"Goin' Bulilit" Star Cha-Cha Cañete Wins at 17th World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA)

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Child star Cha-Cha Cañete from the hit kiddie gag show “Goin’ Bulilit” took home two medals at the recently concluded 17^th World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) that took place in Hollywood, California. The competition ran from July 12 to July 21.

Earning much praise and recognition, Cha-Cha’s talent wowed the crowd and judges as she performed in five different categories during the prestigious competition.

Just at the young age of eight, she was awarded silver medals for her performances of “The Climb” and “Climb Every Mountain” in the Pop and Gospel categories, respectively. 

Aside from Cha-Cha’s success at WCOPA, Team Philippines proved to be a fierce competitor, besting representatives from over fifty countries. 

Team Philippines’ Beverly Caimen won the highest recognition of “Senior Grand Champion Performer of the World”, while Aldeza Ianna de la Torre was also proclaimed “Junior Grand Champion of the World”—earning the Philippines a grand slam, winning the highest titles in both divisions. Beverly and Ianna also won as “Grand Champion Vocalists of the World” in their divisions. 

Success for the country doesn’t stop there, as the title of “Grand Champion Vocal Group of the World” went to the Gollayan Sisters, and Reynaldo Gorospe, Jr. won as “Grand Champion Male Model of the World”—taking home the gold as the Philippines’ first ever representative to compete in the Modeling Category. 

Even more—singing sensation Jed Madela, who was the first Filipino to win a grand slam as “Senior Grand Champion Performer of the World” and “Senior Grand Champion Vocalist of the World” in 2005 was inducted this year into WCOPA’s legendary Performing Arts Hall of Fame. Pinoy Dream Academy scholars Chivas Malunda and Laarni Lozada are included in those who brought home medals. 

With all the country’s wins from its top talents, Team Philippines’ National Director, Gerry Mercado, took home a much-deserved award as “3^rd Best National Director”. 

A total of 29 members of Team Philippines took home awards in various categories, with 43 Gold, 38 Silver, and 26 Bronze awards. The team also received four Industry Awards. 

The Philippine Team for WCOPA is led by WCOPA International Director Annie Mercado, WCOPA-Philippines National Director Gerry Mercado and the official talent scouts Charie Vega and Lito Napolitano from the Philippines, Royce Pellerin from Japan, and Dr. Molina from Saudi Arabia. 

The 2013 Ramon Magsaysay Foundation Awardees

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This year 2013 marks the Foundation’s 55th year of honoring the great men and women of Asia. For the past 54 years, RMAF has recognized individuals and organizations that have shown greatness of spirit and contributed transformative solutions to the pressing problems of communities all over Asia.

The Board of Trustees of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF) today announced that this year three individuals and two organizations from Afghanistan, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal and the Philippines will receive Asia’s premier prize, the Ramon Magsaysay Award.

The Awardees are:

Ernesto Domingo, from the Philippines.  He is being recognized for “his exemplary embrace of the social mission of medical science and his profession, his steadfast leadership in pursuing ‘health for all’ as a shared moral responsibility of all sectors, and his groundbreaking and successful advocacy for neonatal hepatitis vaccination, thereby saving millions of lives in the Philippines.”

Komisi Pemberantasan Korupsi (Corruption Eradication Commission), from Indonesia.  The organization is being recognized for“its fiercely independent and successful campaign against corruption in Indonesia, combining the uncompromising prosecution of erring powerful officials with farsighted reforms in governance systems and the educative promotion of vigilance, honesty, and active citizenship among all Indonesians.”

Lahpai Seng Raw, from Myanmar.  She is being recognized for “her quietly inspiring and inclusive leadership—in the midst of deep ethnic divides and prolonged armed conflict—to regenerate and empower damaged communities and to strengthen local NGOs in promoting a non-violent culture of participation and dialogue as the foundation for Myanmar’s peaceful future.”

Habiba Sarabi, from Afghanistan.  She is being recognized for “her bold exercise of leadership to build up a functioning provincial government against great odds—intractable political adversities, a harsh and impoverished environment, and pervasive cultural discrimination—serving her people with a hopeful persistence grounded in her abiding commitment to peace and development in Afghanistan”

Shakti Samuha (“Power Group”), from Nepal.  The organization’s founders and members are being recognized for “transforming their lives in service to other human trafficking survivors, their passionate dedication towards rooting out a pernicious social evil in Nepal, and the radiant example they have shown the world in reclaiming the human dignity that is the birthright of all abused women and children everywhere.”

