The Cinemagis Digital Short Film Festival released the official list of entries for its 10th installment on its Facebook page on Thursday, January 11.

With a total of 16 competing entries, nine of which are listed under the student category and seven have been qualified to the senior category. These categories vary according to the backgrounds of their filmmakers wherein current college undergraduates compose the former, and professionals consist the latter.

The selection was made in accordance with this year’s suggested themes which take their stance on pressing issues related to peace, cultural solidarity, human rights, gender and development, harmony with the environment, and cultural understanding and awareness. A dose of life’s funny and subtle contradictions also take the scene.

But as much as the filmmakers were given the freedom to express their creativity, their films will be judged according to their qualities. This pertains to the style of their voices, the angles of their images, and the influence of their narratives that construct the value of cinematic storytelling.

Student Category

• Simulacrum by Christian Alan Toring

• Lantern by Ryujie Abejuella

• Kita Nakita by Juan Miguel Fernandez

• Isig-katawo by Carl Hudson Mabanag

• Baslayan by Reyan Christian Amacna

• Pa Dyak by Leo Marie Fabre

• 7:30 by Bezalel Ian Philip Banaag

• Hiraya byJohn Roel Cabana

• Tuldok Kuwit by John Rey Laure, Venxel Geno, Anna Abregan, Angel Alquizar, and Syrine Duazo 

Senior Category

• Ayo-ayo by Reena Dunque

• 5:12 by Adrian Rey Manapil, Rey Cadeliña, Edwin Delos Santos Jr., and Grace Salvador

• Sikad by July Ilagan

• Kabuang ug Kasakit by Angelo Dabbay

• Between the Lines by Kenneth Sabijon

• Good night by Tat Soriano

• Redempsyon by Edmund Telmo 

A decade of cinematic advocacies

Now on its 10th year, Cinemagis continues the advocacy to support aspiring and recognized filmmakers in Northern Mindanao, while encouraging both to magnify uncommon issues in their localities as well as honing their craft.

“It’s always an honor for any filmmaker to be included in the festival,” remarked July Ilagan, one of the filmmakers whose film, Sikad, is among the entries in the senior category. Ilagan’s previous film, Balut, Penoy, Asin, bagged the 1st Place in the Best Picture Award of last year’s Cinemagis.

“There are a lot of very talented filmmakers in Northern Mindanao who are becoming active in the festival,” she added. “This makes Cinemagis [more of] a celebration rather than a competition.”

Special features of Cinemagis X

Non-competing films to be screened in Xavier Ateneo’s Little Theater and at SM City CDO Cinema 1 during the festival include a record of award-winning motion pictures.

Among these are Bagane Fiola’s Baboy Halas / Wailings in the Forest (Network For Promotion of Asian and Asia Pacific Cinema’s Jury Prize Winner), Sheron Dayoc’s  The Crescent Rising (recipient to the Mecenat Award in the 21st Busan International Film Festival), and Arnel Barbarona’s Tu Pug Imatoy / The Right to Kill (Sinag Maynila 2017’s Best Film).

Non-competing films in the special citation category include Glorypearl Dy’s Walay Nidanguynguy, Rhadem Camlian Morados’ Hugo, and short films featured in Davao City’s Ngilngig Festival.

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Cinemagis X will take place from January 24 to 27, 2018. With screenings held in the Xavier Ateneo Little Theater and SM City CDO Cinema 1.

Nominees for major and minor awards will be announced at the Xavier Ateneo Little Theater in the afternoon of January 24, while the awarding ceremony will conclude the festival at SM City CDO Event Center on January 27.

As a promotion to local art and culture in film, the festival is organized by the Xavier Center for Culture and the Arts (XCCA) under Xavier Ateneo’s Mission and Ministry cluster. It is made possible by XCCA’s partnership with Xavier Science Foundation, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the Film Development Council of the Philippines, and SM City CDO.∎

Modern smart phones have taken to biometric security features to rally more users and patrons to their brand.

However, Vivo has the cutting edge when it comes to innovation.

At the recent Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2018) in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, dubbed ‘The Global Stage for Innovation’, Vivo grabbed the spotlight with its introduction of the world-first under-display fingerprint scanner in its smart phone.

This ultra-modern technology registers a user’s uniquely patterned epidermis, and just like in futuristic movies, the screen weaves a pattern of blue light, giving the user instant access.

Vivo’s new innovation, the world’s first under – display fingerprint scanner

Vivo’s smart phone security features are just as impressive and cutting-edge.
Its Face ID feature is simpler than other smart phone brands’ security specs, using its 24MP camera for facial recognition that works remarkably well. Vivo face access technology instantly detects over 100 different facial identification points, which checks the depth or the user’s facial features. providing a more precise and more effective security access.

Vivo’s Face ID Access

Not the least, Vivo smart phones employ the tried and tested fingerprint scanner under its hood, located at the back just within easy reach of your index finger. This feature works well and fast and can be activated in tandem with the Face ID feature to ensure air-tight, ironclad security for your smart phone.

With their stonewall security, Vivo smart phones have proven they are not only efficient and affordable, but revolutionary and innovative as well.

Vivo cares about its users, pushing the brand to constantly innovate and improve user experience. Vivo maintains seven research and development centers to continuously improve its products.

For inquiries about Vivo, visit the Vivo website at www.vivo.com/ph or check out their Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/VivoPhil), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/vivophil/), and Twitter (https://twitter.com/vivo_phil) accounts.

The 18th IYAS La Salle National Writers’ Workshop is now open for applications. This year, it will be held on April 15 – 21, 2018 at the Balay Kalinungan, University of St. La Salle, Bacolod City. 

In the 2015 workshop session

IYAS is supported by the University of St. La Salle (USLS), DLSU Bienvenido N. Santos Creative Writing Center (BNSCWC), the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA), and the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC). 

The IYAS Project Director 2015 Elsie Coscolluela, Workshop Director Marjorie Evasco, Panelists – Danny Reyes, Grace Monte de Ramos, Dinah Roma, John Iremil Teodoro, Tim Tomlinson, Documentor Connie Maraan

The workshop director is Marjorie Evasco. The panel is composed of Ronald Baytan, Grace Monte de Ramos, John Iremil Teodoro, Susan Lara, and Em Mendez. RayBoy Pandan, Iyas Project Coordinator will also serve in the panel.  

IYAS Batch 2015 At The Talisay Ruins

The workshop fellowship screening committee accepts creative work in Hiligaynon, Cebuano, Filipino and English. Fellowships are awarded by genre and by language. 

Proudly IYAS fellows 2015 batch

Creative writing entries that explore human relations with the environment will be given preference for these fellowships. Fifteen(15) applicants will be chosen for the fellowships, which will include transportation subsidy and board and lodging. 

Application requirements: 

1.) Original, unpublished work in only one chosen literary genre and language: 6 poems, 2 short stories, or 2 one-act plays;

2.) Works must be in three (3) computer-encoded hard copies, font size 12 pts., double-spaced; and

3.) A short resume, with a page containing applicant’s ID photo, and complete contact information (residence address, email address, contact number). 

Please submit by March 10, 2018 all requirements to:

Dr. Marjorie Evasco
IYAS La Salle National Writers’ Workshop Director
Bienvenido N. Santos Creative Writing Center
Room 208 Miguel Hall
De La Salle University, 2401 Taft Avenue, 0922 Malate, Manila 

For inquiries, please call DLSU BNSCWC (632) 5244611local 233; email bnscwc@dlsu.edu.ph or iyas17workshop@gmail.com. 

The country faces a big challenge to integrate digital education mainly in public schools with the elementary pupils-to-computer ratio in the Philippines at a high 412 to 1 as late as 2014, according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO; French: Organisation des Nations unies pour l’éducation, la science et la culture) a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) based in Paris.

AboitizPower and its partners are helping tip the balance especially in Mindanao.

READY TO LEARN. Students of one of AboitizPower’s school beneficiaries started using their brand new computer units.

Some 16 public elementary and secondary schools in the island group from such far corners as Sultan Kudarat, Zamboanga del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and Davao Oriental have received a total of 160 computer sets from AboitizPower in 2017, as part of the group’s effort to grow its business alongside its customer communities.

The project, in partnership with Aboitiz Foundation, Department of Education, and AboitizPower’s customer electric cooperatives, gave 10 computer units per school, a printer set, along with tables and chairs to aid in the students’ computer education.

“Our power plants provide reliable power at reasonable and competitive prices to help our customer electric cooperatives advance the economic potential of the service areas. We push this partnership further by providing computer and classroom equipment to aid in the education of their youth and to prepare their students to become solid members of the workforce and future leaders of their communities,” said Sandro Aboitiz, First Vice President for Energy Trading and Sales of AboitizPower.

In addition to the computer donations, AboitizPower also upgraded the electrical wiring of eight classrooms in North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, Agusan del Sur, and Misamis Oriental.

