Hello Philippines newspaper August issue

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HELLO PNoy d n 2 FRE INSIDE E

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August / September 2011 Monthly Issue

Travel • Business & Finance • Showbiz & Entertainment • Science & Technology • Music Entertainment • Arts & Entertainment • Local Community News • Sports News

Volume 2 - Number 08

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SONA

Page 4

1 Year To Go – London Olympics and Paralympics 2012 Page 32 Sam Pinto – FHM’s Number 1 Sexiest Woman in the World Page 16 thewutzup.com

Androids: The New Generation Phone

The Euro Debt

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Page 12

republikangpinoy.blogspot.com

Page 30

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Davao City’s Kadayawan Festival

Page 10

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Azkals make Filipinos proud?

Page 34

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Cover Story

August / September 2011 – Monthly Issue • UK & Europe Edition

Aquino delivers second State of the Nation Address (2nd SONA) Vittorio Hernandez

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he siren or “wangwang” was one of the first things that Philippine President Benigno Aquino III discussed in his first State of the Nation Address last year.

In his second SONA, Aquino again opened his speech with reference to the wang-wang. He said the siren has symbolized change for the Philippine government under his leadership.

Aquino pointed out that in the previous administrations, the wangwang was a symbol of abuse of authority, which officials – from the highest to the lowest – used to go against traffic rules.

Many Filipinos said that the president’s second SONA did not differ much from his first because he used the occasion more to hit his predecessor than to lay before the nation the real situation in the country.

With just a year in office, Aquino has disappointed a growing number of Filipinos who had high hopes he would be different from his predecessors.

But like them, he used the SONA to crow about his administration’s achievements which may be real, but hardly felt by Juan de la Cruz.

After the brief reference to the wang-wang the president boasted of improvements in the economy under his leadership. He pointed to an improvement in self-rated hunger rates to 15.1 percent in June from 20.5 percent in March and seven records broken in the Philippine stock market.

He also cited upgrades in the country’s credit ratings by Moody’s Investors Service, Standard & Poor’s, Fitch and Japan Credit Ratings Agency, as proof that funds are better managed under his administration.

The credit ratings were the perfect tools to get back at his predecessor, former President Gloria MacapagalArroyo. He stressed that under GMA’s nine-year term, the Philippines got only one credit upgrade and suffered four downgrades, while under his helm, four upgrades were made within 12 months.

And like his predecessors, he also crowed about other achievements such as improved confidence of investors in the country’s energy sector, the shift to zero-based budgeting which ended wasteful programs, attempts to end the patronage system, lesser crimes and more jobs generated.

Aquino did not only inherit a government that hardly had anything on its coffers. He also inherited the ordinary Pinoy’s distrust of the government as best shown by protest marches held outside or near the Batasang Pambansa building while his SONA was ongoing.

Aquino apparently failed to convince critics of his sincerity and claimed achievements. They burned effigy of the president along the road leading to the parliament building where the critics held a rally simultaneous with Aquino’s address.

About 8,000 demonstrators joined the march to denounce Aquino’s unfulfilled promise. They had with them a 14-foot effigy of the bachelor-president, which they made to appear like Humpty Dumpty.

The egg-like look was a pun on the president’s pet name, PNoy, which was slightly altered to Penoy, or the popular duck egg sold at nights along with balut.

In last year’s SONA, the protestors did not burn Aquino’s effigy because they thought at that time that the new president deserved a chance to prove he could deliver on his promises.

However, they complained life became harder under Aquino’s

administration. They gave the president a failing grade on his first year in office.

On the eve of Aquino’s second SONA, independent research and advocacy group IBON Foundation challenged the president not to be selective about his presentation of facts and figures. They asked him to give the complete picture.

IBON cited as among Aquino’s unfulfilled promises he made in his first SONA job creation, the provision of social services and the public-private partnership program, which the NGO believes is better left undone.

The target of his first SONA, Arroyo, skipped the second SONA and instead opted to inspect infrastructure projects in the first district of Pampanga, where she is the representative.

The former president attended Congress’ opening in the morning, but left for her home province before noon. She begged off from media interviews and instead inspected roads and school buildings and later arkibongbayan.org

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met with local officials behind closed doors.

With many Filipinos no longer taking the SONA seriously because it has become a centerpiece for boasting and political vendetta, more than an event that provides a true picture of what is happening, watching the gowns of the female legislators has become a good diversion.

Among those on the fashion watchlist are Senators Loren Legarda and Pia Cayetano, Congresswomen Lani Mercado and Lucy TorresGomez and former Akbayan Representative Risa Hontiveros.

Legarda, known for wearing pashminas even during her newsreading days, wore a black tube dress with a lace alampay.

Cayetano had a red and gray dress made by designer Mia Urquico. The dress had an improvised panuelo.

Hontiveros wore a red glittering blouse and pants, which was a new interpretation of the Filipina dress terno.

Also noticed by the onlookers were

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family members of politicians, such as the daughter of Congresswoman Mercado and Senator Bong Revilla, Inah Bautista-del Rosario, who sported a blue Filipiniana designed

by Rajo Laurel.

Randy Ortiz was the designer of the black and white satin terno of Tootsie Angara, the wife of Aurora Congressman Sonny Angara.

Vice President Jejomar Binay’s wife, Elenita, and daughter, Nancy, donned orange and yellow gowns designed by couturier Aureo Alonzo.

However, the happiest people on July 25, 2011 were students from elementary to high school levels in Quezon City whose classes were suspended that day by the Department of Education because of the possible traffic jam that the SONA and its accompanying rallies could bring.

Surely, the nearby malls and internet cafes were full of youth celebrating their free day by window shopping or playing video games, oblivious to the yearly charade going on at Batasang Pambansa. ■

Original Creation and Copyright Reserved By: Hello Philippines 2011

Original Creation and Copyright Reserved By: Hello Philippines 2011

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Travel

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August / September 2011 – Monthly Issue • UK & Europe Edition

Davao City’s Kadayawan Festival: A Celebration for Good Harvest Berlin Domingo

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he celebration of fiestas in the Philippines – a predominantly Catholic nation – has long become a cultural tradition borne out of the Filipinos’ observance in their respective geographical units of the feast days of their patron saints.

True to their origin, Philippine fiestas are celebrated with lavish banquets showcasing the Filipino hospitality in their homes, religious processions, tournaments and carnivals in the town proper. The vibrant and cheerful spirit that

pervades the Filipinos’ celebration of fiestas is infectious, for these fiestas are colourful and lively. The festivities may last from one day to week-long, depending on the traditions of a particular town or place.

The Kadayawan Festival in Davao City is one of the weeklong festivals in the Philippines that abounds with vibrancy and merriment. It features attractions distinctly belonging to the largest city in Mindanao, Philippines.

The festival is celebrated annually during the third week of August and charms both local and international tourists. The term Kadayawan is derived from the friendly greeting “madayaw” which was itself

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derived from the Davaoeño word “dayaw”, meaning good, valuable, superior or beautiful. “Kadayawan” in Mandaya means anything that brings fortune, a celebration of life, a thanksgiving for the gifts of nature, the wealth of culture, the bounties of harvest and serenity of living.

Faithful to the word from which it was derived and from which it was named after, the Kadayawan festival is a thanksgiving festival for the good harvest, the lushness of vegetation, the bounties of nature, and the richness of culture, as well as the stillness and – at the same time – the celebration of the Filipino life in Davao City.

While the Kadayawan Festival is not a celebration of the feast day of any patron saint, it is a festival through which the people of Davao City express their gratitude to the higher power that bestows their city with blessings of good fortune and luxuriant harvest. Filipinos being enamored with festivities that celebrate life to the fullest, the Kadayawan Festival spans not merely a day but an entire week, and is thus the mother of other festivals in Davao City.

The Kadayawan Festival is not without any origin. Legend has it that after every harvest, ethnic tribes gathered around Mount Apo, the highest peak in Davao City, in order to give thanks to their mythical gods and to their supreme god known as Bathala in Filipino folklore. The thanksgiving was marked by festivities such as singing, dancing and the making of offerings by each tribe to their gods.

Historically speaking, the Kadayawan Festival had its inception from a governmentinitiated program called the Unlad Proyekto Davao (Development Project Davao) in 1986, which

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was intended to unite the people of Davao after years of political turmoil brought about by the Martial Law era. The project also aimed to promote Davao City as a safe and interesting place for tourists and investors. In 1988, then Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte renamed the festival as Kadayawan to celebrate the city’s unique wealth in flowers, fruits and ethnic culture.

