The role of media in modern societies

By Nickie Wang /Manila Standard Today
30 July 2008

The Asian Media Information and Communication Centre (AMIC) 17th annual conference, the largest and most prestigious gathering in Asia and the Pacific region to tackle the United Nations 8 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), was held at the historic Manila Hotel from July 14 to 17.

On the first day of the four-day event, Vice President Noli “Kabayan” de Castro delivered the keynote address while Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim welcomed the more than 600 delegates who were media industry professionals, heads and members of government agencies, communication leaders, scholars, experts and students all over the region.

AMIC, under the chairmanship of A/P Ang Peng Hwa, is a non-profit NGO and a registered charity in Singapore with the mission of spearheading the development of media and communication expertise in Asia within the broad framework of economic, social and cultural development.

With this year’s theme “Changing Media, Changing Societies: Media and the Millennium Development Goals,” AMIC is not just privileged to serve the media but also more importantly the public. As it continues to provide relevant and credible information analysis of media issues and their impact on the development in the Asian region, the key focus of this year’s conference is to see how an active and vibrant media can help in achieving the MDGs.

“Holding this conference here in the Philippines is just right. We could actively participate in the discussion because the MDGs need focus and consideration, these are very crucial things,” stated by Miriam College Department of Communication Arts professor and chairman of organizing committee of AMIC Manila 2008 Gerardo Josue. “This conference sets the focus of our action so that we will be able to know where to begin and how to work. 2008 is the half-time mark to the deadline year of 2015, at which point the eight MDGs should have been reached,” he added.

Prof. Josue explained that the conference is the dynamic way to maximize the power of the media to influence the dissemination of the messages of the 8 MDGs that all UN member states have pledged to solve by the year 2015. These goals are: eradicate extreme poverty and hunger; achieve universal primary education; promote gender equality and empower women; reduce child mortality; improve maternal health; combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases; ensure environmental sustainability; and develop a global partnership for development.

Co-organized by the Philippine Association of Communication Educators (PACE), this year’s conference also highlighted the honoring of two great Filipinas who made exemplary contributions in the field of communication. Dr. Nora Quebral, a pioneering figure in the discipline of development communication in Asia and often referred to as the “Mother of Development Communication,” and Dr. Florangel Rosario Braid, constitutionalist and communication scholar, both received the Asian Communication Award.

Aside from the awards given during the conference, AMIC also gave way to the launching of six new book titles: The Fourteenth Paw: Growing up on Iowa farm in the 1930s , a memoir by Everett Rogers; Asian Communication Handbook 2008, edited by Indrajit Banerjee and Stephen Logan; Media & Conflict Reporting Asia, edited by Shyam Tekwani; Free Markets, Free Media Reflections on political economy of the press in Asia, edited by Cherian George; South Pacific Islands Communication: Regional Perspectives, Local Issues, edited by Evangelia Papoutsaki and Usha Sundar Harris; and Media & Development in Asia: Regional Perspectives, edited by Indrajit Banerjee and Madanmohan Rao.

“During the 1970s, thousands of books in communication were published; all of them came from the West. These were the books that educated the Asian people particularly the students, so AMIC provided books in Asian perspective. The launching of six new books here at the conference reminded me on how AMIC worked to provide relevant information. We are so fortunate that AMIC is around,” Prof. Josue added.

To further Prof. Josue’s statement, AMIC secretary-general Dr. Indrajit Banerjee stressed during the conference that these books are aimed at enriching scholarly publishing and in promoting Asian perspectives on issues regarding media and society.

Jay is Cinemalaya’s best

By Nickie Wang /Manila Standard Today
24 July 2008

“Assistant director lang po ako ng Diyos [I’m just God’s assistant director],” young director Francis Pasion said in his acceptance speech after Jay, the video he directed, was named Best Film (a misnomer considering it hasn’t even been converted to 35mm film) in the full-length category during the festival’s awards night held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines last Sunday.

Furthermore, the director explained that there were scenes that happened unexpectedly that (possibly) contributed to the success of the film.

