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Sharon Cuneta at Ian Veneracion movie, posible ba? Sinabi ng Megastar na very professional katrabaho ni Ian, kaya gusto niya itong makatrabahong muli.
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uring puri ni Megastar Sharon Cuneta ang aktor na si Ian Veneracion, nang nakasama niya ito sa kanyang concert tour kamakailan sa America. Busy man sa kanyang gabi-gabing shooting sa A Love To Last, nagawa pa din umano ni Ian na mag-guest sa kanyang US Concert tour nitong nagdaang July. “Uwi siya, pagkatapos ng show uwi siya, taping siya ulit the following weekend lipad siya for the show. Oh my god, Three times yun ah? And it was so wonderful working with him napaka-down to earth, walang yabang, He played the guitar,
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he sang. Napaka lakas ng charisma sa audience kaya nakakatuwa,” kwento ni Sharon. Dahil sa pagiging propesyonal ni Ian sa kanyang trabaho, aminado si Megastar na isa siya sa mga naging instant fan siya ng aktor. “Diyan mo makikita yung professional na artista, na secured sa sarili, kasi ang laki niyang artista tapos he was so generous, instantly naging fan ako ni Ian, ang sarap kausap!” sabi pa ng aktres. Mula sa magandang feedback ng mga nanuod sa kanyang concert kasama si Ian, naging birubiruan na din ngayon na si Ian na daw ang kanyang ka-love team. “Nireport ko kaagad kanila Tita Malou (Santos ng Star Cinema). ‘Tita eto pwede ba? Nagpadala ako pictures nireport ko!” masayang kuwento pa ni Sharon. Sa ngayon wala pa din malinaw na kompirmasyon ang Star Cinema kung sino na ang maaring makasama ni Megastar sa pelikula matapos umatras ni Gabby Concepcion, na labis na inaabangan sana ng mga Sharonians
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Billy Crawford and Coleen Garcia are ready for married life
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ngaged couple Billy Crawford and
to live a happy marriage,” he explained.
Coleen Garcia opened up about
their wedding plans during their
ance, eh. Syempre importante kasi kailan-
“Kasi iba pa rin ‘yung may guid-
guest appearance on Magandang Buhay on
gan nandoon na ‘yung foundation bago pa
Thursday, August 10.
kami ikasal,” Coleen added, saying that
she is more excited for the marriage than
Saying that their wedding will be
next year, Billy and Coleen, who thanked
the wedding. Like Billy, she is also 11 out
their wedding planner, shared that the
of 10 ready for their married life together.
maid of honor will be Ria Atayde while the best man will be Billy’s close friend “Pig.” Host Karla Estrada is also one of their wedding sponsors.
When asked how ready they
are for married life on a scale of one to 10, Billy gave an 11. “Sa ulo, sa puso, sa mindset. Lahat lahat handa pero alam naming dalawa na we have to do a lot of things prior to it like the pre-marital counselling (at their church) para pagdating ‘dun sa time na talagang kinasal na kami, we want
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Charlene Gonzales’ birthday message for Aga Muhlach will melt hearts
Aga was also surprised with a cake the evening before his actual birthday. Aga Muhlach turned a year older recently and his wife Charlene wrote a heartwarming message for him on his 48th birthday on August 12. On her Instagram account, Charlene posted, “Happy birthday my love.. Here’s to another great year ahead.. Thank you for bringing love, happiness and laughter into our lives but most especially, for just being you... I love you with all my heart. Happy Birthday again B @ agamuhlach31.”
