Premier Magazine PH Vol. 2 - Issue 7 July 2022 Pearl Issue

Pr emier SAPERE AUDE ISSN2799-0702 Vol. 2.7 JULY, 2022 ISSUE

?A Pearl isabeautiful thingthat is producedby aninjuredlife. I t isthe tear that resultsfromtheinjury of the oyster. Thetreasureof our beingin thisworldisalsoproducedby an injuredlife. I f wehadnot been wounded, if wehadnot beeninjured, thenwewill not producethepearl.?

- StephanA. Hoeller Photo Credit : The Pearl Museum

A very big, signature painting inspired by pearl oysters "We all know what Mother of Pearl looks like, in particular I am fascinated by the way that light is reflected by the iridescent layers. Additionally though I wanted to explore the exteriors of other species of saltwater clams as their shells are equally beautiful and exciting." -

ABOUT THE COVER On our cover is a painting by Swarez, an abstract painter in UK. The painting is called Mother of Pearl which perfectly represents our July issue.

W hy paint oysters?

For me, pearl is one of the most beautiful, naturally occurring substances I can think of.

I have no sentimental value attached to it ? my love of pearl concerns the way light interacts with the layers; something I find utterly captivating.

But that?s not where the story ends for me because I also find the outside of oyster shells equally fascinating too.

In fact, as you research the species within a certain genus, you begin to see how diverse they are and how the process of evolution has changed them over time.

W here t he idea came from The catalyst for the painting though was a documentary I saw on oyster farming in Scotland. In fact it was one of the first things I saw on my new HD TV and I was blown away by how amazing the picture quality was ? that oyster documentary was the very first thing I saw in glorious 1080p so I knew I would have to paint it someday.

I began to look more into how they were commercially cultivated and how that compared to their life cycles and population in natural habitats. So this painting combines a range of colours and textures relating to oysters and other members of the Pinctada family. Creating the painting I played with the idea of using an iridescent medium in the paint but the way these are constructed meant that the pigment got coated in my enamel paint instead of being suspended in it! So I looked at other ways of interpreting the tonal ranges that oysters produce.

The painting and curing process has taken five months to complete, much longer than normal paintings of this size. Every last detail has been meticulously crafted ? mainly using syringes and needles.

I?ve talked before about using this unusual method of forming accurately sized rivers of paint, I love using them because you can be absolute with your precision. Each river and flow is applied in this way, working on a very small part at a time.

The areas of black get interwoven with other colours using a similar method; black is poured on using disposable shot glasses then maneuvered around using an air brush jet.

Into this goes syringed paint to form more complex shapes and blends (and so on and so forth). It?s this technique that?s used across the entirety of the canvas, one very small section at a time. Gradually the layers get built up (in a similar way to naturally occurring pearl) and that?s how the painting was constructed.

This was the first painting I?d completed where I was able to keep the paint in a liquid state almost indefinitely ? something of a coup considering enamels are normally touch dry in under 24 hours.

IN THIS ISSUE The Queen of t he Gems.

The pearl is a special gift from t he sea and w hat makes it st and out is it is grow n by nat ure in t ime. It is t he only gemstone t hat comes from a living creat ure. It is never duplicated and like humans, each pearl is unique on it s ow n. For ages, it ruled t he global t rade from India to t he Persian Gulf to t he Turkish lands. The jewel of t he sea reached t he European and Chinese market s. Some people are unaw are of t he role pearls played in world history and t he economy. It dict ated t he fut ure of t he count ries w hich are now rich and developed into t he most robust in t he global economy.

Our feat ures are t he people and places t hat historically connect to t he subject of pearls. Our cover is one of t he abst ract works of Sw arez from t he United Kingdom. His creat ive expression of t he Mot her Pearl w as awe-inspiring and like his subject , it took him more t ime to finish just like a pearl, a masterpiece can never be forced and rushed. Ot herw ise, t he very essence of t he pearl w ill be lost .

Pearls are myt hical and sacred to some cult ures and we hold much respect for t he people w ho cult ivated t he art of pearl diving and preserved a mult i - faceted gem into an internat ional luxury product . It marked many significant beginnings and endings as t he world evolved right before our eyes.

We w ill t ake you into a "deep dive" on t he significance and t he most loved t reasure only a pearl can bring. On a very rare occasion, we have diverted our stories t hat pay t ribute to t he glorious past and show how connected t he world is t hrough t he rarest form of creat ion found under t he sea. Humans may have learned more about t he moon and know more about outer space but t he dept hs of our blue w aters remain a mystery.

The Publisher

Photo Credit: The Pearl Museum

The pearl is also know n as t he gem of good luck. In Buddhist iconography, t he dragon holding a pearl is a w ish-fulfilling jewel t hat represent s t he radiance of t he sun t hat brings light to all darkness and can grant t rue joy. On our OBC (on t he back cover) is part of t he creat ion of Rizal-based art ist Herminio Tan called "Equilibrium". He is a visual art ist w ho makes wearable art and sculpt ures made of bones.

His medium ranges from porcelain and Japanese clay to resin, wood, and brass. Most of his art works are w himsical, experiment al, and myt hological, bringing sweet nost algia and show ing man's connect ion w it h nat ure. For more of his works, visit inst agram.com/ herminio.t an.art .

Size: 24" x 18" Porcelain clay finished in pearlescent and gold leaf on Canvas One of his art works for # MoCAF2022 w w w.mocaf.net July 29-31 2022 Grand Ballroom, Fairmont Makat i

Photo Courtesy of asiasociety.org

Sai Zhenzhu (Chinese: ? ? ? ) Pearl Sydenstricker Buck Pearl S. Buck was an American writer and novelist. She won the Pulitzer Prize in 1932 and in 1938 became the first American woman who earned the first Nobel Prize in Literature. More importantly, she pioneered the role of demythologizing China and its people through her stories and her life while growing up in Huai'an then moved to Zhenjiang near the city of Nanking until her teenage years.

?Race prejudice is not only a shadow over the colored - it is a shadow over all of us, and the shadow is darkest over those who feel it least and allow its evil effects to go on.?

- Pearl S. Buck, What America Means To Me

The t imeless Pulit zer Prize?w inning masterpiece follow ing a humble farmer?s journey t hrough 1920's China ret urns w it h t his beaut ifully repackaged edit ion t hat celebrates it s nearly ninet y years as an American classic.

Travel to 1920s China, a time when the last emperor still ruled and the sweeping changes of the twentieth century were distant rumblings, with this timeless, evocative classic tale of the honest farmer Wang Lung and his family as they struggle to survive in the midst of vast political and social upheavals.

Nobel Prize and Pulitzer Prize winner Pearl S. Buck traces the whole cycle of life: its terrors, its passions, its ambitions, and rewards. ?A comment upon the meaning and tragedy of life as it is lived in any age in any quarter of the globe?(The New York Times), this brilliant novel? beloved by millions? is a universal tale of an ordinary family caught in the tide of history. barnesandnoble.com

The Gems of Pearl S. Buck

Premier Book Selection EAST W IND: W EST W IND The classic coming-of-age novel about a young Chinese woman torn bet ween Eastern and Western cult ures by t he Nobel Prize?w inning aut hor of The Good Eart h.

Kwei-lan is a t radit ional Chinese girl? t aught by her mot her to submit in all t hings, ?as a flower submit s to sun and rain alike.? Her marriage w as arranged before she w as born.

As she approaches her wedding day, she?s surprised by one aspect of her ant icipated life: Her husband-to-be has beeneducated abroad and follow s many Western ideas t hat Kwei-lan w as raised to reject . W hen circumst ances push t he couple out of t he family home, Kwei-lan finds her assumpt ions about t radit ion and modernit y tested even furt her. East W ind: West W ind is a sensit ive, early explorat ion of t he cross-cult ural t hemes t hat went on to become a hallmark of Buck?s acclaimed novels. This ebook feat ures an illust rated biography of Pearl S. Buck including rare images from t he aut hor?s est ate..

THE MOTHER The ?moving story? of a peasant woman in pre-revolut ionary China w ho is abandoned by her husband (Kirkus Review s).

Dickensian in it s epic sweep, one of Buck?s finest novels centers on an unnamed peasant woman in pre-revolut ionary China. W it hout w arning, her rest less husband abandons her. Shamed by t he experience, she is left to work t he land, raise t heir t hree children on her ow n, and care for her aging mot her-in-law. To save face w it h her neighbors, she pretends her husband is t raveling, and sends let ters to herself signed in his name. Surrounded by povert y, despair, and a grow ing web of lies meant to protect t he family, her children grow up and enter societ y w it h only t he support of t heir mot her?s unbreakable w ill. An unforget t able story of one woman?s st rengt h and a remarkable fable about t he role of mot hers, t his novel is a powerful achievement by a master of t went iet h-cent ury fict ion. This ebook feat ures an illust rated biography of Pearl S. Buck including rare images from t he aut hor?s est ate..

THE HIDDEN FLOW ER: A NOVEL An affect ing port rait of interracial love in post w ar Japan.

Pearl S. Buck?s The Hidden Flower centers on t he relat ionship bet ween a Japanese st udent and an American soldier st at ioned in post w ar Japan. The Japanese st udent ?s fat her worked in t he United St ates as a doctor, but had to flee to Kyoto to avoid imprisonment in an internment camp.

