Band at 7 p.m.

Alvin Tofler, in his 1970 bestseller, Future Shock, posits that individuals and entire societies may suffer from certain psychological states such as a shock from “too much change in too short a period of time.” Sometimes, the shock requires people to run to escape.

On July 4, 1966, 50 years ago today, future shock showed its negative capabilities when the Beatles, who were in Manila for a two-show concert at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium, and their management failed to cope with unfolding events.
11:00 A.M. When First Lady Imelda Marcos entered the flower-decorated corridor leading to Malacanan Palace’s dining hall, 300 youngsters, mostly children of government officials, military officers and business tycoons, including media people, waited for the Beatles to arrive.
At the Manila Hotel, bangs on his suite door awakened business manager Brian Epstein. He was not used to such intrusions and he was trying to snatch up some rest from the Beatles’ bothersome billet in the Marima yacht and their transfer to Manila Hotel at 4 a.m.
Forced to open up, he was faced with concert promoter Ramon Ramos, who entered and demanded, “Come on! You’re supposed to be at the palace.” Epstein could not believe what he heard, but could not protest as two persons with him carried guns.
But he announced John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr could not be awakened until it was time for them to leave for the concert. As the discussion had started to heat up, Epstein stated firmly, “If they want to see the Beatles, let them come here.”
12:00 P.M. Tired of waiting, Imelda walked out. Daughter Imee said, “I really do not like their music.” Son Bongbong stated, “I’d like to pounce on the Beatles and cut off their hair!” The docile Irene had warning words, “I only like one Beatles song and it’s ‘Run for Your Life.’”
The local media quickly called the non-appearance by the Beatles as “snubbing” the First Lady, angering Marcos friends and followers, including many Beatles fans. They were fast at hatching up a get-even scheme.
Hilarion Henares Jr. buzzed that Norberto “Kokoy” Romualdez Jr., Imelda’s brother, planned to lynch them. J.V. Cruz, his right-hand man, suggested organizing “a lynch mob” instead of making fun of Kokoy in a huddle at the Manila Oversees Press Club in Admiral Bldg.  
The British ambassador advised Epstein to reconsider his decision since the Beatles’ security was courtesy of Pres. Ferdinand Marcos, adding the latter and his wife badly wanted to be recognized as world leaders that they sought acknowledgement by being photographed with the Beatles.
2:00 P.M. Traffic had snarled around the Stadium. A total of 720 uniformed policemen, 35 detectives and the entire contingent of the Manila Fire Department saturated the stadium and surrounding areas.
Tickets priced at P20 for the field reserved section and P30 for the grandstand ringside section had been sold out. Many ticket holders had queued since early morning. When the gates opened, there was a mad rush for the best seats.
The Beatles arrived at the Stadium and headed for the hastily constructed dressing room backstage. Installed the previous day, it came with an air-conditioning system to keep the Beatles from the heat.
4:00 P.M. The two-part concert opened with the singing of the Philippine National Anthem, followed by the overture. D’Downbeats was first on stage with Joey “Pepe” Smith on drums and vocals.
With Carding Cruz and His Orchestra providing the rhythm section, Dale Adriatico, Wings Duo, Pilita Corrales, Lemons Three and The Reycard Duet sang. Fans impatiently heckled the opening act. Total running time: Three hours.
7:00 P.M. The Beatles performed 11 songs: “Rock And Roll Music,” “She’s A Woman,” “If I Needed Someone,” “Day Tripper,” “Baby’s In Black,” “I Feel Fine,” “Yesterday,” “I Wanna Be Your Man,” “Nowhere Man,” “Paperback Writer” and “I’m Down.” Curiously, the audience demanded no encore.
8:30 P.M. The crowd had swelled to 50,000 by the second set. The Beatles sang the same repertoire. When the crowd trampled the fences separating the sections, they started standing on the chairs to get a better view of the band.
Done with the show, the Beatles rushed to a waiting car parked nearby for a swift exit. Happily, no snags took place at the concerts.
Crowd count at both concerts totaled 80,000 and ticket sales amounted to $100,000. But there was a big discrepancy.  McCartney and Harrison put it at 100,000, a difference of 20,000 from the official count.
11.00 P.M. Back at Manila Hotel, booking agent Vic Lewis heard a knock on his door. When he opened, it was a tax collector with the demand, “You owe $80,000.”
Lewis showed him relevant clauses of the Beatles contract for live appearances. It stated that all income taxes would be borne by the country’s promoter.
But the taxman was firm so Lewis was forced to inform Epstein, who answered, “We don’t want any trouble with these people, so let’s just get out of here.”