FUTURE LEADERS. Pupils from one of the school beneficiaries were all smiles as they welcome the AboitizPower team to their school during the project turnover ceremony.

The project partners were Cotabato Electric Cooperative-Main (COTELCO-MAIN), Cotabato Electric Cooperative-PPALMA (COTELCO-PPALMA), South Cotabato I Electric Cooperative (SOCOTECO I), South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative (SOCOTECO II),  Sultan Kudarat Electric Cooperative (SUKELCO), Davao Del Norte Electric Cooperative (DANECO), Davao Oriental Electric Cooperative (DORECO), Misamis Occidental 1 Electric Cooperative (MOELCI 1), Zamboanga Del Sur Electric Cooperative 1 and 2 (ZAMSURECO 1 and 2), Zamboanga Del Norte Electric Cooperative (ZANECO), Agusan Del Norte Electric Cooperative (ANECO), Siargao Electric Cooperative (SIARELCO), Surigao Del Norte Electric Cooperative (SURNECO), Surigao Del Sur Electric Cooperative 1 and 2 (SURSECO 1 and 2), Agusan Del Sur Electric Cooperative (ASELCO), Cagayan Electric Power and Light Company (CEPALCO), and Philippine Sinter Corporation (PSC).

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines — A student of Xavier Ateneo’s MA Literature program has been  named as one of the 12 writing fellows to the 57th University of the Philippines National Writers Workshop (UPNWW).

XU graduate student and Cagayan de Oro City-based poet Mark Anthony “Ton” Daposala says in an online interview he is glad his manuscript was selected for UP NWW, which will run from April 1 to 8.

KAGAY-ANON POET. Mark Anthony “Ton” Daposala, a student of Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan’s MA Literature program, has been named as one of 12 writing fellows to the 2018 University of the Philippines National Writers Workshop. (Photo by Anthony Jacob Karagdag)

“I believe this [workshop] will help me greatly, considering that the panel will be critiquing the whole manuscript. Writing a poem is one thing, but gathering and arranging poems in a book is another — it’s an entirely different beast,” Daposala shares.

Organized by the Likhaan: UP Institute of Creative Writing, the event’s official announcement states that the UP NWW, previously dedicated to helping up-and-coming writers, has been reformatted to mentoring mid-career writers. The workshop also aims to help writers who have already published (or are on the verge of publishing) a book, or have won major literary awards, further hone their craft.

“I don’t know what to expect but I hope after the event, whatever the things I will learn from the UP National Writers Workshop, I can apply them in my project and, perhaps, I can confidently say that my book of poems will be ready [by then],” says Daposala, a senior fellow for poetry at the Nagkahiusang Magsusulat sa Cagayan de Oro (NAGMAC), a collective of established and up-and-coming writers of poetry, fiction (short stories and novels), creative non-fiction, plays, and screenplays in Northern Mindanao.

The selection of fellows was presided over by this year’s workshop director Vladimeir Gonzales.

The 2018 UP NWW fellows are as follows:

Bernardo O Aguay Jr (Poetry, Filipino)
Niles Jordan Breis (Essay, Filipino)
Victorette Joy Z Campilan (Fiction, English)
Noreen Capili (Fiction, Filipino)
Carlito P Casaje (Essay, English)
Eljay Castro Deldoc (Drama, Filipino)
Patricia Celina A Ngo (Fiction, English)
Romeo P Peña (Poetry, Filipino)
Anna Sanchez (Essay, English) 
Cherilyn Sarigumba (Fiction, Filipino)
Januar Yap (Fiction, Filipino, translated from Cebuano)
Mark Anthony L Daposala (Poetry, Filipino, translated from Cebuano)

The workshop’s teaching panel is composed of National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario, National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera, Amelia Lapeña-Bonifacio, Gémino Abad, Jose Dalisay Jr, Charlson Ong, Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo, J Neil Garcia, Jun Cruz Reyes, Victor Emmanuel Carmelo Nadera Jr, Luna Sicat Cleto, Eugene Y Evasco, Roland Tolentino, and Vladimeir Gonzales.

All fellows will receive a modest stipend and free hotel accommodation.

The UPNWW is complemented by the Amelia Lapeña-Bonifacio Writers Workshop, which is geared towards young writers.

The City Government is now accepting applications for the first Cagayan de Oro-Norfolk High School Student Summer Visitor Exchange Program which will have its initial run on July 1-15, 2018 in Norfolk, Virginia, USA.

The Oro delegation to the 1st CDO-Norfolk Adult Exchange Program toured the USS Arlington at the Norfolk Naval Station, the world’s biggest naval base. (photo courtesy of the US Navy)

Deadline for submission of applications is Thursday, February 15, 2018.

The student exchange program is an initiative of the sister cities relations of Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines and Norfolk City, Virginia, USA. It is aimed at bringing the youth from both cities closer together in a brief yet rich summer program that promotes cultural awareness, and intercultural understanding. 

Create your own version of Norfolk’s icon at the Mermaid Factory

The high school students will stay with “host siblings” who would allow them to experience family life in an American setting, hone their interpersonal skills, and cultivate life-long friendships.

The first visit will come from Cagayan de Oro.  For our students, the Norfolk Sister City Association has prepared an itinerary which will enable delegates opportunities to appreciate a new culture as well as our very own on a fresher and deeper level.

Chloe, owner of the Mermaid Factory with one of her creations

The delegation will visit parks, monuments, museums, and historical and cultural sites like the Norfolk Naval Station, considered the largest naval base in the world, and the Mermaid Factory, where they will have a hands-on experience creating their own version of the Norfolk Visitors Bureau’s mermaid icon.  A visit to the Philippine Embassy Washington, D.C. will also be included. 

For this first run, the program will have six participants. Qualified to apply for the program are high school students in any public or private school in Cagayan de Oro, who have not yet graduated from high school; not below 15 years of age and above 18 years old during the program; must have good communication skills, and whose verbal English capability is intermediate or above average; must be mature enough to handle life away from family and friends, a resident of Cagayan de Oro, and a Filipino citizen. The student must have the potential to benefit from the experience and show commitment to be part of the sustaining mechanism of the CDO-Norfolk Student Visitor Exchange Program.

Paint, glitter your own version of Norfolk’s icon at the Mermaid Factory

Those interested to apply may send their applications to the CDO-TRADE & INVESTMENT PROMOTIONS CENTER, 3rd Floor, New Legislative Building City Hall Compound, Gen.., N. Capistrano-Archbishop Santiago Hayes Streets, 9000 Cagayan de Oro City.  They may also call the office at (088) 857-3057, or email their applications to: investcdo@cagayandeoro.gov.ph.  They may also download the form from the city government’s website at www.cagayandeoro.gov.ph.

Cagayan de Oro City and Norfolk City forged a sister city relationship on June 18, 2008.  In the resolution signed by then Mayor Constantino G. Jaraula of Cagayan de Oro and Paul D. Fraim of Norfolk, both cities recognized their shared similarities as major port cities with maritime and tourism related activities and businesses. 

The Norfolk City Sister City Delegation joins city officials led by Mayor Oscar Moreno and former Mayor Constantino Jaraula at the MacArthur Marker in Bgy Macabalan last March 13, 2017 (CIO Photo)

Both cities also share a treasured historic significance in that Norfolk is the seat of the General Douglas McArthur Memorial, and Cagayan de Oro has the word’s largest replica of the general’s famous “Wheeler Cap”. 

Since the twinning agreement was signed, delegations from Norfolk have visited the city, and Cagayan de Oro has also reciprocated such visits.(IRDG/Oro TIPC)

The Cagayan de Oro Chapter of the People Management Association of the Philippines will induct its new officers for 2018 during its 134th General Membership Meeting and 41st Induction Ceremony on Friday, February 2, 2018 at the Sinamay Function Room of Seda Centrio.

The whole day affair kicks off at 10AM with the Committee Membership to be presided by Membership Trustee Sheila May G. Pagente, followed by Events Promotion presided over by PMAP-CDO Chapter Vice President Josette Mercedes B. Cellona.

The 2017 PMAP-CDO Officers & Truestees with Inducting Officer 2017 National President Ramon B. Segismundo (PMAP photo)

During the working lunch, 2017 Chapter President Vivien Lawansa will preside over the Awards of Recognition to be given to outstanding officers and members during the past year.

Ms. Lawansa will likewise preside over the start of the business proper in her last official function as 2017 Chapter President with her welcome remarks and valedictory address, to be followed by the discharge of the 2017 officers and board of trustees.

This will be immediately followed by the induction ceremony, starting with the presentation of the Council of Past Presidents, and presentation, charging and induction of the 2018 officers and trustees by 2017 Elecom Chair Eleno O. Buray, Jr., PMAP Manila, and PMAP National President Michelle Garcia, respectively.

