Maymay Entrata featured in Grammy

Maymay Entrata featured in Grammy’s ‘It Goes To 11’ series

Anne Pasajol 
Inquirer.net
25 October 2024

Maymay Entrata was over the moon after she was interviewed by the Recording Academy and was featured in its “It Goes to 11” original series.

The actress-performer spoke about how in-ear monitors improved her vocal performance in the interview clip shared on Grammy’s YouTube channel on Thursday, Oct. 24.

Entrata recalled how she was out of tune when she was still learning how to sing three years ago, which led her to observe other singers and notice their in-ear monitors.

She said she approached Gary Valenciano, whom she described as “one of the most iconic music artist in the Philippines,” who then explained to her how such device can help singers while performing.

“I have the biggest realization that no magic or equipment will make you skip learning on something that you want to pursue or something that you want to be passionate about,” she said. “It will always take hard work, perseverance and patience for you to have it, for you to learn it.”

Speaking about being an artist, she added, “I love to be a blessing to others—to be able to give inspiration to those people who sing my songs.”

In a separate post on her Instagram page, Entrata raved about her experience while giving a glimpse of her visit to the Grammy studio.

“My heart bai! I still couldn’t believe we made it to Grammy studio,” she wrote. “Thank you so much Recording Academy for having me. This is definitely one of my most unforgettable memories.”

Prior to Entrata, several Filipino artists have also been featured in Grammy’s original series. Among them were SB19 members Felip and Josh who respectively performed for Grammy’s “Global Spin” digital series.

Meanwhile, P-pop groups BINI and BGYO were also featured by the Recording Academy as part of its 2024 list of “12 Rising Girl Groups to Know Now” and its 2023 list of “Asian pop artists to check out,” respectively.

Taiwan Considers Joining Luzon Economic Corridor in the Philippines

Taiwan Considers Joining Luzon Economic Corridor In The Philippines

The News Lens (Taiwan)
24 October 2024

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) told the Legislative Yuan last Monday that the government is considering joining the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC) project in the Philippines. The LEC is a vast endeavor for commercial cooperation, announced last April after a meeting in Washington with leaders from the Philippines and Japan.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kisihida joined United States President Joe Biden at the White House in the summer for a trilateral summit on security and trade. Besides discussing security measures to counter China’s influence in the South China Sea, they also discussed the LEC.

The LEC entails reactivating old US military facilities like in several provinces including Pampanga, Zambales, Batangas and Manila for heaps of foreign investment commitments.

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung told reporters that "Taiwan could play a pivotal role in the LEC.”

The LEC is also a major project of the G7, with emphasis on infrastructure, manufacturing, green industries and agriculture.

Lin said that for the future, Taiwan was interested in semiconductors, renewable energy, and also rail systems.

In a statement after the trilateral meeting, Japan and the US pledged “high-impact infrastructure projects” and “civilian port upgrades” for it as well.

The leaders added that “The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation also intends to open a regional office in the Philippines to facilitate further investments across the Philippines. The Luzon Corridor is a demonstration of our enhanced economic cooperation, focused on delivering tangible investments across multiple sectors.”

Activists in the Philippines have previously protested the LEC, claiming it is a gateway for more military intervention by the US as it matches China’s provocations with its own military displays. The US and Philippines have the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) allowing American military operations and stationing of troops in Philippine facilities.

Renato Reyes Jr of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) or New Patriotic Alliance in the Philippines said the LEC “practically turns the country’s biggest island into an EDCA site servicing thousands of foreign troops at any given time. It is purported to be an economic zone but it is linked to the installation of EDCA sites and the repurposing of Subic and Clark into military hubs for joint exercises with foreign troops.”

Palawan among world's best islands for 2024

Palawan among world's best islands for 2024

Melanie Uson
Philstar Life
22 October 2024

Palawan was named among the best islands to visit by a New York-based travel magazine. 

Banul Beach, Coron

In Travel + Leisure's World’s Best Awards for 2024 list, Palawan ranked 13 with a reader score of 90.59. 