The highlights of the Kadayawan Festival are the street-dancing parade and competition called Indak-indak sa Kadalanan and the Pamulak Kadayawan or the Floral Float Parade. Dancers in elaborate and colourful Davao cultural costumes and accessories flock to the streets during the Indak-indak sa Kadalanan and dance to the beat of the drums of their chosen tribal music. The Pamulak Kadayawan, on the other hand, showcases in the major thoroughfares of Davao City floral floats in creative shapes, gargantuan sizes and bright hues.

The flowers that adorn these floats consist of different species of Davao flowers such as orchids, foremost of which is the walingwaling (vanda sanderiana) that can be found only in Davao and some parts of Mindanao. Fruits that are uniquely grown in Davao, such as durian – similar to jackfruits and known for its distinct scent and delicious succulence – and mangosteens are also displayed alongside Davao blooms in the Pamulak Kadayawan.

The street dancing and the floral float parade are merely the

icing on the proverbial cake in the Kadayawan Festival. Since the festival also aims to feature Davao City’s produce, products and services to tourists, agricultural and trade fairs participated by plant growers, handicraft producers and local manufacturers are made open to the public during the festival.

Bazaars of Davao-made goods are also held to display and promote the uniqueness and quality of locally-manufactured products and native delicacies of the city.

A festival is incomplete without music and food. As such, these two components are the main features of the Kadayawan Festival in an activity called Hudyakaan, a street party that displays and celebrates the delightful food of Davao City.

Hudyakaan is participated in by the city’s food establishments and showcases the sumptuous food of Davao City in a street festival graced by the performances of local bands and musicians.

The Kadayawan Festival is a Filipino cultural tradition that celebrates the Filipino way of life in idyllic Davao City. It is a festival worth experiencing, if only to develop one’s deeper appreciation for the gifts of nature and the uniqueness of a culture that has remained loyal to its roots without being left behind by the development of civilization.

The Kadayawan Festival is an uplifting glimpse into the Filipino soul: joyous, resilient and brave.

So this August, pack your bag and experience one unique festivity which is very distinctively Filipino – the Kadayawan Festival. ■

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Business & Finance

August / September 2011 – Monthly Issue • UK & Europe Edition

The Euro debt contagion Vittorio Hernandez

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he euro used to be one of the strongest currencies in the world – until it was hit by a debt contagion last year.

Used by 17 nations of the 27-member European Union, the currency was introduced in 1999 and is the second most traded currency in the world, next to the US Dollar.

With more than EUR 800 billion in circulation around the world, the Euro has the highest combined value of banknotes and coins in circulation globally and is next to the British Pound in terms of exchange rate.

However, the euro was recently put to a test because of the ballooning debts of several eurozone nations, now collectively referred to by other currency users as PIGS. The acronym stands for the nations of Portugal, Ireland and Italy, Greece and Spain, which are suffering from ballooning debts that their nations find it difficult to repay on time, which could lead to a default and depreciation of the currency.

The background behind the large national debts and failure to meet their obligations is the 2008 global financial crisis which caused large banks to fail, governments to rescue the financial institutions and in the process created large debts. The failure of financial institutions led to unemployment and contraction of economies, which resulted in governments not having enough funds to pay their foreign and local debts on time.

The first nation to be hit by the debt contagion was Greece. Known as one of the ancient civilizations of the world, Greece was listed by the World Bank as the 27th largest economy in the world based on its nominal gross domestic product.

Until 2008, Greece enjoyed 15 years of consecutive economic growth, but the global crisis took

its toll on Athens. By 2009, Greece entered recession that during the first half of that year, its ratio of loans to savings went beyond 100 per cent.

By year end, Greece’s budget deficit was equivalent to 15.4 percent of its gross domestic product and its debt 127 per cent of GDP. On April 2010, the Greek government requested for a bailout package from the EU and International Monetary Fund worth EUR 45 billion.

As a result of the loan, ratings agency Standard & Poor’s downgraded Greece’s debt rating to BB+ or junk status because of fears of default. The cut in rating resulted in the country’s two-year bond yields reaching 15.3 per cent in the secondary market.

In June 2011, S&P downgraded again the country’s sovereign debt to a CCC rating, which is the lowest in the world as a result of an EU-IMF audit that the Greek government, which just survived a no confidence vote in its Parliament, needed more austerity measures.

The new round of cost-cutting measures was met by protests of unions because Greece had already tightened its budget which caused many Greeks to lose their jobs and benefits.

The fears of the international community were finally allayed when Greece became the first eurozone member to default.

However, leaders of the eurozone accepted that the controlled failure was the only option left to prevent the collapse of their currency and lead to another global financial crisis.

With the default, the leaders agreed to extend on the third week of July another EUR 159 billion bailout package from the EU, IMF and the private sector.

The fresh funds are expected to reduce Greece’s debt by a quarter.

European Council President Herman Van Rompuy said the deal would stop the debt contagion from spreading and commits to improve

The Euro is the largest currency in circulation, beating the US Dollar.

the zone’s crisis management.

Under the agreement, Greece will be given different options to extend its repayment terms and reduce the amount of payment, allows the private sector to voluntarily participate in these options and also doubles the period of repayment terms for the Irish Republic and Portugal.

Eurozone officials had to step in because even before the official default, European banks, especially French and German banks which are the largest holders of Greek debt papers, had also suffered due to their vulnerability to the weakness of the Greek economy.

The S&P downgrade, in turn, resulted to shares of British, French and German banks dipping by 2.3 per cent, 2 per cent and 1.7 per cent respectively.

On the first week of July, another ratings agency, Moody’s Investors Service reduced Portugal’s debt to Ba2 or junk status. Moody’s warned that like Greece and Portugal may need a second bailout before it was ready to borrow again from the financial markets.

The downgrade of Lisbon’s debt was because of failure by the Portuguese government to reach its deficit reduction target of 2.3 per cent of its GDP from 9.1 per cent in 2010.

The following week it was the

turn of Ireland to be downgraded.

Moody’s reduced Dublin’s credit ratings to below investment grade or junk status. It was a major turnaround for Ireland, which used to enjoy an Aaa rating until 2009.

However, that year, Ireland’s property market suffered and led to the collapse of Irish banks and large bailouts that in turn resulted in a rise in Ireland’s debt. The July downgrade was Dublin’s second in just three months. Moody’s reduced Ireland’s credit ratings by two levels in April.

All eyes are now on Italy and Spain after the bond yields on Rome’s and Madrid’s sovereign debts reached a euro-era record high. Their bonds were trade like junk-rated debts.

An indicator that the debt contagion has not ceased moving around even after Greece’s default was a hint from Spanish Finance Minister Elena Salgado that Madrid might need to introduce another round of austerity measures in 2012 deeper than those that the Spanish government has planned.

The debt contagion even appears to be headed for the US, the world’s largest economy after Washington’s debt reached $14.3 trillion while the American politicians are still debating how to reduce their national budget deficit. Because of the lawmakers’ dilly-dallying,

S&P and Moody’s have threatened to also downgrade the US’s triple A rating, which is the highest, because of the looming possibility that Washington may default on its debt.

Prior to the eurozone agreement, Britain has expressed apprehension over extending further financial assistance to Greece. British Chancellor George Osborne explained his stand to the threat the eurozone debt crisis has placed on the United Kingdom, which itself is going through a tough economic situation.

The British government has similarly enacted wide-ranging budget cuts that would likely result in high unemployment rates, reduction of social services and economic contraction. These threats led British public unions to initiate nationwide strikes, although the mass action was not as strong compared to what their Greek counterparts had done.

Britain opted to retain using the pound as its currency when many EU nations shifted to the euro.

Citing the different currency that Britons use, Osborne said British taxpayers will continue to support the pound, but they would not participate in any eurozone solution to the PIGS crisis, because it is the European taxpayers’ obligation to support the euro. ■

Greeks protested for days the belt-tightening measures imposed by their government as a result of the Euro Debt Contagion.

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Local Entertainment / Events Diary

August / September 2011 – Monthly Issue • UK & Europe Edition

Ssshhh…DYBK? (Does Your Boyfriend Know?)

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smashing Launch Night Party for “Ssshhh…DYBK?” was held on Sunday, 31 July 2011 at the prestigious venue Shadow Lounge in the heart of Soho, West End. The venue is a classy basement club with fabulous interior décor and luxurious VIP booths to cater for private parties.

The night was hosted by the transgender comic trio “Ssshhh Dolls” (aka Paper Dolls) The Dolls, Sexy, Naughty and Voodoo are all from the Philippines and create their own show which is a cocktail of comedy and drama of popular songs. The group first formed in 1999 created by Mother Doll Philip de Vera and group member Dee Chanelle (aka Diva) said “If Spice Gilrs and Take That can do a reunion, then so can we! It has been over 10 years since we all performed on the same stage but we have all agreed to revive the act to please the Filipino community. We love to make people laugh.”