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By Cherry Sun
aplos lands a spot among the most buzzed-about new shows worldwide in July, according to a New York-based international media business website. The Rocco Nacino-Sanya Lopez starrer ranked eighth in WorldScreen.com’s Social Wit List for the month of July 2017. The Kapuso program had a total of 23,000 Facebook and Twitter comments during its premiere episode. The hashtags #AttractiveCouple, #FascinatingPowers, and #FirstKissScene were also part of the discussions online. Haplos is the only Philippine show that made it to the list. Other programs, in no particular order, included were U.S.A.’s Raven’s Home, Earth Live!, Phelps vs. Shark: Great Gold vs. Great, and The Bold Type, Turkey’s Dolunay and Çocuklar Duymasin, Brazils’ Sob Pressão, U.K.’s The Betrayed Girls. ARTISTA WINNIPEG 2017 ISSUE
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ABS-CBN Files $5M Lawsuit Against Techspeed Canada Inc., Joe Baddas, Ferdinand Molina and Todd Ross For Selling Pirated Set-Top Boxes in Edmonton, Canada
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ORONTO, August 7, 2017 – International news and entertainment company ABS-CBN served today a Statement of Claim issued in Canadian Federal Court against Techspeed Canada Inc., Joe Baddas, Ferdinand Molina and Todd Ross for damages of over $5 million for copyright
operations down. There is only one genuine ABS-CBN internet subscription service and that is TFC.tv. To purchase a legitimate subscription call 1-855-832-2632 or go to TFC. tv .” ABS-CBN Canada Country Manager Jun Del Rosario said, “Under ABS-CBN
infringement, trademark infringement and enabling and inducing copyright infringement of ABS-CBN’s copyrighted works. The lawsuit alleges that Techspeed Canada Inc., Joe Baddas, Ferdinand Molina and Todd Ross sold set-top boxes that enabled buyers to access hundreds The Techspeed TV Box offerings (Top photo. TFC logo of ABS-CBN’s copyrighted on upper left corner); Todd Ross (above left) and Ferdimovies and TV shows. On nand Molina (right) of Techspeed Canada Inc. (Photos Facebook, Baddas and Ross from Facebook and LinkedIn) are seen making a business presentation to new recruits, teaching them Global COO Raffy Lopez, we have done our how to buy and sell the set-top boxes. ABS-CBN’s AVP & Head of best to deliver the best Filipino shows on our Global Anti-Piracy, Elisha Lawrence stated: platforms that give viewers more choice and “ABS-CBN alleges that Techspeed Canada flexibility. We urge the Filipino community Inc., Joe Baddas, Ferdinand Molina and Todd in Canada to be on the lookout for those who Ross were taking advantage of ABS-CBN’s seek to undermine intellectual property rights premium subscription service through its and make money illegally from copyright indigital platform, TFC.tv, by registering over fringement. These are pirates doing criminal 78 emails and distributing the usernames and activities. They will be caught. Their cuspasswords to hundreds of customers. These tomers will end up losing their illegal subcustomers were participating in this illegal scriptions. So, you don’t want to fall victim activity by paying the Techspeed group and to that scheme. Always go to our website giving access to their credit card informa- TFC.tv to ensure that you are purchasing from the genuine TFC.” tion.” David Lipkus, counsel for ABS Lawrence added: “Beware of these CBN in Canada, said, “ABS-CBN will conoperations that are not licensed or affiliated tinue to take all necessary steps to control in any way with ABS-CBN. If you have any access to its content. ABS-CBN invests tresuspicions that they are not affiliated with mendous resources into its high-quality, origABS-CBN, please call the ABS-CBN office inal content, and will continue to ensure that in the US or Canada to verify. We will conCanadians have access to legitimate ABStinue to protect customers by shutting these CBN content directly from ABS-CBN.”