TheAmerican soldier has inherited his family?s est ate in Virginia, w here interracial marriage is forbidden. Against such forces, and w it hout t he help of t heir families, how can t he love bet ween t he young pair? and t he fut ure of t heir child? flourish? The Hidden Flower is an emot ionally ast ute and moving explorat ion of a t aboo love across cult ures. This ebook feat ures an illust rated biography of Pearl S. Buck including rare images from t he aut hor?s est ate.

THE GOOD EARTH TRILOGY: The Good Eart h, Sons, and A House Divided The Pulit zer Prize?w inning classic novel of China, toget her w it h it s t wo sequels? by t he Nobel Prize w inner.

The Good Eart h is Buck?s classic, Pulit zer Prize?w inning story of Wang Lung, a Chinese peasant farmer, and his w ife, O-lan, a former slave.

W it h luck and hard work, t he couple?s fort unes improve over t he years: They have sons and save steadily unt il one day t hey can afford to buy propert y in t he House of Wang? t he very house in w hich O-lan used to work. But success brings w it h it a new set of problems.Wang soon finds himself t he t arget of jealousy, and as good harvest s come and go, so does t he social order. W ill Wang?s family cherish t he est ate after he?s gone? The family?s story cont inues in Sons and A House Divided, w hen t he Revolut ion sweeping t hrough China furt her unset t les Wang Lung?s family in t his rich and unforget t able port rait of a family and a count ry in t he t hroes of w idespread nat ional change.

IMPERIAL WOMAN: The Story of t he Last Empress of China The best selling biography of Tzu Hsi, t he concubine w ho became China?s last empress.

In Imperial Woman, Pearl S. Buck brings to life t he amazing story of Tzu Hsi, w ho rose from concubine st at us to become t he working head of t he Qing Dynast y. Born from a humble background, Tzu Hsi falls in love w it h her cousin Jung Lu, a handsome guard? but w hile st ill a teenager she is selected, along w it h her sister and hundreds of ot her girls, for relocat ion to t he Forbidden Cit y. Already set apart on account of her beaut y, she?s determined to be t he emperor?s favorite, and devotes all of her t alent and cunning to t he t ask.

W hen t he emperor dies, she finds herself in a role of supreme power, one she?ll command for nearly fift y years. Much has been w rit ten about Tzu Hsi, but no ot her novel recreates her life? t he ext raordinary personalit y, toget her w it h t he world of court int rigue and t he period of nat ional t urmoil w it h w hich she dealt? as well as Imperial Woman.

This ebook feat ures an illust rated biography of Pearl S. Buck including rare images from t he aut hor?s est ate.

PEONY: A Novel of China A young Chinese woman falls in love w it h a Jew ish man in nineteent h-cent ury China in t his evocat ive novel by t he Nobel Prize?w inning aut hor of The Good Eart h.

In 1850s China, a young girl, Peony, is sold to work as a bondmaid for a rich Jew ish family in Kaifeng.

Jew s have lived for cent uries in t his region of t he count ry, but by t he mid-nineteent h cent ury, assimilat ion has begun t aking it s toll on t heir small enclave. W hen Peony and t he family?s son, David,grow up and fall in love w it h one anot her, t hey face st rong opposit ion from every side. Tradit ion forbids t he marriage, and t he family already has a rabbi?s daughter in mind for David. Long celebrated for it s subt le and even-handed t reat ment of colliding t radit ions, Peony is an engaging coming-of-age story about love, ident it y, and t he t ragedy and beaut y found at t he intersect ion of t wo disparate cult ures.

This ebook feat ures an illust rated biography of Pearl S. Buck including rare images from t he aut hor?s est ate.

DEATH IN THE CASTLE: A Novel A ?t hrilling? historical mystery about impoverished Brit ish aristocrat s from t he New York Times?best selling aut hor of The Good Eart h (Boston Herald).

Sir Richard Sedgeley and Lady Mary are broke and w it hout an heir to t he cast le t hat ?s been in t heir family for cent uries. Tourist s are infrequent , and t he offers t hey?ve received are not ones t hey can livew it h: a st ate-run prison or a museum in America.

W hat is t he remedy, and is it t rue t hat t here?s t reasure hidden somew here under t heir noses?

Feat uring a cast of out size characters? t imid Mary, her possibly mad husband, Wells t he But ler, and his mysterious daughter Kate? Deat h in t he Cast le is a suspenseful delight by t he aut hor of The Good Eart h. This ebook feat ures an illust rated biography of Pearl S. Buck including rare images from t he aut hor?s est ate.

Pearl S. Buck, one of America?s most dist inguished novelist s, w as born on June 26,1892.

Alt hough born in West Virginia, she spent much of her childhood in China and w as a prolific w riter on China and Asia. Perhaps best know n for t he novel ?The Good Eart h,? she received t he Nobel Prize for Literat ure in 1938.

She also w rote about America and on t he t heme of democracy. In essays t hat comprise a 1943 book, ?Asia and Democracy?? coming at t he midpoint of t he second world w ar? she discusses t he prospect s for enlightened self-rule in Asia, but also touches on race relat ions in t he United St ates.

As a Nobel laureate, she w as invited to t he W hite House in April 1962 for t he dinner in w hich President and Mrs. Kennedy honored fort y-nine Nobel Prize recipient s. That night she sat at t he First Lady?s t able in t he Blue Room, next to ast ronaut John Glenn.

Among t he ot her luminaries at t he t able w as Lester Pearson, Nobel Peace Prize w inner and soon to be prime minister of Canada.

After dinner she spoke w it h President Kennedy about geopolit ical issues in East Asia.

Asked w hat she t hought about Japan helping to rebuild Korea, she w as flummoxed, know ing t he rocky historical relat ionship bet ween t he t wo count ries. She diplomat ically offered to send him her upcoming book on Korea, a historical novel ent it led ?The Living Reed.? The book w as published in 1963 after t he president ?s deat h.

Pearl Buck also w as a humanit arian, launching t he Pearl S. Buck Foundat ion. And she w rote a book about her daughter, w ho w as afflicted w it h phenylketonuria, ?The Child W ho Never Grew,? w hich influenced Rose Kennedy in her relat ionship w it h her daughter Rosemary.

The photo is a cropped close-up of President Kennedy and Pearl Buck in t he East Room at t he Nobel dinner. This is w here t hey discussed Asian policy t hat night . Photo: Robert Knudsen. W hite House Photographs. John F. Kennedy President ial Library and Museum, Boston.

- From t he Facebook post of JOSEPH ESPOSITO, Aut hor, "Dinner in Camelot ", Historian and Educator, Former Deput y Under Secret ary - Dept . of Educat ion

THE LIVING REED: A Novel of Korea An ?absorbing and fast-moving? saga of Korea as experienced by one unforget t able family, from t he Nobel Prize?w inning aut hor of The Good Eart h (The New York Times). ?The year w as 4214 after Tangun of Korea, and 1881 after Jesus of Judea.? So begins Pearl S. Buck?s The Living Reed, an epic historical novel seen t hrough t he eyes of four generat ions of Korean aristocracy.

As t he chronicle begins, t he Kims are living comfort ably as advisors to t he Korean royal family. But t hat world is torn apart w it h t he Japanese invasion, w hen t he queen is killed and t he Kims are t hrust into hiding. Through t heir story, Buck t races t he count ry?s journey from t he late nineteent h cent ury t hrough t he end of t he Second World War.

Bridging Cult ures, Changing Lives

Our interest in t he Pearl S. Buck Foundat ion Internat ional w as such t hat t he name Pearl S. Buck alone tells us t hat history w as highly imbibed in it s creat ion as an organizat ion. A story t hat went as far back as t he late 1800s. It is now 2022 and t he legacy of PSB cont inues. A rare opport unit y w as extended to us and here we share some interest ing view s from t he current President / CEO of PSBI, Ms Anna Kat z.

It w as PSB's 130t h birt hday last June 26, her 130t h. W hat are your t hought s on t his?

PSBI: As President and CEO here are my thoughts on Ms. Buck?s 130th birthday. On this special occasion, I will share with you 13 ways that I am inspired by Ms. Buck??I am sure there are 130 ways she inspires me, however for the sake of time I thought an inspiration for every decade! # 1 I am inspired by her being a strong, formidable woman, a model for all, with her high shrilled aristocratic sounding voice that raised so many very difficult issues for people to hear, and a voice no one could ignore even If they wanted to. # 2 Her amazing gift of writing, the quantity and quality of it, and the ability to describe through words creating a vivid visualization to tell a story. # 3 The Gift of the Good Earth, a simple yet complex story, illustrates the life of rural Chinese People but at the same time contains hints of universal principles of humanity. # 4 During a period of US isolationism, she was a human bridge between East and West and promoted multiculturalism.

All photos used for the feature were provided by PSBI

# 5 I am inspired by the overwhelming love she had for children from all walks of life, her fight against injustices, and the establishment of the first adoption agency for bi-racial children. # 6 The strength she demonstrated in the personal struggle she went through in understanding her daughter Carol?s different abilities and in writing the book ?The Child that Never Grew?that changed so many lives. # 7 I am inspired by her activism on the issue of Civil Rights and being named one of two women, the other being Eleanor Roosevelt another, formidable woman, in this country who understood the injustices related to racism. # 8 Pearl supported the empowerment of women and promoted the idea that women should be considered for the highest position in the land, in business, politics, and government. # 9 I am inspired by her example of being a citizen of the world, that she saw the inter-relatedness between cultures and nations, and that we all need to be actors in that world. # 10 I am inspired and extremely blessed as the President and CEO of Pearl S Buck International to know there are so many volunteers and donors who are dedicated supporters of Pearl S Buck. # 11 I am inspired by her House and this beautiful estate that inspired her writing and that was the space in which her activism and humanitarianism grew, a story that we get to share with visitors still today. # 12 I am inspired by Pearl?s sense of family? after the birth of Carol when she learned she could have no more biological children, she opened her heart and home to adoption and gathered her neighbors and friends to open their hearts and homes as well. But even that wasn?t enough? she saw herself as a member of a bigger family, opening her home and welcoming her local Bucks County community into it, many long-time residents of whom still remember spending time on these grounds and in these buildings.