Even with President Rodrigo Duterte’s revolution of change yet to take effect officially, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) had started its cinematic lead with the 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) #reevolution, with actors Iza Calzado and Epy Quizon, presented with significant changes in a well-conceptualized grand launch held at the SMX Convention Center on Tuesday.
In the June 19, 2016, column, Buzzstation asked: Is the 2016 MMFF turning into an indie filmfest? The media huddle that followed, with MMDA Chairman Emerson Carlos, Mowelfund president Boots Anson-Rodrigo and Movie Producers and Distributors Association of the Philippines president Wilson Tieng as resource persons, gave the definite answer to the pointed question.
No, they said, the 2016 MMFF has been repackaged as a Filipino film festival with international standards using the finished film format.
Criteria for judging entries are as follows: 40 percent for story, audience appeal and overall impact; 40 percent for cinematic attributes or its technical excellence; 10 percent for global appeal; and 10 percent for Filipino sensibility. Commercial viability has been altogether ditched. There will be no more cash prizes for the winners.
The grand launch turned out to be an encouraging indication of participation of traditional MMFF players as reps of Star Cinema, Regal Films, Viva Films, Cinema One Originals and the Dondon Monteverde-Erik Matti group were in attendance. Award-winning directors like Joselito Altarejos were seen as well. Even Orly Ilacad sent reps. His partner, Vic Sotto of M-Zet Productions, had previously stated that he may not participate.
Cannes Best Director Brillante Mendoza, however, has fielded entries, but was not represented. Gil Portes, who earlier announced he’s entering the Japanese occupation drama, Moonlight Over Baler, did not attend. Lawyer Joji Alonzo of Quantum Films, a major player in the last three festivals and its major winners in the last two editions, was not represented.
This will not disqualify them from participation, but Buzzstation hopes it will not be a cause for discrimination.
A glamorous awarding ceremony like the Oscars has been set on the last day of the festival such as the Cannes Film Festival, on Jan. 8, 2017, no longer on the third day, usually on Dec. 27.
In said column, Buzzstation asked other questions that now have answers.
 
Question: Is the 2016 MMFF facing serious problems due to the sweeping.changes the MMDA made to its mechanics starting this year?
Answer: There should be none as such changes were made in direct consultation with producers and theater owners and they were the ones who suggested the finished film format. It is the standard of film festival the world over, not the script format which is the standard of subsidized film festivals such as Cinemalaya and Cinema One Originals. And to think the MMFF is never a subsidized filmfest.
 Q: Is MMDA Chairman Carlos still the head of the 2016 MMFF executive committee?
A: During the launch, there was no mention of the part of Chair Carlos or the other resource speakers that he will exit. As of this deadline, there has been no announcement on the part of the Duterte government that he had been replaced. So the assumption is he is on a hold-over capacity, but he did hint his term will not be in the position forever.
 Q: Will the selection committee act as the board of jurors as earlier written about?
A: No, the selection committee’s role ends once members pick the eight official entries. This year’s members are Sid Lucero, Lawrence Anthony Fajardo, Mae Paner, legal counsel of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and station manager of DZRB-Radyo ng Bayan Trixie Angeles, Allan Allanigue, Krip Yuson and Crispina Belen. An entirely new board of jurors, the composition of which is still unannounced, will select winning entries.
Q: Are official entries guaranteed a minimum run?
A: There is no definite answer although Tieng said the minimum guarantee may be extended from “three to five days” and the theater owners are still to decide on the issue.
Q: What happens to the New Wave section of the MMFF?
A: It has been deleted, replaced by a Short Film section wherein eight short film entries will be selected in a competition and screened
during the showing of the official entries.
 
