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.