The launch night saw the “girls” open the show with the Pussycat Dolls smash hit “Hush, Hush” in their 70’s afro and corset outfit with a

slick and polished dance routine and closing the night with Lady GaGa’s “Born This Way” in loud, multicoloured red, blue and pink hair!

The night was well received with a great oriental support for the Dolls who are ecstatic about the turnout for the night and vow to make each week very exciting and full of surprises.

The Dolls have created this weekly Sunday night club event to assemble the Oriental community, its friends and admirers. Of course the Filipino

DATE / TIME 7 August 2011 – Sunday Mass: 10 to 11am Praise & Worship: 2 to 6pm Program & Dinner: 6 to 10pm 13 August 2011 – Saturday 6:00pm to 11:00pm 13 to 14 August 2011 Saturday & Sunday 10:00am to 6:00pm

EVENT

community are welcome to join in their “S-Factor” Karaoke between 7:00 to 9:00pm (which is also 50% OFF all drinks during this time) and prepare for their performance to be judged by the Dolls in true Laughline / Library comedy banter. The night then has dancing to chart and retro hits until midnight.

Join them every Sunday night (except Sunday, 28 August 2011) at The Shadow Lounge, 5 Brewer Street, London W1F 0RF. Nearest Tube: Piccadilly Circus. ■ VENUE

The Feast, London Mission Chapter, a Catholic Prayer Meeting of the Light of Jesus Family

Bro. Edgard Adolfo 07877 904 278 / Bro. Jules de Chavez 07932 032 610 / Bro. Wilmer Enriquez 07743 669 583

25th Anniversary Celebration, Dinner & Dance and Miss Bicolandia UK 2011 1st Welsh Filipino Fiesta 2011

Baden Powell House 65 - 67 Queens Gate, London SW7 5JS

Bicol Association UK

Julius Maristela, President

Cymru Filipino Fiesta 2011

Robin Easling, Chairman 07891 215 097 / ernie.easling@hotmail.co.uk

Liverpool Filipino Association (LFA) and Liverpool Filipino Teens (LiFT) in association with other Northwest Filipino groups.

Yorkshire Maharlika Filipino Club

13 to 14 August 2011 Saturday & Sunday 10:00am to 6:00pm 20 August 2011 - Saturday

UFCScot Barrio Fiesta sa Glasgow Pinoy NorthWest Mini Olympics 2011

Greenbank Sports Academy, Greenbank Lane, Liverpool L17 1AG

21 August 2011 - Sunday 7:00pm

“BOP til you DROP” Summer Party

The Marjorie & Arnold Ziff Community Centre, 311 Stonegate Road, Leeds LS17 6AZ

27 August 2011 - Saturday 6:00pm

Mr and Miss Philippines Northern Ireland – Grand Finals

11 September 011 - Sunday 11.30am to 5.00pm

Fluvial Procession at Westminster Pier celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Penafrancia Miss Philippines UK and Mr Philippines UK 2011 Filipiniana & Coronation of Mutya and Lakan UK 2011 (Karagan) Holy Mass to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Penafrancia The YouLeaD Experience

Westminster Pier, Victoria Embankment, Westminster, London SW1A 2JH

Diaspora to Development: AGlobal Summit of Filipinos in the Diaspora Launching of Samar Leyte Association Wales UK “Get together party and networking” Diamond in the Rough – The First UK All Pinoy Fighting Event Birmingham Dive Show The Filipino Cultural Show “Lahing Kayumanggi” Dance Company in Cardiff 2011 Philippine Volcano Climb

18 September 2011 - Sunday 2:00pm 22 to 30 September 2011

27 to 29 September 2011

30 September 2011 - Friday 6:00pm to 10:00pm 9 October 2011 - Sunday 7:00pm 22 to 23 October 2011 19 November 2011 - Saturday 7:30pm 19 to 26 November 2011

CONTACTS / REMARKS

Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, 211 Old Marylebone Road, London NW1 5QT

Margam Country Park, Margam, Port Talbot, Wales SA13 2TJ (Between Cardiff and Swansea – Junction 38 of M4) Kelvingrove Park, Otago Street, Glasgow G3 6BY

17 September 2011 – Saturday 6:00pm to 12:00am 17 September 2011 - Saturday 6:00pm to 12:00am

ORGANISER

1st Year Anniversary Celebration of the Light of Jesus Family

PUBLISHER

Universal Infinity Limited Mike McCarthy Roselle Collado Sales Director Operations & Marketing Director Tel. No.: +44 20 3086 7702 ext. 15 Tel. No.: +44 7577 813 104 Email: mmccarthy@mshareltd.com rcollado@hello-philippines.com www.hello-philippines.com Hello Philippines is published monthly by Universal Infinity Limited.

This publication is copyrighted and all rights reserved.

UK & Europe Edition - Ireland, Italy, Spain and France.

Camden Centre, Camden Town Hall, Judd Street, London WC1H 9JE Colliers Wood Community centre, Colliers Wood, London SW19 2BY

United Filipino Communities of Scotland (UFCScot)

Bicol Association UK

Mitcham Filipino-British Association (MFBA)

Carmelite Priory, 41 Kensington Church Street, London W8 4BB

Bicol Association UK

Manila and Palawan, Philippines

The Philippine Embassy

Manila, Philippines

The Philippine Embassy

Cardiff City, Wales

Camden Centre, Camden Town Hall, Judd Street, London WC1H 9JE NEC Birmingham Motor Point Arena, Mary Ann Street, Cardiff CF10 2EQ Philippines

Tricia France Ferriol, President 07818 141 013 / Janet, VP 07584 672 063 / Carlos Giganto, Shadow Secretary 07948 381 557 / secretary@lfa-lift.org.uk / www.lfa-lift.org.uk

Jeannette Leitch 07881 815 022 / jeannette_limos@hotmail.com Jayson “Jojo” Belmonte 07966 105 600 / j_belmonte@btinternet.com Julius Maristela, President

Eva Macadangdang 07983 593 914 Marlowe Macadangdang 07956 944 520 / mp_uk@yahoo.com 020 8646 4181 / 07894 824 512 / 07766 314 207 / info@mitchampinoy.com / www.mitchampinoy.com / www.mutyaandlakan.co.uk Julius Maristela, President

The Philippine Embassy is extending invitation to all interested overseas Filipino Youth Leaders aged 16-34 years of age to the Commission of Filipinos Overseas (CFO) event.

The Philippine Embassy is extending invitation to all interested memebrs of the Filipino Community in the UK to the Commission of Filipinos Overseas (CFO) event.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=158923797508140 www.tri3tar.com

Lahing Kayumanggi Dance Company

Fundraising event of the Scottish Filipino For more details on how to register and itinerary can be found on Charity this link - http://www.scottishfilipinocharity.org/?page_id=271 FREE LISTING of your events on the Hello Philippines newspaper and if you know of any Events do not hesitate to contact us at all. Please kindly contact us and submit your event via email or text to the following at kccmedia8@yahoo.com / 07577 813 104.

- Date of the Event / Time of the Event - Title of Event - Venue Address (please kindly provide complete address with postcode) - Organiser - Contact Details Polite Remarks: any other information you want added, we will endevour to include it if possible depending on space.

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Showbiz & Entertainment

August / September 2011 – Monthly Issue • UK & Europe Edition

Former PBB housemate named sexiest woman by FHM Vittorio Hernandez

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ewbie actress Sam Pinto lost to bucktooth and glib talker Melai Cantiveros in the 2009-10 edition of Pinoy Big Brother Double Up edition in the Philippines. She was evicted on Day 28.

After just two years, Sam won another contest based on online votes. This time she was named the sexiest woman for 2011, by For Him Magazine, or popularly more known as FHM. The contest is an annual search by the publication and for this year the contest generated 30 million votes.

Sam made FHM history by making a gigantic leap from her 32nd place finish in 2010 to the top spot. She dislodged last year’s fourth placer Marian Rivera, who was frontrunner, along with other former number one winners Angel Locsin, Katrina Halili and Cristine Reyes during the early part of the competition.

It helped that Sam’s stock was boosted with her having a San Miguel light beer print and TV commercial showing her sexy curves. But even during her several months of stay in the PBB house, Sam had caught the attention of the male contenders and televiewers because of her sexiness and beauty.

The four females – Marian, Angel, Katrina and Cristine – used to just trade the top spot among themselves the past few years.

Katrina held the crown for two years until Marian, despite not having posed for the magazine, grabbed it in 2009. Last year, Angel Locsin was number one, followed

by Cristine.

The four ladies, aside from being beautiful and sexy, have something

else in common. They all once belonged to GMA-7’s stable of stars. Cristine and Katrina were batchmates in Starstruck’s first season, until Cristine moved to ABS-CBN. Angel used to be the primetime queen of GMA, until she flew the coop, which benefited Marian, who became GMA’s new queen.