Innovations and variations. THE 2016 MMFF will also introduce the following changes:
1. While it will continue screening eight official entries, genres are open and not limited to pre-determined numbers. This freewheeling
standard continues as there is no rule as to the minimum of entries a producer can enter and/or a lead star can make.
2. Full-length films should be no longer than 150 minutes, while the short films should not exceed 5 minutes in running time but with “no minimum length required.” Short films can be in narrative, documentary, or experimental form, and live action or animated.
3. In place of the Best Child Performer award, there will be a Children’s Choice Award, designed to encourage filmmakers to create works geared for younger audiences with children of ages nine to 12 selecting the winners.
4. Filipino artists and designers are invited to submit entries for a logo and theme song competition. The winner of the logo contest will also be tasked with creating key visuals for the months leading up to the festival proper. The theme song, meanwhile, will be selected by a panel, which includes Jimmy Bondoc, Jerrold Tarog and former Undersecretary of the Office of the Press Secretary Robert Rivera. Submissions will be from July 15 to Aug. 15/ Winners will be announced by Sept. 15.
5. The Parade of Stars, the date of which is yet to be announced, will be a bigger extravaganza.
 
Schedules. Stakeholders will follow the following schedules: by July 8, submission of a letter of intent from those planning to enter feature-length films. They should be sent to the MMFF to gauge how many films will be screened by the selection committee.
No later than Oct. 19, submission of requirements and hard drives of the short films should be submitted, while full-length films should be handed over by Oct. 31.
By Oct. 27, finalists will be announced for short films and Nov. 10 for full-length films.

Effortlessly beautiful Ira J. Santos, only daughter of Alexis G. Santos and Concepcion Cortez, will be escorted by her four-year-old brother Manco when the grandiose Garden Ballroom of Edsa Shangri-La Hotel is transformed into the dreamscape of Alice’s Wonderland on July 16 at 5:31 p.m. onwards.

Ira will make her grand entrance in a serenity blue bustier gown embellished with pearls, matsuno beads and Swarovski crystals, all hand-sewn on French lace by international fashion designer Kim Gan.
And why not Lewis Carroll’s children’s classic for a theme? It has been made twice into full-length Hollywood features. When Alice in Wonderland, Tim Burton’s live-action opened in the spring of 2010, viewers savored the promise of an immersive journey into a magical world in cutting-edge 3D, which was a relatively new phenomenon back then.
And now Alice Through the Looking Glass presents the young, spunky heroine following in her father’s footsteps and sailing the ravaging high seas ? turning the story into a pro-feminist paean. On her return to London, Alice deals with a hard blow that threatens to hinder her dreams of doing her father proud.
In the know of this popularity and its underpinnings, Ira, a high chool student of the exclusive school for girls, St. Paul College-Pasig, decided on the motif as appropriate for her coming out party. In the first place, she believes in girl power, being a member of the school’s champion cheerleading team.
And her parents have spared no effort to make the party of her lifetime — the other being her wedding if ever she decides to enter into matrimony — truly memorable. Mom Connie got ace creative Hanzel Villafuerte as overall coordinator.
Top on the to-do list is Ira’s clothes designer, and the task fell on Kim Gan, who was the easy choice due to her formidable credentials that suited the daughter-and-mother’s preference.
Kim designed Boy George’s Japanese-style outfit at his one-night concert at the Smart Araneta. Kim has an atelier named Gakuya by Kim Gan. Having lived in Japan for several years, she named it after the Japanese word for “boudoir” where geishas change their clothes.
Kim describes Ira as “a very sweet and quiet girl.” The serenity blue color of her coming out gown fits her skin tone, and it goes with the motif. Kim describes her designs as “classic, elegant, young, fresh and magical! Very Disney!”
But she was very careful not to make them costume-like, aiming to retain the couture quality that she successfully executed. Ira cannot wait to wear it on her special day. She will come as a cross between a supermodel and a princess, a tough thing to do that Kim pulled off specially.
Emme Sevillano for hair, Carmi David for makeup, Kim Gan for clothes, Sonia Agbayani for styling, Danny Jota for event styling and set design, PixelCastle forphotography, and Paul Portugal of Kronos Professional Audio & Lights Services for lights, sound and video complete Ira’s glam team
No doubt Ira will be the happiest debutante that night as her beloved family and dear friends celebrate the once-in-a-lifetime event.