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Vhong Navarro on his secret wedding plans: ‘Parang nalalapit na yung oras talaga’
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BY RHEA MANILA SANTOS
s the premiere date of his latest Regal Films project Woke Up Like This draws near, Vhong Navarro said he is excited for his fans to see his latest comedy with Lovi Poe. “Sobrang excited na kinakabahan ako sobra. Bago kasi ipalabas ang Woke Up Like This, maraming magagandang inilabas. Hindi ko naman sinasabing kailangan mahigitan namin or mapantayan namin basta ng hangarin namin ay makalimot pansandali ang mga taong may mga problema at mga pinagdadaanan natin sa buhay. Mapasaya natin sila sa pelikulang Woke Up Like This. So yun na lang yung hangarin ko talaga, magpasaya ng tao. Makalimot ka lang kahit isang oras at kalahati,” he shared during the Woke Up Like This blogcon held last August 10 in Quezon city. Although he had already worked with Lovi once on Shake, Rattle, & Roll in 2012, Vhong said it was only in Woke Up Like This that they really got to talk. “Yung shooting namin at that time Shake, Rattle, & Roll eh so kokonti lang yung bawat shooting days namin dahil tatlong storya. So bihira kami mag-usap. Ang role namin din mag-jowa kami pero dahil siguro sa ikli ng panahon hindi kami masyado nakapagusap. Interesting pala yung personality ni Lovi noon na-intimidate ako eh kasi baka Inglisera, sosyal, hindi ako pumasa, jologs
ako eh. Baka hindi kami magkaintindihan. Dito na-discover ko na meron pala siyang side na magiging kalog, yung cowboy din pala siya, ganyan,” he recalled. Despite being hit with intrigues again this year, Vhong said he has remained strong. “Totoo. Alam mo pinagmamalaki ko talaga ang Panginoon totoong-totoo siya eh. Talagang sa lahat ng pinagdaanan ko sa buhay, sa bawat dasal ko, talagang pinapanatag ako ng loob ng Panginoon. Siya yung nag-ga-guide sa akin kung ano yung mga dapat kong gawin. Siya yung nag-gaguide sa akin kung ano yung pinagdadaanan ko sa buhay malalagpasan mo lahat yan. Siya yung nag-ga-guide sa akin na kaya ko pa rin magpasaya ng tao sa lahat ng mga
pinagdadaanan ko sa buhay. Dasal lang. Dasal lang talaga at saka yung mga taong naniniwala sa ‘yo, yung mga nagmamahal sa ‘yo, alam ko nandiyan lang sila lahat at naniniwala sila lahat sa akin,” he said.
The 40-year-old actor also admitted he is just preparing himself to propose to his non-showbiz girlfriend Tanya Winona Bautista. “Sabi ko naman wala ng iba. Gusto ko siya na talaga. Wala na akong ibang hahanapin pa dahil siguro ngayon parang ang nangyari kasi sa edad eh. Especially sa girl, yung edad talaga. Kasi yung panahon parang time bomb na eh, parang nalalapit na yung oras talaga. Ako bume-buwelo lang naman talaga. Siyempre ayoko naman i-announce kung kelan di ba? So maganda ma-surprise pa rin siya,” he shared. After turning 40 last January, the It’s Showtime host said he has appreciated everything his girlfriend has done for him through the years. “Alam niya eh, naintindihan niya ako. Marami lang talagang nauna lang dahil ang hirap kung pagsa-sabay sabayin ko. Baka hindi kayanin eh. Napaksuwerte ko lang alam mo na sobrang understanding, sobrang mahal na mahal niya ako. Talagang wala ka ng hahanapin pa. Kaya siguro binigay talaga siya sa akin ni God kasi alam Niya siya yung makakaintindi sa akin. Siya yung lakas ko eh. Marami pa akong tinatapos lang. Basta soon yan. Soon. Ngayon priority ko talaga, dahil binigyan ako ng talent ng Panginoon na magpasaya ng tao kaya binibigay ko sa kanya. Kahit ano pa ang pinagdadaanan ko, ang gusto magpasaya ng tao. Kung ano pa ang pinagdadaanan ko sa buhay, pumapasok ako sa Showtime para magpasaya ng tao,” he shared.