This will be highlighted by the symbolic turnover of the chapter leadership from Ms. Lawansa to incoming 2018 Chapter President Soledad DL. Amir, who will then deliver her inaugural address.

Ms. Garcia will deliver the keynote address as the guest of honor, to be followed by the induction of new committee chairs and their respective members, and new chapter members by Ms. Amir.

Incoming Secretary Gina Maris Libot will deliver the closing remarks after which Ms. Amir would formally close the business proper.  The fellowship and raffle to be presided by 2018 Fellowship Trustee Anne Labuntog immediately follows.

The 2018 PMAP Cagayan de Oro Chapter Officers are the following:

Ma. Soledad DF. Amir, SPHR, FLMI, President (Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan), Josette Mercedes B. Cellona, RN, Vice President (HealthCheck Clinic & Diagnostic Center ); Theo C. Galang, Treasurer (Intellicare); Gina Maris M. Libot, Secretary (Global Outsourcing Dynamics Business Solutions, Inc.).

The Chapter Board of Trustees is composed of the following: Vivien M. Lawansa, MBA, LLB., Immediate Past President  (A Brown Co., Inc.); Dulce Corazon D. Esperon, DM, Copp Head ; (MINERGY, Inc.); Ma. Alva C. Espiritu (Del Monte Phils., Inc.); Sheila Mae G. Pagente (PHINMA-COC); and Harry R. Marte, Jr. (Liceo de Cagayan).

Founded in 1977, PMAP considers itself to be the premier organization of HR Practitioners and People Managers in the Philippines.  The CDO Chapter currently has 91 member companies in the construction, finance, retail, manufacturing and education sectors. 

Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña (left) administers the oath of office to Dr. Diana Lacambra-Ignacio as the new deputy director for administrative and technical services of the DOST-Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI). 

Prior to her appointment as deputy director, Dr. Ignacio was the chief administrative officer at the DOST-ITDI in charge of property and procurement management, cashier management, human resource management, and records management sections. 

DOST-ITDI is the institute that provides several services like tests and analyses, food engineering, metrology, process engineering, packaging research, clean production, and other. For other information on DOST-ITDI and its services, contact telephone numbers (02) 837-2071 to 82. 

(Photo by Gerardo G. Palad/Text by Rodolfo P. de Guzman, S&T Media Service)    

A hot press machine to make life a little easier for producers of engineered bamboo has been developed by the Department of Science and Technology – Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI). The hot press was designed to cut the production time of engineered bamboo products.

Engineered bamboo is produced by binding together fibers, particles, strips or slats of bamboo with the right adhesive. Used worldwide to make attractive panels, floors, furniture and handicrafts, it is often stronger and less prone to warping than equivalent solid woods. In the Philippines, about 10 companies make engineered bamboo products on a small scale.

“With our newly developed machine, we were able to press bamboo boards in only 5-8 minutes, compared to the current cold pressing time of 6-8 hours, said DOST-FPRDI Engr. Paul S. Marasigan. “The machine can be operated using both electricity and charcoal as heat source, and makes boards with the same quality regardless of heat source and type of glue used. Fabrication cost is around Php 150,000.00, comparable to the price of the cold press available in the market.”

There is currently a big demand for engineered bamboo in the country, as it is required by Executive Order 879 that one-fourth of all desks and furniture in public schools be made of the material.

Born in Novara, Italy, Folliero will perform Romantic and Impressionistic music including Claude Debussy Images Book 1 L110, Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Preludes Op. 23, No. 4 in D minor, No. 5 in G minor, and No. 7 in C minor, and Frédéric Chopin’s Scherzo No. 1 in B minor, Op. 20, Scherzo No. 2 in B-flat minor, Op. 31, and Scherzo No. 3 in C-sharp minor, Op. 39 with George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue as the pièce de résistance.

Rudolf P. Golez, Dean of Liceo de Cagayan University’s College of Music, describes the programme is a nice blend of Gershwin and Rachmaninoff.

“The famous Rhapsody in Blue will end the concert, while three complicated works of Chopin namely, the Fantasie and 2 Scherzo will begin it.  This is good since the audience will still be fresh.  The middle items are lighter pieces by Rachmaninoff and Debussy, namely a selection of Preludes and a piece from Image.”

Rudolf met Max on the internet when he inquired about the school’s Conservatory of Music and Dance headed by Prof. Horst Hans Baecker.

“He loves to share his talents to ‘exotic’ places,” said Golez, a piano prodigy in his own right.   “Actually he is on a trip courtesy of the Italian Government so we invited him to share his music with the students of the conservatory and music-loving Kagay-anons while he was in the Philippines.”

Mossimo Folliero in a performance at the world famous Carnegie Hall in New York City

Aside from the recital, Folliero will also conduct a piano master class at Rodelsa Hall in the morning of the same date. He previously performed in Cebu City on February 8.

Tickets for the concert and registration for the master class are priced at P500 each. Contact (088) 858-0493 or (0955) 167-4996 for more details.

Here’s a sampling of Max Folliero’s music during a Piano Concert at Bangalore Conservatory

URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFTwabDs6pQ

About the artist:

Massimo Folliera at the piano

Massimo Folliero was born in Novara (Italy) in 1973. Later, he attended classes and obtained a Masters Degree in Piano at the “G. Cantelli”Conservatory of Music with Professor Giuseppina Giarmaná.

Thereafter he attended several music seminars and master classes in Italy and abroad presented by renowned pianists like M° Tiziano Poli with whom he examined and developed the importance of technical skills as a service to music expression; the well-known pianist and tutor M° Antonio Ballista with whom he studied topics about 1900 music; and M° Alessandro Drago having attended his master classes about the Phenomenology of Music.

He continued improving his piano music skills by attending highly specialized master classes with prominent musicians like Walter Bozzia, Riccardo Zadra, Federica Righini, Stefano Mancuso, Mamiko Suda (Japan) and mostly with the world renowned pianist M° Aquiles Delle Vigne (Argentina).

As a soloist and chamber musician Folliero gave recitals in several key venues in Italy and abroad like the Teatro Civico in Varallo Sesia (Italy),Muza Kawasaki Auditorium in Tokyo (Japan); the Appel Farm Arts and Music Center Theater in Elmer (New Jersey, United States); theKapelzaal of Volksuniversiteit in Leiden (Holland); the Heritage Chapel of the Music Centre in Christchurch (New Zealand); the Salon de Actos of Madrid Ateneo (Spain); at the Italian Institute of Culture and for the European Week of Culture celebrations in Ljubljana (Slovenija), Copenhagen (Denmark), Koln (Germany), Bruxelles (Belgium) and Amsterdam (Holland); at the Coenen Palais in Koblenz and Ribbeck Castle for the Havelland Musikfestspiele (Germany); at the Alliance Francaise Auditorium and Assumption International University in Bangkok (Thailand); at the Leela Auditorium in Bangalore (India); at the James Tatoulis Auditorium in Melbourne and St. Augustine Church of Adelaide (Australia); for the Encore Music Society in Vancouver (Canada); for the Classical Music Society of Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia); for the Brunei Music Society (Brunei); and at the Nanyang Technological University of Singapore (Singapore).

Massimo Folliera plays at the world famous Carnegie Hall in New York City

In December 2009, during his first tour of Asia, Folliero was received with great enthusiasm by the Indian people and the press alike (“Pianist Extraordinaire” – BANGALORE MIRROR). His performance of the Mozart Piano Concerto K414 with the William Joseph Symphony Orchestrawas aired by the Indian National Television.

In August 2011 he performed with great success the Rachmaninov 2nd Piano Concerto Op. 18 on his visit to Australia with Whitehorse Symphony Orchestra in Melbourne and Unley Symphony Orchestra in Adelaide. The German reviews have written about him: “…terrific technical skills in the service of musical ideas…” – “…you can feel his great temperament…” (STIMME.de).

In March 2004 Folliero established Camena Music Association and since 2005, as an Artistic Director, he has been organizing an annual International Piano Festival, now in its 9th year, at the historical venue of the Galliate Visconteo-Sforzesco Castle (Novara, Italy). This festival is dedicated to a variety of performances by young and famous pianists from all over the world, and involves all the towns and big cities around it always with huge success.

As Piano Professor he has been teaching in several schools as well as presenting master classes in Europe (Spain and Russia), Asia (Chinese University of Hong Kong and several Music Schools in Thailand, Malaysia and Japan) and Australia.

In 2009 he was chosen as Honorary Member on the panel of judges for the 9th International Piano Competition Ciudad de El Ejido (Spain) where he also presented a master class to students who participated.

Future solo, chamber music and orchestral performances are going to be held in Italy, Germany, Belgium, Spain, Scotland, England, Denmark, Australia, Russia, a Canada/USA tour as well as a new Asia tour with scheduled concerts in Brunei, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Hong Kong.