The island, known for its “unparalleled natural beauty,” boasts stunning limestone cliffs, lagoons, and rainforests.  

Kayangan Lake, Coron

Barracuda Lake, Coron

Travelers can explore preserves such as the Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature, and learn about cultural practices from Indigenous communities like the Batak and Tagbanua tribes,” the description reads. 

Subterranean River National Park, Puerto Princesa City

Topping the list is the ever-famous Maldives, followed by Phú Quốc, Vietnam, and claiming the third spot is Bali, Indonesia. 

Palawan is also included in the travel magazine’s five favorite islands in Asia this 2024. 

In the Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards, readers were surveyed about their travel experiences in hotels, resorts, cities, islands, airlines, and more, and rated it either excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. 

Islands were evaluated based on their natural attractions and beaches, activities and sights, restaurants and food, people and friendliness, and overall value.

In January, Palawan was also included in TripAdvisor’s Trending Destinations for this year, following Tokyo, Japan in the first spot; Seoul, South Korea in second; and Halong Bay, Vietnam in the third spot.

In March, the Hidden Beach in El Nido, Palawan placed 19th in Condé Nast's Traveler's 34 best beaches worldwide. 

Filipina won the United Nations’ Women’s International Network for Disaster Risk Reduction Rising Star award

Pinay, 23, wins UN award

Bella Cariaso
Philstar Global
21 October 2024

MANILA, Philippines — A 23-year-old Filipina won the United Nations’ Women’s International Network for Disaster Risk Reduction Rising Star award during the recent Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Pasay City.

Robyn Mijares, founder and executive director of Youth Uprising, a non-profit organization which provides free environmental and agricultural education to marginalized Filipino youth in public schools across the country, bested five other finalists from other countries.

The Philippines hosted the five-day international disaster event, which serves as the main platform in Asia and the Pacific in monitoring, reviewing and enhancing cooperation for the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015 to 2030, the global blueprint for preventing and reducing disaster risks in the world’s disaster-prone regions.

Other finalists include Nayyab Ali from Pakistan; Nairwita Bandyopadhyay from India, Mediatrich Triani from Indonesia; Jewel Luti Leao Tuitama from New Zealand and Liva Shrestha from Nepal.

“Each story we’ve shared is not just a testament to resilience, it’s a call to action. This award is not only meant to recount their experiences, but to ignite change,” Mijares said in her speech.

She said that her group’s “Oh my, GARDEN: Grow Your Own Food Contest” served as a pioneering effort in response to the urgent food insecurity threat brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating the power of grassroots movements in addressing global challenges.

“A simple classroom assignment from a 19-year-old girl grew into a powerful movement to combat hunger – one of the slowest yet most persistent disasters we face on a day to day,” she added.

According to Mijares, the project highlights the critical need to empower the youth through sustainable agriculture, underscoring the importance of self-sufficiency and resilience in overcoming challenges.

Mijares also founded the Grow School Philippines, the first bamboo farm school located in Nasugbu, Batangas which provides free accessible environmental and agricultural programs to public schools across the Philippines.

She received a plaque and $7,500 cash prize.

Philippines is Miss Aura International 2024 1st runner-up

Philippines' Isabelle De Los Santos is Miss Aura International 2024 1st runner-up

By GMA INTEGRATED NEWS
October 19, 2024 

Philippine bet Isabelle De Los Santos has been named Miss Aura International 2024 1st runner-up!

Colombia's Yuri Rei won the title in the coronation night held in Antalya, Turkey.

After making it to the Top 5, the Filipina beauty queen was asked the question: Would you prefer to be, rich or famous?

Isabelle answered, “I would rather be rich because I can use my money to create opportunities to uplift people. When we use our money well, we can allow people to prosper and eventually create a world that cultivates an aura of generosity and prosperity.”