Jay, a story about a gay TV producer documenting the family of a gay hate crime victim who happens to be his namesake walked away with two other awards including Best Editing and Best Actor for Baron Geisler.

After nine days of successful screening, drawing a larger audience this year, most of the awards were expected including this year’s Best Director Chris Martinez who had more than one trophy to flaunt. 100, a flick that chronicles the last three months of a cancer stricken woman who has a list of things to do before she dies (shades of Bucket List, huh!), won the Audience Choice Award, the technical award for Best Screenplay, Best Supporting Actress for Eugene Domingo, and Best Actress for Mylene Dizon.

Early favorite Brutus by Tara Illenberger, which tells a story of two Mangyan kids hired by illegal loggers to smuggle wood from the mountains of Mindoro, received the Special Jury Prize and the Best Supporting Actor Award for Yul Servo.

The jury who made critical decisions to come up with fair picks was headed by French critic Max Tessier, Kim Ji-Seok of Pusan, Ansgar Vogt of Berlin, Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino member and a professor at University of Santo Tomas Lito Zulueta, and actor Cesar Montano.
The technical awards given out were: Best Sound Design (Allan Hilado, Ranchero), Best Musical Score (Joey Ayala, Brutus), Best Production Design (Cristina Honrado, Baby Angelo), and Best Cinematography which Jay Abello (Brutus) and Dan Villegas (Huling Pasada) shared.

As festival finalists, the 10 full-length films received an initial seed investment of P500,000 from Econolink Investments Inc. The final winning entry, Jay, directed by Chris Martinez, was given an additional grant of P200,000. The winner in the short film category walked home with a P100,000 grant plus a trophy.

Short feature films

Actress Angel Aquino, who was the host of the event, had her share of limelight. From being adjudged Cinemalaya Best Actress in 2006, the short film God Only Knows directed by Mark V. Reyes in which the actor/model also starred received the Audience Choice Award and the Best Director trophy. But the real crowd drawer was Andong by Milo Tolentino.

Andong was cited for its “devoted and humorous look at a boy’s obsessions.” It won the Best Short Film and the award for Best Original Screenplay.

This year’s Special Jury Award went to My Pet by Anna Bigornia, while the Special Jury Citation was given to Angan-angan, directed by Sheron Dayoc.

Miss Real Estate Philippines : A beauty pageant of a different kind

By Nickie Wang /Manila Standard Today
22 July 2008

Summer is over but the temperature is still rising, particularly at the Philippine Real Estate Festival as it presents 24 gorgeous young women vying for the title of Miss Real Estate Philippines on July 25 at the SMX Mall of Asia.

The second annual beauty pageant intensely screened over 200 young women before coming up with the list of official candidates who will represent the country’s top real estate builders and developers.

In the process, these young women will immerse in all areas of the real estate industry. They have been busy with a crash course on the state of real estate, and with seminar-workshops that educate them on why real estate industry is a vital in Philippine economy.

During the press presentation of these real estate beauties at the Lancaster Suites in Mandaluyong City, the media had a closer look at each of the candidates as they strutted their stuff and flaunted their curves in skimpy yellow bikinis.

“Believe me, Miss Real Estate Philippines is more than just a beauty pageant. It’s beauty pageant for a cause. The winner will be the ambassadress of real estate industry in the Philippines. She will help and spearhead the outreach projects that will provide homes to the most disadvantage social sector,” PREF chairman Rosemarie Basa said.

The top 24 who made the official list of candidates are: Theresa Baltazar, Glaiza Bilas, Amit Bhopal, Glenda Cabailo, Ferina de Paz, Shamaine del Rosario, Angelee de los Reyes, Richel de los Reyes, Mirasol Dianco, Paula Figueras, Mean Flores, Jeff Gaitan, Cherry Kubota, Mary Ann Laggui, Andrea Laurel, Christine Mayor, Elizabeth Naluz, Sandra Palma, Jennifer Recto, Katrina Rigets, Alex Roces, Bernadette Solero, Jesusa Torres and Camille Rodriguez. They will face the judges during the pre-pageant on July 24 (also at the SMX).