-INDNJC-

Vivo—5th in the 2016-2017 Leading Global Smartphone Brands—has in its Vivo Family roster famous names in the local celebrity scene to give it a surefire spot in positive brand presence.  

Vivo has dominated the smart phone limelight for some time now and with the impressive names in the Vivo Family, the brand should very well expect a meteoric rise to greater heights.

But prior to Vivo’s signing of local brand influencers, Vivo already impressed the smart phone industry by signing up NBA superstar Stephen Curry as the brand’s biggest ambassador September of 2016.

In November 2017, during the grand launch of the Vivo V7+ in Manila, Vivo introduced their newest local brand endorsers, something to bring the brand closer to the heart of its Filipino patrons.

Leading the Vivo Family are the freshest and the hottest young stars of this generation which all belong to the Kapamilya group of stars from big-time network ABS-CBN. One of these celebrities is popular all-boy group BoybandPH composed of Joao Constancia, Niel Murillo, Tristan Ramirez, Russell Reyes, and Ford Valencia.

BoybandPH first hit the spotlight December 2016 after winning the first season of Pinoy Boyband Superstar, a reality show which is a local franchise of Simon Cowell-backed Latin American singing competition La Banda.

BoybandPH immediately moved up with the release of their first single in January 2017 ”Unli” and proceeded to release their debut, self-titled album the following month which was to bag a Gold Record Award with sales reaching over 7,000 copies just two months after release.

With the group’s strong influence amongst the young Filipino crowd, Vivo signed up BoybandPH in September 20, 2017 and in December 10, 2017, the band celebrated their first anniversary as a band at the Vivo All Screen Experience Mall Tour in Starmall Alabang where overjoyed fans flocked to see their beloved all-male group.

BoybandPH, as a Vivo influencer, has flown to Bacolod to lead the brand’s mall tour and press conference. They also participated in Vivo’s special Christmas CSR for Marawi soldiers where the band members shared their respective selfie salutes to convey their respect for the freedom defenders. The  boys posted photos of themselves comparing their physical look between years 2012 and 2018.

The band, of course, was also present during the grand Vivo V7+ launch at the glitzy Marriott Grand Hotel where they were first unveiled as a Vivo influencer.

BoybandPH has a significant following on social media: the band has almost 7,000 following on Twitter, more than 8,000 on Instagram, and almost 103,000 on Facebook.

BoyabandPH really love their Vivo V7+, and never fail to use their phones in taking selfies with fans, friends and family.

Who are BoybandPH?

Joao Constancia

Raised in Macau to Filipino parents, Joao is still very much Pinoy at heart despite his foreign upbringing. Dubbed the “Party Prince of Macau”, the 19 year old heart throb wowed judges and fans with his own rendition of “Twerk it like Miley” for the grand finals which landed him a place in the group. Joao can speak Mandarin fluently.

As a musician, Joao loves his Vivo V7+ phone for its Hi-Fidelity audio chip which rocks above par mobile audio technology.

Joao has a huge following on social media. To date, he has over 180,000 Twitter followers, 540,000 loyal Instragram fans and a solid almost 160,000 fan base on Facebook.

Niel Murillo

Orlando Sinangote Murillo IV or simply Nielis a native of Cebu and was an instant crowd favorite in the reality show, garnering 96% votes from the female audience. Niel is a talented singer and is the band’s lead vocal. He attributes his talent to his love for music which was rooted from an early age by his blind brother who serves as his number one inspiration.

Niel’s social media following continues to rise with 127,000 on Twitter, 91,000 on Instagram, and over 300,000 on Facebook.

Niel appreciates his Vivo V7+’s 5.99 all-screen Display with an 84.4% screen to body ratio, providing a more exciting and enhanced game and visual experience. With his love for Korean Pop, Niel loves his V7+’s hi-fidelity audio chip which supports the latest sound technology and levels up mobile audio experience, enabling Niel to relish rich and full rhythms.

Russell Reyes

Chicago, USA-born Russell plays the piano and is proud of his smooth vocals. Russell had frequented talent and music shows since he was young and excel in them. His audition piece, “Lately” by the iconic Stevie Wonder earned him a spot in PinoyBoyband Superstar reality show. Considered as one of the strongest members vocally, Russell had won the hearts of the show’s judges and the fans as well, bagging an impressive 100% from combined text and judges votes.

Russell’s social media following is impressive. The BoybandPh charmer has 117,000 Twitter fans, 186,000 Instagram followers, and a fan base counting to 57,000 on Facebook.

Just like the other music fanatics in the band, Russell is happy with his Vivo V7+’s. As a social media influencer, Russell also attributes his trend-worthy feed to the V7+’s powerful 24MP camera which creates perfect selfies every time.

Ford Valencia

Born in Manila, Ford is talented with the beats and the rhythm as the group’s rapper. Ford has a string of jobs under his belt which marks his humble beginnings. The BoybandPH sweetheart had worked as a waiter, ship mechanic, freelance musician, and even as an insurance agent to make ends meet. Ford’s modest past is now in the past as he enjoys a significant social media fan base. 85,000 fans are following Ford on Twitter, almost 3,000 on Facebook and a whopping 158,000 on Instagram.

Ford loves his Vivo V7+’s for its futuristic finger print unlock feature, making the phone’s security spec stonewall and truly secure. He also loves taking selfies, thanks to the phone’s 24MP revolutionary camera—his fans could not get enough of his social media feed. The V7+’s hi-fidelity audio for the ultimate in mobile audio technology is also perfect for a boyband member like Ford so he could further enjoy his craft.

Tristan Ramirez

25-year old Tristan Ramirez is a model from Bulacan. A balladeer, his love and talent for music grew from mere karaoke sessions with his mother when he was a child. Tristan also has a talent for beatboxing which impressed the Pinoy Boyband Superstar judges and which made a perfect complement for his superb singing voice. Tristan puts family first and is known as a soft-hearted and loving son and big brother to his family.

Tristan has fans all over, judging from his social media followings. He currently has over 62,000 Twitter followers, more than 98,000 on Instagram, and almost 40,000 on Facebook.

When asked what he loved about his Vivo V7+, Tristan swore by the phone’s 5.99 all-screen Display with an 84.4% screen to body ratio as it enables him to have asolid game and visual experience. As a celebrity who documents his day to day activities, Tristan also appreciates the V7+’s 24Mp front-facing camera for picture-perfect selfies. And lastly, as a musician, Tristan lives by the V7+’s hifi audio capabilities as it allow him to listen to music and improve his musicality.

For inquiries about Vivo, visit the Vivo website at www.vivo.com/ph or check out their Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/VivoPhil), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/vivophil/), and Twitter (https://twitter.com/vivo_phil) accounts

Modern smart phones have taken to biometric security features to rally more users and patrons to their brand.

However, Vivo has the cutting edge when it comes to innovation.

At the recent Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2018) in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, dubbed ‘The Global Stage for Innovation’, Vivo grabbed the spotlight with its introduction of the world-first under-display fingerprint scanner in its smart phone.

This ultra-modern technology registers a user’s uniquely patterned epidermis, and just like in futuristic movies, the screen weaves a pattern of blue light, giving the user instant access.

Vivo’s new innovation, the world’s first under – display fingerprint scanner

Vivo’s smart phone security features are just as impressive and cutting-edge.
Its Face ID feature is simpler than other smart phone brands’ security specs, using its 24MP camera for facial recognition that works remarkably well. Vivo face access technology instantly detects over 100 different facial identification points, which checks the depth or the user’s facial features. providing a more precise and more effective security access.

Vivo’s Face ID Access

Not the least, Vivo smart phones employ the tried and tested fingerprint scanner under its hood, located at the back just within easy reach of your index finger. This feature works well and fast and can be activated in tandem with the Face ID feature to ensure air-tight, ironclad security for your smart phone.

With their stonewall security, Vivo smart phones have proven they are not only efficient and affordable, but revolutionary and innovative as well.

Vivo cares about its users, pushing the brand to constantly innovate and improve user experience. Vivo maintains seven research and development centers to continuously improve its products.

For inquiries about Vivo, visit the Vivo website at www.vivo.com/ph or check out their Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/VivoPhil), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/vivophil/), and Twitter (https://twitter.com/vivo_phil) accounts.

The 18th IYAS La Salle National Writers’ Workshop is now open for applications. This year, it will be held on April 15 – 21, 2018 at the Balay Kalinungan, University of St. La Salle, Bacolod City. 

In the 2015 workshop session

IYAS is supported by the University of St. La Salle (USLS), DLSU Bienvenido N. Santos Creative Writing Center (BNSCWC), the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA), and the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC). 