UPDATE. Peter Drucker posits that civil work is a results-blind job. In this sense, heads of the previous government have been replaced, regardless of their meritorious accomplishments. One of them is former Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Emerson Carlos, whose resignation became effective on June 30, 2016 as required by his position. He is credited for causing the Metro Manila Film Festival to evolve by leading its 2016 Executive Committee to adapt the finished film format of international standards of A-1 list film festivals such as Cannes and Berlin.

OUTSTANDING NATIONAL MUSEUM DIRECTOR. Filipino-Australian museum director Jeremy Barns will go down in Philippine history as the one who brought the Philippines’ National Museum to global standards. His lasting gift to the Filipino people is making the museum accessible to all by permanently waiving the entrance fee to generate more and younger museum audiences.
As Director, Barnes focused on renovating the National Museum to make it more appealing to visitors, and highlighting exhibits on Filipino identity.
His favorite collection is a set of 2000-year-old burial jars excavated from the Sarangani province in Mindanao. Barns said that these jars display the early Filipino artistic skills in the craft of earthenware-making. These jars are remarkable because they resemble human bodies and faces, having lids in the shape of a human head. It also has unique facial features that portray joy, sorrow, or neutral. These designs make culture enthusiasts speculate the reasons behind these expressions.
Barns is also a fan of the Bones Gallery. He said that the sperm whale skeletons is a big favorite among kids.
The National Art Gallery, housed at the old Legislative Building on P. Burgos Street in Manila, has been at the core of the rehabilitation. One of the key changes in 2010 involved the institution’s main draw, Juan Luna’s Spoliarium, which was moved in its display space to give it more prominence.
Barns also pushed for the renovation of old Senate Session Hall, exposing its original towering columns and highlighting the architectural work of Juan Arellano and the sculptures of Isabelo Tampinco.
Also since 2010, the Museum’s number of galleries has steadily increased to showcase artworks that had been gathering dust in storage, as well as newly sourced collections of Filipino art masters.
The National Museum has also been actively seeking the transfer of significant art collections from other government institutions whose core mandates do not involve art management.
In 2012, he promoted the biodiversity of the Philippines and fought against habitat destruction. Thus, he held exhibits of plants and minerals that are found uniquely in the Philippines.
Work has also been underway on the National Museum of Natural History, housed at the former Department of Tourism building in Rizal Park, which is expected to be opened in 2017.
As the official Patron of the National Museum and the Honorary Chairman of our Board of Trustees, President Rodrigo Duterte can recognize Barnes outstanding work in, the National Museum by reappointing him as Director like former President Benigno Aquino did before him.