Toni Gonzaga reacts to rumors linking Paul Soriano to Erich Gonzales BY KRISTHOFF CAGAPE
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oni Gonzaga commented on rumors linking her husband Paul Soriano to Erich Gonzales who have been working on a movie in Siargao. Toni relayed that Paul actually predicted way back in May that people would link him to Erich just like what happened before when he was working with Maja for the movie Thelma. Toni explained, Alam mo sinabi rin sa akin yan nong May [ni] Paul. Sabi niya, I think people are gonna make an issue about me and Erich just like how they did to me with Thelma and Maja before. Sabi niya, I guess it’s inevitable because Erich already talked to me and she said that some people are bashing her, messaging her, she said in an interview with the media at the opening of the pop-up store
of Happy Cup at Mother Ignacia, Quezon City. The actress added that she believes in intuition and so far she did not feel anything negative towards Paul. “Ewan ko ha, siyempre hindi tayo magsasalita, ayaw natin magsalita ng tapos, but we always lift it up to God na sana huwag kaming dumaan sa ganong pagsubok or trial or kahit ano man na challenge sa married life. Naniniwala kasi ako sa intuition. Kasi sabi ng mommy ko kahit walang issue, kahit walang chismis, kahit walang ano, may woman’s intuition. Kahit walang isyung lumabas, pag may naramdaman kang intuition most likely 80% of the time it’s true. So pinakiramdaman ko so far wala pa naman. Baka next month tingnan ko anong mafe-feel ko. Pero ngayon wala naman, wala naman”, she said. ARTISTA WINNIPEG 2017 ISSUE
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“ASAP Live in Toronto” Keeps It Lit on Social Media Filipinos in Canada, and around the world, show ASAP celebrities warm Filipino hospitality online
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ugust 11, 2017, TORONTO, CANADA --- As summer nears its tail end in Toronto, dubbed one of the top five ‘most livable cities in the world’ according to time-honored publication The Economist’s Intelligence Unit Livability Survey, Filipinos continue to feel the sizzle left behind by the spectacle that was “ASAP Live in Toronto”. Two weeks after the concert, social media netizens continue to show love for the four-hour, sold-out extravaganza. Heart-warming feedback continue to be posted on the official Facebook page of TFC in Canada, TFC Live North America and personal accounts. A group
welcomed the celebrities going around, capturing the sights and sounds of The 416. Online, the Filipino hospitality continued. “Welcome to Canada all the artists, road managers, (and) TFC staff. Good luck and enjoy Toronto. Thanks to all of you for being part of our 150th year”, Facebook user
Honourable Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario (middle) and the Honourable Ahmed Hussen MP, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (foreground at left) celebrated with Filipinos in Toronto. The Minister posted a groufie with ABS-CBN executives (from left to right) ABS-CBN Corporation President and CEO Carlo Katigbak, Managing Director for North America Olivia De Jesus, Country Manager for Canada Jun Del Rosario, Global Head of Events Ricky Resurreccion and ABS-CBN Global COO Raffy Lopez. Also in photo is “Balitang America’s” Ginger Conejero. of solid Kapamilyas’ video on TFC Live’s official facebook page shared: “It’s always nice to see these Kapamilya stars and we’re happy to see them again. We’re proud of Filipino talents”. It can be recalled on social media that as soon as the ABS-CBN Kapamilya stars touched down at the Toronto Pearson International Airport, the excitement of kababayans (fellowmen) was amplified. During the spiels shoots in various landmarks around Ontario like the CN Tower, Rogers Centre, Casa Loma, The Distillery, and Nathan Phillips Square, fans warmly
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Sally Mesina said. During the actual event, the Kapamilya stars did not disappoint their kababayans and even the locals as they performed one world-class performance after the other. Alma Pacetes expressed her vote of approval on Facebook even before the show started: “Just imagine the gift of talents. We are looking forward to see them all”. On Instagram, one post on the opening number from the personal account of Unopia alone, garnered over 30,000
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views with many other related posts averaging thousands. “ASAP Live in Toronto” made an impact not just online but also on ground and united not just the Filipino community in Toronto but also from the nearby cities. “Oh my God!” Everything. Lahat memorable. We love the experience from team Montreal” while one said: “Enjoy na enjoy and sobrang saya!” as seen in a post at facebook.com/TFCLiveNorth America Truly, “ASAP Live in Toronto” is one for the books. The concert was not just a celebration of
ABS-CBN International’s 10th year in Canada via TFC. It was also a huge party commemorating Canada’s 150th birthday, and no less than Honourable Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario; and the Honourable Ahmed Hussen MP, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship joined the ABS-CBN executives on stage to celebrate. In his Instagram post, Minister Hussen did not hold back in sharing his excitement: “No better way to celebrate #Canada150 and the 10th anniversary of #TFC than with 8,000 of your closest friends”. Wynne, on the other hand, gamely showed Page 25 pls.