Filipino-Australian Rose Cel Aguilar, last year’s winner, will relinquish her crown to the winner who will receive valuable prizes that include cash and a house and lot. She will also represent the country in the first-ever Miss Real Estate Asia pageant that will be held in November.

Miss Real Estate Philippines is just one of the components that anchors the 2008 Philippine Real Estate Festival. The rest of the activities will officially open on July 26.

This three-day spectacular event will commence with an exhibit that will bring together 150 of the country’s biggest and most trusted real estate development companies and projects, finance institutions, suppliers, contractors, and professionals.

Other events include: the launch of the 2008 BREW (BizNews Asia Real Estate Who’s Who) Awards; Free seminar-lectures concerning a wide array of topics including identifying practical investments, constructing dream houses on a tight budget, detecting fake land titles, how to avail of housing loans, and even feng shui; Dedicated sessions for OFW groups, real estate brokers, and the Filipino Inventors Society; and Fiesta Pinoy set on the last day of the festival.

Fiesta Pinoy, which serves as the official closing of the festival, will combine indoor games, contest, raffles, disco dancing, mini-parade, and a musical concert for the amusement and entertainment of exhibitors, patrons, and guests.

Kristine Hermosa: Loveless lady

By Nickie Wang /Manila Standard Today
21 July 2008

Visit Athens and you’ll be mesmerized by the magnificent relics of a once glorious civilization. Greek sculptures, particularly, have put many in a trance with how artists had carved meticulously in perfect form human anatomy. Perfect beauty is what the Greeks of ancient civilization had defined.

If people thought that a perfect beauty is impossible to achieve, that only gods and goddesses can have the perfect body lines and curves, then they must listen to what one of the most beautiful faces in the country has to say.

Kristine Hermosa is one of the most admired faces in the local entertainment. Her face of a goddess landed her in major TV series and movies. According to Dr. Francis Decangchon, medical-surgical director of Aescultura, she exemplifies the real meaning of true beauty that radiates from inside out.

“She has the face and body of a goddess, and we are bold enough to bring her here and have Aescultura be endorsed by her. We have great confidence and trust on her for she embodies the idea of beauty that we, in Aescultura, have in mind… the challenge for us is to maintain her beauty that people see every day on television,” Decangchon expressed during the media launch of Kristine Hermosa as the very first endorser of medical and beauty clinic Aescultura.

If the medical clinic gives its trust on the beautiful actress, Kristine is more than thankful for the confidence the medical clinic gives her. She has been consulting the clinic for more than a month now and she avails of treatments, like body scrub and facial.

“I think it’s about time that I endorse again kasi ang tagal na rin na hindi ako nag-endorse. I’m glad I was chosen. I trust them too because alam ko naman na sobrang experience [sic] ang mga doctors natin dito and they really take care of me and their patients,” she told the press.

The intense pressure to always look impeccable to the public eye is what Kristine considered in endorsing the beauty clinic. Not that she wanted to alter something in her body, but as the doctors in Aescultura said: “In the right hands even minor physical changes can foster renewed confidence, increase self-respect and restore a positive outlook in life.”

Located at the heart of Quezon City, Aescultura, with a Greek-themed clinic, offers surgical and non-surgical procedures that come in reasonable prices. Aside from highly trained medical and surgical professionals and customer-oriented staff, the clinic also puts premium on the privacy of its clients.

Lovely yet loveless

After just a short hiatus, 24-year-old Kristine will be seen on TV again. This time, she will take a break from doing dramatic scenes and tries her flair in giving out comic punch lines. She is topbilled together with Anne Curtis and Valerie Concepcion for the comedy show Banana Split.

Kristine, who maintains her slender body by working out, taking Pilates and boxing classes with Oyo Boy Sotto, dismissed any romantic inclination with the actor. If asked about her love life, she just said that she enjoys being single. She is not ready to fall in love yet for she hasn’t found the same connection and compatibility she had with former husband Diether Ocampo.