The signs are film piracy may be on the upswing.
With President Rodrigo Duterte’s intense crackdown on the illegal drugs trade, it looks like film piracy may be back sooner than we think. Not that it had been completely eliminated. It still exists, but not in the scale as during the time of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Now that the crackdown has been given less importance such as the non-inclusion of a representative from the Motion Picture Anti Film Piracy Council in the 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Executive Committee, and the drug lords soon out of business, the tell-tale signs that film piracy will be on the rise are there.
The latest anti-piracy ad directed by Dan Villegas cannot be shown in all cinemas because it was rated PG (Parental Guidance) twice by the Movie and Television Regulation and Classification Board. And to think it just shows a film pirate entering jail with various types of thieves. According to the rules, an ad must be rated G (General) for it to be allowed screening in ALL cinemas.
And there is this exposition on the evils of film piracy on Facebook by Joji Alonso, legal counsel of the Motion Picture Anti Film Piracy Council:
“This post gives us an insight on how cruel and selfish some people have become. It is very much akin to the comment that ‘film producers make so much money anyway, they won’t feel the impact of piracy’ — ergo, no wrong is committed when their work is pirated, when heartless people upload the pirated films and watch them wherever they can, on social media and worse, even brag about it and are jubilant when they get so many views and likes.
“But how many films really make ‘so much money?’ and precisely because not all films make money, shouldn’t the ‘not so lucky ones’ deserve even more protection from piracy???
“A film takes a million man hours to create. The cost of making films goes beyond the money that is put into it. Many of us put in more than the proverbial blood, sweat and tears. For those who refuse to understand — films are the products of our hearts and souls. We give a part of ourselves in every film we make, whether as a producer, an artist, a director, a production designer, a DOP, a composer, an editor, a colorist, a publicist, personal assistants and runners down to the last single personnel or staff who work eight days a week and 36 hours a day — the list is endless, and the damage and hurt, beyond comprehension.
“There is absolutely nothing wrong with hoping that we make a profit out of the films we make. Filmmaking is a gamble beyond par. And to earn from it is neither indecent nor illegal. It is something we deserve. And when you pirate our films, upload and share them, download and watch them, you are cheating us of the pesos and centavos that we would have stood to earn had you not stolen from us.
“Piracy does not need to be defined. It is STEALING. Every person who watches a pirated copy of a film is just as guilty as those who pirated the movie. While it may not be on all fours, this situation is akin to the phrase minted by Justice Felix Frankfurter in the celebrated case of Nardone vs. United States: that whatever has been uploaded without the permission of the creator of the film is ‘the fruit of the poisonous tree.’
“I certainly hope that the people who think like this female specie who posted this on FB will never fall prey to a theft or robbery. Because you apparently are so stuck on yourselves that you do not have the faintest clue of the pain that many of us have gone through or are going through.”
Having stated the above, the Motion Picture Anti Film Piracy Council must be given back its seat in the Executive Committee of the 2016 MMFF before it’s too late — before film piracy rolls into full gear all over again.
This calls for your action, President Duterte!

HEALTHY AND WEALTHY WITH JAVITA DRINKS. The Javita line of premium hot and cold drinks is formulated with the natural taste of fruits that are fat-free, sugarless and right for your active lifestyle. Processed exclusively in the United States, Javita can make you, your relatives and your friends healthy and wealthy.
The Javita Coffee Diet System consists of Burn Fat: two cups of Burn + Control every morning help increase your body’s natural fat-burning processes and control your appetite; Feel Full with Fiber gives you a feeling of fullness and also helps support your overall cardiovascular health; and Cleanse with Herbal Cleanse Tea refreshes and renews your body system byt flushing out obstacles in reaching your weight loss goals.
Founder Stan Cherelstein and his team of dedicated members will be available for the Javita Momentum Tour in July in select capital cities to conduct marketing and business orientations about Javita: July 16 at Crown Regency, Makati; July 17 at City Light Hotel, Baguio; July 18 in Pangasinan (location to be announced); July 19 at Dayton Hotel, Batangas City; July 20, Dynasty Court Hotel, Cagayan de Oro; July 21 at Lispher Inn, Davao; July 22 at Bayfront Hotel, Cebu; July 23 at Metro Centre, Bohol; July 24 at Bethel House, Dumaguete; July 28 in Cavite (with Carla and Margie Corales Dumadag); and July 28 in Bicol (with Juvs Pabilonia and Mr. Cherelstein).
For details, call Jhee (0995-2702304/0999-0074698/0915-1792087) or (02) 659-3834 or visit www.myjavita.com.

BEWARE. Dr. Hardik Shah, CMO, Civil Hospital Mumbai, is cascading this information in public interest:
1. Do not drink APPY FIZZ. It contains Cancer causing agent.
2, Don’t eat Mentos before or after drinking Coke or Pepsi because the Person will die immediately as the mixture becomes cynide.
3, Don’t eat Kurkure because it contains high amount of plastic. If you don’t believe burn Kurkure and you can see Plastic melting.
4. Avoid these Tablets as they contain Phenyl Propanol-Amide PPA, which causes Strokes and are banned in US: D-cold, Vicks Action-500, Actified, Coldarin, Cosome,
Nice, Nimulid and Cetrizet-D.