And she created the Pearl S. Buck Foundation, now Pearl S. Buck International, to help care for the many children in need in what she saw as her global family. # 13 I am inspired by those 130 years after her birth, her cross-cultural, humanitarian, and educational legacy live on in the work and mission of Pearl S. Buck International and the Pearl S. Buck Volunteer Association.

Educat ion and learning are a huge part of PSB's priorit ies, and we can see you have est ablished t his t hrough many years of dedicat ion. W hat is it about your organizat ion t hat stood out as your main core values?

PSBI: Pearl S. Buck was a Pulitzer and Nobel Prize-winning author and a driving force in humanitarian causes. She was a longtime advocate of cross-cultural understanding and racial harmony as a means of achieving world peace. We continue her legacy of bridging cultures and changing lives through intercultural education, humanitarian aid, and sharing the Pearl S. Buck House National Historic Landmark Museum.

Mission: Pearl S. Buck International provides opportunities to explore and appreciate other cultures, builds better lives for children around the globe, and promotes the legacy of our founder by preserving and interpreting her National Historic Landmark home.

Vision: The legacy of Pearl S. Buck unites nations, societies, communities, and individuals with an appreciation for cultural differences and a commitment to service.

We Believe: All children should receive education, nutrition, and preventive health care to become self-sufficient.

All children should grow up with cultural competence to be successful in a global environment.

All individuals can improve conditions and resolve problems if they understand and appreciate cultural differences, establish relationships with people from other cultures and build strong alliances with different cultural groups.

The Pearl S. Buck House should inspire visitors to embrace and engage in continuing her legacy by making meaningful, lifelong contributions to the community.

The world PSB lived in in t he past is very different from today. We know t hat she loved China as much as t he US, we wonder w hat her view s might have been if she lived up to today. Do you st ill have a connect ion w it h China? Perhaps an ongoing project to date?

PSBI: PSB loved the Chinese people and the rich traditions that she grew to admire during her time living in China. I think she would still be standing with the Chinese people. We do have a current connection to China in that we work to support underprivileged girls to be able to attend the Chongshi Girls School in Zhenjiang. This is the school that Pearl Buck attended as a student and later taught at after receiving her college degree. The girls in our program are extremely bright and would struggle to attend school if not for our sponsorship program. Currently, we help roughly 40 girls attend school and get the education they would otherwise not be able to attain. In years past, the valedictorian and salutatorian have been students in the Pearl S. Buck International child sponsorship program.

Many children are abandoned in different part s of t he world. Can you please share w it h us an overview of t he lives of orphans now globally?

PSBI: The life of an orphan can be very difficult and desperate. These children are the most vulnerable members of society. Many have been abandoned by their parents, come from desperately poor families, are differently abled whether physically or mentally, or are HIV+. Many countries in the world still have stigmas surrounding disabilities and HIV so these children especially would have no chance of a productive and meaningful life if not for organizations like Pearl S. Buck International. We help these children receive the education, health care, and psychosocial support they deserve so they can be able to live their best lives and eventually become productive members of society.

As t here are many children left w it hout care, t here are also many potent ial parent s w ho would like to adopt . How do you match parent s to children under your care?

PSBI: Unfortunately, we no longer facilitate adoptions. Welcome House, the interracial adoption agency that Pearl Buck founded in 1949 closed in 2014 due to the changing international adoption laws.

Are t here specific project s you're focusing on?

PSBI: We focus on projects that not only help children but the communities where they live. We have supported projects like teaching children about internet safety especially when the pandemic forced us all to be online more than we ever had before. We also support chicken farming and backyard gardening to help bring nutritious food to families that would not otherwise be able to afford healthy food.

How can organizat ions ... and people in general help?

PSBI: There are several ways people can help a child in need. First, child sponsorship is a wonderful way to not only help a child in need but also enrich your own life. Child sponsors and their sponsored children can establish wonderful lifelong friendships with life-changing results. https:/ / pearlsbuck.org/ help-children-in-need/ sponsor-a-child/ Second, donating toward one of the many projects featured on our website will not only help children in need but will also help the communities where they live. https:/ / pearlsbuck.org/ help-children-in-need/ fund-a-project/ Third, purchasing an item from our gift catalog will also help children in need receive necessities like shoes, clothes, diapers, and food. https:/ / pearlsbuck.org/ help-children-in-need/ gift-catalog/ .

Inequalit y is a huge problem we are all facing right now, discriminat ion of all t ypes. How do you select members? Are t here criteria before anyone can be considered a member of t he foundat ion?

PSBI: Many of our affiliate partners were established while Pearl S. Buck was running the foundation. She focused on mainly Asian countries because of the needs of the Amerasian children who were left behind by their fathers who were United States GIs during the many conflicts that were in Asia in the middle of the last century. Now we have expanded our partnerships to include other NGOs based in the US whose mission aligns with the mission of Pearl S. Buck International. Within the past two years, we have partnered with NGOs Chariots for Hope which works with orphans in Kenya, and Caring for Cambodia which focuses on educating children in Cambodia.

When deciding if a child is eligible for our program, we look at several key factors. These include their financial status, meaning that we only accept children who live below the poverty level in their respective countries. We also look at whether they are in a group that endures discrimination like children who are differently abled, orphaned, or ethnic minorities. Our goal is to give these disadvantaged children the opportunities they would otherwise not have to get a good education and have basic health care to reach their full potential.

Going back to PSB, family, and history are very import ant t hings t hat mat ter to most of us. W ho cont inues t he legacy of PSB among her family members?

PSBI: Pearl Buck?s family members are still active in supporting her mission. Some relatives are child sponsors, and active in our volunteer association, and Julie Henning, who is Pearl Buck?s last foster child, is a motivational speaker who gives presentations about how Pearl Buck changed her life by bringing her to the United States to have a better life. Julie wrote a book about her life and how it was impacted by the kindness of Pearl Buck. Julie?s memoir was recently published in her native Korean.

W hat do you t hink t he world leaders should focus on in terms of t he children's fut ure? ...t hey are t he ones w ho w ill be left w it h t he problems and solut ions adult s have created now.

PSBI: Pearl Buck once said, "The young do not know enough to be prudent, and therefore they attempt the impossible - and achieve it, generation after generation." World leaders should be focusing on creating an environment for children that is conducive to their growth and development to ensure children can reach their fullest potential so they can attempt the impossible and achieve it.

Cult ural differences should not be a problem but a source of grow t h and creat ivit y; underst anding, and not being prejudiced by w hat we learn. W here are we in general as a people if we gauge our openness to inclusion?

PSBI: We at Pearl S. Buck International live each day to uphold the values and beliefs of our visionary founder Pearl S. Buck, renowned writer, humanitarian, and advocate for human rights and social justice.

Ms. Buck was a pioneer on many topics, the most profound being the ideas of multiculturalism and celebrating our differences, along with embracing the responsibility of being a citizen of the world. She agreed with this on principle and through her actions and advocacy, but little did she know that it would not be too soon after her lifetime that the world would require a multicultural approach, the cornerstone of diversity, equity, and inclusion programming, to meet the challenges of the times.

Generally, I believe humanity has not done well in recognizing the beauty, morality, and gifts of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

It is based on the highest notion of being the best we can be as human beings.

To utilize the full potential and ingenuity of the people of the world to solve problems in the world, gain a competitive advantage, and enhance productivity and effectiveness in business, government, organizations, communities, and as individuals.

To create the basis for a truly free and democratic society/ world.

To exceed in meeting life goals and objectives no matter what field of study or profession you pursue.

Throughout history, we saw differences as a threat, and this was used to divide us. We must meet this challenge with openness and curiosity about otherness and learn to embrace what makes us different. - PremierMagazinePh

The Most Aw aited "Pearl" In M ay 2015, Var iet y an n ou n ced t h at Fr en ch act r ess Ju liet t e Bin och e w ill st ar in Pear l, based on t h e lif e of Nobel Pr ize w in n er Pear l S. Bu ck alon g w it h Leeh om Wan g (For ever You n g) an d Jin g Tian (Gr eat Wall). Roxan n e M essin a Capt or is dir ect in g Pear l, w h ich w as sch edu led t o st ar t pr odu ct ion in 2016 in Zh ejian g Pr ovin ce, Sh an gh ai, an d Pr agu e. Vilm os Zsigm on d h as been at t ach ed as t h e cin em at ogr aph er w h ile Ch in a Film Gr ou p is f in an cin g t h e f ilm . Th er e h as been n o n ew s sin ce t h e an n ou n cem en t an d Pr em ier M agazin e Ph ilippin es h as been in t ou ch w it h t h e dir ect or , Roxan n e M essin a Capt or f or an u pdat e. In r espon se t o ou r em ail, sh e st at ed t h at t h e pr oject is st ill in t h e w or k s bu t u n der a n ew f in an cer . Given t h e cu r r en t polit ical clim at e, it is w or t h n ot in g t h at t h e Ch in a Film Gr ou p Cor por at ion (CFGC), is t h e lar gest , m ost in f lu en t ial f ilm en t er pr ise in t h e People's Repu blic of Ch in a. Accor din g t o For bes, it is a st at e m on opoly t h at all im por t ed f ilm s h ave t o w or k w it h . It also r u n s t h eat er s an d f in an ces, pr odu ces, an d dist r ibu t es f ilm s. In 2014, t h e com pan y w as t h e lar gest f ilm dist r ibu t or in Ch in a, w it h 32.8% of t h e m ar k et . It r em ain ed t h e on ly im por t er of f or eign f ilm s in Ch in a an d is a m ajor expor t er of Ch in ese f ilm s. M ean w h ile, M s.