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Bela Padilla may special role sa Toni Gonzaga-Piolo Pascual movie
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ingle at ready to mingle pa din ang aktres na si Bela Padilla matapos ang naging hiwalayan nila ni Neil Arce. Natutukso man ngayon sa iba-ibang pangalan sa showbiz, mas pinili pa din ngayon ni Bela na gugulin ang kanyang oras para sa sarili. Abala ang aktres sa kabi-kabilang proyekto, kasama dito ang 100 Tula Para kay Stella na kalahok sa unang Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino kung saan kapreha niya si JC Santos. Bukod sa pag-arte sa harapan ng kamera, parte din si Bela ngayon bilang screenplay writer ng upcoming Star Cinema movie ni Piolo Pascual at Toni Gonzaga at ng iba pang upcoming projects.
“Yes yung kay Toni-Piolo movie. Tapos five concepts po namin ang approved na with Neil Arce, Boy II Quizon. I’m under NSquared po kasi but as of now I won’t talk about my story po muna kasi ako nagsulat. Parang nakakahiya naman po, pero yung movie na ginagawa ni direk Joyce (Bernal) is with Piolo and Toni is epic.” Pagmamalaki pa ni Bela na isa siyang fan ni Toni kung kaya masayang-masaya siya na magiging parte siya ng proyekto na ito. “Noong sinusulat ko siya, hindi ko talaga alam kung para kanino. Pero nung malaman ko na sa Toni-Piolo movie gagamitin, medyo na-tense ako kasi pinapanuod ko talaga si Toni noon pa. Kaya in my perspective, dahil sa galing din ni direk Joyce, Piolo, and Toni parang magiging classic film po siya, I hope,” pahayag pa ni Bela.
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a TV Patrol, kahit sandali lang ay nagbigay ng saya ang AWOL star na si Gerald Anderson at ang direktor na si Enzo Williams sa mga sundalo na nasa V. Luna Medical Center. Namigay sila ng regalo sa mga sundalong nagkwento ng kanilang hirap sa gera sa Marawi at iba pang lugar. Ani Gerald, “It’s nothing much lalo na sa mga pamilya nila. Hindi mapapalitan yung nawala. Sana po pag napanu-
od ng mga tao ang AWOL, makita nila yung dedication at sacrifices na binibigay ng mga sundalo para sa atin.” Ikinalulungkot din ni Gerald ang pagkamatay sa bakbakan sa Marawi ng dalawang sundalo na nakasama sa niya sa training at shooting para sa AWOL. Kalahok ang pelikula ni Gerald sa Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino na magsisimula na sa August 16-22, 2017.
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Onyok Pineda’s mother clarifies reason behind son’s ‘Ang Probinsyano’ exit BY MAUREEN MARIE BELMONTE
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ontrary to speculations, child star Xymon “Onyok” Pineda wasn’t removed from the top-rating primetime show FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano. According to Onyok’s mother Mary Ann Nulos, they opted for Onyok to put his career in the backseat in order to prioritize his education. “Nag-decide po muna kami na medyo pahinga muna siya. Kasi magre-regular school na po siya, para maka-focus siya sa studies niya,” explained Mary Ann in an interview during the mini press conference of his contract renewal with local clothing brand H/Head Kids Apparels. Mary Ann explained that Onyok was previously enrolled in a home schooling program when he was still part of Ang Probinsyano. But now, Onyok has enrolled in a regular classroom setup. Along with reports that Onyok was removed from the show were rumors that Mary Ann was the reason why her son got the boot. But Mary Ann vehemently denied such reports. “Minsan lang, pag nagtatanong ako tungkol sa cut-off, yung sa oras... minsan nagtatanong po ako kung anong oras na ba, ‘Pack-up na po ba?’ Ganun lang naman po,” she explained. Mary Ann likewise pointed out that they secured the green light of the necessary individuals before they left the show. “Opo, nagpaalam naman po kami nang maayos sa mga boss at kina Kuya Coco (Martin). Nagagree naman po sila na ano ang pag-aaral,” she said. “Siguro dun sa mga nang-iintriga, may mga tao po kasi na siguro ay hindi kami kilala, ganun. Nagdya-judge na kami raw ang inalis,” Mary Ann continued. Even the Ang Probinsyano lead star affirmed that Onyok left their show in good faith in order to pursue his education. But even after deciding this, Mary Ann confessed that she somehow regrets her son’s depar-
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ture from the show. “Nanghihinayang din po ako, lalo na’t ang ganda ng tandem nila ni Coco. Kaya lang, bilang nanay, nasa isip ko rin talaga ang pag-aaral ng bata, yung kinabukasan niya,” she said. But she reiterated that Onyok’s “graceful exit” from the show is not necessarily permanent.