The IYAS Project Director 2015 Elsie Coscolluela, Workshop Director Marjorie Evasco, Panelists – Danny Reyes, Grace Monte de Ramos, Dinah Roma, John Iremil Teodoro, Tim Tomlinson, Documentor Connie Maraan

The workshop director is Marjorie Evasco. The panel is composed of Ronald Baytan, Grace Monte de Ramos, John Iremil Teodoro, Susan Lara, and Em Mendez. RayBoy Pandan, Iyas Project Coordinator will also serve in the panel.  

IYAS Batch 2015 At The Talisay Ruins

The workshop fellowship screening committee accepts creative work in Hiligaynon, Cebuano, Filipino and English. Fellowships are awarded by genre and by language. 

Proudly IYAS fellows 2015 batch

Creative writing entries that explore human relations with the environment will be given preference for these fellowships. Fifteen(15) applicants will be chosen for the fellowships, which will include transportation subsidy and board and lodging. 

Application requirements: 

1.) Original, unpublished work in only one chosen literary genre and language: 6 poems, 2 short stories, or 2 one-act plays;

2.) Works must be in three (3) computer-encoded hard copies, font size 12 pts., double-spaced; and

3.) A short resume, with a page containing applicant’s ID photo, and complete contact information (residence address, email address, contact number). 

Please submit by March 10, 2018 all requirements to:

Dr. Marjorie Evasco
IYAS La Salle National Writers’ Workshop Director
Bienvenido N. Santos Creative Writing Center
Room 208 Miguel Hall
De La Salle University, 2401 Taft Avenue, 0922 Malate, Manila 

For inquiries, please call DLSU BNSCWC (632) 5244611local 233; email bnscwc@dlsu.edu.ph or iyas17workshop@gmail.com. 

Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan, University of St La Salle, Université de Namur, Catholique Université de Louvain, and Université de Mons of Belgium have joined forces in the research project, Building up an Integrated Methodology for Water Resources Assessment and Management in Urban Coastal Areas (BIMWAM).

BIMWAM PROJECT. Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan, University of St La Salle, Université de Namur, Catholique Université de Louvain, and Université de Mons of Belgium have joined forces in the research project, “Building up an Integrated Methodology for Water Resources Assessment and Management in Urban Coastal Areas” or BIMWAM. (Supplied photo)

The project was officially launched Wednesday, January 24, at the Xavier Ateneo downtown campus, attended by scientists from the Philippine and Belgian universities, leaders of water cooperatives of Misamis Oriental, and representatives from local government units and public offices.

BIMWAM aims to develop a methodology to assess the water resources, potential, and quality in urban coastal areas, particularly in the municipalities of Opol and Medina (both are parts of the Northern Mindanao region), by reinforcing the local scientific capacities and expertise.

“We are grateful for this partnership and for coming together to collaborate on this important project,” Xavier Ateneo president Fr Roberto C Yap SJ said in his message.

BIMWAM PROJECT. Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan, University of St La Salle, Université de Namur, Catholique Université de Louvain, and Université de Mons of Belgium have joined forces in the research project, “Building up an Integrated Methodology for Water Resources Assessment and Management in Urban Coastal Areas” or BIMWAM. (Supplied photo)

“We do not just do research for research’s sake. We are a university in a developing country; therefore, what we do should have social relevance and impact. BIMWAM is in line with our mission as a Jesuit university, wherein this will address local issues on our water resources. It’s important that we have the solid science, analysis, and rigorous work to come up with a methodology to be applied to solve the problems that affect our communities,” he added.

Fr Roberto Ezequiel Rivera SJ, former director of XU – Southeast Asia Rural Social Leadership Institute (SEARSOLIN) and now the president of Ateneo de Naga University, agreed with Yap.

“The BIMWAM project cuts across [the university’s] thematic research areas. Water is one of the crucial issues of the 21st century,” Rivera said, “The impact is already being felt in Mindanao, such as during typhoons Sendong and Vinta.”

Mr Xavier LeBlanc, Counsellor at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Belgium (Manila)

Besides the leaders of the universities, representatives from the Medina Rural Waterworks and Sanitation Cooperative (MERWASCO), Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno, and Embassy of Kingdom of Belgium (Manila) counsellor Xavier LeBlanc were present at the signing of the memorandum of agreement.

Water resources and quality

One of the project’s targets is to encourage water stakeholders (water distributor coops, LGUs, and communities) to improve their strategies and make sound policies on sustainable water management through the implementation of a dedicated decision-making tool.

Dr Vincent Hallet, BIMWAM Project Coordinator for the North and Professor at the Départment de Géologie of Université de Namur

Dr Vincent Hallet of Université de Namur, in his presentation, shared the scientific side of the project, including Geographic Information System (GIS)-generated maps and instruments to be used to measure water quality of groundwater and intrusion of saltwater, among other factors.    

Hallet said that due to the high probability of the intrusion of salt water, it is harder to access potable groundwater in coastal areas. One of the challenges of this project is to locate and map out water sources in the two municipalities and determine their quality.

He added that BIMWAM could serve as a prototype of a standardized methodology for water resource assessment that could be replicated in Cagayan de Oro and other coastal communities in Mindanao.

Change in behavior

For Dr Ignace Adant, senior researcher of the Earth and Life Institute of Université Catholique de Louvain, to achieve sustainable water management there has to be a behavioral change among the stakeholders.  

Dr Ignace Adant, Senior Researcher at the Earth and Life Institute of the Université Catholique de Louvain

He said that in the Philippines, although water resources are abundant (per capita water availability is twice as much as the rest of Asia), water needs are not met due to the inadequate support for service providers and the lack of sector planning and reliable information, to name a few of the problems he identified.

“Unsafe water causes economic losses, diarrheal diseases, malnutrition,” Adant noted during his presentation on the socio-economic implications of the monopolization of water supply and price.

For Adant, this is where BIMWAM comes in in the picture of local development. He said there has to be a scientific knowledge (layers of information) and integrated impact assessment methodology to support policymaking on water management.   

The Bacolod experience

Xavier Ateneo can also learn from the successful undertaking of a similar project funded by the Académie de Recherche et d’enseignement or ARES (formerly the Commission of Universities for Development or CUD) in Bacolod City.

Dr Ana Rosa Carmona, Professor at the University of St La Salle

Dr Ana Rosa Carmona of USLS, whose master of science degree was under the CUD scholarship, imparted their research experiences and lessons in conducting water resources mapping in the capital city of the province of Negros Occidental.

For her, it is necessary to take a look at the present water situation in the area and to conduct studies on how barangays (or puroks) utilize (supply and demand) and manage their water resources.

“Critical to this is the need for good information that describes the condition, trend, spatial location, and variability of water resources,” she said.

Carmona’s team, at the end of their project, was able to share a Water Resources Inventory and Mapping to the local governments across their research area to guide community stakeholders in their future water management decisions.  

For Mindanao

The BIMWAM project with Xavier Ateneo as the local lead partner is also funded by the Académie de Recherche et d’enseignement (ARES) and will run for five years.

Dr Guadalupe Calalang, BIMWAM Project Coordinator for the South and Professor at the Agricultural Engineering Department of Xavier Ateneo

The project also features a call for applications for two PhD scholarships (PhD in Hydrogeology and PhD in Economics) to be conferred by the Belgian universities.

Dr Guadalupe Calalang, BIMWAM Project Coordinator for the South and professor at the Agricultural Engineering Department of Xavier Ateneo, said that the panel has already interviewed six PhD applicants to date.

Calalang also expressed her gratitude to the partners of the project, which she described as a “noble cause for the sustainable water resource development and management in Mindanao.”

The Liceo Conservatory of Music and Dance hosted Mr. Michael Fiedler of Bavaria, Germany for a demonstration of Bavarian folk music played with the accordion and Alphorn last January 22, 2018 at the AVR-1 of Liceo de Cagayan University.

Michael Fiedler, Bavarian Folk Music Artist

Through a mutual friend, Liceo Music Conservatory Prof. Horst Hans Baecker invited Mr. Fiedler to a demonstration with students of the conservatory and the visitor and his wife Katharina, who were enjoying a vacation in the city from the freezing Bavarian winter, graciously accepted.

Known as Michi to his friends, Mr. Fiedler learned to play the accordion at the age of seven, and at 10 yrs. of age the French Horn (also known as the S-Horn). At that early age, he joined a brass band at his hometown of Penzberg, Bavaria.

Through the years, Michi learned to play various brass instruments from the baryton to the euphonium, trombone, bass tuba and trumpet. At the same time, he was also the band’s presenter and singer.

Liceo Music & Dance Conservatory Prof. Horst Hans Baecker tries his hand at the Alphorn

He joined seven brass and dance bands in his various gigs from El Paso, Texas in the USA, to the Steubenparade in New York, went south to Brazil, then back to Europe for gigs in Langon, France and Prague.Czech Republic).