Marian and Katrina are still with GMA, although Katrina has been demoted again to kontravida roles after she figured in the video sex scandal.

In the case of Sam, it was the other way around. She started in ABS-CBN as a housemate of PBB, but a year after the reality show, she signed away with GMA where she was given TV shows and even a major role in a GMA-produced movie.

However, Sam was not really new to showbiz prior to her PBB stint because she started as a commercial model when she was 10.

FHM actually started in 1985 in the United Kingdom under the name Form Him, but in 1994 the publication’s name was changed to FHM. Each of FHM’s international editions publish the yearly ranking of the 100 sexiest women in the world based on online voting.

The Philippines is one of FHM’s 21 international editions.

The event introducing the FHM’s 100 sexiest women is one of the most-awaited events in the Philippines. The tickets are not sold, but given through invitation, so being a ticket holder is an dream come true for many Pinoy males to see the women in flesh and revealing outfits.

Other Filipinos who are not as well-connected could content themselves with buying the monthly edition of FHM, which costs P150 or the equivalent of a decent meal in a fast food restaurant. The publication, which has about 180

Pinoys who were not invited to the FHM Victory Party could still enjoy oogling at the photos of the 100 Sexiest Women In The World through its monthly glossy magazine.

Sam Pinto: The number one sexiest woman by FHM

pages of photos and articles, is worth the price tag.

Aside from glossy pages, the pictorials are titillating, but it does not cross the line. There are some models who show some breasts and butts, but definitely no frontal shots or even peeking pubic hairs here.

Part of FHM’s rising popularity with the Pinoy male is that it gets classy females for models, not the trying hard starlets found in other male magazines in the Philippines.

Thus, FHM is able to get the nod of female celebrities who would otherwise not allow themselves to be photographed in sexy and alluring states of nakedness.

Being an FHM model, in fact, is considered an honour by many of their models. Interestingly, FHM appears to be even an equal opportunity employer because it is

not limited to nubile and below-20 models.

Proof is that 40-something actress Eula Valdes is its cover girl for the July 2011 issue, which includes the special 100 Sexiest Women of 2011 edition.

This year’s list is an interesting mix of famous and unknown models. In the 94th to 96th places are fellow Starstruck alumna Nadine Samonte, Ryza Cenon and Chariz Solomon.

Not to be outdone, former PBB housemates Jamilla Obispo and Saicy Aguila are ranked 92nd and 87th, respectively.

One interesting fact is that on 69th spot is Isabelle Daza, the daughter of former Miss Universe Gloria Diaz, who won the crown in 1969!

The list is not limited to sexy actresses, but also beautiful singers such as Rachelle Ann Go, infanticipating Regine Velasquez and pop princess Sarah Geronimo on the 66th, 63rd and 37th places.

Another proof of being sexy and pretty at 40 is kontravida Jean Garcia, who at 57th place is ranked higher than her teenage daughter, Jennica Garcia, who is on 65th place. Eula, however, is ranked higher than Jean at 46th place.

Even non-Filipinas are included on the roster, such as Hollywood actress Megan Fox, who is on the 55th spot.

However, it is clear that youth still dominate the top spots as evidenced by Heart Evangelista, Kim Chiu, Bianca King, Rhian Ramos being in the top 30 spots and Anne Curtis, Bianca Manalo,

Lovi Poe, Angelica Panganiban and Ehra Madrigal enjoying the top 20 positions.

Like Sam Pinto, a surprise entry to the top 1 and number 5 Solenn Heusaff, who was introduced via Survivor Philippines’ celebrity edition. Rounding up the top 7 to 10 spots are hot mama Jennlyn Mercado, FilJap Iwa Moto, Starstruck alumna Jackie Rice and newcomer Ellen Adarna.

With all these pretty and voluptuous women strutting the stage of the World Trade Center, Pasay City, Metro Manila where the FHM Victory Party was held on the evening of July 14, 2011, the atmosphere was surely hot. To add spice to the heated-up party were controversies involving some of the women, such as Iwa Moto and number 47 Janna Dominguez snubbing each other because of the two being linked to a mixed martial arts athlete.

Even Sam was not spared of a similar controversy because she claimed that Marian had been avoiding her since the former PBB runner-up was linked to Marian’s boyfriend, actor Dingdong Dantes.

The 22-year old Sam also commented that she is a natural beauty – meaning cosmetic science has not touched her body, dropping a hint that previous winners may have been “Salamat po, doctor.” beauties.

Whether natural or enhanced are their physical assets, many Pinoy males would surely want a chance to touch the bodies of these FHM Philippines’ 100 Sexiest Women In The World 2011. ■

August / September 2011 – Monthly Issue • UK & Europe Edition

Showbiz & Entertainment

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BARRIO FIESTA THE BIGGEST FILIPINO

11 to 15 JULY 2011: SET-UP (VARIOUS INFRASTRUCTURE)

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Showbiz & Entertainment

August / September 2011 – Monthly Issue • UK & Europe Edition

The complete list of “FHM’s 100 Sexiest Women In The World 2011” as shown on its FHM Philippines magazine.

100. Mercedes Cabral 99. Jem Milton 98. Gwyenth Ceridwen 97. Mocha Uson 96. Nadine Samonte 95. Ryza Cenon 94. Chariz Solomon 93. Maui Taylor 92. Jamilla Obispo 91. Alex Gonzaga 90. Kylie Padilla 89. Kitty Girls 88. Alodia Gosiengfiao 87. Saicy Aguila 86. Rufa Mae Quinto 85. Jessie Mendiola 84. Jen Rosendahl 83. EB Babes 82. Sheree 81. Maegan Young 80. Sheena Halili 79. Jinri Park 78. Maria Ozawa 77. Bella Padilla 76. Alyssa Alano 75. Abby Poblador 74. Alessandra De Rossi 73. Paw Diaz 72. Julia Clarete 71. RR Enriquez 70. Aze Sasaki 69. Isabelle Daza 68. Jahziel Manabat 67. Andi Eigenmann 66. Rachelle Ann Go 65. Jennica Garcia 64. Maureen Larrazabal 63. Regine Velasquez 62. Stef Prescott 61. Shaina Magdayao 60. LJ Reyes 59. Paulene So 58. Karylle 57. Jean Garcia 56. Rachel Donaire 55. Megan Fox 54. Jacq Yu 53. Wendy Valdez 52. Paloma 51. Niña Jose 50. Carla Abellana 49. Kristel Moreno 48. Jef Gaitan 47. Janna Dominguez 46. Eula Valdez 45. Iza Calzado 44. Daiana Menezes 43. Georgina Wilson 42. Gwen Zamora 41. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley 40. Pauleen Luna 39. Rich Asuncion 38. Erich Gonzales 37. Sarah Geronimo 36. Maja Salvador 35. Bea Alonzo 34. Aubrey Miles 33. Carla Humphries 32. Misa Campo 31. KC Concepcion 30. Ornusa Cadness 29. Toni Gonzaga 28. Priscilla Meirelles 27. Kris Bernal 26. Mariel Rodriguez 25. Michelle Madrigal 24. Heart Evangelista 23. Diana Zubiri 22. Kim Chiu 21. Bianca King 20. Rhian Ramos 19. Regine Angeles 18. Bianca Manalo 17. Anne Curtis 16. Iya Villania 15. Lovi Poe 14. Valerie Concepcion 13. Angelica Panganiban 12. Ehra Madrigal 11. Bangs Garcia 10. Ellen Adarna 9. Jackie Rice 8. Iwa Moto 7. Jennylyn Mercado 6. Katrina Halili 5. Solenn Heussaff 4. Cristine Reyes 3. Angel Locsin 2. Marian Rivera

1. Sam Pinto

Marian Rivera

Angel Locsin

Cristine Reyes

Solenn Heussaff

Katrina Halili

Jennylyn Mercado

Iwa Moto

Jackie Rice

Ellen Adarna

Bangs Garcia

Ehra Madrigal

Angelica Panganiban

Valerie Concepcion

Lovi Poe

Iya Villania

Anne Curtis

22

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Music Entertainment

August / September 2011 – Monthly Issue • UK & Europe Edition

Jaynee – Singer / Songwriter

J

aynee is the one to watch; an up and coming soulful, rock / pop artist from South London with Filipino heritage. A talented Singer / Songwriter who fuses Urban Pop with Soul and Rock and R’n’B. Jaynee’s music fuses the edgy, sexy-street vibe of Rihanna, the genre-diffusion live band qualities of The Red Hot Chilli Peppers with the casual cool approach of Katy B. A performer, the band and the music all combined into one small, yet strikingly beautiful package.

Her debut single ‘You Ain’t Got Me’ will be released on 21st August 2011. It will be available for download from iTunes and other major retailers.