Ju liet t e Bin och e join s M or gan Fr eem an in t h eir n ew m ovie ?Par adise High w ay.? ?Par adise High w ay ? is t h e st or y of a t r u ck -dr ivin g w om an w h o r elu ct an t ly agr ees t o sm u ggle illicit car go t o save t h e lif e of h er br ot h er . Th e m ovie open s in t h eat er s an d on -dem an d t h is Ju ly.

Ph ot o Cr edit : cin em at ogr aph e.it

Asia's Hengdian World St udios ? ??? ?

Hengdian World St udios located in t he tow n of Hengdian in Jinhua, 160 kilometers aw ay from Hangzhou and w it hin t he 4-hour-t ransport at ion tourism and economy circle, is t he largest films and teleplay shoot ing base in Asia, covering an area of 121 square kilometers. Hengdian World St udios w as originally built during t he mid-1990s w it h an accumulat ive invest ment of 3 billion yuan. There are 13 film and teleplay shoot ing bases and 2 ult ra-large modern st udios w it h regional design characterist ics of bot h t he Sout h and t he Nort h, including Guangzhou St reet ( ? ? ? ), Hong Kong St reet ( ? ? ? ), Palace of t he Ming and Qing Dynast ies (? ? ? ? ), Emperor Qin Palace (? ? ? ), Dazhi Temple(? ? ? ? ) and t he Dreamland (? ? ? ), w hich have at t racted tens of t housands of directors and actors to work t here. It has even been aw arded t he t it le of ?China?s Hollywood? by an American magazine.

Asia's Hengdian World St udios ? ??? ?

Courtesy of ht t ps:/ / ct .zj.gov.cn/

Binondo, Manila the Oldest Chinatown Binondo is the Chinatown area of Manila. The name comes from the Tagalog word binondoc, which means ?mountainous?due to its hilly landscape. Founded by Spanish Governor Luis Perez Dasmarinas in 1594, it was originally meant for Chinese immigrants who converted to Catholicism, making it the world?s oldest Chinatown district.

There are 2 famous Buddhist temples, namely the Seng Guan Temple and the Kuang Kong Temple. Seng Guan Temple is usually packed with people burning incense and offering fruits and food, but Kuang Kong Temple is the most popular as people go there to have a little glimpse of their fortune or to obtain simple answers to their questions.

Photo Credit: hotels.com.

The Oldest Pearl The Abu Dhabi Pearl is an 8,000-year-old gemstone found at the Neolithic Marawah archaeological site in 2017. It made its public 2019 debut in the Louvre Abu Dhabi?s ?10,000 Years of Luxury? exhibition.

Archaeologists found the pearl while excavating at Marawah Island, which is located off the west coast of the United Arab Emirates. The ancient village includes some of the oldest stone houses discovered on the Arabian Gulf; large amounts of turtle, dolphin, dugong, and fish bones found at the site indicate its inhabitants were familiar with the sea surrounding them.

Those knowledgeable about the history of the pearl and the Persian Gulf will not be surprised by this discovery. Based on a study conducted by K. Aqil of the UAE University, to understand the importance of the pearl industry for the UAE society during the period before the UAE's independence from British colonialism (December 2, 1971), it is necessary to describe how the industry was constructed. The pearl industry had existed in the Arabian Gulf long before this period, and the Classical Arab writers, in fact, often referred to the pearl industry and how it functioned. During the Classical Period (620? 1500), however, the industry coexisted with other productive economic sectors in the Arabian Gulf.

Writers such as Al-Idrisi and Ibn Batutta also describe a pearl industry structured very differently from the one established in the UAE region from 1869? 1938. In his book, Nazhat al-Mushtaq (1100), Sharif al-Idrisi provides details about pearl fisheries that existed in the Arabian Gulf at that time. His descriptions include the personnel involved, locations of the pearl banks, and activities of the fisheries. Ibn Battuta in 1300 also discussed pearl fisheries in the Arabian Gulf. He described the locations and techniques of pearl diving, crews of the pearling ships, etc. Both al-Idrisi and Ibn-Battuta described the extensive commerce characterizing the Arabian Gulf during the corresponding periods. The exports of the Arabian Gulf commercial cities during that period included agricultural products, crafts, textiles, etc.

Photo: smithsonianmag.com

Before Oil, t he Pearl Trade Ruled t he Economy

Th is h ist or y of t h e declin e of t h e pear l in du st r y illu st r at es t h e in t er r elat ion sh ip du r in g t h e colon ial per iod of Br it ish colon ialism , Ban yan m er ch an t s, local pear l m er ch an t s, an d r u lin g sh eik s. Th e dif f er en t st r at a, r even u e dist r ibu t ion , an d h ier ar ch ical con st r u ct ion of t h e pear l in du st r y pr ove t h at t h e depen den cy of t h e UAE r egion on t h e pear lin g econ om y con t in u ed f r om 1869 t o 1938 an d in t egr at ed t h e UAE in t o t h e w or ld m ar k et w it h t h e h elp of a sin gle com m odit y. Th e declin e of t h e pear l in du st r y in t h e Ar abian Gu lf , an d t h e global an d r egion al f act or s f or it s declin e, spelled t h e dem ise of t h e m ost sign if ican t par t of t h e UAE pear l st r at u m du r in g t h is per iod.

Su bsequ en t ly, t h e Br it ish gover n m en t in t er ven ed m or e dir ect ly in t h e econ om ic af f air s of t h e UAE r egion an d cor r espon din gly gave t h e r u lin g sh eik s r egu lar r en t paym en t s t h r ou gh oil con cession ar r an gem en t s. Br it ish colon ialism also t ook over t h e UAE r egion's sh ippin g t r af f ic m ak in g t h e cit y of Du bai en t r epot s f or Br it ish goods. Th e pear l m er ch an t s at t em pt ed t o cou n t er act t h is t r en d t h r ou gh t h e u n su ccessf u l Ref or m M ovem en t of 1938 in Du bai. Th is m ar k ed t h e en d of t h e pear l t u jar an d t aw aw ish , an d t h e r ise of t h e n ew t u jar , w h o w er e en gaged in t h e gold t r ade an d t h e im por t s an d expor t s of t h e Br it ish goods t o t h e UAE r egion by st eam sh ips. Th e discover y of oil in Abu Dh abi in 1958 an d it s pr odu ct ion set u p a n ew t u r n in g poin t in t h e UAE r egion?s econ om y, a n ew r ou n d of in t egr at ion in t o t h e w or ld m ar k et econ om y, an d a n ew st r u ct u r e an d pr ocess of societ y ?s r epr odu ct ion .

Sou r ce: Aqil Kazim , UAE Un iver sit y Ar t icle in RUDN Jou r n al of Sociology · Jan u ar y 2018 Ph ot o Cr edit : Un splash

Architect: Carlos A. Ott Structural Engineer: Norr Group Consultants Electrical Engineer: Norr Group Consultants Construction Company: Al Naboodah Laing Built in: 1993-1998 Height: 125m Roof Height: 125m Floors: 24 Photo Credit: Architectural Digest

THE NATIONAL BANK OF DUBAI - The Pearl Museum W inner of an international design competition, this prestigious project designed by Carlos Ott of Norr Architects is the headquarters of the National Bank of Dubai (in Arabic ? ? ? ?? ? ?? ?? ? ? ) which was renamed Emirates NBD. The triumph of this building is not its height, 125 meters, a factor of great importance in this part of the world, but its proportionate enforcement. Although not among the highest, the building remains one of the most important projects in Dubai.

Built in the mid-90s, the building was one of the first modern buildings, deliberately iconic, city, setting a standard that few of his many successors have met. Together with its neighbor, the telecommunications tower Etisalat, the headquarters of the National Bank of Dubai defines the original skyline of the financial district of Dubai along Cove Creek.

Its unique design, gold coated glass and gray granite suggests the shape of a sail ?hulls?, spinnaker, or the curved hull of a ?dhow?traditional sailboats in one or more users in the Indian Ocean masts and docked at Dubai Creek, a symbol of Dubai commercial tradition and distinctive for the bank. This concept also inspired the form of Burj Al Arab.

The base of the building, the lobby of the bank, is coated with blue-green glass, representing water, and an aluminum roof evokes the hull, the sail is represented by a curved glass curtain wall.

Located along the busy waterfront, the facade reflects the sky and water in its curved mirror. The reflection distorts the image captured giving the building a fleeting appearance, but the most striking spectacle is at dusk when the sunset painted shades of gold and silver that shine in the curved mirror.

Source: AD

The P earl M useum, U AE

Emirates NBD was formed on 19 June 1963, when H.H. Late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum signed the Charter of Incorporation of the National Bank of Dubai (NBD) which became the first National Bank established in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). With the blessings of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, NBD merged with Emirates Bank International (EBI) on 06 March 2007, to form Emirates NBD, the largest banking group in the region by assets. On 16 October 2007, the shares of Emirates NBD were officially listed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM). The merger created a regional consolidation blueprint for the banking and finance sector, an organization that continues to set new standards across Corporate, Retail, Islamic, Investment, and Private Banking, Global Markets & Treasury, Asset Management, and Brokerage operations throughout the region.