During the pageant, Isabelle wore a shimmering evening gown by Daniel Manila with “Aura” designed on its back, which, according to The Miss Philippines, is a “symbolism that aura is not just a word, but a light that shines from within.”

“The crystals evoke the shimmering Philippine islands, reflecting the country’s natural beauty and the sparkle of its people.”

Isabelle was also the winner of the Miss Aura International fan vote.

—Carby Basina/JCB, GMA Integrated News

Cordillerans shine in Asian kickboxing

Cordillerans shine in Asian kickboxing

Harley Palangchao
The Manila Times
18 October 2024

BAGUIO CITY — Combat sports athletes from the Cordillera region have carried the national team in securing five golds, one silver and 10 bronze medals in the Asian Kickboxing Championship 2024 held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on Oct. 6 to 13, 2024.

SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGN Officials and members of the Samahang Kickboxing ng Pilipinas pose after winning five golds, one silver and 10 bronze medals in the 2004 Asian Kickboxing Championship 2024 held at the Olympic Stadium, Phnom Penh, Cambodia from Oct. 6 to 13, 2024. SKP PHOTO

Leading the pack of athletes from the Samahang Kickboxing ng Pilipinas from this highland region were Paris Olympian Hergie Bacyadan, Gina Araos and Carlo Von Bumina-ang.

Bacyadan topped in the under-70 kilograms K1 female division while seasoned national campaigner Araos dominated the under-56 kg low kick event.

Bumina-ang, who is making his presence felt in Asian-based mixed martial arts promotion, won the gold in the under-67 kg low kick.

Fellow Cordilleran athletes Honorio Banario won the silver in the under-75 kg K1 male and Renalyn Dacquel bagged the bronze in the under-48 kg low kick female.

Three more Cordilleran warriors, Whinny Bayawon, Daryl Chulipas and Felex Dave Cantores snared the bronze in the under-57 kg kick light, under-51 kg full contact, and under-63 kg full contact, respectively.

Claudine Veloso, who made Baguio City her second home, won a bronze in the under-52 kg. K1 while Lance Airon Villamer brought home the bronze in the under-63 kg point fighting event.

Jovan Medallo became the team's most outstanding athlete after clinching two gold medals in the musical with weapon and musical form with open hand. He also won a bronze medal in the creative form with weapon.

Janah Jade Lavador, on the other hand, won three bronze medals in musical and creative forms.

S&P: Philippines among global growth drivers by 2035

S&P: Philippines among global growth drivers by 2035

Story by Louella Desiderio

Philstar Global

18 October 2024

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is among the emerging economies that will be driving global growth over the next decade, according to S&P Global.

In its report titled “Look Forward Emerging Markets: A Decisive Decade,” S&P Global said emerging markets would play a crucial role in shaping the global economy over the next decade, averaging 4.06 percent gross domestic product (GDP) growth through 2035 and contributing about 65 percent of global economic growth.

“This growth will be driven mainly by emerging economies in Asia-Pacific, including China, India, Vietnam and the Philippines,” S&P Global said.

The Philippines is expected to post the third highest average annual GDP growth of 4.8 percent from 2024 to 2035, it also said.

Vietnam is expected to see annual GDP growth over the next decade at 6.2 percent, followed by India, which is projected to post annual GDP growth of 5.9 percent in the same period.

S&P Global said supportive demographics, abundant natural resources, evolving trade dynamics and technological innovations in energy and manufacturing could propel the emerging markets to higher development stages.

Emerging markets, however, also face geopolitical disruptions, climate change risks and the resurgence of industrial policies and protectionism in advanced economies.

“This intricate environment will present both emergent opportunities and multifaceted challenges for emerging markets as they strive to accelerate their advancement,” S&P Global said.

The Philippine government is aiming for a six to seven percent economic growth for this year.

As of the first semester, the Philippine economy posted an average growth of six percent.

For next year, the Philippine government has set a 6.5 to 7.5 percent economic growth target.

For 2026 to 2028, the Philippine government’s annual economic growth goal is at 6.5 to eight percent.