Practical and daring acts of musical reinvention

By Nickie Wang /Manila Standard Today
15 July 2008

Reinvention is the word that best describes the reappearance of a prominent rock band, and the daring move of an artist who attempts to make a solid niche in the world of music. Battle-scarred Rivermaya, with new vocalist Jayson Fernandez, bounces back with a new album entitled Buhay, and Nancy Jane spruces herself up as the queen of Philippine house music with a self-tilted album. Turn on your CD player and let’s listen how they justify the word reinvention.

New life for Rivermaya

It became difficult for the rest of the members of Rivermaya to resurface on the music scene after losing front man Rico Blanco and being dropped by its record label. But, with a televised search for a new member, the band showed it was hell bent in reclaiming its position as one of the country’s prime band, even without Blanco.

Buhay may be the affirmation of the band’s continued existence, but it does not really equal the level of artistry of the previous albums (with Blanco still with the band) it had released. Take “Nice To,” the album’s opening track, as an example. Obviously, the vocals is not impressive even for a rock band. But for those girls who have seen Jayson Fernandez, they will insist that he is more than just a pretty face.

Fernandez’s raw, albeit unemotional style, works though with the other tracks in the album. While “AM” sounds as a good jingle for a toothpaste commercial, listeners will get bored with “I Want You,” “Pure” and “All For You.” They sound nothing more than the ordinary, and don’t have any of the elements that can easily attract our attention. The impression they make is they are love songs but they are actually to say something else.

Rivermaya, instead of narrating what it had gone through, switched to a more positive attitude, and that is evidently reflected in the lyrics of most of the tracks in the album. “Ligawan Stage (Nerbyoso Part 2)” is one catchy track, so is “Sugal ng Kapalaran,” which in a way comes close to the level of musicality of band’s pre-Jayson Fernandez phase. While it poses questions that we normally ask ourselves, the track has an excellent intro, not to say the imaginative arrangement. This also goes the same with “Closer” and “Maskara.” The first sounds like bubble gum rock, but repeated listening tells us that it is mature enough for many people to appreciate. The latter hinges it on simple arrangement, just drums and guitars.

Other notable tracks in this post-Blanco album are: “Checkmate” that resembles the sound of a British rock band; the classic- thudding “Restless”; the proud and confident “Hindi Ako Susuko”; and feel good “Piping Tom.” The track “Kemikal Reaction” gives the album a different flavor but somehow sounds not so like Rivermaya.

It’s interesting for ’Maya to come up with something slow yet still support its identity as a rock band. “Alone” is perfect example. It is the longest track, also the most emotional and quite a nice companion piece to “Sleep,” the album’s last track.

Who’s that Jane?

It’s Nancy Jane, and this year, as far as reinvention is concern, she is the only person to change her image with a certain degree of success.

Nancy Jane Castiglione wants to prove that she’s not just a pretty face.

With a self-titled album, Nancy Jane gambles to explore an ocean other artists would never dare to sail on. So, she comes up with a pure House Music album. House Music as defined by Answers.com, is a style of electronic dance music strongly influenced by soul and funk-infused dance music style of disco.

For those who have heard and seen “Love Song” in YouTube, they would agree that this song was made especially for Nancy. It’s not as impressive as the other tracks in the album but it creates a certain appeal that defines her reinvented image.

Opening track “Deep Inside” is unmistakably a club sound but this is a kind of music club-goers don’t actually listen to. It’s one of those tracks played by DJs to patch up dead air. “Attraction/Connection,” just like the previous track, doesn’t offer anything notable aside from collecting all the words in the dictionary ending with suffix “ion.” “My Perfect Diet” could somehow attract listeners with its title alone but it would disappoint you for it doesn’t offer something special.

Rivermaya’s former vocalist Rico Blanco lent his creativity by providing the music and lyric of the song “Control,” which has two versions in the album, the other one is from Leon Chaplain. “Control” mirrors Blanco’s ingenuity. The track can be arranged to perfectly suit other genres. Chaplain added digitally produced sounds to give the track a more vivid club essence.

If Beyoncé can convey to her audiences her being a strong and independent woman through her single “Irreplaceable,” Nancy Jane has her own version of women who can survive without men—“Without You.” Men would really run after her when they hear “(Driving Around) So Good Together” but they really go wild upon hearing “Moonlight Mood.” “Moonlight”… is perfect club sound for it can create a romantic midnight mood through its sensual lyric and innocently sexy vocal style.