Photo Credit: The National

The M ost L oved B ard of the U AE Sultan Ali Al-Owais

Sultan Ali Al-Owais (1925 - 2000) Sultan Ali Al-Owais was the son of Ali Bin Abdullah Al Owais, a successful pearl merchant, and businessman.

While Sultan pursued a career in international banking, becoming a founder of the UAE's first National Bank, he held a deep respect for the pearl industry from which his father and tribe (the Shamsis of Sharjah) had once prospered. To preserve the memory of the Nation's traditional way of life, Sultan amassed one of the world's largest and finest pearl collections - now on display at the Emirates NBD Pearl Museum.

Remembered for his modesty, courteousness, and intelligence, Sultan is also regarded as one of the Nation's foremost poetic talents.

Source: The Pearl Museum UAE Photo Credit: shorouknews.com

Most of the jewellery in the collection follows either European or Indian fashions since prior to the discovery of oil, the UAE people preferred to sell the precious gemstones rather than wear them.

Source: The National UAE

The pearls in the collection are displayed against red silk cloth, traditionally used by pearl merchants because they say it offers the best opportunity of viewing the gems without changing their color.

Source: The National UAE

In 1917, when pearl harvesting was at its height in the UAE, a gram of Gulf pearls traded for 320 grams of gold in the markets of India where the Gulf traders would usually bring their wares.

Source: The National UAE

Pearls and R oyalty The Van Cleef & Arpels pearl and diamond jewelry Prince Rainier gave Grace Kelly as a wedding present.

Photo Courtesy of thebeaumonde.org

Pearls and Fi lms Audrey Hepburn was a fashion icon and one of her clasic films,Breakfast at Tiffanny's catapulted her to stardom. Photo Courtesy of filmclassics.com

Pearls and Fashi on "A woman needs ropes and ropes of pearls." - Coco Chanel / Photo Credit: Chanel .com

Pearls and A rt Girl with a Pearl Earring, oil painting on canvas (c. 1665) by Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer, one of his most well-known works. Photo Credit : Wikipedia

The D awn of C

Portrait of Mikimoto Kokichi (? ? ? ? ? , 1858 ? 1954)

C ultured P earls M IKIM OTO OF JAPAN Mikimoto K?kichi is the pioneer of cultured pearls. Growing up seeing the pearl divers of Ise unloading their treasures at the shore started his fascination with pearls. At the age of 20, Mikimoto noticed the many flaws of pearls as he judged a pearl exhibition in 1878. This began Mikimoto's search for the development of the perfect pearl.

Mikimoto began his search for an alternative method to produce pearls as the chairman of the Shima Marine Products Improvement Association. At this point the demand for pearls had severely outweighed the supply, prompting the consideration of an effort to protect the oysters.

By 1888 he started his first pearl oyster plant in Ago Bay through a loan and before he almost went bankrupt, he was able to create hemispherical cultured pearls. This is done by seeding the oyster with a small amount of mother of pearl. It took a while before cultured pearls were accepted in the market. He had to inform people about his invention and took extra steps to market his product by opening a jewelry boutique in Ginza and joining an expo in Norway which began his export business. It took more than a decade to perfect his spherical pearls until he met Thomas Edison in 1927 and he was told that the process is biologically impossible. government biologist Tokichi Nishikawa and a carpenter, Tatsuhei Mise came into the picture as they spent time in Australia and learned the secret to spherical pearl production from expatriate British marine biologist William Saville-Kent. He adapted the method of developing nacre and from then on started the growth of the business. By 1935 there were 350 pearl farms in Japan producing 10 million cultured pearls annually. They opened stores in Europe and US to address the falling prices. They were also keen on promoting their brand to various cities and events, especially the US pageants where Mikimoto became the official jeweler. An island in Japan was named after him as the company became one of the luxury names in jewelry. By 2011, the company sales were up to 300M Euros YTD. The interesting part is the continuous product development and expansion. The company built Mikimoto Pharmaceuticals, which specializes in beauty products containing pearl calcium.

www.mikimotosg

The P hoenix M ikimoto C rown P earls ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ) also known as the Mikimoto Crown is the most sought after by the loveliest queen of the Universe. It is an iconic crown worn by Ms. Universe winners and was said to be the most elegant of all crowns made for the pageant. The crown was made by the Mikimoto Pearl company in Toba, Mie Prefecture, Japan used by the Miss Universe Organization. Its usage was preceded by a modernized variant design of the traditional Lady Crown used since the 1970s. Japanese artisan Tomohiro Yamaji 2000 designed the crown which was created with the sponsorship of the Mikimoto Pearl company in 2002 for the commemorative 50th anniversary and as the official jewel sponsor of the Miss Universe Organization.

The Mikimoto crown is made of both yellow and white gold, measuring from three to eighteen millimeters. It has a traditional Asian design based on the seven auspicious feathers of a Fenghuang phoenix using a mandorla flame design derived from traditional Japanese Buddhist iconography. The crown is decorated with diamonds totaling 18 carats, with 120 naturally white pearls obtained in Japan, both South Sea and Akoya, giving a grand total weight of 29.7 carats. Due to its delicate nature, a security detail was attached to the crown wherever it traveled and insured for US$250,000 against the risk of loss or damage.

There have been eleven Ms. Universes who have worn the crown and among them are Ms. Riyo Mori from Japan and two Filipinos from the years 2015, Ms. Pia Wurtzbach and 2017, and Ms. Catriona Gray respectively.

The Mikimoto Crown was first worn by the 50th Miss Universe, Denise Quiñones from Puerto Rico in 2001 at its store presentation at the Mikimoto store branch in New York City while Pia Wurtzbach wore the crown solely for her final photoshoot as Miss Universe.

Source: The Great Pageant Community, the Ms. Universe archives, the Mikimoto History Photo Credit: WorthPoint

L ife's A D ance If there's anyone more proud to be wearing her country's very own gem of a brand it must be Former Miss Universe, Riyo Mori. She won the coveted title in 2007 and two years after, opened a dance school called I.R.M (Ikuko Riyo Mori) Academy with her mother Ikuko in Shizuoka Prefecture. They teach ballet, jazz, and tap, as well as some exercise-based lessons for adults. In an interview with tokyoweekender.com Riyo said ?The business is now more than a decade old and I?m delighted with how things are going."

At the age of 16, she left home to study in Canada and trained at the Quinte Ballet School.

She continued to train extensively and successfully auditioned for the Rockettes Summer Intensive Program in New York after graduating from high school. One thing led to another and finally, she got the chance to join Ms. Universe to represent her country. She also met former US President Donald Trump and hoped that her winning the crown, it would lead to better relations with Japan.

Now 32, she continues to dance her way to her passion and she is more than happy with how things turned out. ?We teach various techniques and it would be great if some of the kids go on to become professionals, but that isn?t our main aim. I want them to have fun, believe in themselves, and not be afraid to dream big. Growing up, dance was everything for me. It taught me to be patient and made me feel happy and positive while also helping to give me confidence. I hope my students would eventually feel the same way.?

Her character and attitude didn?t fit the typical profile of a Japanese female, stereotypically seen as soft-spoken, cute, and modest. ?I received many supportive messages, but the negative ones did hurt,? concedes Mori. ?While living abroad I was taught to feel proud of who I am and to speak my mind. I was just being myself, so the backlash was a surprise."

She is known to speak her mind confidently which in her native Japan, she wasn't expected to be so. ?Of course, it?s nowhere near perfect, but there has been a shift in attitudes towards women in Japan and that is a great thing,? says Mori. ?There?s nothing wrong with a female feeling sexy and confident. We shouldn?t have to quietly stay in the background. This is something I always emphasize to my students. They are all special and each one is capable of achieving great things if they believe in themselves.? - PremierMagazinePh Photos Courtesy of Tokyo Weekender

Photo Credit : Jake's Rolex World

Catriona Gray, Ms Universe 2017 Photo Credit MUPH

Pia Wurtzbach wore the crown solely for her final photo shoot as Miss Universe.

Photo Credit MUPH

The L a M er en M ajesté

Jewelmer

"You can read the story of the sea on the surface of a pearl. As an indicator of the health of the planet, the pearl can only thrive in pristine waters. Every change in the environment is recorded on the pearl?s lustrous surface, so its miraculous existence encapsulates the story of the world that nurtured it, and the care it has received. It is in harmony with nature that Jewelmer commits to excellence and perfection to give birth to the only living and organic gem in the world."

- Jewelmer The La Mer en Majesté masterpiece brings to light the unique beauty of the national gem and the Philippines. Crafted by the talented Filipino craftsmen trained in the techniques of Place Vendôme? a wonderful tribute to this year's 75th anniversary of French-Filipino relations.

Every pearl within this intricate piece mirrors the beauty of the archipelago and honors the people who have devoted their lives to preserving the purity of the sea? their royal, golden luster radiates the people?s triumphant spirit. Ultimately, the winner?s crown proudly proclaims that she is a champion of the Philippines, epitomized by her crown of wondrous South Sea pearls.

Jewelmer is an international luxury brand that was born out of a commitment to the world?s most lustrous cultured South Sea pearls and exquisite fine jewelry.

Established in 1979 by a French pearl farmer and a Filipino entrepreneur, Jewelmer has grown globally to represent a world of rarity and enduring elegance.