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Why James Reid is the new Pedro Penduko Viva Films explains Pedro Penduko will be given a “modern twist.” BY GARY ANN LASTRILLA
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fter it has been announced that actor James Reid will portray the iconic role of Pedro Penduko, the news did not sit well with some fans of the Komiks icon. Producer Viva Films, through an article on their website, shared the reason why the actor was chosen as the new Pedro Penduko. Originally created by Francisco Coching, James will be playing the reimagined version of the one written by Regene Estolatan. James will take on the role of Peter Harris, a bullied kid in the United
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States who, after his adoptive father dies mysteriously, flies to the Philippines to search for his biological mom. This is where his adventure begins. “When he finds her, he learns that she has been a victim of a curse given by a ruler of Eastern Kasamaan.” “As he embarks on a journey to find a cure, he learns so much more than
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what he originally set out to discover. That he is no ordinary human, and that he may be the prophesied ‘chosen one’ who will save the entire town from the rising evil that threatens it,” the synopsis read. Viva added, “The modern twist aims to revitalize the dated imagery of the superhero for a new generation of
Filipinos.” Pedro Penduko has already been portrayed by four other actors. Efren Reyes Sr. was the first one to play the role of Pedro in a movie and was followed by Ramon Zamora and Janno Gibbs respectively. Matt Evans was the first to portray the Komiks character on TV.
ASAP LIVE... from page 14. how she was one with the audience as she showed a few of her dance moves. In the end, what the historical “ASAP Live in Toronto” left was a permanent mark in the hearts of Filipinos. CM Gil Manayan shared her experience on Facebook: “Thank you TFC for coming here. I usually (just used to) watch ASAP live on studio whenever I take a vacation in Manila”. On that memorable day at the Ricoh Coliseum, Manayan experienced the show larger than life. Witness the second part of the milestone “ASAP Live in Toronto” on August 13, 2017 at 11:45 a.m. Manila time and 10:25 a.m. Pacific time via TFC platforms worldwide. For more information and updates, visit facebook.com/TFCCanadaOfficial and facebook.com/ TFCLiveNorthAmerica. (ASAP Live in Toronto photos courtesy of Red Studios California and Christian Ryan as watermarked). ARTISTA WINNIPEG 2017 ISSUE
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Glaiza De Castro, lilipad ng Canada para sa GMA Pinoy TV By Gia Allana Soriano
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yaheng Canada ang Kapuso actress na si Glaiza De Castro para sa GMA Pinoy TV event titled “Pinoy Fiesta, Unang Hirit sa Tag-init” ngayong August 13 sa Memorial South Park, Vancouver. Masaya naman si Glaiza dahil makakasama na niya ang mga Encantadia fans sa Canada. Ang aktres ay ang gumanap bilang si Pirena, ang panganay na anak ni Minea (Marian Rivera) sa requel ng nasabing show. Aniya, “Doon sa mga Encantadics doon sa abroad na na-se-sepanx sa mga characters namin doon, syempre napapanood nila kami sa Mulawin [VS Ravena], diba? So, may follow up.” Makikipag-collaborate rin si Glaiza sa isang Pinoy na guitarista na nakilala niya sa kanyang concert noong 2015 sa Canada. Aniya nagpra-practice rin daw sila “through Facetime.” Susunod namang pupunta si Glaiza sa New York, at pagkatapos ay dadaan sa Toronto pagdating ng August 20.