Other great tracks to listen to are “When You Play Around,” “Hold You Close” and “Rock It.” Listen to them once and you’ll forget about Britney Spears. “Hold You Close” is a very sexy sound. Contagiously dance track “Rock It” proves that Nancy Jane can compete in the international market. Her vocal resembles that of Kylie Minogue’s.

It’s all praises for Nancy Jane. House Music in the Philippines has a very narrow target market and she is so brave to release this kind of material. Don’t be surprised if you would hear her tracks being played when you visit clubs in Singapore or Thailand, because her new image and sound simply resonate with international appeal.

West Side Story: Tony finds his Maria

By Nickie Wang /Manila Standard Today
10 July 2008

Finally, Tony has found his Maria.

This was announced recently by Stages, the production company that is mounting an all-Filipino cast of the Broadway classic West Side Story.

This musical offering, which will be staged at the Meralco Theater from September to October, is anchored by a strong ensemble headed by Christian Bautista, Karylle and London West End’s Joanna Ampil.

After rigid auditions that took two months, whose mix of aspirants emerged not only from the Philippines but also from other countries like Singapore, Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom, Stages has finally completed the show’s cast of singers and dancers.

Crooner and Asap ’08 mainstay Christian is Tony while singer and host Karylle shares the plum role of Maria with London West End’s Joanna Ampil, who is currently playing Fantine in Les Miserables.

West Side Story is Joanna’s first musical theater assignment in Manila after 16 years of playing lead roles in London, which includes Kim in Miss Saigon, Eponine in Les Miserables, Mimi in Rent, to name a few. Joanna has agreed to share the role of Maria with Karylle because she has long wanted to perform for her countrymen who cannot easily afford to go to London to watch her in a musical.

Gerard Salonga leads the FILharmoniKA orchestra as musical director. Audie Gemora wears the hat as executive producer while Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo steps in as a first-time stage director. Interestingly, West Side Story was originally staged in Manila in 1982 with Gemora as Riff and Lauchengco-Yulo as Maria.

“This musical is a classic. Some people, most especially the young ones don’t know the story and they tend to get out of the theater because they cannot relate. So the challenge now is to make it contemporary that’s why we would like to thank the people who agreed to share their talent here,” Gemora told the media during the press conference for the musical.

West Side Story is the third major musical production of Stages after Footloose in 2005 and High School Musical On Stage in 2007.

The story in New York’s West Side

West Side Story is an energetic, melodramatic musical, a modern-day retelling of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Instead of feuding families in Verona, the conflict is between rival street gangs in the Upper West Side of New York City.

Young Tony who belongs to an American gang in Manhattan, falls in love with Maria, the sister of the leader of a rival Puerto Rican gang. Things are looking good for the young lovers in the beginning, but when Tony accidentally kills Maria’s brother while trying to break up a rumble, violence erupts.
West Side Story is one of the best musicals of all time with music by Leonard Bernstein, and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. It has many show-stopping numbers and songs that have become classics, like “Somewhere,” “Tonight,” “One Hand One Heart,” “ America,” and “Something’s Coming.”

Network rivalry on hold

Just like the story of this theater musical, Christian and Karylle belong to different worlds: Christian is Kapamilya, while Karylle is Kapuso (even if her mom, Zsa Zsa Padilla, is a card-bearing Kapamilya). The two singers said that they are not involved in the ongoing network war, they are merely talents in their respective stations.

“There’s a mutual support. We don’t really feel pressured because there’s a lot of excitement all around,” Pinoy Idol Extra host Karylle said before the press. Karylle, who has to sing in soprano, has been undergoing voice lessons with Pinoy Dream Academy mentor Kitchie Molina.

Christian, who is trying to bring his Josh Groban style particularly for his role as Tony, said that he wants to work with different people and that they don’t feel the rivalry as they help each other out.
“It is a rare situation for rival Philippine TV stations ABS-CBN and GMA-7 to be very enthusiastic towards a major musical project. Both networks have actually laid out their respective plans on how to maximize support for Christian and Karylle. GMA-7 is even lending Gian Magdangal of SOP Rules to play Riff to Christian’s Tony,” said Carlo Orosa, Stages marketing director for the musical.