“He has earned our respect,” Yes! magazine explained its choice of  Nico Antonio as one of its 100 Beautiful List of 2016. “Our staff was talking about him yesterday,” explained one of the magazine’s writers, who will remain unidentified.

Clearly, his versatility and credibility have plenty to do with it: “Everyone is singing him praises kasi kahit anong genré raw, puwede siya, believable siya, katanggap-tanggap. Mapa-gay, mapa-kontrabida, mapa-comedy, mapa-drama, mapa-sidekick, mapa-slapstick, mapa-straight. Sabi pa ng production coordinator/shoot producer after Nico’s shoot: ‘Tsaka mas guwapo siya sa personal!”
Yes! Magazine’s 100 Beautiful List is an annual rundown of who Yes! considers as the most beautiful male and female figures in Philippine entertainment. This is the first time that Nico entered the list.
But this happened after his much-praised performance as Tolyts in the phenomenal romantic comedy, On The Wings of Love. As the adorable, vaguely handsome tricycle driver-suitor of the elder sister of lead actress Leah (Nadine Lustre), Nico flies high in the support character of ABS-CBN primetime series.
His consistently praiseworthy characterization as an ideal husband material in the family-oriented drama series embodies the equivalent of Pangako Sa ‘Yo’s Thou Reyes as Takong, the minor character dispensable in the narrative, but so crucial to provide the crucial light moment to make the narrative spin. Nico provides its innocent macho charm infrequently assayed in romantic comedies which he has claimed as his own.
It took Nico a decade to take this distinction due to his passion for the entertainment craft and persistence with the unwavering support of his family and Johnny “Mr. M” Manahan and Mariole Alberto of Star Magic.
Nico’s fine Filipino features with to-die-for abs and dynamic filmography started in Jeffrey Jeturian’s Minsan Pa. Then he took the role of a jueteng runner in Jeturian’s Kubrador (The Bet Collector) to the singer of Biyaheng Lupa’s theme song, “Kahit Isang Saglit.”  
He did not mind going to auditions and essaying all sorts of character roles. The range went through a schizophrenic sibling murderer in Magkakapatid to an empathetic “paminta” lover in Joselito Altarejos’ Ang Laro Sa Buhay ni Juan.
He was nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role (Drama, Musical or Comedy) for Magkakapatid at the 2011 Golden Screen Awards, Philippines.
With Tom Rodriguez, Guji Lorenzana and Jay-R Siaboc, they formed the boyband, the VOIZboys, that had a string of concerts and full-length album to their name.
After going the route of support roles that made him an intensely versatile actor, Nico headlined a full-length starrer, Lawrence Fajardo’s Posas (Shackled), where he plays a Quiapo snatcher.
Arrested and subjected to torture, it exposed the police system’s culture of corruption in the process. Acting capably, he nearly paid with his life in doing the water torture scene. This won him a Best Actor nomination at the 2013 Gawad Urian Awards.
Despite this status, Nico is not beyond continuing taking support roles, a mark of a true actor such as in the superstar-studded full-length feature, Jeturian’s Ekstra (Bit Player). This put him in the same status as Vilma Santos, Marian Rivera, Piolo Pascual with 2012’s hottest new actor, “Ser Chief” Richard Yap.
Nico was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for Red in the 39th Gawad Urian Awards. He was also nominated for Best Supporting Actor for the same film at the 2015 Asean International Film Festival and Awards.
Nico has just begun. Let us wait got another decade and see where he will take his career, perhaps sub for the venerable actor of all characters, Eddie Garcia?

