Home Blog Page 481

Agot Isidro says that there’s a disconnection between the athletes and the cauldron in the opening ceremony of SEA Games

Actress Agot Isidro criticized the disconnection between the Filipino athletes and the controversial cauldron during the opening ceremony of the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games held at Philippine Arena.

On a Twitter post, Isidro doubts that there’s an athlete who saw the lighting of the cauldron in person because the venue of the opening ceremony is too far from Clark New City.

“There’s a certain disconnect when the participating athletes are in 1 indoor venue and the ceremonial lighting of cauldron miles away. More so, that ceremony was done days before. Did the athletes see it at all? Did anyone? Live?” Isidro said.

She then described the opening ceremony as “mere pomp & pageantry,” which her followers agreed.

According to some reports, the lighting of the cauldron which performed by  Senator Manny Pacquiao and amateur-boxing world champion Nesthy Petecio was done pre-taped.

She also shared an artwork from @marknealx showing the cauldron standing at shanties.

Isidro then defended her decision to criticize the SEA Games ceremony.

“I have always been. We need to speak out when discrepancies are blatantly displayed. You would too, if it went against everything you believed in. Magkaiba tayo ng pananaw. Yun lang yun. You can call me Agot. Maria Margarita sounds too formal. But thanks for the formality.” Isidro told her critic.

Despite her criticisms of the SEA Games opening ceremony, she cheered for her friends who got involved and performing for the said event.

“Break a leg to my dear friends who are involved with and performing at the #SEAGames2019 opening program tonight! No doubt that this will be a sight to behold! Let’s support our artists and athletes!” she said.

 

“Approve!” Jim Paredes congratulates organizers and artists of SEA Games opening ceremony: “What a grand show!”

Millions of Filipinos praised the opening ceremony of the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games on Saturday, and even the critics of the current administration couldn’t hide their admiration over the show.

Legendary OPM artist Jim Paredes expressed his support over the opening ceremony of SEA Games and praised it after watching the clips of the said event.

“Congrats sa opening ng SEAG 2019. I could not watch cuz we had a show. Watching clips now on my phone. What a grand show. Congrats to the organizers and artists. Ok athletes Do your best. Mabuhay tayong lahat! Go Philippines,” Paredes said on his tweet.

He also congratulated the creative director of the opening ceremony Floy Quintos for making the event successful.

“Floy Quintos, Congratulations! That was truly creative and impressive. Mabuhay ka,” he said.

Paredes also agreed when a netizen said that people can criticize the government if they see wrong deeds and praise them if they achieve something.

“You can do both — criticize when you see irregularities or wrong deeds and praise when there is something worthy to recognize. Ganun ang nag-iisip na tao. Hindi nagbubulag-bulagan sa nakikita — mapatama man o mali. Ikaw ba??” netizen @Taurusjake told @migsGallano, a critic of Vice President Leni Robredo.

“Korek” Paredes responded.

Last week, Paredes also described the newly-built New Clark City Athletics Stadium as “impressive”.

He also approved the renovation of the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

“One of the things done right,” Paredes said after reading an article about the restoration of Rizal Memorial Coliseum as preparation for the SEA Games.

 

Inday Sara Duterte criticizes the decision to play the song ‘Manila’ in SEA Games opening ceremony: “I don’t have one drop of Tagalog blood in me”

Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte criticized the decision to play the song ‘Manila’ by Hotdogs at the opening ceremony of the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games at the Philippine Arena on Saturday.

On her latest Instagram post, Inday Sara pointed out that Manila is not only the city being represented by the country for the SEA Games.

“Di po ba Philippine flag ang dala? Why would you play the song Manila? Did Lapu-Lapu die for Manila?” Inday Sara said.

“Wag po natin gawing excuse ang upbeat danceable song. Kami nagimbento ng budots. Kaloko man oie,” she added.

Inday Sara said that the organizers should be “inclusive” if they wanted to encourage the Filipino athletes and not only the people from Manila.

“We should be inclusive when we want to encourage our countrymen to cheer. Yes, nega ako, bakit? I am a Filipino but I don’t have one drop of Tagalog blood in me. Pure Vismin by birth and Ilocos by marriage,” Inday Sara explained.