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REFLECTIONS By Dr. Jun Vencer
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The Necessity of CHRIST and the Church in Today’s Culture of Death
he highest value of Canadians is choice, wrote Reginald Bibbey (The Mosaic Madness). Don’t tell a Canadian what to do. Give him a choice when he makes a decision. After all, man and woman are free moral agents. The inescapable problem, however, is the referent of such a choice. Is there an objective referent such as the Word of God or is this choice left to man and woman to determine in our relativistic culture? Is there an objective standard to evaluate whether a choice is right or wrong? Twenty-six years later, Aaron Kheriaty (Dying of Despair), wrote that in today’s America, the highest value is efficiency. This is in the context of a meritocratic culture where a man or a woman is measured by his or her capacity to be productive and to be a contributor to the economy. Their preoccupation is to pass the
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SAT as the gateway to high paying jobs in the future.Young people, including millennials (ages 18-30), have turned away from traditional sources of value – families, fraternities, and neighbors as well as from mediating structures like churches. Marriages are ending in easy divorces and churches are rapidly losing members. This loss of values and coupled with a utilitarian view of man and woman have resulted in alienation and isolation. People are becoming anomic, without a bearing or direction. They have no transcendence to ground their being and give them meaning and purpose in life. This logic of utility is summed up by a T-Shirt: “I’m not saying I hate you, but I would unplug your life support to charge my cells phone.” Last year, a modern-day prophet, Os Guinness (Impossible People) raised the issue of the very survival of Western Civi-
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lization as we know it today. The claim is that the West is cutting itself from its Judeo-Christian roots. The former Pope Benedict have raised the same question using a metaphor: Can the tree survive if the roots are cut? Guinness said “the West has lost its soul.” He continued,“If the West is admired, it is only its technological prowess, its economic prosperity and its military power, all of which will soon fade too. Yet while the West is no longer Christian in its foundations, it is not fully non-Christian (secularist or pagan) either, though its postChristian phase may soon reach the point of no return.” Without God and without roots, a national epidemic is emerging, suicide and depression among young people especially. The pressure to perform leaves people with a sense of worthlessness. What if they will not measure up? Kheriarty says that we are witnessing a “plague of the melancholy” or the “death of despair.” In the face of such social fragmentation, it is easy for people to loose meaning and hope. They become “walking dead.” But there is a ray of hope! In a research on this subject conducted by the Tyler VanderWheele of Harvard’s T. H. Chan School of Public Health showed that regular church attendance and the moral absolutes internalized by the members are antidotes to this death of despair. An evangelical“religious faith can instill a sense of meaning and purpose that tran-
scends present exigencies that helps people not only survive periods of intense anguish, but even find meaning in suffering.” As a patient once said: “If not for my relationship with Jesus, I would have killed myself a long time ago.” Canadian-born Dr. A. B. Simpson, founder of the Christian and Missionary Alliance, said it well a long time ago: All For Jesus! Dr. Jun Vencer is the President of Global Transformation Ministries Inc., a member body of the Global DAWN Network. He concurrently serves as Vice President of Leadership Development and as the Asia Director of DAWN Ministries. He also serves as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Alliance Graduate School, Philippines. He is the first Third World leader to have been appointed as International Director of World Evangelical Alliance and founding Chairman of the Evangelical Fellowship of Asia. He served as General Secretary of the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches and of the Philippine Relief and Development Services. He is Pastor Emeritus of the Alliance Fellowship Church. He is an ordained Minister and a Bishop of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Churches of the Philippines (CAMACOP). Dr. Vencer is married to Annabella Castillo. They have four children; three of whom are married and five grandchildren. He currently serves as pastor of the Alliance International Church in Pearland, Texas.
ARTISTA WINNIPEG 2017 ISSUE
P 31
P 32
ARTISTA WINNIPEG AUGUST 2017 ISSUE