Jaynee, real name Jane Michelle Mina Burns, is the product of a mixed heritage marriage between a Filipina and a Scotsman; such a rare combination was sure to produce a unique individual with eclectic taste that permeates all the way through to her music. Her Mother, Jovy Mina Burns is also the first cousin of ‘Tito Mina’ (singer from the Philippines) who sang such hits as ‘Ikaw Pa Rin’. “I have always been surrounded by music as both my Mom and Dad come from very musical families full of musicians and singers.”

At the age of 7, she started lessons at the Sylvia Young Theatre School where she studied Dance, Drama and most importantly, Singing in order to develop the naturally emotive voice that she had been given. She won parts in various commercials, films and television programmes but ‘The Saint’ and ‘Harry Potter’ (and the Chamber of Secrets) were most memorable for the young performer.

With Vanessa White from the Saturdays

At 16, she then went on to study music at The BRIT School where artists such as Amy Winehouse, Adele, Jessie J and Katy B have also studied.

As well as being involved in the performance side of the showbiz scene, she also made sure that music, as an academic subject, was taken seriously. She was actively involved in school choirs and orchestras, right through from Primary to Secondary School culminating in performances with the Gospel Choir at venues such as the Royal Albert Hall and the Fairfield Halls, Croydon. Jaynee also took the opportunity to perform solos within these choirs as often as possible, showcasing her skills as a budding vocalist.

She also took piano lessons while at school, and was keen to take music as a GCSE option. “Receiving an A* grade for music GCSE was one of my greatest achievements at school.” (She also received 9 other GCSE’s graded A*-B) After completing secondary school, Jaynee knew that she had to pursue her musical ambitions further, with the intention of developing her voice, and did this by winning a place at the renowned BRIT School (British Recording Industry Trust) in Croydon, South London. It was here that Jaynee began to develop her talent for songwriting and began to collaborate with other young musicians, feeding her taste for live music and performance. Jaynee has said: “The BRIT School was an amazing experience. Being immersed in such a creative environment with other people like me really showed me that this [performing] is what I want to do with my life. I loved it! If I could do it all over again, I would! I have performed at various venues

across United Kingdom and America.

Most recently at the ‘Raise Autism Awareness Event’, a charity run by a Filipino organisation and at ‘Proudly Pinoy’ which was in celebration of the 113th Philippine Independence Day.” After finishing at BRIT, she decided to continue her musical education by studying for a Degree in Popular Music Performance at the Tech Music Schools where the ‘keep music live’ ethos was most prevalent. It is here where she met some of the people who constitute the Jaynee band today. Weekly performance helped her to cultivate the individual stage presence that audiences can see today but it was the demand for different styles that really opened Jaynee up to the diversity that now envelops her music. Each semester would focus on a new genre such as Rock, Funk, Blues, Folk, Country, Soul, Jazz and R’n’B. This course also allowed Jaynee to understand the science behind recording music whilst taking modules in sequencing and live sound; enabling Jaynee to become familiar with Pro Tools which would be the destination platform for laying down her songs.

“I write my own material which I feel is important in finding my own voice as a singer.”

Her music has been described as ‘soulful pop with funky, rock driven roots’. So it’s fair to say that she is no stranger to amalgamation of her own desire. Together with long-time collaborator, Kingdom, she creates an entirely new brand of Pop, which holds the concept of ‘live music’ very close to its heart: This is where Jaynee, the band, comes into play.

Ed Stafford on Drums and Joe James on Bass lay down the locked in syncopation of musicians twice their age and provide the foundations for the songs to groove.

Both graduates from the Tech Music Schools, they have been well schooled in their rhythmic fields and are comfortable with all styles of music. (This comes in handy since Jaynee composes with no genre-specific boundaries.)

Ed has said; “You never know what you’re gonna get when you come into rehearsal and Jaynee says she’s got some new material for us to play through! Will it be heavy Rock style drums like ‘You Ain’t Got Me’? Or maybe the laid back R’n’B grooves of ‘Truly Amazing’? Or even the Funky undertones of a song like ‘The Way I Feel’? You genuinely never know but that’s exactly what makes playing in this band so exciting; you have to be ready for anything!”

Jaynee’s music is a mixture of most popular genres over the past 50 years. From the off-beat, reggae vibe of ‘Thinking About You’ to the R’n’B tones of ‘Need to Know’; from the steady rocking beats of ‘You Ain’t Got Me’ to the bluesy vibe of ‘Something’: There is truly an amalgamative concept running throughout the songs but with the distinct cohesion of Jaynee’s melodies and vocal delivery.

There is something undeniably honest about the way she sings each note on this album, as if she truly connects with each lyric and lays it all out there for the audience to hear. This is certainly not a concept that is typical of most modern Pop music with the polished, autotuned recordings that the radio is used to playing; this is truly a work of passion and dedication directly from the songwriter straight to the listener.

Jaynee’s debut album has been gestating over a long period of time in order to ensure the performance could be executed exactly as she hears it in her mind.

After sufficient gigging around at London venues such as The Bedford, Embassy, Sound, Barfly to name a few; she felt that the time was right to deliver this body of work to a larger audience as far and wide as possible. Certain songs were revamped jams from back in her BRIT School days, some were ‘work in progress’ ideas that were recorded whilst at University and other have been freshly written for the purpose.

All songs have been recorded over the past year in Roundhouse Studios, Camden where Jaynee had complete control over her end product.

“I’m excited and anxious to let the songs out to the public. I’ve worked really hard at writing honest, personal and interesting tracks and I hope people can feel something of that when they listen to the album.”

Jaynee also performed her debut single at the Barrio Fiesta sa London 2011 which was held at Lampton Park on 16 and 17 July 2011.

“I’ve never played to such a massive audience before. It was the best feeling ever! I met some of the fans after and they were all so lovely!

A big thank you to everyone who came out for the event and see you all at Barrio Fiesta sa London 2012!” ■ www.jaynee.net www.facebook.com/jayneemusic www.twitter.com/jayneemusic www.youtube.com/jayneemusic www.myspace.com/jaynee_music

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UK RESIDENTS WHO WANTS TO IMMIGRATE TO CANADA AND WORKERS / STUDENT PERMIT HOLDERS IS ABOUT TO EXPIRE. WE CAN HELP YOU. WILL HELP YOU TO START YOUR NEW FUTURE. SEND RESUME FOR A FREE ASSESSMENT. Authorized UK International Agents: Zenaida Alonzo Magsino 07403 438 124 / zenned2008@yahoo.co.uk Faye Elgogary 07951 100 000 / ahmedelgogary@hotmail.com Authorized Canada International Agent: Jerome P. Alonzo 1 (403) 714 6251 / jerome_alonzo06@yahoo.com www.intentioncanada.com

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Local Community News

August / September 2011 – Monthly Issue • UK & Europe Edition

A newly opened Filipino shop in Barrow in Furness, Cumbria

W

e live in a town called Barrow in Furness, Cumbria which has a population of approximately 70,000 people of whom 500+ are Filipino. I am from Las Pinas in Philippines and my husband Jonathan Teague was born here in Barrow where I came to live after we got married in 2008.

He has developed a taste and passion for Filipino cuisine from all the time he spent there enjoying home cooked food from Nanay’s kitchen.

After I moved to the UK we wanted to enjoy Filipino food here but there was no local place we could buy our groceries from. As we

met more Filipino’s living here they told us that we could get groceries from Manchester but that’s over 2 hours drive from Barrow so we didn’t go very regularly and bringing back frozen goods was difficult.

After losing my job in April of this year we decided to look for a small business to open. Many of our friends who didn’t drive would ask us to take them to Manchester to buy groceries. It was this demand and my previous employer who advised us to find a gap in the market and open a business while we were still young that lead us to the decision of opening the first Filipino Grocery Store in Cumbria.

Our aim is to provide all of the groceries needed by the Filipino community here in Barrow in Furness and the wider Cumbria area at very competitive prices.

Many members of the community work in hospitals and nursing homes doing very demanding jobs caring for patients and the elderly, and we want to provide their groceries as cheap as possible so they can afford to enjoy their home comfort foods without having to pay high prices and travel costs.

When we opened on Saturday, 2 July 2011 the response from the Filipino Community was overwhelming. Many of them

attended our opening and were very supportive. The mayoress of Barrow in Furness Eleanor Murphy and the deputy mayor Wendy Maddox joined the celebration and the blessing ceremony was performed by Fr Kevan Dorgan from St Pius X Catholic Church. The local people showed a lot of interest and many of them came into the shop to see what we would be selling and to wish us good luck.