JOYCE PILARSKY FEATURED IN NEW YORK PHOTO EXHIBIT. Global designer Joyce Penas Pilarsky is featured in Phil Dizon’s photo exhibit entitled “Philippine Faces and Places” on-going at the Philippine Center Gallery located at 556 Fifth Avenue in New York, NY 10036 from July 5 to 15. Admission is free.
But because Joyce, who is a doctor of alternative medicine, is traveling to Spain and Brussels for her naturopathy convention as presenter, she was unable to attend the exhibit opening.
Featuring landscapes, seascapes, cityscapes with portraits of notable personalities and ordinary folk alike, the exhibit highlights the uniqueness of Philippine scenery and culture. For this project, he traveled to iconic landmarks of the Philippines, as well as beautiful places that are less known.
Incorporating the drama and majesty of these landscapes and pairing these with dignified inhabitants of the locale, he presents a personal view of the Philippines to bring back beautiful memories of his homeland. His photos aims to inspire foreigners and Filipinos living abroad to visit or re-visit beautiful Philippines.
Based in Manila, Phil got his first taste of photography as an exchange student in Colorado, USA, assisting his foster dad with landscape shots. This led him to take further classes in fashion photography and to set up his own photo studio. Over the years he has cultivated this passion for photography, dedicating more than half his life to it.
His current portfolio includes photographs published in The Philippine Star, The Standard, Art+ Magazine and Zee Lifestyle. He maintains two studios in Metro Manila and is opening his third soon. When he is not photographing beautiful women in beautiful places, Phil runs Vendiz Pharma- ceuticals Inc. as its CEO.
Visit his Web site at www.phil diz.com.

WHAT SETTLES THE SOUTH CHINA SEAS DISPUTE. Called by Jaime Laya as “the Holy Grail of Philippine cartography,” the so-called Murillo Velarde map that shows the contested islands in the South China Sea as part of the Philippines in the year it was made, 1734, is a large map measuring 27 inches by 42 inches.
Providing incontrovertible proof that the contested islands in the South China Sea belong to the Philippines, it is rightfully called as the Murillo Velarde-Nicolas de la Cruz Bagay-Francisco Suarez map. Not only Fr. Murillo Velarde was the cartographer, but Nicolas de la Cruz Bagay was engraver-printer and Francisco Suarez was artist.
Velasco Velarde bought the map in 1991 for P12-million in an auction in Frankfurt, Germany.

OVER THE RAINBOW. Known for his meticulously shaped glass sculptures, Ramon Orlina has evolved a new style. His latest are clear optical glass sculptures with rainbow colors that he will showcase in the exhibit entitled “Over the Rainbow,” a two-man show with Justin Nuyda at North Court Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Center, Makati City. Exhibit runs from July 18 to 24. Artist reception on July 24, Sunday, at 4 p.m.