Inday Sara made the said statement despite her father, President Rodrigo Duterte is one of the people who danced to the said song during the opening ceremony.

But the President also has a history of hate to ‘Manila’ and in 2016 he vowed to end the domination of what he called ‘Imperial Manila’.

“It (the current system) is an excuse for them (elitist politicians) to hang on to power in Imperial Manila. They have always been there in one single office, running the Philippines,” Rodrigo Duterte said in a speech in 2016.

Netizens happy to see Billiard Legend Efren “Bata” Reyes at the SEA Games Opening ceremony: “This legend will forever have my respect”

Aside from presenting the current generation of Filipino athletes to the audience of the opening ceremony of the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games on Saturday, the organizers also introduced the legendary icons of sports in the country to pay respects to them.

During the opening ceremony, eight legendary Filipino athletes carried the South East Asian Games Federation, they’re Lydia De Vega, 7 time SEA Games gold medalist, Akiko Thomson, 15-time SEA Games gold medalist swimmer Eric Buhain, 4-time PBA MVP and SEA Games gold medalist Alvin Patrimonio, 4-time bowling world champion Bong Coo, 4-time world eight ball champion Efren “Bata” Reyes, 2-time SEA Games medalist and Olympic silver medalist boxer Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco, and 6-time bowling world champion Rafael “Paeng” Nepomuceno.

But most of the netizens noticed Efren Bata, also known as the Magician who’s still going to compete for his possible last participation in the SEA Games as the representative of the Philippines for three-cushion carom billiards.

A netizen even made a viral post dedicated to the legendary billiard player, saying that she “screamed” when she saw Reyes on TV.

“Ya’ll don’t know how much I screamed when Sir Efren “Bata” Reyes was shown on tv, still with that very familiar humble smile of his It was my dream to see him play live, even once. This legend will forever have my respect,” netizen @chireen818 wrote.

“And still competing at 65 years old despite his shoulder pains! His passion for the sport is unmatched  One last dance Sir Efren,” she added.

The post already reached 32,000 likes on Twitter.

In an interview, Reyes revealed that he’s going to join the 3 cushion carom to give chance to the other billiard players to show their talent in pool.

“Kung ako malalagay sa pool, paano ‘tong magagaling nating kabataan dito? ‘Pag ako naglaro, parang ayaw ko silang bigyan ng chance. Sa karambola, wala namang player.” Bata told GMA news.

Despite having problems in his right shoulder, the 65-year-old Reyes denied that he’s going to retire from billiards even after the SEA Games.

Reyes is considered the greatest living billiard player in the world after winning 70 international titles and won 14 times in the Derby City Classic.

“World Class!” SEA Games opening receive positive comments from the netizens

Millions of Filipinos watched the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games opening ceremony on Saturday and it received a positive response from the netizens despite the negative news circulated a few days before the said event started.

The topic about the SEA Games became a viral topic on the internet and some of the live videos of the opening ceremony published on social media have already reached millions of views already.

The netizens who are having doubts about the said event got convinced that the organizers did their job well after watching the opening ceremony.

“I thought SEA Games will be Trash because of what happened earlier, but deep inside I’m really hoping they will redeem themselves, and they did it,” netizen Josh said.

“Kudos to the whole crew! The opening ceremony was amazing,” netizen @fluuffycralala told the organizers of the said event.

“Despite fake news and controversies faced by the government and sports committee, THEY MARKED THIS DAY AS HISTORY FOR FILIPINOS AND THE PHILIPPINES. I’m so proud to be a Filipino much more!! Kudos!” netizen @clovergusto said.

One netizen even wrote a message addressed to the people who are still criticizing the SEA Games despite the success of the opening ceremony.

“I pity those who still find negativities amidst the grand opening ceremonies of 2019 SEA games. Kulang kayo sa aruga?” netizen Jeffrey Maylas wrote.


others described the opening ceremony as world-class and made them proud as Filipinos.

“You got me hooked! superb job everyone!! Kudos PHILIPPINES, world-class performances, state of the art opening ceremony!! Kaya pala natin. kakaproud lang,” netizen @hazzieest remarked.