By the time he was 16, Michi was already playing professionally as a member of the Königlich-Bayrischen Musikanten, which had three No. 1 radio hits in Germany, and went on country-wide tour with the band.

In 1984, Michi was with a fellow musician at the Alphorn Summit of Alphorn groups in the Allgäu near Neuschwanstein Castle. They became so excited with the alphorn that they immediately bought one and  Michi founded the group Penzberger Alphorn quartet.

By the end of 1999, Michi has gained enough proficiency with the Alphorn that he joined the professional group Tegernsee Alphorn with whom he traveled all over Germany for numerous gigs, including stints in television.

Michael Fiedler with Prof. Horst Hans Baecker (left) and Asst Prof Tullio Vidmar (right)

However, near the end of 2015, Mich became seriously ill that he had to stop performing altogether to regain his health.  

Fortunately, by 2016 he had sufficiently recovered that he started playing the trumpet again by February, and some time later, the alphorn and the accordion.

Late in 2017, he and his wife were invited by their neighbors Richard and Arlene Bleicher for a vacation in Cagayan de Oro where the winter weather would be better for his health. Fortunately, the Fiedler couple agreed only on the condition that they bring Michi’s alphorn and accordion, to which their hosts readily agreed.

A highlight of their visit was their performance for the Liceo Conservatory of Music and Dance last January 22 with the conservatory students at the AVR-1 of the university.

Michi started with his accordion, playing the Bavarian folk songs ‘Weltenbummler’ and ‘Schneewalzer‘, followed by another two folks songs‘Erinnerungen’ and ‘Auf der Alm’ on the alphorn to the delight of his select audience led by Prof. Baecker and Violin Teacher Tullio Vidmar of Trieste, Italy.

Then, it was the turn of the conservatory students to surprise him with their rendition of the Bavarian folk song ‘Klarinetten-Muckl’ under the baton of Prof. Baecker, with Mr. Vidmar on violin and student Joel Matematico Jr. on the solo clarinet accompanied by students on the keyboards, violins, and flutes.

Michi was so delighted with the performance that he insisted on playing the same song with them again, this time with him on the accordion, to everyone’s delight.

A pose for posterity with Michael Fiedler of Bavaria, Germany and his Alphorn

After the performance, the conservatory students had fun attempting to play the alphorn with some success, and Michi then played a tune on his alphorn with his instrument directed to the university campus to share the quaint sound of the Bavarian Alps with the students then present.

“My impression was that both Michi and our students really enjoyed the time together,” said Prof. Baecker. “The students still talk about newly gained impressions about Bavarian folk music and the unusual instruments accordion and alphorn.”

“Michi was initially surprised that the students were so reserved, very shy. In the end, however, the meeting was very cordial and all students were very curious to try out the instruments and to enter into dialogue with Michi. It was a special honor for Michi and he is very happy to have many new musical friends,” he added. 

For the many who had not heard or seen one, the alphorn, also called the alpenhorn or alpine horn is a labrophone, consisting of a wooden natural horn of conical bore, having a wooden cup-shaped mouthpiece, used by mountain dwellers in the Swiss Alps, Austrian Alps, Bavarian Alps in Germany, French Alps, and elsewhere.

Similar wooden horns were used for communication in most mountainous regions of Europe, from the Alps to the Carpathians.

The alphorn is carved from solid softwood, generally spruce but sometimes pine. In former times the alphorn maker would find a tree bent at the base in the shape of an alphorn, but modern makers piece the wood together at the base. A cup-shaped mouthpiece carved out of a block of hard wood is added and the instrument is complete.

The alphorn has no lateral openings and therefore gives the pure natural harmonic series of the open pipe.The notes of the natural harmonic series overlap, but do not exactly correspond, to notes found in the familiar chromatic scale in standard Western equal temperament. Most prominently within the alphorn’s range, the 7th and 11th harmonics are particularly noticeable, because they fall between adjacent notes in the chromatic scale.(from Wikipedia) 
(photos courtesy of Mike Baños, NPN)

Fall in love with Vivo’s Love Month Special this February

Love is in the air, and so is the appetite to shop!

Vivo, the 5th largest smart phone brand globally, is offering an exclusive promo this Valentine season: Vivo’s Love Month Special. For a limited time only, one can avail of the 24 MP clearer selfie, all-screen display Vivo V7 for only Php 12,990.

Vivo’s love month special campaign promo

To be offered only for the whole month of February, this limited offering also entitles one to win special Vivo freebies.

For every purchase of one Vivo V7 or any other two or more Vivo smart phone in any participating malls, entitles a customer to spin the V7 love Roulette for a chance to win an exclusive Valentine gift from Vivo.

You can win movie passes for you and your date or any of the other exciting giveaways such as a Bluetooth headset or Vivo items such as the Vivolittle V doll, a Vivo tumbler, or a Vivo keychain.

You can win exciting giveaways like movie passes and Vivo premium items such as Vivo little V doll, a Vivo tumbler, or a Vivo keychain.

Participate in Vivo’s sweet seasonal offer this love month at any of the participating malls and venues: SM Megamall, SMDC Lightmall, Cherry Shaw, SM Marikina, Ayala Feliz, SM Masinag, SM North, Cloverleaf, SM Novaliches, Robinsons Novaliches, SM Cubao, Farmers Cubao, Gateway Cubao, SM Fairview, SM Manila, SM Valenzuela,  SM San Lazaro, SM Southmall, SM Bicutan, SM Sucat, SM Muntinlupa, SM BF Homes, Metropoint Pasay, and SM Mall of Asia.

Go to the nearest participating malls for more details and mechanics of the promo. Vivo’s Love Month Special will run from February 1 to 28, 2018.

For inquiries about Vivo, visit the Vivo website at www.vivo.com/ph or check out their Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/VivoPhil), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/vivophil/), and Twitter (https://twitter.com/vivo_phil) accounts.

XU’s Amir takes up PMAP CDO Mantle

The new leadership of the Cagayan de Oro Chapter of the People Management Association of the Philippines has adopted “Power of the Past-Force of the Future” as this year’s theme.

PMAP-CDO 2017 President Vivien Lawansa’s turns over the gavel and presidency to 2018 President Sol Amir

“I am using the power of the past, the foundations that were established by past Boards to build a stronger PMAP-CDO home, a force that people will have to reckon with for the future,” said Ma. Soledad dela Fuente-Amir, PMAP Cagayan de Oro Chapter President during the formal induction of new officers, members of the board of trustees and new members held Feb.2nd at the Sinamay Function Room of Seda Centrio.

“We are moving towards the future with our baon: a healthy bank account, well-organized operations, and a new set of PMAP-passionate Board of Trustees,” she added. “Hence, our 2018 theme: “Power of the Past – Force of the Future”

“PMAP-CDO is a nine-time Chapter of the Year awardee and most recently, a Presidential Awardee,” Ms. Amir noted. “We have a proud past and an exciting future.”

Present during the well attended event were PMAP National President Michelle Garcia, 2017 Chapter President Vivien Lawansa, Past PMAP-CDO Presidents, Vice President Josette Cellona, Members of the BOT, Committee Chairs, Guests, Ms. Amir’s HR partners in Xavier Ateneo, fellow PMAPers and the eight new Inductee-Members.

PMAP 2018 National President Michelle Garcia interacts with PMAP CDO members during her talk

In referring to the Chapter’s proud past, Ms. Amir cited IPP Lawansa’s achievements, notably, the establishment of the Council of Past Presidents, their baby chapter PMAP-Zamboanga del Norte and tie-ups with the Asian Institute of Human Resource Management and Xavier University for the Diploma on Human Resource Management (DHRM). Another project is the PMAP store under VP Josette Cellona which will showcase products of interested members and HR books by local authors such as Atty. Josephus B. Jimenez.

She also cited the legacy left by the chapter’s past presidents who now compose the Council of Past Presidents: Dulce Esperon, Precy Capitan, Joy Gogo, Jojo Ortiz, May Bergado, Josephine Go, and Liezl Deloso who are now in the Council of Past Presidents. 

“We are aligned with Pres. Michelle’s direction to level-up through collaboration, innovation, and sustainability,” Ms. Amir said, referring to the National PMAP.  “So while we continue to build on our strengths, we take on new directions in addition to our regular meetings, trainings, anniversary, fellowship, CSR and X’mas Party.”

Collaboration

To build a stronger network, Ms. Amir said the chapter aims to promote synergy by grouping members according to their respective sectors during meetings to promote internal collaboration and networking. In addition, all meetings would have a Help Desk to assist members with their queries and concerns. 

Charging of PMAP-CDO officers led by 2018 Chapter Pres Sol Amir (4th from right)

“Collaboration with your fellow PMAPers will increase since we will have 4 members per committee so that will be 4 members x 7committees=28 plus 10 officers & Board Members + 8 CoPP members = 46,” she explained. “With 90 members, this means, half of you will be actively collaborating.  This will also train more of you for future PMAP leadership roles.”