Showbiz personalities who provided free entertainment during the political campaign of President Rodrigo Duterte are getting, quite naturally, the spoils of victory: Freddie Aguilar is said to be the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) chairman; RJ Jacinto is Presidential adviser on Economic Affairs and Information Technology Communications; Arnell Ignacio is assistant vice president for Community Relations and Services Department of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) and Jimmy Bondoc is assistant vice president for Entertainment of Pagcor.
Will there be similar appointments for Vice Ganda, who has an expressed expectation; Kat de Castro, who wanted the Department of Tourism portfolio; (but Wanda Corazon Teo, sister of the Tulfo brothers, was appointed); and Mocha Unson of Mocha Girls?
Based on his initial statements, Freddie Aguilar plans a “cultural revolution” that he describes: “Ibalik ‘yung mga talagang Pilipino na pag-uugali natin, pati sining natin, pati panulat natin, ibalik sa atin ‘yun tinanggal sa atin ng mga banyaga.
“Pag tinanong mo ang mga tao balang araw, hindi na po nila iisipin na taga-Luzon ako, wala akong pakialam sa Visayas. Taga-Visayas ako, wala akong pakialam sa Mindanao.
“Pag sinabi po nating Ilokano, Kapampangan, Bisaya, lahat po iyan maninindigan na siya ay Pilipino.”
Is Aguilar aware this is not the mandate of the NCCA — that what he is exposing is the opposite?
The NCCA is the overall policy-making body, coordinating and grants-giving agency for the preservation, development and promotion of Philippine arts and culture; an executing agency for the policies it formulates; and tasked to administer the National Endowment Fund for Culture and the Arts (NEFCA), a fund exclusively for the implementation of culture and arts programs and projects.
Republic Act 7356 which institutionalized it mandated the formulation of national cultural policies and programs according to the following principles:
“Pluralistic, fostering deep respect for the cultural identity of each locality, region or ethno-linguistic locality, as well as elements assimilated from other cultures through the natural process of acculturation;
“Democratic, encouraging and supporting the participation of the vast masses of our people in its programs and projects;
“Non-partisan, open to all people and institution, regardless of creed, affiliation, ideology, ethnic origin, age, gender or class, with no organized group or sector having monopoly of its services; and
“Liberative, having concern for the decolonization and emancipation of the Filipino psyche in order to ensure the full flowering of Filipino culture.”
Aguilar’s ojectives are idealistic rather than practical. Japan, one of the most closed societies before, adapted to a globalized world. What does Aguilar intend to do, return to baybayin?
The only time “cultural revolution” was used  in history was during Mao Zedong’s Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution, a sociopolitical movement that took place in the People’s Republic of China from 1966 until 1976. Set into motion by the then chairman of the Communist Party of China, its stated goal was to preserve “true” Communist ideology in the country by purging remnants of capitalist and traditional elements from Chinese society, and to re-impose Maoist thought as the dominant ideology within the party.
The Revolution marked the return of Mao Zedong to a position of power after the Great Leap Forward. The movement paralyzed China politically and negatively affected the country’s economy and society to a significant degree. Millions of people were persecuted in the violent struggles that ensued across China, and suffered a wide range of abuses including public humiliation, arbitrary imprisonment, torture, sustained harassment and seizure of property. Historical relics and artifacts were destroyed. Cultural and religious sites were ransacked.
In 1981, the party declared that the Cultural Revolution was “responsible for the most severe setback and the heaviest losses suffered by the Party, the country, and the people since the founding of the People’s Republic.”
Is Aguilar aware of the implications of a “cultural revolution?” Is it now in effect with the public humiliation, arbitrary torture, imprisonment and killings and harassment taking place all over the country in the fight against drugs?
Could it be wrong choice of words for Aguilar or is he lost in intention? And besides current NCCA chairman Felipe de Leon, says the position is not appointive. He said the NCCA chairman is elected by the Board of Commissioners.
 
JLO’S CAPE FROM MICHAEL CINCO’S BAUL. The gown with the 20-foot cape worn by Jennifer Lopez she performed her new single, “Love Makes The World Go Round,” with Lin-Manuel Miranda on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon is from Dubai-based Filipino designer Michael Cinco’s The Impalpable Dream of Sainte- Chapelle Collection Spring-Summer 2016 first presented in the Fashion Forward Dubai in October 2015.
The creation provided a spiritual angle to the performance as the song was written for the victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida. The magnificent stained glass windows of Sainte-Chapelle in le-de-France, France inspired Cinco who commissioned Quezon City-based visual artist Omar Flores to paint in acrylic the Collection’s 20-foot cape and suites.
Flores hand-painted the cape made of hand-made silk from a design by Cinco on scenes from Christ’s Passion executed in Metro Manila for a month. They were then shipped and assembled in Dubai which was then studded with 10,000 vari-colored Swarovski crystals, taking all of six months to complete.

RIZAL THROUGH THE EYES OF ARTISTS. Two sculptures and three hanging artworks by Arnel Garcia, one painting by Ronna Manansala, two paintings by Rene Robles and one from Ferdinand Rea Ruiz are showcased in the exhibit to open on July 29, 2016 at the Philippine Embassy in Berlin, Germany at 6 p.m. Show runs until Aug. 12, 2016.
Through the support of the Ambassador Melita Sta. Maria-Thomeczek, the Sento Rizal-Philippine Embassy Berlin and Transwing Art Gallery present the exhibition showcases how the ideas of National Hero of the Philippines, Dr. Jose Rizal, touched Filipinos.