Established in 1957, the Ramon Magsaysay Award is Asia’s highest honor and is widely regarded as the region’s equivalent of the Nobel Prize.  It celebrates the memory and leadership example of the third Philippine president, and is given every year to individuals or organizations in Asia who manifest the same sense of selfless service that ruled the life of the late and beloved Filipino leader.

“The Magsaysay awardees of 2013,” says RMAF President Carmencita Abella, “are three remarkable individuals and two amazing organizations, all deeply involved in creating  sustainable solutions to seemingly intransigent social problems in their respective societies, problems which are most damaging to the lives of those trapped in poverty or ignorance.  These problems are manifest in seemingly very diverse and disparate issues--prolonged armed conflict, preventable disease and death, human trafficking and exploitation, corruption with impunity, weak governance and political instability--yet each of this year’s  awardees is showing us that there are ways to build genuine success, one smart and persistent step at a time. Working selflessly in unpretentious yet powerful ways, they are showing us how commitment, competence and collaborative leadership can truly create ripples of change, even from the bottom of the pyramid.

“While their solutions are distinctively their own, there is one thing these Magsaysay laureates share:  a greatness of spirit that infuses their leadership for change.  Working with others, they all single-mindedly apply their skills and energies to their passion for improving the lives of others.  They all refuse to give up, despite daunting adversity and opposition. They are all deeply rooted in hope. We have much to learn from them, and much to celebrate about their greatness of spirit.”

The five 2013 Magsaysay awardees join the community of 296 other Magsaysay laureates who have received Asia’s highest honor to date.

This year’s Magsaysay Award winners will each receive a certificate, a medallion bearing the likeness of the late President, and a cash prize.  They will be formally conferred the Magsaysay Award during formal Presentation Ceremonies to be held on Saturday, 31 August 2013 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, to which the public is cordially invited. 

Join us as we welcome Asia's new heroes! Congratulations to the 2013 Ramon Magsaysay Awardees!

Visit more updates on rmaf.org.ph

Celebrate Friendship with Amici

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​Enjoying wonderful world of - Amici! I was invited to have an awesome experience with Amici last July 18 at their place in Venice Piazza Fort Bonifacio Mckinley Hills Taguig City.  Truly many exciting activities are happening at Amici as it celebrates good food and good friendships. Experience Amici Restaurants and celebrate friendships through the joint experience of authentic Italian cuisine. 

Amici  is Italian for "friends," and  it's only right that this restaurant chain is duly named. A visit to Amici will prove that the restaurant is true to its name. Looking around at the restaurant patrons, you'll find tables seating lovers, families, friends--all forging and fostering relationships and friendships over authentic Italian cuisine.

Aside from the profile of its visitors, the authentic Italian fare at Amici hints at the same themes of friendship--warm, comforting, consistent.

Best known for its wood fire-baked pizzas and its al dente Italian pastas, servings come in bigger sizes so food can be shared with friends and family. The taste is superb and satisfying.

The most popular pizzas include the Tutta Carne, an Italian sausage specialty topped with ham and pepperoni; and of course, the Quattro Formaggi which consists of mozzarella, ricotta, parmesan, and blue cheese.

For pastas, the ultimate best seller is the Spaghetti ai Tesori del Mare, which is a mildly spicy feast of spaghetti tossed in fresh tomatoes, scallops, clams, mussels, and chili oil. Another fave is the Linguine al Prosciutto e Tartuffo, which is a flavorful combination of prosciutto, truffle oil, porcini, and shitake mushrooms. 

Just as friendships evolve and strengthen over time, so does Amici's Italian offerings. Amici continues to innovate and develop new and exciting products to their menu and are launching ten new products to celebrate their Anniversary.

This begins with  Asian Chicken Salad ​(P195), breaded chicken slices, oranges, and carrots mixed over greens and topped with fried wonton strips, served with sesame dressing;

and Mediterranean Blue Cheese and Walnut Salad ​(P195), a blue cheese, candied walnuts, arugula, and grapes combo over greens and served with red wine vinaigrette.

