MANY thanks to the Sovereign Seal of Business Triumphs and Remarkable Achievers award for the recognition as Remarkable Columnist of 2024 to be held on August 28 at Dusit Thani Manila’s Mayuree Ballroom.
Other awardees include Salvacion Paparon, Wej Cudiamat, Annabelle Surara, Shirley Belangel, Dennis Antenor Jr., Braggy Braganza, Lae Manego-Franzani, Miller Daniolco, Carmela Betonio, Bon Jheo Exconde, Janice Delima, Dr. Elva Evasco-Auza, Mel Marty Macasil, Merjohn Lagaya, Vern Kaye, Nicole Hyala, Chis Tsuper, Tanya Chinita, Queen Dura, Pete Gatela, Carlos Parsons, JP Catering Services, Sheanne Roll Up Door Construction Services, Intele Builders and Development Corp., Lucky GHL Advertising, JFBV, 97.9 Home Radio, Aliw Channel 23, DWIZ-AM, Chef Chateau, Rise and Shine Pilipinas, The Metropolista, Media House Express, Lagniappe Printshop, Studio45k, Eyeleen Hair and Make-up by Aileen Sebua, Gown and Events Management by Touting, Jam Lim Enterprises, Alegre de Pilipinas, Light TV, JL Photoworks, Links Digital, RTU Himig Rizalia, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, TAGM Marketing Solutions Inc, and Fil-Global Immigration Services Corporation.
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“Ipso Facto” is the 8th solo exhibit by Jose Ferdinand Rojas II. It opened at ArtistSpace on August 18, 2024 — with an artist’s reception scheduled on September 1 — located at the Ground Level, Ayala Museum Annex, Makati Avenue corner De La Rosa Street in Makati City (across Greenbelt 5 ground floor entrance).
The exhibition is presented by Joy Rojas, jfrii Studio, and The Saturday Group of Artists. It will be on view until September 3. Gallery hours is from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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A 1981 graduate of the famous Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, California, Luz Amandolina Cruz Navasero, or simply Mandy, has a gone a long way since her public relations work at Bank of America in the early 1970s. Her first break as a photojournalist came in 1976 when the late Levi Marcelo, Philippine Panorama magazine’s editor, asked her to do cover photos for the Sunday magazine of the Manila Bulletin.
“Chelo Banal was very proud that there was now a woman photographer. At that time, the world of photography was dominated by men,” said Mandy, an AB English degree holder from the Philippine Women’s University. She also has an MA in English Literature at the Ateneo de Manila University.
She was a photojournalist of Mr. & Ms. Magazine, courageously taking the first shot in the rallies. “I’ve balls in my chest. During the EDSA revolt, we faced the tank. We did this because we love our country. It’s nice to be a Filipino. At that time in our history, together with the religious, we did pray with sincerity in our hearts. I prayed, ‘Hail Mary, have mercy on us.’ It’s great and you can really be proud to the world to be a Filipino,” she added.
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Los Angeles-based Sunita M. Mukhi was my schoolmate at De La Salle University-Manila. Her sister, Sujata, is my former classmate. I am happy that the film “RSVP” where she appeared won best short film in the recent New York International Women Film Festival.
“RSVP” is an exploration on the ways “we grieve the loss of a complicated significant other… a disappointing hubby, a near absent father, a lost childhood. The guilt for not loving enough – so much drama and intensity. And most importantly, the love between a mother and a daughter – the grievances and the forgiveness.”
Sunita felt elated when “RSVP” was declared as the winner, stating, “It is always gratifying to get recognition for your talent – a sincere compliment from friends and family, a nod of approval from your director, a hug from strangers…and the accolade from a jury of experts.”
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I was honored to meet recently Sentro 1771’s Executive Chef Vicky Pacheco, who belongs to the Reyes clan known in the world of cooking. For more than one hour we talked about food, including iconic dish corned beef sinigang, beef caldereta, rated GG (fried galunggong fillet drenched in olive oil and sprinkled with garlic bits), bangus with calamansi butter, fried kesong puti, crispy kangkong rice, vegetable juices, smoothies, etc.
I am also thankful to Sentro 1771’s marketing analyst Bien Esmero, restaurant manager Lino Gonzales, operations manager John Paulino as well as the Sentro 1771’s staff Lester Bitara, Mary Rose Bacuetes, Symond Camba, Noebal Singh, Melinda Caramba and Aillen Ruth Casilao for their care and hospitality.
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“Showbizness is a serious business, and you’ve to put your heart and soul into it,” said singer Leandro ‘Ding’ Mercado. His enduring love affair with fame started when he won first prize in a singing competition which qualified him to participate in the Asian Amateur Song Festival in Hong Kong in 1977. This achievement led to an offer as a contract artist in a TV variety show in Hong Kong. Since then, he has captivated Hong Kong’s music lovers, and there was no stopping Ding’s rise in the international music scene.
Music, he said, is a universal language. To some extent, it has helped him cope in Hong Kong. “I’m more of a ballad, broadway and pop singer, although I like listening to mellow jazz. I also like singing love songs.”
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Philippine Stagers Foundation (PSF) president Johnrey Rivas will play the lead role in the musical play on the life of Philippine hero visual artist Juan Luna. It will have a grand opening on August 27 and 29 at Adamson University in Manila. I first watched Johnrey in the BL series “Why Love Why,” an indie film produced by Philstagers Films, and I was impressed and magnetized by his acting power.
He won Best Featured Actor and Best Male Crossover Artist in the 2019 and 2020 Aliw Awards, respectively. In the 38th PMPC Star Awards, he was declared Best Movie Supporting Actor of the Year; in the 70th FAMAS Awards as Best Supporting Actor in the film “KATIPS: the Movie.”
He also appeared in “Joe the Movie,” “Ako Si Ninoy,” and “Bangkay” (based on the Don Palanca Memorial Awards full-length entry winner written by Vince Tanada). He also directed the short film “Zomnia” and the BL movie “Twinkle Twinkie Little Star the Series.” Sometime in September his film “Oh, My Boo Boo” will be shown.
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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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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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