On top of synergy among members of the same industry sector, the chapter will also set up a Benchmarking Platform designed to exchange best practices. Three local benchmarking events have been scheduled for 2018 by Trustee Bambie Espiritu.

Externally, the new Council of Presidents will handle collaborations with TESDA, Go Negosyo, DOLE Safety, and schools for JPMAP.

To sustain these initiatives, the chapter will reactivate the Mentoring Program set up in 2016 by PP Jojo Ortiz.

“The mentoring will be more structured and will culminate with certificate awarding during our X’mas Party,” Ms. Amir said. “Mentors in the 5 areas of HR are now available:  Talent Acquisition, Industrial Relations with Union & without Union; Performance Management, Occupational Safety & Standards.   This is gratis, a free service for you.”

Induction of PMAP-CDO Officers by PMAP National President Michelle Garcia

Another project is the PMAP store under VP Josette Cellon which will showcase products of interested members and HR books by local authors such as JBJ.

“As per Pres. Michelle: We are thought leaders, bring new ideas. and create new things,” Ms. Amir noted.

PMAP-CDO will update its Mission/Vision to bring into fruition the best practices learned during their benchmarking with the Hong Kong Institute of Human Resources Management.

Branding PMAP-CDO

To raise public awareness and recall, the chapter will actively promote brand awareness and recognition by projecting a uniform look when communicating meetings, seminars, and programs, so when Kagay-anons think of HR, they would automatically think of PMAP-CDO.

In addition, PP Jojo Ortiz will fine tune the content of the chapter’s mission/vision for its new website: PMAP-CDO.org. The website would eventually become the preferred interface for PMAPers and the public who seek information about PMAP, its members, and the latest on HR.

Revisiting committees

Not the least, PMAP-CDO has renamed the Professional Development Committee as Leadership & Development to expand its activities and provide opportunities to increase members’ personal and professional competence and knowledge. L&D Comm will handle both mentoring and benchmarking programs in addition to the regular trainings/seminars.

An Information Communication Technologies Committee has also been created to help modernize chapter operations, handle the website, and actively help members embrace the digital disruption.

“Your chapter will literally embrace digital disruption and automate day-to-day operational processes.  Your trustees will innovate, will work smarter, but not necessarily harder,” Ms. Amir explained. “For instance, our Treasurer is now using an app to manage our finances.”

Trustees and Committee Chairs will share a joint PMAP-CDO email account to be on the same page instantly and be able to work without the hassle of texting, calling, and going the extra mile to coordinate work. Trustees with also share access to an online directory of members for easy eblasting. 

The chapter is also moving to a new office address at Uno Bldg, Apolinar Velez St., three blocks from Seda Centrio, our 2018 meeting venue.

Giving Back

In line with PMAP National President Michelle Garcia’s mandate to give back to members and the community, PMAP-CDO will give back through its well-curated HR Insider e-newsletter that will feature HR News, market info, and trends and not just mere chapter event updates. Members will also enjoy the benefit of a Q&A e-forum on Industrial Relations to be handled by IPP Vivien Lawansa.

PMAP-CDO Chapter 2018 Pres Sol Amir with husband Moshe

“We want to provide CPD units to those attending our trainings and seminars and hence we will apply for CPD accreditation with PRC this year. Not the least, we will give back to the community and help PMAP’s AIHRM (Asian Institute of Human Resource Management) and Xavier Ateneo by recruiting lecturers as well as students.”

“I absolutely believe in the big role that PMAP plays in our careers,” Ms. Amir stressed. “I will serve PMAP-CDO and do what I can to ensure that the same opportunities are made available to you in the same way they were made available to me thousands of years ago when I was working in Marketing.”

She also committed to continue programs that strengthen professionalism – through education, training, opportunities, assistance and other resources.

“However, I cannot succeed unless I have your support and cooperation,” she said. “Please get involved, join the committees for PMAP-CDO to have a positive impactful influence in your careers.

“In closing, I would like to thank Grace Maniquiz, my HR partner in Xavier Ateneo, she heads HR operations, and my hunk of a husband Moshe Amir, who graciously lets me devote a lot of time to PMAP.

-INDNJC-

A hot press machine to make life a little easier for producers of engineered bamboo has been developed by the Department of Science and Technology – Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI). The hot press was designed to cut the production time of engineered bamboo products.

Engineered bamboo is produced by binding together fibers, particles, strips or slats of bamboo with the right adhesive. Used worldwide to make attractive panels, floors, furniture and handicrafts, it is often stronger and less prone to warping than equivalent solid woods. In the Philippines, about 10 companies make engineered bamboo products on a small scale.

“With our newly developed machine, we were able to press bamboo boards in only 5-8 minutes, compared to the current cold pressing time of 6-8 hours, said DOST-FPRDI Engr. Paul S. Marasigan. “The machine can be operated using both electricity and charcoal as heat source, and makes boards with the same quality regardless of heat source and type of glue used. Fabrication cost is around Php 150,000.00, comparable to the price of the cold press available in the market.”

There is currently a big demand for engineered bamboo in the country, as it is required by Executive Order 879 that one-fourth of all desks and furniture in public schools be made of the material.

Born in Novara, Italy, Folliero will perform Romantic and Impressionistic music including Claude Debussy Images Book 1 L110, Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Preludes Op. 23, No. 4 in D minor, No. 5 in G minor, and No. 7 in C minor, and Frédéric Chopin’s Scherzo No. 1 in B minor, Op. 20, Scherzo No. 2 in B-flat minor, Op. 31, and Scherzo No. 3 in C-sharp minor, Op. 39 with George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue as the pièce de résistance.

Rudolf P. Golez, Dean of Liceo de Cagayan University’s College of Music, describes the programme is a nice blend of Gershwin and Rachmaninoff.

“The famous Rhapsody in Blue will end the concert, while three complicated works of Chopin namely, the Fantasie and 2 Scherzo will begin it.  This is good since the audience will still be fresh.  The middle items are lighter pieces by Rachmaninoff and Debussy, namely a selection of Preludes and a piece from Image.”

Rudolf met Max on the internet when he inquired about the school’s Conservatory of Music and Dance headed by Prof. Horst Hans Baecker.

“He loves to share his talents to ‘exotic’ places,” said Golez, a piano prodigy in his own right.   “Actually he is on a trip courtesy of the Italian Government so we invited him to share his music with the students of the conservatory and music-loving Kagay-anons while he was in the Philippines.”

Mossimo Folliero in a performance at the world famous Carnegie Hall in New York City

Aside from the recital, Folliero will also conduct a piano master class at Rodelsa Hall in the morning of the same date. Prior to Cagayan de Oro, he will also perform at Cebu City on February 8. The program starts 7PM at the 2nd floor of the Marcelo B. Fernan Cebu Press Building at the DepEd Compound, Sudlon, Lahug.

Tickets for the concert and registration for the master class are priced at P500 each. Contact (088) 858-0493 or (0955) 167-4996 for more details.

Here’s a sampling of Max Folliero’s music during a Piano Concert at Bangalore Conservatory here.

About the artist:

Massimo Folliera at the piano

Massimo Folliero was born in Novara (Italy) in 1973. Later, he attended classes and obtained a Masters Degree in Piano at the “G. Cantelli”Conservatory of Music with Professor Giuseppina Giarmaná.

Thereafter he attended several music seminars and master classes in Italy and abroad presented by renowned pianists like M° Tiziano Poli with whom he examined and developed the importance of technical skills as a service to music expression; the well-known pianist and tutor M° Antonio Ballista with whom he studied topics about 1900 music; and M° Alessandro Drago having attended his master classes about the Phenomenology of Music.

He continued improving his piano music skills by attending highly specialized master classes with prominent musicians like Walter Bozzia, Riccardo Zadra, Federica Righini, Stefano Mancuso, Mamiko Suda (Japan) and mostly with the world renowned pianist M° Aquiles Delle Vigne (Argentina).

As a soloist and chamber musician Folliero gave recitals in several key venues in Italy and abroad like the Teatro Civico in Varallo Sesia (Italy),Muza Kawasaki Auditorium in Tokyo (Japan); the Appel Farm Arts and Music Center Theater in Elmer (New Jersey, United States); theKapelzaal of Volksuniversiteit in Leiden (Holland); the Heritage Chapel of the Music Centre in Christchurch (New Zealand); the Salon de Actos of Madrid Ateneo (Spain); at the Italian Institute of Culture and for the European Week of Culture celebrations in Ljubljana (Slovenija), Copenhagen (Denmark), Koln (Germany), Bruxelles (Belgium) and Amsterdam (Holland); at the Coenen Palais in Koblenz and Ribbeck Castle for the Havelland Musikfestspiele (Germany); at the Alliance Francaise Auditorium and Assumption International University in Bangkok (Thailand); at the Leela Auditorium in Bangalore (India); at the James Tatoulis Auditorium in Melbourne and St. Augustine Church of Adelaide (Australia); for the Encore Music Society in Vancouver (Canada); for the Classical Music Society of Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia); for the Brunei Music Society (Brunei); and at the Nanyang Technological University of Singapore (Singapore).