Exceptional South Sea pearls are the centerpieces of the celebrated Jewelmer brand. www.jewelmer.com Photo Credit: normannorman.com

Nat ure Know s No Gender The evolving world of endless possibilities MIKIMOTO is saying goodbye to stereotyping. In fact, when it comes to jewelry, creativity can be boundless. Having a male ambassador for pearls is a major step for their brand which has been known to break free from the norm. The fact that their founder was committed to developing new concepts continues on as his legacy.

THE MIKIMOTO MAN MIKIMOTO's first Male Global Brand Ambassador, Song Wei Long showcases their Pearl collection to define his contemporary style and endless possibilities that reveal the new excitement in Pearls.

MIKIMOTO? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? MIKIMOTO ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?????????????

All photos used for the feature are courtesy of Mikimoto.

THE CURRENT PEARL INDUSTRY And the Countries that Keep the Nacre Alive Japan The Mikimoto family of Japan is one of the largest purveyors of natural and cultured pearls. In 1893, the company invented pearl culturing and pioneered the practice of bead-nucleation by inserting a small sphere of shell into the oyster. By 2010, the country had an 80 percent monopoly on the world?s pearl industry. Japan is also known for natural Akoya pearls, which often have a pinkish or silver hue.

Australia Western Australia?s pearl industry infuses the country's economy with over $200 million annually, as of 2010. The Australian companies collect ?wild? oysters and relocate them to farms where pearls are cultured inside them. Australia?s cultured pearl market is second only to Japans, and growing.

China Cultured in sweet-water mollusks, freshwater pearls are irregularly shaped because they are not bead-nucleated but formed between layers of tissue. The freshwater pearl industry began in Shanghai and now has a major presence in most Chinese provinces. China markets over 1,500 tons of freshwater pearls annually through Hong Kong.

Indonesia, Myanmar, and the Philippines

Although Japan has cornered the market on pearl production, Indonesia, Myanmar, and the Philippines are expected to continue to contribute significantly to the natural and cultured pearl industry. These countries are known for Akoya and silver pearl production.

The Rolls Royce of all Pearls - The Golden South Sea Pearls Photo Courtesy of Pearls of Joy Source: our everydaylife.com

Tahiti

India

The Tahitian pearl market sells pearls from French Polynesia, Micronesia, and Seychelles; Tahiti does not produce pearls itself.

Tahiti is famous for purveying black pearls that originate primarily in French Polynesian waters, with some coming from Vietnam and Australia.

India may have the largest and last natural pearl inventory of any market worldwide; most of its stockpile consists of pearls from the now-defunct Persian Gulf source. Cities like Hyderabad have world-famous pearl markets purveying products acquired from global industry sources.

Bahrain

Mexico

The Persian Gulf has areas where salinity is low because of freshwater infusion; these waters were once famous for producing high-luster natural pearls. In the 1930s, however, the offshore oil industry contaminated these already over-dived oyster beds, virtually eliminating them. The Bahrain pearl market sells pearls from all over the world and bans cultured pearls in an attempt to be true to its natural pearl heritage.

The Gulf of California off Mexico was once rife with natural oyster beds that produced the highly prized Cortez pearl. They were over-fished by the beginning of the 20th century, and the government banned oyster collection in the 1940s in an effort to restore the oyster beds and re-enter the market. By the beginning of the 21st century, the country had a growing industry of cultured pearls that are sliced in half for flush-mounted jewelry production.

Gigi Hadid and her string of pearls.

Photo Courtesy of Yahoo Finance

THE CURRENT PEARL INDUSTRY Fast Facts PEARLS IN CHINA 2020 EXPORTS | IMPORTS : $31.2M | $15.1M, WORLD RNK 6 / 98 Flag RNK 968 / 1215 | WORLD RNK 6 / 123 Flag RNK 959 / 1214

2020 EXPORTS | IMPORTS : $31.2M | $15.1M, WORLD RNK 6 / 98 Flag RNK 968 / 1215 | WORLD RNK 6 / 123 Flag RNK 959 / 1214

ECONOMIC COMPLEXITY OF CHINA : 0.96, RNK 28 / 127 PRODUCT COMPLEXITY IN PEARLS : -0.41, RNK 676 / 1028

A defining indicator of China?s economic condition can be found in an unlikely product sector: pearl jewelry.

- The Diplomat

THE CURRENT PEARL INDUSTRY Fast Facts PEARLS IN CHINA EXPORTS In 2020, China exported $31.2M in Pearls, making it the 6th largest exporter of Pearls in the world. At the same year, Pearls was the 968th most exported product in China. The main destination of Pearls exports from China are: Hong Kong ($9.41M), Italy ($3.77M), India ($3.63M), United States ($3.56M), and Japan ($2.58M).

The fastest growing export markets for Pearls of China between 2019 and 2020 were Thailand ($672k), Macau ($169k), and United Arab Emirates ($83.5k).

IMPORTS In 2020, China imported $15.1M in Pearls, becoming the 6th largest importer of Pearls in the world. At the same year, Pearls was the 959th most imported product in China. China imports Pearls primarily from: Japan ($3.77M), Hong Kong ($2.92M), France ($2.7M), French Polynesia ($2.23M), and Indonesia ($1.65M).

The fastest growing import markets in Pearls for China between 2019 and 2020 were France ($2.65M), Indonesia ($1.21M), and Myanmar ($595k).

TARIFFS In 2018, the average tariff for China in Pearls was 16.6%. The countries with the highest import tariffs for Pearls were Burkina Faso (Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatement, 21%), Botswana (Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatement, 21%), Cote d'Ivoire (Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatement, 21%), Cameroon (Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatement, 21%), and Democratic Republic of the Congo (Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatement, 21%).

LATEST TRENDS IN MAY 2022 OVERVIEW In May 2022 China's Pearls exports accounted up to $4.91M and imports accounted up to $7.53M, resulting in a negative trade balance of $2.62M. Between May 2021 and May 2022 the exports of China's Pearls have increased by $2.88M (142%) from $2.02M to $4.91M, while imports increased by $1.28M (20.5%) from $6.25M to $7.53M.

LATEST TRENDS IN MAY 2022 DESTINATIONS In May 2022, Pearls were exported mostly to Hong Kong ($2.67M), India ($1.68M), Thailand ($149k), Italy ($88.2k), and Taiwan ($84k), and were imported mostly from France ($2.74M), Japan ($1.27M), Thailand ($1.09M), Myanmar ($767k), and Indonesia ($697k).

Photo Courtesy of Eonline.com Rihanna Rocks Vintage Chanel Sunglasses During Her Performance

THE CURRENT PEARL INDUSTRY Fast Facts PEARLS IN CHINA LATEST TRENDS IN MAY 2022 GROWTH In May 2022, the increase in Pearls's year-by-year exports was explained primarily by an increase in exports to India ($463k or 83.6%), France ($52.9k or 642%), and United States ($8.02k or 21.4%). In May 2022, the increase in Pearls's year-by-year imports was explained primarily by an increase in imports from Japan ($670k or 426%), Thailand ($317k or 286%), and China ($115k or 64.6%).

THE CURRENT PEARL INDUSTRY Fast Facts PEARL PRODUCTS PEARL PRODUCTS DEFINED AS ARTICLES OF NATURAL OR CULTURED PEARLS, PRECIOUS OR SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES (NATURAL, SYNTHETIC OR RECONSTRUCTED) 7116 (HARMONIZED SYSTEM 1992 FOR 4-DIGIT) OVERVIEW In 2020, Pearl Products were the world's 876th most traded product, with a total trade of $1.07B. Between 2019 and 2020 the exports of Pearl Products grew by 0.75%, from $1.06B to $1.07B. Trade in Pearl Products represent 0.0064% of total world trade.

Pearl Products are a part of Precious metals, gems and jewelry. They include Articles of precious, semi-precious, artificial stone and Articles of natural or cultured pearls.

EXPORTS In 2020 the top exporters of Pearl Products were United States ($206M), China ($160M), Thailand ($71.8M), Austria ($64.7M), and Singapore ($59M).

IMPORTS In 2020 the top importers of Pearl Products were United States ($165M), Singapore ($108M), Hong Kong ($90M), Switzerland ($86.4M), and China ($86.1M).

OUR SOURCE The Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC) is the world's leading data visualization tool for international trade data. The OEC makes more than 50 years of international trade data available through dozens of millions of interactive visualizations.

Jewelmer was born in 1979, the brain child of businessmen Jacques Branellec and Manuel Cojuangco.

Jewelmer has grown over 40 years to a world-wide recognized brand and has flagship boutiques in 17 countries from Japan to Kazakhstan to the UAE to Colombia.

- The Golden South Sea Pearls from Pearls of Joy Photo Courtesy of Pearls of Joy

The Global Pearl Jewelry Market is Likely to Grow at a CAGR of Over 13% During the Period 2019?2025 Pearl Jewelry Market - Global Outlook and Forecast 2020-2025

The stability in the global economic situation, resulting in the growth of disposable incomes, is driving the global pearl jewelry market. Moreover, the increasing female working population and the growing penetration of brands are contributing to the growth. The APAC region accounted for the largest share in 2019 and is expected to witness the fastest growth rate during the forecast period. The saltwater pearl segment is observing growth due to the high demand for luxurious and high-quality ornaments.