We would like to thank everyone who helped with the blessing and for supporting us. We gained so much more than a job, we gained the support of many friends and we have since learned that God has given us much more than a shop. He gave us a focal point for the Filipino Community, a place where people can meet up, share their lives and ease the pain of homesickness and for that we thank Him. R&J Filipino Store 15 Bath Street Barrow-in-Furness Cumbria LA14 1NJ Mobile: 07999 695 905 Email: r8j.filipinostore@gmail.com Facebook: RandJFilipino Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 1:00 pm to 6:30 pm / Sunday 12:00 pm to 6:30 pm

Renelyn and Jonathan Teague (Proprietor)

A newly opened Filipino food store in Peterborough

M

JS Sarap Mabuhay, which sells Filipino and Oriental food products opened up its shop located in the heart of Peterborough City Centre last Monday, 18 April 2011.

Located at Unit 1 of 2 Park Road in Peterborough (post code PE1 2TD), MJS Sarap Mabuhay mainly caters to the needs of the growing community of Filipinos in the city and its surrounding towns and villages.

The shop is owned and ran by entrepreneurial Filipino couple Sergio and Jennifer Fabian,

who took heed of the Filipino community’s growing demands for Filipino food products to be sold in the city.

A local Chinese food store has been selling Filipino food products for some time now.

But only MJS Sarap Mabuhay offers a wider array of Filipino food products which are sold with the homely and personal touch of the Fabian couple, which is characteristic of the renowned Filipino hospitality.

Shop owner Sergio Fabian is very happy with the support he is getting for his business.

He said, “I have been getting a steady stream of clients since I opened in April. The Filipino Community in Peterborough are my main clients and they help me greatly in spreading the word through Facebook and word of mouth.”

“In front of my shop is a taxi rank so it is also popular with the taxi drivers. I also have regular customers from other ethnic communities.”

MJS Sarap Mabuhay also offers home delivery within Greater Peterborough contact details below. You will also find them in Facebook by typing ‘MJS Sarap Mabuhay’.

MJS Sarap Mabuhay (Filipino / Oriental Food Products) Unit 1 2 Park Road Peterborough Cambridgeshire PE1 2TD Telephone: 01733 558 473 Mobile: 07507 684 744 Email: mjs_sarapmabuhay@ yahoo.co.uk Facebook: MJS-Sarap-Mabuhay Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 9:30 am to 6:30 pm / Sunday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Sergio and Jennifer Fabian (Proprietor)

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Barrio Fiesta sa Mitcham 2011 Liza Ferreol

The Mutya and Lakan candidates presentation.

Debut performance from Fil-Brit alternative band “The Ekiz Band”

2nd Barrio Fiesta sa Mitcham 2011

M

itcham FilipinoBritish Association (MFBA) organized the 2nd Barrio Fiesta sa Mitcham 2011 which was held on Saturday, 24 July 2011 which was once again a huge success. An estimated 3,000 attendees (Filipinos, British and other nationalities) from all over London and nearby counties have attended the Barrio Fiesta. They enjoyed the variety of Filipino, Thai and Caribbean hot foods, ice-cream, burgers, groceries, jewellery, etc.

There were live band performers, cultural shows, funfare and kiddies’ corner. Everyone was delighted in moving from one booth to another

and enjoying a nice sunny day-out with friends and families. The event was graced by Honourable Mayor Gilli Lewis-Lavender (Borough of Merton), Honourable MP Siobhain McDonagh (Mitcham & Morden), the Deputy Chief of Mission Mr. Reynaldo Catapang, Councillors Logie Lohendren, Edith Macaulay, and Councillor Danny Favor (East Grinstead), the 1st Filipino who was elected in office here in the UK. The debut performance by “The Ekiz Band” brought the whole park down and made everyone jump on their feet as they listened to some Pinoy rock music. Headlining the event was the techno-pop band “Ooberfuse” headed by Cherrie Anderson (vocalist) for which they use the “Kulintang” instrument from Mindanao, performed 10 of their own hit songs.

The audience was also wowed with beautiful Filipinas and dashingly handsome Filipinos modelling on stage as the search for Mutya and Lakan 2011 was officially opened.

The candidates were introduced wearing their colourful and creative “Karagan costumes” made of leaves, bark of trees, flowers, seeds, etc which emphasized their beauty and physique even more.

Trophies were awarded to the winners of the MFBA bowling tournament which started last May. Finally, a raffle was drawn, and thus, towards the end of the program a lot of the audience went home with a smile and lots of prizes on hand. Truly, the 2nd Barrio Fiesta sa Mitcham 2011 is one event to remember. So, expect the unexpected on next year’s event. ■

The invited guests Honourable MP Siobhain McDonagh (front row, 3rd from left) and Philippine Embassy representative, the Deputy Honourable Mayor Gilli-Lewis Lavander (Mayor of Merton) and councillors seating beside them. Chief of Mission Mr Reynaldo Catapang

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Arts & Entertainment

August / September 2011 – Monthly Issue • UK & Europe Edition

Ballet Manila wows London Peps Villanueva PHOTOS BY PHILIP TAYLOR & PEPSVILLE

T

he London production of Ballet Manila’s East Meets West Concert featuring the prima ballerina of the Philippines, Lisa Macuja-Elizalde took the UK Filipino Community by storm. As the last Philippine Independence Month activity, it was a delight to see a big audience in all the four shows giving the group who travelled all the way from the Philippines a standing ovation each time.

The three days at the Shaw Theatre were truly unforgettable as “East Meets West” proved that Philippine ballet is world-class. At 46, Ms Lisa Macuja-Elizalde still has all the moves that catapulted her to international fame some 25 years ago. Her “Romeo and Juliet Suite” with partner, Rudy de Dios, mesmerised the audience with their combination of pirouettes, grand jetes and chaines, moving the audience to feel for the tragic couple in the end.

Lisa’s 2nd half solo, dancing to Sharon Cuneta’s “Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas” was simply exquisite.

Again, she displayed all the ballet movements that Lisa MacujaElizalde is known for.

The show opened with “Arnis,” a dance inspired by the Filipino martial art which showcased the dancing and athletic prowess of the all-male ensemble. With Sotto Voce, Reve and Sayao Sa Pamlang completing the 1st half of the program, the set had classical, neoclassical and contemporary ballet.

After the interval, the 2nd set commenced with Dulce, ballroom dancing on pointes. Other numbers in the show were Aguila and Arachnida by Agnes Locsin. As expected, the last number, Mga Awit at Sayaw, brought the house down with its medley of OPM – Original Pilipino Music. It had everything that one would look for in a finale – joy with Magandang Gabi, drama with Ina which teamed Lisa with her daughter, Missy, sentimentality with Dalagang Pilipina, humour with Da Coconut Nut and nationalism with Pinoy Ako and Sabihin Mo. It was no surprise that all 4 shows were enthusiastically received by the audience. Congratulations to Lisa Macuja-Elizalde, Artistic Director - Osias Barroso, Ballet Master - Rudy De Dios, Principal Mylene Aggabao-Salgado, Principal - Gerardo Francisco, Junior Principal - Nino Guevarra, Junior Principal - Yanti Marduli,

Senior Soloist - Nazer Salgado, Senior Soloist - Alvin Santos, Soloist - Francis Cascano, Soloist - Zaira Cosico, Soloist - Sarah Abigail Cruz, Soloist - Jennifer Rose Olayvar, Soloist - Sofia Sangco-Peralta, Demi-Soloist - Czarina Villegas, Demi-Soloist - Elpidio Magat, DemiSoloist - Glenn Ragel and Technical Director - Jaime Villanueva.

Hats off as well to the show’s UK co-ordinators, Robert Atchison, Gia Macuja Atchison and Peps Villanueva. Incidentally, Gia, who was in Miss Saigon and was with the original cast of Lion King, is the sister of Lisa. Show Sponsors were Philippine Embassy, The

Inter-Cultural Society of London, LycaMobile, Ayala Land, Petals in Bloom, Friends Philippines, Ecosse International Guest House, Adele Superstore, Dias Solicitors, Highlight Express, Filipino Women’s Association UK, Candid Records, Grosvenor School of Dance and Optima Travel.

To quote Elka Requinta’s review which appeared in the Financial Times, “to anyone who had followed Ballet Manila from the start, this recent sampler of the best of its repertoire was an overwhelming experience. The company has come a long way since its inception in 1995.” ■

30

HELLO PHILIPPINES

www.hello-philippines.com

Science & Technology

August / September 2011 – Monthly Issue • UK & Europe Edition

Androids: The New Generation Phones Vittorio Hernandez

I

n the fast-paced world of information technology, phones come and go. The most expensive model today is tomorrow’s has-been unit.

For the moment, the hottest item on the market is the Android phone. Proof of how hot is the Android is the ongoing legal battle between Korean electronics giant Samsung and American IT firm Apple, which have filed lawsuits against each other over Samsung’s Galaxy Android phone, which Apple said was copied from the iPhone.

