THE first time I met Kuh Ledesma, a popular Filipino pop and jazz singer, it was in Boracay years ago when we were invited by then Tourism Undersecretary Ramona Lopez-Ty. I was a writer for the Philippine Daily Inquirer and my late editor-in-chief Letty Jimenez Magsanoc congratulated me later for a balanced article on the said island. At that time, I also saw in the island then presidential daughter singer Jo Ramos (I really miss my good friend who was vacationing and at that time I didn’t know she was sick).
Dubbed as the Philippines’ Pop Diva, Kuh has not changed since our days in Boracay island. We met again recently at the NobleLife International’s 18th year celebration at Quezon City’s New Frontier Theatre, with Dr. Romeo Orteza, Nancy Deocareza, NLI Pres. Lila Baylon-Macapinlac with her husband Ron, Rudy Aquino and Alexander John Fong. In her dressing room, she gave me a leaflet on “The Power of Prayer” that I will treasure forever, with special dedication from her.
I remember when I invited her to bring cheers to kids with cancer at East Avenue Medical Center’s Tahan-Tahanan. She went there with my friend Malo Cruz, and the kids and their parents were very happy. Meanwhile, she will have on November 9 a benefit concert in Cebu for the Kalipay Negrense Foundation, a non-profit foundation working for the causes of disadvantaged children.
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Photos courtesy of Rogelio Medina
Americans will vote on November 5, Tuesday, that will mark a very significant era in American history. Are Americans prepared to have its first woman president?
Current U.S. Vice Presidemnt Kamala Harris, born on the 20th of October 60 years ago in Oakland, California, is a politician and attorney. She was raised in a middle-class family by a working mother who taught her to believe in the promise of America. She is eager to run on the record of what Pres. Joe Biden and she have accomplished together. “We built our country back after our predecessor left it in shambles – making historic progress in reducing prescription drug costs, upgrading our nation’s infrastructure, fighting climate change, and more. We are stronger today because we took action – together – to invest in America’s future.”
She is excited to continue to work toward the vision for a better future for all. “I cannot imagine two more starkly visions for where we want our country to go. We can choose the dark path of Project 2025, with less freedom and more division. Or we can choose to pull together and do the work — For the People. These are not ordinary times. And this will not be an ordinary election. But this is our America. And I need you with me in this fight. Together, I know we can win this election and save democracy.”
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Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte has given her support to the QCinema International Film Festival with “The Gaze” as its theme, inviting audiences to explore diverse perspectives through film. From the masculine and feminine gaze to new ways of seeing the world, this year’s festival showcases 77 titles, including 22 short films and 55 full-length films, across 11 sections. Featuring a mix of Asian competition films, world cinema, genre works, and arthouse gems, “The Gaze” offers a rich and immersive experience that opens new insights into politics, gender, race, and more.
The festival will take place from November 8 to 17 across Gateway Cineplex 18, Ayala Malls Cinema at Trinoma, Red Carpet at Shangri-la Plaza, and Powerplant Mall.
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Blessie K. Cirera, Police Files Tonite entertainment editor, received recently her Entertainment Editor of the Year award from the Philippines Distinct Men & Women of Excellence. It is a well-deserved recognition. Thanks to director Romm Burlat.
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The Philipines topped the Science Journalism Forum (SJF) 2024 Whova Leaderboard held virtually last 28th to 31st of October and participated in by renowned science journalists, communicators, editors, professors and doctoral students worldwide. Next year it will be conducted in hybrid, a mix of in-person (in UAE) and online activities. Trailing behind the Philippines were Bouda Brahim (Algiers, Algeria), Pauline Nasimiyu (Kenya), Aleem Ahmed (Pakistan), Amal Magneez (Yemen), Sana Jaballah (Tunisia), Kennedy Kariuki (Nairobi, Kenya), Marc Gbaguidi (Cotonou, Benin), Nina Portolan (Belgrade, Central Serbia), and Metwally Hamza (Red Sea Governorate, Egypt).
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I remember I was the editor of the CITEM Trade Update and I reunited with persons from CITEM’s communications division during the recent Manila FAME at World Trade Center. I saw Luz Burgos-Soriano, Froilan Miranda and Lhen Visperas.
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I interviewed recently Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph Marcos Manotoc at the provincial capitol in Laoag City. He invited us to join in Himala sa Buhangin (miracle in the sand) on November 16 during the Himala Arts and Music Festival (which was started by his mother Sen. Imee R. Marcos) at the Paoay Sand Dunes.
Enjoy the indie vibes, rock anthems and soulful tunes of the local bands Peach, Magrus, and Kaizen. Listen to singers Shanti Dope and Zack Tabudio, watch performances of Alab Poi Fire Dancers, LED Dancers and Belly Dancers, Batosay and Migs, comedians Fhukerat, Queen Dura and Ernalyn, Kimpoy Feliciano and John Bonifacio, DJ Emman Radovan, Hype Man Mc Fame, couple Baninay Bautista and Bont Bryan Oropel, and young stars Seth Fedelin and Francine Diaz.
Residents of Ilocos Norte have FREE entry, while VIP tickets for those who want to have upgraded experience. You can buy tickets and contact the himala.ilocosnorte.ph. For the non-locals, they can buy tickets to SM Tickets at smtickets.com/events/view/13766.
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Congrats to newly-wed couple Michelle Lomboy-Galit and Arby Galit of Palapag, Northern Samar.
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The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
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