Massimo Folliera plays at the world famous Carnegie Hall in New York City

In December 2009, during his first tour of Asia, Folliero was received with great enthusiasm by the Indian people and the press alike (“Pianist Extraordinaire” – BANGALORE MIRROR). His performance of the Mozart Piano Concerto K414 with the William Joseph Symphony Orchestrawas aired by the Indian National Television.

In August 2011 he performed with great success the Rachmaninov 2nd Piano Concerto Op. 18 on his visit to Australia with Whitehorse Symphony Orchestra in Melbourne and Unley Symphony Orchestra in Adelaide. The German reviews have written about him: “…terrific technical skills in the service of musical ideas…” – “…you can feel his great temperament…” (STIMME.de).

In March 2004 Folliero established Camena Music Association and since 2005, as an Artistic Director, he has been organizing an annual International Piano Festival, now in its 9th year, at the historical venue of the Galliate Visconteo-Sforzesco Castle (Novara, Italy). This festival is dedicated to a variety of performances by young and famous pianists from all over the world, and involves all the towns and big cities around it always with huge success.

As Piano Professor he has been teaching in several schools as well as presenting master classes in Europe (Spain and Russia), Asia (Chinese University of Hong Kong and several Music Schools in Thailand, Malaysia and Japan) and Australia.

In 2009 he was chosen as Honorary Member on the panel of judges for the 9th International Piano Competition Ciudad de El Ejido (Spain) where he also presented a master class to students who participated.

Future solo, chamber music and orchestral performances are going to be held in Italy, Germany, Belgium, Spain, Scotland, England, Denmark, Australia, Russia, a Canada/USA tour as well as a new Asia tour with scheduled concerts in Brunei, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Hong Kong.

-INDNJC-

Vivo—5th in the 2016-2017 Leading Global Smartphone Brands—has in its Vivo Family roster famous names in the local celebrity scene to give it a surefire spot in positive brand presence.  

Vivo has dominated the smart phone limelight for some time now and with the impressive names in the Vivo Family, the brand should very well expect a meteoric rise to greater heights.

But prior to Vivo’s signing of local brand influencers, Vivo already impressed the smart phone industry by signing up NBA superstar Stephen Curry as the brand’s biggest ambassador September of 2016.

In November 2017, during the grand launch of the Vivo V7+ in Manila, Vivo introduced their newest local brand endorsers, something to bring the brand closer to the heart of its Filipino patrons.

Leading the Vivo Family are the freshest and the hottest young stars of this generation which all belong to the Kapamilya group of stars from big-time network ABS-CBN. One of these celebrities is popular all-boy group BoybandPH composed of Joao Constancia, Niel Murillo, Tristan Ramirez, Russell Reyes, and Ford Valencia.

BoybandPH first hit the spotlight December 2016 after winning the first season of Pinoy Boyband Superstar, a reality show which is a local franchise of Simon Cowell-backed Latin American singing competition La Banda.

BoybandPH immediately moved up with the release of their first single in January 2017 ”Unli” and proceeded to release their debut, self-titled album the following month which was to bag a Gold Record Award with sales reaching over 7,000 copies just two months after release.

With the group’s strong influence amongst the young Filipino crowd, Vivo signed up BoybandPH in September 20, 2017 and in December 10, 2017, the band celebrated their first anniversary as a band at the Vivo All Screen Experience Mall Tour in Starmall Alabang where overjoyed fans flocked to see their beloved all-male group.

BoybandPH, as a Vivo influencer, has flown to Bacolod to lead the brand’s mall tour and press conference. They also participated in Vivo’s special Christmas CSR for Marawi soldiers where the band members shared their respective selfie salutes to convey their respect for the freedom defenders. The  boys posted photos of themselves comparing their physical look between years 2012 and 2018.

The band, of course, was also present during the grand Vivo V7+ launch at the glitzy Marriott Grand Hotel where they were first unveiled as a Vivo influencer.

BoybandPH has a significant following on social media: the band has almost 7,000 following on Twitter, more than 8,000 on Instagram, and almost 103,000 on Facebook.

BoyabandPH really love their Vivo V7+, and never fail to use their phones in taking selfies with fans, friends and family.

Who are BoybandPH?

Joao Constancia

Raised in Macau to Filipino parents, Joao is still very much Pinoy at heart despite his foreign upbringing. Dubbed the “Party Prince of Macau”, the 19 year old heart throb wowed judges and fans with his own rendition of “Twerk it like Miley” for the grand finals which landed him a place in the group. Joao can speak Mandarin fluently.

As a musician, Joao loves his Vivo V7+ phone for its Hi-Fidelity audio chip which rocks above par mobile audio technology.

Joao has a huge following on social media. To date, he has over 180,000 Twitter followers, 540,000 loyal Instragram fans and a solid almost 160,000 fan base on Facebook.

Niel Murillo

Orlando Sinangote Murillo IV or simply Nielis a native of Cebu and was an instant crowd favorite in the reality show, garnering 96% votes from the female audience. Niel is a talented singer and is the band’s lead vocal. He attributes his talent to his love for music which was rooted from an early age by his blind brother who serves as his number one inspiration.

Niel’s social media following continues to rise with 127,000 on Twitter, 91,000 on Instagram, and over 300,000 on Facebook.

Niel appreciates his Vivo V7+’s 5.99 all-screen Display with an 84.4% screen to body ratio, providing a more exciting and enhanced game and visual experience. With his love for Korean Pop, Niel loves his V7+’s hi-fidelity audio chip which supports the latest sound technology and levels up mobile audio experience, enabling Niel to relish rich and full rhythms.

Russell Reyes

Chicago, USA-born Russell plays the piano and is proud of his smooth vocals. Russell had frequented talent and music shows since he was young and excel in them. His audition piece, “Lately” by the iconic Stevie Wonder earned him a spot in PinoyBoyband Superstar reality show. Considered as one of the strongest members vocally, Russell had won the hearts of the show’s judges and the fans as well, bagging an impressive 100% from combined text and judges votes.

Russell’s social media following is impressive. The BoybandPh charmer has 117,000 Twitter fans, 186,000 Instagram followers, and a fan base counting to 57,000 on Facebook.

Just like the other music fanatics in the band, Russell is happy with his Vivo V7+’s. As a social media influencer, Russell also attributes his trend-worthy feed to the V7+’s powerful 24MP camera which creates perfect selfies every time.

Ford Valencia

Born in Manila, Ford is talented with the beats and the rhythm as the group’s rapper. Ford has a string of jobs under his belt which marks his humble beginnings. The BoybandPH sweetheart had worked as a waiter, ship mechanic, freelance musician, and even as an insurance agent to make ends meet. Ford’s modest past is now in the past as he enjoys a significant social media fan base. 85,000 fans are following Ford on Twitter, almost 3,000 on Facebook and a whopping 158,000 on Instagram.

Ford loves his Vivo V7+’s for its futuristic finger print unlock feature, making the phone’s security spec stonewall and truly secure. He also loves taking selfies, thanks to the phone’s 24MP revolutionary camera—his fans could not get enough of his social media feed. The V7+’s hi-fidelity audio for the ultimate in mobile audio technology is also perfect for a boyband member like Ford so he could further enjoy his craft.

Tristan Ramirez

25-year old Tristan Ramirez is a model from Bulacan. A balladeer, his love and talent for music grew from mere karaoke sessions with his mother when he was a child. Tristan also has a talent for beatboxing which impressed the Pinoy Boyband Superstar judges and which made a perfect complement for his superb singing voice. Tristan puts family first and is known as a soft-hearted and loving son and big brother to his family.

Tristan has fans all over, judging from his social media followings. He currently has over 62,000 Twitter followers, more than 98,000 on Instagram, and almost 40,000 on Facebook.

When asked what he loved about his Vivo V7+, Tristan swore by the phone’s 5.99 all-screen Display with an 84.4% screen to body ratio as it enables him to have asolid game and visual experience. As a celebrity who documents his day to day activities, Tristan also appreciates the V7+’s 24Mp front-facing camera for picture-perfect selfies. And lastly, as a musician, Tristan lives by the V7+’s hifi audio capabilities as it allow him to listen to music and improve his musicality.

For inquiries about Vivo, visit the Vivo website at www.vivo.com/ph or check out their Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/VivoPhil), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/vivophil/), and Twitter (https://twitter.com/vivo_phil) accounts