What is ironic is that even while suing each other, Apple and Samsung are business partners because Samsung provides some of the chips that Apple uses in its different gadgets.

The main reason why Apple asked an American court and the U.S. Federal Trade Commission to ban the entry of Samsung Galaxy phones into the United States is that the Android was named by research firm Canalys as the bestselling smartphone platform worldwide in the fourth quarter of 2010.

The popularity of Androids had threatened the marketability of Apple’s iPhone, which is the first smartphone in the market.

According to Canalys, in the second quarter of 2009, Androids only had a 2.8 per cent share in global smartphone shipments.

After six quarters, its share had jumped to 33 per cent.

In the US alone, the Android platform had only 9 per cent of the smartphone market share in February 2010. By October of that same year it’s market share ballooned to 21.4 per cent.

In May that year, the Android’s first quarter U.S. sales outpaced Apple’s iPhone. After 13 months, Google reported that 550,000 new Android devices were activated daily, up from 400,000 in May 2011, 300,000 in December 2010.

The growth rate of activations is at 4.4 per cent weekly, which translates into over 100 million devices activated.

Android is actually a software package for mobile devices. It includes an operating system, middleware and key applications.

The software was developed by a company in Palo Alto, California, which eventually was acquired by search engine giant Google in 2005.

Two years later, the Open Handset Alliance was established.

It was made up of several large IT firms which had as its goal to develop open standards for mobile devices, meaning Android is available under a free software or open source license. Google published the source code, although phone manufacturers need a certification from Google that the device complies with the company’s Compatibility Definition Document.

One feature of a Smartphone that makes it different from a regular mobile unit is that it is

thecoolgadgets.com

The Androids have become bestsellers because of the many features - touch screen, movie viewing and photo management.

vivagadget.com

gadgetjournal.info

a touch phone, dispensing with keypads. Instead of keypads which users normally press, owners of smartphones instead touch the screen of their units to make commands, type messages and perform other functions not typically found on regular cellphones.

The screen could be enlarged by the flick of a hand or images moved by a tiny wave of the finger.

Other features of Android not found in regular mobile phones are: continuous viewing of text messages, unlimited call records, call conferences, qwerty boards that the owner does not need to tap several times to type one letter, larger phone book capacity, higher quality of photos, video calling, USB connections, Wi-Fi and 3G support, and coloured screen large enough to view a TV show or movie without straining the eye of the unit owner.

These extra features, however, comes with a higher price tax.

Regular mobile phones, whose prices had drastically gone down over the years, are available for as

low as P2,000 for a brand new unit with basic features such as call and text.

The cheapest Android-installed phones would cost from P8,000, which is still a big bargain compared to Apple’s iPhone, which sells for about P30,000 for the iPhone 4 model.

For those who are contemplating if they should not chuck their regular mobile phone for a new mobile device running on Android OS, a key question is: Are you interested in the digital aspect of mobile devices?

If you plan just to have an elegant and high-tech device on your hand but will only use it for text and voice calls, don’t bother to change units. If you also have a digital camera and a notebook, you don’t have an urgent need to shift to a smartphone running on an Android OS. FYI, Android devices emulate low to mid-tech digicams, the Webbrowsing of a digital notebook, advanced multimedia applications and gaming experiences with advanced graphics.

dvice.com

Actually, it is not just smartphones that uses the Android OS, but also netbooks, tablets Google TV and other devices.

Due to the Android’s growing popularity, other IT companies have entered the picture and filed other lawsuits against Google over the Android’s use. In August 2010, Oracle, the owner of the Java programming language after the firm bought the language from Sun Microsystems, filed a lawsuit against Google over alleged infringement of copyrights and patents.

On the same year, software giant Microsoft demanded licensing fees from hardware makers that shipped Android. The firm, owned by Bill Gates, claimed the OS infringed on a number of Microsoft patents.

As Androids sell like hotcakes, more lawsuits are likely coming the way of Google. However, what might slow down the filing of more cases is the emergence of another technology, which would make Android-run smartphones as ancient as the pagers of the 1990s. ■

32

HELLO PHILIPPINES

Sports News

www.hello-philippines.com

August / September 2011 – Monthly Issue • UK & Europe Edition

London prepares for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games Vittorio Hernandez

I

n about a year from now, the world’s eyes will be on London for a few weeks as the capital city of England hosts the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The holding of the two international athletic events in the city would culminate 10 years of preparation made. London will attempt to top the grandeur and spectacle made by the last summer games host Beijing, which wowed million of followers of the sports event with its display of Asian culture, Chinese efficiency and the feeling of nations coming together for a major global event.

London, which was announced the host city during the 117th IOC Session in Singapore, beat Moscow, New York, Madrid and Paris after four rounds of voting.

London 2012 Organising Committee Chair Seb Coe promised followers of the summer and paralympic games a spectacular festival of sports and culture, and that it will be more magical and vibrant than previous Olympic Games.

Coe, an Olympian medalist himself, disclosed that 12 months to London’s hosting of the games, preparations are on track as the city welcomes 15,000 athletes from more than 200 nations battle it out for the coveted gold, silver and bronze medals, as well as break world, regional and national records.

London residents had a glimpse of the medals to be awarded to the strongest, fastest and most skillful athletes at an event in Trafalgar Square unveiled by International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge and IOC Coordination Commission Chairman Denis Oswald on July 27, 2011.

The medals were designed by British artist David Watkins, who was selected from a field of six artists.

The medals depict a narrative that fits the athletes’ achievements.

On the medal’s front is the same imagery used every summer Games, which is the Greek goddess of victory – Nike – stepping out of Parthenon to arrive in the host city.

On the opposite side are the following five elements: a bowl similar to the design of an amphitheatre, an architectural expression which is a metaphor for the modern city, a grid which suggests pulling together and a sense of outreach, the River Thames which symbolizes London and the square which reinforces the sense of place like a map inset.

The Olympic and Paralympic Games, held every four years, is more than just a sporting event that focuses on athletes. It also involves volunteers from locals who would perform a variety of chores from welcoming national delegations to helping tourists find sport venues, hotels, restaurants, shops and the loo.

According to Coe, more than a quarter of a million people have applied to become volunteers and London organizers are holding

Olympic gold medallist Denise Lewis visits London City Airport to unveil a special British Airways aircraft celebrating the countdown to London 2012.

Wenlock joins synchronised swimmers at the newly completed Aquatics Centre to celebrate one year to go to the London 2012 Olympic Games

interviews to fill up 70,000 posts.

Coe disclosed that the construction of the Olympic Park, which would be a showcase of British design, engineering, creativity and security, is 88 per cent complete. The electric pylons were replaced by iconic sporting arena and housing development.

The London organizers spent a year working with Sheffield University botanists to ensure that the flowers planted for the new Olympic Park, which will be named after Queen Elizabeth, will bloom exactly on time.

A host city needs to be presentable to the thousands of local and foreign tourists expected to descend on the city to watch the events. The London Committee aware more than 6 billion worth of contracts to improve transportation links, clean waterways and reconnect and renew communities. Coe said 98 per cent of the contracts were awarded to UK-based companies.

The industrial wasteland on the East End of London, as a result of the community renewal program, has 35 new bridges, housing, train stations and waterways.

In the next 12 months, the London Committee will start building of the 17,000-seat Hockey Centre, the Horse Guards Parade and Greenwich Park. During this period, the venues and Games-time operations will be tested.

One awaited highlight of the 12-month countdown to the games is the Olympic Torch relay.

International Inspirations, which

The Olympic Stadium lights up to mark the one year to go milestone

One year to go until the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games has been marked by the completion of construction on the Aquatics Centre, the last of the six main Olympic Park venues to reach this milestone.

http://www.london2012.com/ - Official Website

Fans celebrate in Trafalgar Square to mark one year to go to the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Double Olympic gold medal winner Dame Kelly Holmes and Seb Coe reveal the London 2012 Olympic medals at the celebrations in Trafalgar Square to mark one year to go to the London 2012 Olympic Games.

is in charge of the torch relay, has already delivered its promise to touch 12 million children around the world, particularly in developing nations, by inspiring the youth to choose sports.

For instance, in Zambia where International Inspiration is helping in the education of youth people about HIV and AIDS, it had reached 3 million youth through radio programmes that push for the importance of sports in a healthy lifestyle.

In Bangladesh, where many children drown yearly, the group is coordinating with the country’s swimming federation to teach swimming survival techniques to more than 80,000 youth who do not know how to swim.

A full year ahead of the games, more than 3.5 million tickets have been sold for the different sporting events. Although more tickets will still be sold online and phone on a first come, first serve basis using Visa cards beginning winter of 2011, the games organizers reminded the public that not all sessions and price categories will be available in future sales phases.