A large-scale shift to the e-commerce platform is another major factor boosting the growth of the global pearl jewelry market. Consumers are becoming extremely comfortable shopping online. Major sellers are capitalizing on business opportunities by offering innovative strategies, ranging from personalization to curation to home trial options to address the consumers?concerns. The online fine jewelry sales accounted for approximately 4?5% of the global market and are projected to reach around 10% by 2020. The online segment, however, accounted for a larger share with approximately 10?15% share by 2020.

The following factors are likely to contribute to the growth of the global pearl jewelry market during the forecast period: Influence of Celebrities and changing consumer perception Growth of Casualization in office and other social environments Growth of Computer Aided Technology in Jewelry Designing High Demand for Branded Jewelry

Pearl Jewelry Market: Segmentation The growing production cost and declining supply have increased the price of freshwater pearls. The demand is expected to grow due to the increasing popularity of inexpensive pearl jewelry, especially among youth and first-time buyers. Saltwater pearls are expensive; hence, they are preferred by high-end consumers with greater disposable income. APAC accounts for the largest share, with China, Japan, and India emerging as the leading regions. However, the increasing water pollution and over harvesting of saltwater ornaments have declined the production, which, in turn, is increasing the average price across the globe.

The global gold jewelry demand has observed a decline in the last couple of years. The decrease can be mainly attributed to several regional challenges and global economic trends. The rise in gold prices is expected to emerge as a major challenge as middle-class consumers are less likely to purchase gold ornaments. However, retailers are implementing several new strategies, including offering heavy discounts on making charges and providing easy installments to improve the sales of gold pearl ornaments.

Gold pearl necklaces are more expensive than silver or other material types. However, the increasing acceptance of Tahitian pearl necklaces is expected to aid the growth of the segment during the forecast period. Saltwater necklaces accounted for the largest market share in 2019; however, the segment is expected to decline during the forecast period owing to the growing price and the increasing availability of high-quality freshwater pearls.

The diversity in design and quality with high-profit margins is expected to boost the demand for pearl earrings during the forecast period. Celebrities such as Kate Middleton and Michelle Obama have been spotted to wear these earrings, which have become a strong factor for their popularity and adoption. Designers are introducing trendy designs to enhance product appeal. The high demand from China, Japan, and India is primarily contributing to the growth of the market.

Insights by Geography While the pearl jewelry market in developing economies is driven by the growth in the population, rise in household incomes, and change in lifestyles, developed economies are boosting the demand for luxury and fine designer ornaments. The region is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. The rising economic development, the growing middle-class population, and high net worth individuals, especially in China and India, have increased the demand for fine pearl jewelry.

Europe is the second-largest market worldwide. The region is witnessing growth on account of increasing economic stability, the rising female working population, the increasing fashion consciousness, and the growing e-commerce retailing sectors.

Key Vendor Analysis The global market is highly fragmented with the presence of a large number of global and regional players. Vendors are competing based on product designs, quality, and competitive pricing. Due to the highly competitive and volatile environment, future growth mainly depends on the ability to expect, gauge, and adapt to constantly changing fashion trends and successfully introduce new or improved products on time. Global retailers are increasingly trying to integrate with more than one part of the supply chain. Vertical integration will allow the company to establish a competitive advantage while considerably lowering the cost of manufacturing and making business models more efficient and cost-effective. The market is highly dynamic and fast-growing. With the rising consequential changes in both consumer behavior and the industry, vendors are required to be responsive to changing trends and developments.

For the detailed study: researchandmarkets.com

Banwa Private Island Palawan, Philippines

Rebranding an Island

Palawan is the best if not one of the best places for rest and relaxation in the world and the first word that will come to mind is "pristine". To the world, it remained to be a dream sanctuary, every island will bring you a new discovery. One of the most famous places in Palawan is a private island called Banwa.

Other than being a sanctuary of everyone's dreams, it's also been known as the most expensive in the world at a nightly rate of $100,000. As part of the rebrand, its new rate is now down to $45,000. In an article by insider.com, Banwa's marketing consultant, Ms. Judith Los Banos shared that the market positioning as the most expensive resort was due to the previous marketing team which established the said brand direction. "We are a different team now and we want to position Banwa as 'the air travel bubble', a destination that offers "crowd-free" luxury holidays amid the pandemic." She also added that the island has now cut down its capacity during charters from 48 to 36 persons. The resort also formed a partnership with Ascent Flights Global last December to introduce private air travel. All this is to support their selling point of the "privacy and comfort" of their guests.

However, If you're looking for the home of the most sought-after golden south sea pearls, Palawan is the place to be. www.banwaprivateisland.com

The resort was initially only for exclusive charters, but Los Banos said individual villas are now also available for bookings. The nightly rate for a villa starts from $2,500 for two guests, with a three-night minimum stay. Photo inset: Inside a villa at Banwa Private Island.

Courtesy of Banwa Private Island / Zuphachai Laokunrak, Tom Epperson & George Tapan

BOAT TAIL COACHBUILD BY ROLLS-ROYCE

©Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

THE OCEAN GIFTS ITS PE ENOUGH TO DIVE BE

Hand-built by expert Coachbuild artisans, this masterful creation is a grew into a family business. Rarer than

EARLS TO THOSE BRAVE ENEATH ITS SURFACE

a tribute to the owner ?s father, whose origins in the pearling industry a natural pearl, it is truly one-of-a-kind.

©Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

THE PINNACLE OF BESPOKE Coachbuild, the most exclusive division of Bespoke, invites individuals of extraordinary achievement and ambition to design an original motor car representative of their personal histories.

As a patron of the arts with extensive knowledge of luxury, the owner of Boat Tail formed the ultimate partnership with Coachbuild engineers, designers, and artisans ? the best the world has ever seen.

©Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

A PEARLESCENT MASTERPIECE To commence this collaboration, the owner presented four pearl shells carefully selected from his private collection. Their iridescent qualities inspired the exterior body colour, one of the most complex finishes Rolls-Royce has ever created.

Through

a

rigorous refinement

process, designers captured

the

shells?

multifaceted tones by blending hues of soft rose and oyster with white and bronze mica flakes. The flakes provide a shimmering pearlescence which changes vibrancy in bright and dim light.

Rolls Royce, the iconic British car manufacturer has made a mark again by commissioning three Boat Tails, each handbuilt to the exact specifications of their discerning owners. Although they share the same frame, each Boat Tail is unique on its own.

Each is handbuilt to the exact specifications of its discerning owners. Reflecting the owner ?s history and tastes, this second in the triptych, was commissioned by a man whose family business originates from the pearling industry, and he hasn?t held back on nods to that heritage. The exterior color was one of the most complex finishes Rolls-Royce Bespoke has ever taken on. The owner presented designers with four pearl shells from his private collection and charged them with the task of recreating the shimmering complexity of a Mother of Pearl. The result is a blend of oyster and rose with large white and bronze mica flakes laced throughout to produce a stunning pearlescence that changes under certain light conditions. ©Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Accented with a rose gold-plated Spirit of Ecstasy, the bonnet of Boat Tail brings an element of warmth to the exterior. Its cognac paint, varnished with a crystal and iced matt clear coat, is infused with bronze and gold aluminum mica flakes ? enhancing the motor car ?s glistening aesthetic.

The rear deck?s Royal Walnut veneer was chosen by the owner for its stunning maturing abilities. Over time, it will transition to the tonal properties of cognac, complimenting the bonnet even further.

Alex Innes, head of Rolls-Royce Coachbuild Design, said: ?Every Rolls-Royce Coachbuild commission is, of course, incredibly special; but in this case, there was an additional depth of feeling. Creating a motor car in honor of a revered client?s father and family history is an extraordinary privilege; a responsibility that we took very much to heart. The commissioning patron?s deep-rooted connection to Boat Tail is an inspiration the result far exceeds a means of conveyance to become, quite literally, a moving work of art.?

Pearls are also present on the dashboard with a timepiece made of mother-of-pearl sitting at its center / ©Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Cognac leather and Royal Walnut pay homage to Boat Tail?s maritime inspiration / ©Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Boat Tail Spirit of Ecstasy

When closed, the rear deck is a swathe of Royal Walnut veneer, a wonderful nod to the traditional sailing yachts of the early 20th century. As with a historic yacht, the Royal Walnut will gradually change over time as it matures, giving the vehicle the feel of a living being.©Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

The rear deck contains a one-off picnic set and two rapid cooling fridges / ©Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Boat Tail Spirit of Ecstasy An ingeniously designed parasol only opens once above the owner?s head height / ©Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

©Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

653 5th Ave

The Cartier B uilding A historical landmark in New York City, the Cartier Building is proof of the pearl trade that transpired across the globe for ages. The pearl necklace which captured the heart of Maisie Plant, the wife of Morton F. Plant paved the way for the creation of the iconic address. She fell head over heels for a natural pearl necklace in Pierre Cartier's New York City salon. It was a transaction that led to the sale of the property previously owned by the Plant family who had built an enormous railroad and steamship network across the South that came to be known as the Plant System.

Mrs. Plant wanted the pearls, and Pierre wanted the prestigious address so a deal was made. 'The Real Estate Record And Guide' reported on the transaction in its July 21, 1917 issue (the pearls would have been the "other valuable considerations"): "The Morton F. Plant dwelling at the southeast corner of Fifth avenue and 52nd street has been sold to Louis J. Cartier, of Paris, and Pierre C. Cartier, of New York, jewelers, who several months ago leased the property for their business. Ownership was transferred last Saturday for $100 and other valuable considerations.