Lea Salonga to try on Cinderella’s glass slippers

By Nickie Wang /Manila Standard Today
5 July 2008

Tony award-winning Broadway singer Lea Salonga continues to captivate audiences worldwide.

This month, she plays a beautiful girl rescued from a life of drudgery by her fairy godmother and eventually marries a handsome prince in the lavish production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella.

Running for a month at the Cultural Center of the Philippines starting July 29 (it closes on Aug. 14), this Broadway Asia Entertainment (BAE) production is directed by top-caliber music theater helmsman Bobby Garcia with Michael Duff as musical director, and Vince Pesce choreographing the dance numbers. The opulent designs are the result of the work of a team led by renowned Italian fashion designer Renato Balestra.

The production will also be engaged in a 30-week Asian tour. After running in the Philippines, the Cinderella ensemble and creative team will mount the musical in China, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.

A whole new world

Lea gained international stardom for her award-winning role as Kim in both the London’s West End production of Miss Saigon and on Broadway. She eventually landed coveted roles on and off Broadway, including Les Miserables, Into the Woods, My Fair Lady, and Flower Drum Song among many others.

She also rendered her talent as the singing voices of Jasmine and Mulan in Disney’s blockbuster animation flicks Aladdin and Mulan, respectively. Now, she is in the thick of things of the preparations for Cinderella as she gives life on stage to one of the most beloved music theater characters.

“Well as we know, here there’s a struggle between two powers: it’s good versus evil, that Cinderella found her prince and they live happily ever after. The getting to that point of the story is really going to be fun to watch,” Lea said during the press conference at the CCP Main Theater Lobby. “I think what the audience will be able to expect is coming away with having seen something magical and wonderful. It’s really about that. Bobby [the director] explained that this is the type of magical production that would tame the audience’s eyes and this would make them say: ‘wow that’s a visual trip!’,” the international theater star added.

Lea announced that she will be playing Cinderella eight times a week and the rehearsal for the production that started June 23 has given her an opportunity to discover a lot more about the character. She revealed that she does not have any apprehension in performing before a mostly Filipino audience, albeit feeling more at home with a crowd that instantly reacts when she drops a punch line.

“I feel more comfortable. I do know where the punch lines are going to land. It’s like playing a football game at the home stadium. You are with people that you know. So it’s comforting for me to actually be performing the show here at the CCP,” she shared.

During rehearsals, Lea brings her two-year-old daughter Nicole to the set. The little kid doesn’t really know that her mother is playing the role of a chimneysweep-turned-princess character but is actually aware that her mother is Princess Jasmine.

As a child, Lea doesn’t know if she ever fantasized wearing glass slippers or really buying the fairytale. In reality, she doesn’t even know how a glass shoe feels like on her feet.

“Now that I am going to play this character, during acting exercises I was able to figure out who she is so I have to keep her very lively because she’s good through and through,” she told the press.

When asked if there was ever a point in her life that she could relate herself to the character she is playing right now, she said that being cast in a major West End musical is the closest thing coming to that.

The prince charming

In every fairytale where there is a prince charming who marries the princess to live happily ever after, Cinderella has found her prince, and he is originally from Brisbane, Australia.

Peter Saide was recently seen as Tony in Saturday Night Fever.

The tall and dashing Australian will play the role Prince for the whole Asian tour of this BAE production. During the press conference at the CCP, Saide and Lea treated the media to a song from the show entitled Ten Minutes Ago. Saide, who is in the country for the first time, expressed his excitement to perform with Lea and work with director Bobby Garcia.

“There is more excitement than apprehension. Lea is much more than an Asian superstar. I am tremendously excited to perform with her. This is a whole bunch of first. This is my first time in Manila and my first time to work with a Filipino director. I can’t wait to work with Bobby Garcia. I am very excited to go on with the rehearsal process,” he said before inviting everyone to watch the show.