Among the perks of Londoners, who live in the host city, is that schools and colleges in London and the rest of the United Kingdom can receive ticket allocations to the Summer and Paralympic Games by applying online at the Get Set education network before December 16, 2011 at www.london2012.com/ getset.

Likewise, servicemen and women and their families are also eligible for TicketShare tickets via

the British Olympic Association, the British Paralympic Association and the home county sports councils.

The British Olympic Association also recently disclosed that it will give 5,000 free Olympic tickets to promising British athletes and youth involved in developing Olympic sports under the TicketShare scheme.

The breakdown would be 700 tickets for all British athletes who represented the country in the 2010 Youth Olympic Games, the 2011 European Youth Olympic Festivals and the representatives to the Winter Youth Olympic Games in 2012 and 3,500 tickets for Britons between the ages 18 to 26, who are involved in sports development as coaches, volunteers and athletes.

Since meals would definitely be a major concern for such a large number of London visitors next summer, fast food chain McDonald’s is building its largest outlet in the world in Stratford, England, United Kingdom. The store will have two floors and a floor area of 3,000 square meters, which could accommodate 1,500 diners.

According to McDonald’s London, they plan to serve 1.75 million meals during the 29 days that the Summer and Paralympic games would be held. McDonald’s is a long-standing sponsor of the Olympics.

The Games of the XXX Olympiad will be held from July 27 to August 12, 2012. London will then be the first city to be the official host of the modern Olympic Games thrice. The first two were in 1908 and 1948. ■

For inquiries, please contact: DMCI HOMES UK - LONDON

www.dmciinternational.com

Gordon A. Geraldo - Mobile: (+44) 07803 177 595 Landline: (+44) 01923 661 155 Jean M. Cerbas - Mobile: (+44) 07754 028 775 Landline: (+44) 020 3556 8737

34

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Sports News

www.hello-philippines.com

August / September 2011 – Monthly Issue • UK & Europe Edition

Azkals make Filipinos proud? usapangfootball.proboards.com

Paul Mulders

Patrick Hinrichsen

Vittorio Hernandez

F

rom heroes of the football field, the Azkals are now in the centre of controversy over behaviour of some of the team’s players off games. Prior to this hot media attention, the Akzals have been a media favorite because of their major contribution to Philippine sports.

Thanks to the Philippine national football team – more popularly known as the Azkals – football or soccer is gaining more fans in the Philippines, the basketball-crazy Filipinos are slowly being weaned away from the national sports into other sports with global popularity.

It helps that a good number of the 38-member team (including the new recruits) are good-looking and movie star quality, which helps attract followers and fans to the sport more popular among European nations.

Aside from their good looks, what helped propel the Azkals to national consciousness was the team’s good performance in recent matches, particularly against teams considered strong.

It includes the team’s most recent game on July 4 at the second leg of the first preliminary round of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers wherein the Azkals beat Sri Lanka 4-0. The team eventually advanced 5-1 on aggregate by drawing 1-1 in the first leg in the game played at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.

The Azkals first caught national attention last year when they qualified for the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup by staying undefeated in the group stage and beating defending champion Vietnam. The match was considered one of the biggest upsets in AFF Suzuki Cup’s history.

With the victory, the team reached the knockout stage for the first time, although they lost with Indonesia in the semifinals. Despite the loss, the growing support of fans and even the Philippine government for the sport and team in particular lead to wider acceptance of football among Pinoys.

Manuel Ott

The Azkals continued to show their mettle by qualifying this year for the AFC Challenge Cup since the tournament introduced qualifiers for the first time.

Media coverage of the games, although pale in comparison to the attention that the boxing matches and news about eight-division title holder Manny Pacquiao get, helped boost further football’s popularity in the Philippines.

Even non-football related news, so long as it involves some of the Azkals, were reported by print, broadcast and online media.

High on the list is the public courtship of Azkal Phil Younghusband of actress Angel Locsin. Sports and show business news segments continue to speculate on the real status of the relationship between Phil and Angel, particularly after the morena actress watched the Azkal’s July 3 game.

However, media interest in the Azkals is not limited to Phil. It includes as well his elder brother James, who is as handsome as Phil.

The media attention given to Phil, however, has sparked a Twitter war because of a post by actress Angelica Panganiban that Phil should instead concentrate on playing football instead of appearing to want to become a part of show business because of his dalliances with celebrities.

Phil, it would be recalled, even joined GMA’s “Celebrity Duets,” but was eventually booted out.

A Phil fan, however, countered that Angelica seems to want to limit entrants to show business, which led to further postings between the actress and the fan. The word war even reached a point wherein Angelica threatened to file a lawsuit against the fan.

Other prominent Azkals who have caught the attention of media include fellow half-Brit Neil Etheridge, who used to play for Fulham, team captain Alexander Borromeo, half-breeds Stephen Schrock, Manuel Ott, Paul Mulders and Patrick Hinrichsen, new recruits Christopher and Simon Greatwich and Philippine Air Force’s Emelio Caligdong.

Phil is no longer the only one being linked to a movie actress,

missosology.info

Stephen Schrock

but also Azkals goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, who is reportedly dating Michelle Madrigal. Rumors of romance between Neil and Michelle were further fueled by sweet exchanges between the two celebrities on Twitter.

The popularity of the Azkals has led to endorsements for the group and some members, including Bench, Silver Swan Soy Sauce, Alaska, Fit n Right, Energo Health Drink, Cortal, Belo Medical Group, Air 21 and Smart Communications.

Their growing popularity has also led to discounts for flights and hotel bookings for the team. The Azkals also received from ABS-CBN P500,000 as their share for the TV coverage of their qualifying match against Mongolia on February 9 in Bacolod City.

The amount is part of the TV station’s deal with the Philippine Football Federation, which also stipulates the same amount for the Azkal’s other fights for the AFC Challenge Cup and P250,000 for their matches overseas, like the one held on March 15 in Ulan Bator, Mongolia.

According to the Azkals, the money from the TV coverage are divided among the team members and its coaching staff, but the P81 million and the P21 million 10-year pledges of Smart and Air 21 would be used by the Philippine Football Federation for its other programs.

The openness of Pinoys to other sports, partly because of the Azkals, opened the door for commercials for other teams such as the Philippine Volcanoes, the national rugby union team, who now have a provocative underwear commercial at the Guadalupe bridge.

GMA-7 also banked on the popularity of football by coming out with a soap about the sport, titled “Footbolilits” starring actor Raymart Santiago and several kids.

The popularity of the team has led to some controversies, particularly about the distraction of personal lives and other extracurricular activities of the Azkals. In response to these issues, Azkal team manager Dan Palami posted in Facebook this message: “As manager, therefore, I would like to categorically assure everyone that the coaches and I are taking all

James and Phil Younghusband Newest Collezione-C2 Brand Ambassadors. This advert encapsulates how popular Azkals has become. The team has other endorsements as well. missosology.info

bleachersbrew.blogspot.com

Neil Etheridge bleachersbrew.blogspot.com

Emelio Caligdong

Alexander Borromeo bleachersbrew.blogspot.com

vinvinjacla.com

Simon Greatwich

steps necessary to ensure that the Azkals always give their best. We are the first to call out any Azkal whose game is threatened by ‘distractions’ in any form.”

“With so many new aspirants for the national team, the competition for spots has become more intense, and I can tell you that the Azkals are working harder than ever. Every Azkal who has made it this far has earned his spot through hard work, talent and ability to work well with the team. As long as each one fulfills his professional responsibilities, I wouldn’t interfere in a player’s personal life or bar him from undertaking projects in other fields.”

Despite the accolades that the team is getting, Palami insists that the team members continue to receive smaller salaries compared to their counterparts in other countries.

In closing, the manager wrote, “If admiration, endorsements and other opportunities are now coming their way, I hope none of us will begrudge them a little taste of their well-deserved victory. If they are

Christopher Greatwich

able to build up football and other Azkals through exposure to other fields, I wouldn’t withhold that from them either.”

However, it is more than just admiration and endorsements which are coming into the Azkals’ way. In late June, reports came out that several members of the Azkals were accused by a mestiza model of rape. Initially, the model was not named, leading to speculations that the alleged victim was Michelle Madrigal.

However, after Michelle denied it was her, the name Amanda Colling, a model came out. Although Amanda had come out on national TV, she neither confirmed nor denied the alleged rape, but admitted she met some members of the Azkals on June 2. However, she hinted she is thinking of initiating some legal action.

The case if far from over as of this writing, but from the looks of what’s happening, success seems to be affecting the Azkals, even before they could prove themselves to be real sports heroes. ■

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Sports News

August / September 2011 – Monthly Issue • UK & Europe Edition