Some expressed their happiness after seeing the controversial SEA Games torch alight.

“Hindi naman napahiya yung Pinas dun sa kalderong yown. Magaleng,” netizen @eilright2 Twitted.

“Yung paglabas talaga ni Sen. Manny! Grabe. Nakaka-iyak,” netizen @vinceAdolfo remarked.

“NUNG LUMABAS SI PACQUIAO, GRABE NAGSITAASAN BALAHIBO KO. LEGIT!! SARAP MAGING PINOY!” netizen @brycreo2 wrote.

Raissa Robles criticizes artists who perform at SEA Games opening ceremony: “Parang nanunuod ka lang ng perya sa probinsiya nito”

On Saturday, Journalist Raissa Robles expressed her honest thoughts about the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games opening ceremony held at the Philippine Arena.

The first thing she criticized is the choreography of the dancers who performed at the said event, saying that the government should hire a better artist and choreographer.

She described the performance as like watching a carnival in the province.

“We have very good choreographers – Steve Villaruz, Edna Vida, Nonoy Ftoilan. They could have been tapped for the #SeaGamesOpening  Pucha. Parang nanunuod ka lang ng perya sa probinsiya nito. Why did they not use some of our ballet dancers??????” Robles twitted.

Robles pointed out that the moves of the artist who performed the Sarimanok dance at the opening ceremony is not native.

“My Gahd. Im not criticizing the Sarimanok, but the dance moves the dancer was making. Those moves are not native. Those are ballet moves. If you are going to use ballet moves, you should get THE BEST dancers,” Robles explained.

The second thing she criticized is the performance of the theater artist Robert Sena, saying that the one who performed the song “Kay Ganda ng Pilipinas” should be Leah Salonga.

“Parang hindi bagay na si Robert Sena ang umawit ng kay ganda ng pilipinas. Ito kaya yung dapat nasi Lea Salonga? Sana kinuha nila baritone na lang,” Robles said.

She then said that other artist like Regine Velasquez, Jessica Sanchez, KZ Tandingan or Jake Zyrus could replace Sena to sing the said song.

“Singers who could have sung in place of robert sena – regine velasquez, jessica sanchez, kz tandingan, charice (or has she changed her name?),” she said.

When a netizen asked Robles if ballet is the national dance of the country, she asked back if artist Apl.De.Ap is a Filipino.

“Pilipino ba si Apl di Ap?” Robles asked.

She then pointed out that not all the artists performed at the opening ceremony and the songs they sang are not a native in the Philippines.

“Hindi Pinoy si Apl de Ap. Amerikano na sya. Pinoy pop – yung kinanta na Kay Ganda ng Lahing Pilipino – hindi native yan. Ginaya sa Amerika. Gaya ng ballet, banyaga pero nilagyan ng mga Pinoy elements. I’ve seen very good ballet dances w Phil. native dance movements,” she said.

Robles also said that she has experience in reviewing stage shows to ensure the netizens that she knows what she’s saying on Twitter.

“Hijo, I used to do reviews of stage shows. And I was the stage manager of the stage play where Imee Marcos was the main actor. An adaptation of Animal Farm. And i took up scriptwriting under Orlando Nadres (w a grade of 1) and natl artist Amelia Bonifacio (also grade of 1),” she claimed.

The journalist said that she’s expecting more things on the SEA Games opening.

“Look. Go ahead and be proud of #SEAGames2019 opening. But I expected more, after all that hype. And the Filipino talent that’s available. I expected the best, best, best,” she remarked.

 

 

 

 

President Duterte and Senator Dela Rosa dance to the song ‘Manila’ at SEA Games opening

President Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Ronald Dela Rosa couldn’t hide their love to dancing after they grooved to the music played at the opening ceremony of the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games held at the Philippine Arena on Saturday.

In the presentation of the representative of the Philippines for the SEA Games, the song ‘Manila’ by Hotdog was surprisingly played to raise the mood of the audience, including President Duterte and Senator Dela Rosa.