The option to purchase was given to the tenants in their lease, and they have availed themselves of this opportunity. The dwelling is being altered for trade purposes and will soon be ready for occupancy by the firm, which is now located on upper Fifth avenue. The Plant dwelling is one of the best known on Fifth avenue; it is opposite the Vanderbilt houses and helps to serve as a barrier to the northward movement of trade on Fifth avenue. Mr. Plant was approached many times with offers to sell or lease his house, but would not consider any proposition until several months ago when he decided that his stand against the trade was useless."

The famous pearl necklace was a double strand of natural South Sea pearls. The smaller strand consisted of 55 pearls and the larger, of 73. The 128 pearls that made up the necklace had taken years to assemble.

Each one has been collected by hand by a diver. The pearls were then matched in color and size to create perfect graduated strands. Because of the rarity of natural pearls (cultured pearls had not yet reached the commercial markets) were a symbol of wealth and status among New York's social elite.

Living t he Dream

Through Clear Blue Skies For Ma-an L. Asuncion-Dagñalan, directing a film is a dream come true. With her first film finally in the offing and knowing her own masterpiece is being watched by the viewing public is like going through a tunnel of mixed emotions. Here's our Premier conversation with her.

P: We are excited to have you on our July issue, by the way, congratulations on your debut film, the Blue Room. We know a few things about it but how does it make you feel now that it has been launched and being publicly shown?

MLAD: To begin w it h, I?d like to t hank you for feat uring BLUE ROOM in your July issue.

Honest ly, I feel so nervous and anxious yet so excited. I don?t know, it ?s a mixed feeling. But I am very grateful t hat our film, BLUE ROOM, w ill be show n in t he big screens of CCP and selected cinemas st art ing t his August .

P: How did you go about the selection of the cast?

MLAD: My rule w as t he cast of t he band should be into music or at least know s how to play a musical inst rument . Because we can?t fake t hat especially if you are a musician or an art ist .

W hen I st arted w rit ing BLUE ROOM 2010 I had no one in my mind. But in 2018, I w as already imagining juan karlos as t he one of t he leads of t he film. I?m glad he accepted t he role w hen it w as offered to him.

Then Harvey Baut ist a came next as t he Drummer of t he band. He w as recommended by his Aunt (Harlene Baut ist a, w ho is also t he Producer of t he film) but I told her t hat Harvey had to audit ion w it hout having a commit ment to get t he role. So he audit ioned. Carlo Obisbo, w ho is t he Creat ive Producer and Co-Producer, and I were blow n aw ay. We never expected t hat he would act so great .

Harvey is so mat ure and profound.

Elijah Canlas and Nourijune came into t he pict ure almost at t he same t ime. They were bot h recommended by our Product ion Designer Mao Fadul. I didn?t audit ion Elijah anymore since I know Elijah?s calibre in act ing, and since he know s how to play keyboards and guit ar. W hile Nourijune, I just checked her on IG and I knew in my ?gut feel? t hat she can play t he role of Rocky.

Keoni Jin w as t he last piece of t he puzzle t hat completed t he band. There were many great and t alented audit ioneers but I w as not convinced t hat t hey could be t he ?Christ ian Lagdemo? of t he group. Again, ?gut feel?. Then I asked Jazz Nicolas via messenger, t he leader and drummer of Itchyworms, if he know s a male teenager around 18 or 19 years old w ho can play elect ric guit ar. Then he just simply replied, ?my son?. I got so excited and I asked if he act s or would like to t ry act ing, and if he?s w illing to audit ion. Then we scheduled an audit ion for him and fort unately, he w as t he ?guy? t hat we were looking for as t he lead guit arist .

"For Rebel Rebel, their power is their talent.

They translate it through music."

A WRITER, DIRECTOR, AND PRODUCER. MA-AN L. ASUNCION-DAGÑALAN was born in San Fernando, Pampanga, Philippines. She graduated from St. Paul?s University with a degree in Communications.

She attended Cinematography Class in 2003 and Mexican filmmaking in 2006 under the Mexican director Gustavo Loza at the Mowelfund Film Institute. Mr. Armando Lao and Mr. Ricky Lee were her mentors in scriptwriting.

Ma-an was a delegate in the 74th Locarno International Film Festival for the script of Blue Room.

She was also a Producer, Cinematographer, and Co-Writer of ?Layang Bilanggo?? Best Screenplay and Best Picture in the 2010 Cinema One Originals Film Festival.

Blue Room is her first feature film as the Director.

"It?s a character-driven piece that focuses not just on the unfortunate turn of events but also the conflicted morality of several individuals who are victims of 'power'."

P: Most Filipino films we have are focused on relationship stories and this is a new take on the usual for young actors and viewers. W hat prompted you to take on the challenge?

MLAD: I really never t hought about t he viewers or t he young actors w hat stories t hey are focused on w hen I w rote BLUE ROOM. My mot ivat ion w as to tell t he t rut h. As I ment ioned in my previous interview, t hat t rut h mat ters. It works for an individual and a societ y. To an individual, as long as you are t rue to yourself it would be easier for you to grow, to learn, and to mat ure w hen you accept your mist akes.

Because you accept t he t rut h. W hile for societ y, it creates a social bond w hen you are t rue to t he people surrounding you. Because you gain t rust from t hem if you are t rue to t hem.

It is t he same w it h BLUE ROOM. I w anted to tell t he t rut h t hat inequalit y exist s as long as prejudice exist s to t hose w ho are in power, especially t hose w ho are on t he top of t he social pyramid. Power has pros and cons to t he individual and to t he societ y. Some use t heir power to influence or to inspire ot her people to become a bet ter individual. But ot hers misuse or abuse t he power t hat t hey have.

That is w hy after w atching t he film, I w ish t he audience w ill realize how import ant relat ionships are, how to respect ot her people, especially t he less fort unate, and how to be responsible in using t heir power.

P: Are you more inclined as a filmmaker to do similar films ? Are you planning to do more of this type of work?

MLAD: I am not really sure. It ?s too early to tell since t his is my first film. But I would love to t ry sci-fi act ion films, historical, psychological t hriller, romant ic or comedy. I would love to t ry any genre or different kind of films.

P: You belong to a family of art ist s, and you have been act ively involved in keeping t he legacy of your ancestors, share w it h us a bit about t hem. W ho exact ly is Capit an Ting?

MLAD: ?Capit an Ting? or Just iniano Asuncion w as one of t he leading Filipino painters in t he 19t h cent ury. He w as born on September 26, 1816 in St a. Cruz, Manila.

He st udied in Escuela de Dibujo in 1835, and became a ?capit an municipal? or ?cabeza de barangay? of St a. Cruz, Manila in 1855. Hence, Capit an Ting.

"After watching the movie, I would like the audience to realize how important relationships are, how to respect other people especially to the less fortunate and the needy, and how to be responsible in using their 'power'."

Asuncion is know n for his works like ?Coronat ion of t he Virgin?, t he ?Virgin of Ant ipolo?, ?Filomena Asuncion?, and ?Romana A. Carillo?. He is also famous for ?Tipos del Pais? - t hese are series of w atercolor paint ings t hat depict Filipino cult ures, cost umes, and lifest yles.

Most of his works are in Ayala Museum, New York Public Library, Met ropolit an Museum run by t he Bangko Sent ral ng Pilipinas, and also w it h private collectors.

In his honor, a marker w as inst alled at t he facade of St a. Cruz Church on September 12, 1983. He died in 1901 at t he age of 96.

P: We all know that there has been a lot of changes and we don't know how the pandemic will continue to affect our entire future, and mostly the industry we all are in.

Have you somehow accepted that it's here to stay?

MLAD: Not exact ly t he pandemic is w hat I accepted but t he virus. Because I feel t he covid is going to be like t he ot her viruses t hat hit t he world. For example, t he Spanish flu. So I hope t he expert s in t he medical field w ill find a cure soon. Because we have to cont inue living w hile t he virus is st ill around. I mean, life must go on.

P: W ill the Asuncion book be in the works soon?

MLAD: Current ly, I have so many t hings on my plate but t he Asuncion book is definitely in t he ?to-do? list .

P: W hat are your plans after this film?

MLAD: Of course, I st ill w ant to make more films. I am ok w it h any genre.

In addit ion, I have a plan to create a BLUE ROOM series. But t he t it le w ill be REBEL REBEL because t he story w ill revolve around t he members of t he band.

Then I w ish I could st art paint ing because t hat ?s w hat I really w anted w hen I w as young.

P: W hat and who inspires you (aside from Mike of course :) ) My mot ivat ion is my inspirat ion.

- PremierMagazinePh

1937 Chrysler Airflow Custom Imperial CW used by ©AllViktor photos used Peñas, for the 2022 feature were provided by Ma-n

Ma-n L. Asuncion - Dagñalan with husband Michael Angelo Dagñalan during the Art and Family, the Asuncion Legacy exhibit at the President Manuel L. Quezon.

Ayala Museum.

L. Asuncion - Dagñalan

REBEL REBEL, an up-and-coming indie rock band comprise of woke, albeit sheltered teens has just scored t he biggest break of t heir lives: a spot at a prest igious local music fest ival. After a celebratory night at t he local bar a series of unfort unate event s t ranspires t hat leads t hem to get t ing arrested for drug possession. But instead of going t hrough t he st andard procedures, t he band is hauled by rogue cops to t he ?Blue Room? ? a VIP detent ion area w here well-off drug suspect s are det ained unt il t hey?re able to release a heft y ransom. The woke band is now forced to choose bet ween using t heir privilege to game t he system to be able to go on w it h t heir unbot hered lives, or ow ning-up to w hat t hey had been preaching.

Pr emier