The organizers of the said event didn’t fail to raise the energy of the people as even President Duterte and Senator Dela Rosa danced to the said song.

At first, President Duterte who’s standing beside the King of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah is just clapping.

However, in the middle of the presentation, it can be seen that the President is already dancing.

Netizens who watched the show also noticed Dela Rosa dancing happily also to the song together with another official.

The said event was watched by millions of Filipinos around the world and received a positive response from the audience.

 

 

4 members of youth group Panday Sining invited to Manila Police Station

Four members of the cultural youth group ‘Panday Sining’ were invited to the Manila Police Station (MPD) on Saturday.

According to some reports, the said members of Panday Sining participated at the Bonifacio Day Rally along Taft Avenue when the authorities invited them to the police station.

Philippine Collegian, the official publication of the University of the Philippines Diliman claimed that Panday Sining members were “forcefully taken by authorities” while on their way to the Commission on Human Rights.

A video posted on Twitter shows how the cops took the members of Panday Sining.

Several supporters of Panday Sining quickly went to the Manila Police District to criticize the actions of the cops against the cultural youth group.

Panday Sining received criticisms from the netizens and also from Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno after they vandalized the newly-renovated Lagusnilad underpass several weeks ago.

They insisted that what they’re doing is not vandalism, but an act of art protest to express their beliefs in the form of art.

However, Moreno was not convinced by the explanation of the youth group.

Despite the warnings they received from Moreno, Panday Sining said that they’re still going to continue their activities.

One week ago, 9,849 people signed a petition urging the Manila City Government to file charges against the members of Panday Sining.

Manila Police District is not yet releasing a statement about why they invited the said members of the youth group to their station.

 

Sepaktakraw Federation Director General says that Sepak Takraw venue in PH are the best in history

A top official of the international governing body for the sports sepak takraw said that he’s confident that the hosting of the 30th SEA Games in the Philippines would be successful as he was impressed by the facilities in the country.

In a press conference held on November 29, International Sepaktakraw Federation director-general Abdul Kader said that he was amazed by the facilities at Subic Gymnasium, proclaiming it as the best in SEA Games history.

Sepak takraw events will be held in the said gymnasium from December 1 to 10.

“I promise to the Philippine government and Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee that sepak takraw will go without any disruption,” he said.

According to some news reports, the Subic Gymnasium was renovated as preparation for the SEA Games.

An amount of about 5.7-M was spent for the gymnasium’s interior upgrade and a new facade.

Subic Gymnasium is only one of the many facilities built or renovated as part of the grand preparation of the country for the 30th SEA Games.

 

 

Senate approves the P31,545 basic salary pay for nurses

The nurses might soon enjoy a higher salary as the Senate already approved the salary increase for them.

On Thursday, the Senate approved the P31,545 basic salary pay for the Filipino nurses, and it was included in the P4.1-T 2020 national budget of the country.

The salary increase will be enjoyed by Nurse I and Nurse II positions.

Senator Richard Gordon is one of the lawmakers who supported the salary increase for the nursers, saying that hospitals are trying to take advantage of them for a long time.

“For a long time, the nurses of the country have been clamoring for the adjustment of their salaries. They are given low-paying jobs with no benefits, and hospitals have taken advantage of this system in a way that these hospitals become stepping stones for nurses to work abroad,” Gordon said.

Last July, Gordon filed the amendment of Republic Act 9173 or the Philippine Nursing Act of 2002 to give them “opportunities to advance themselves in the nursing field while they serve the country’s growing needs for healthcare professionals,”

“We’re so much closer to giving that justice not just to our nurses, but to our people in need of better health care,” said Gordon.

Senator Bong Go also supported the salary increase, saying that he wanted the nurses to enjoy the salary increase by next year.

“I also want to commend the committee on finance and our distinguished colleagues for taking measures that would allow us to implement the SC decision upholding the validity of Section 32 of the Philippine Nursing Act of 2002, which provides that the ‘minimum base pay of nurses working in the public health institutions shall not be lower than Salary Grade 15,’” Go said.

“This is a long-overdue compensation denied to them. We won’t make (nurses) wait anymore… They will have a salary increase next year,” Go said.