To add exciting flavors to its pizza repertoire, Amici introduces its Truffle Mushroom Pizza​ (P430), a luxe choice with portobello, shitake, and porcini mushrooms, mixed with truffle oil, mozzarella cheese, and topped with Arugula.

Another new addition is the Smoked Salmon Top-Crust Pizza (​P395), an innovative pizza variety with smoked salmon, capers, black olives, tomatoes, béchamel sauce and mozzarella cheese embedded in a crispy pizza crust.

If you want to enjoy your pizzas in a different way, the Prosciutto & Artichoke Cream Pizza Roll ​(P242) is a fresh take on the rich flavors of artichoke cream, cream cheese, prosciutto, and arugula, all tempered with reduced balsamic vinegar.

Or, you may try the Prosciutto Portobello Pizza Roll​ (P242), a soon-to-be fave with prosciutto, portobello mushrooms, cream cheese, and arugula served with roasted garlic dip.

For pasta lovers, try the Penne Rosa & Bacon​ (P252), a combo of bacon, pomodoro, and bechamel sauce sautéed with mushrooms, garlic and onions.

Or, try the new  Garlic Chorizo Spaghetti ​(P250), a pasta dish of Spanish chorizo sautéed in garlic and olive oil.

For those who prefer rice meals, the following have been added to Amici's mains:

Chicken Parmigiana ​(P328), a breaded chicken meal in tomato meat sauce, mozzarella cheese, served with rice pilaf and a side of roasted vegetables;

and Pork Marsala​ (P332), a rolled pork specialty filled with ham and cheese, button mushrooms, and cream, all reduced in marsala wine and served with rice pilaf and a side of roasted vegetables.

After having magnificent meals, there is always room for desert especially with Caramia Gelato !!! 

What a wonderful experience here in Amici Restaurant and will keep coming back for good Italian cuisine.

For more about Amici’s menu, offerings and activities, you may visit their website at www.amici.ph 

and like the https://www.facebook.com/pages/Amici-Philippines/156901777655575

Amici Philippines Facebook fanpage.

You may visit and call the following Amici Restaurants:

Don Bosco Makati:   8184444

Tomas Morato, Quezon City: 3766458

SM Megamall Atrium, Mandaluyong City: 6361340

Greenhills, San Juan: 7244804

Alabang Town Center, Muntinlupa City: 4039373

Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati City: 6216111

Venice Piazza, McKinley Hill: 5551000

UP Ayala Technohub, Quezon City: 7090999

More Photos @Enjoying Wonderful World Facebook.

Duchess of Cambridge, Catherine gives birth to boy!

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"It's a boy! Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, has given birth to the first child for her and Prince William." 

Prince William says he and his wife Catherine "could not be happier" to welcome their first child, after the duchess gave birth to a boy.

The Duchess of Cambridge gave birth to a son on Monday, the third in line to the throne, a baby destined to be the 43rd monarch since William the Conqueror obtained the English crown in 1066.

Kensington Palace announced at 8.30pm that the baby was delivered at 4.24pm in the exclusive Lindo wing at St Mary's hospital, Paddington, west London. His name will be announced in due course. "We could not be happier," the Duke of Cambridge said.

In a statement, Kensington Palace said: "Her royal highness the Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a son at 4.24pm. The baby weighs 8lbs 6oz. The Duke of Cambridge was present for the birth. The duchess, who had planned for a natural birth, experienced at least 10-and-a-half hours labour, which Kensington Palace said had "progressed as normal".

The birth of the baby prince means the monarchy has three generations of heirs to the throne for the first time since 1894 and the birth of the future Edward VIII.

The baby's name has not yet been announced, but he will be known as the Prince of Cambridge.

There is no precedent for when the royal couple will announce the name. Prince William was not named for a week, while Prince Charles's name was not announced for a month.

The baby's grandfather Prince Charles issued a statement saying he and his wife Camilla were "overjoyed" at the arrival.

The statement issued by Clarence House said,

"It is an incredibly special moment for William and Catherine and we are so thrilled for them on the birth of their baby boy."

"Grandparenthood is a unique moment in anyone’s life, as countless kind people have told me in recent months, so I am enormously proud and happy to be a grandfather for the first time and we are eagerly looking forward to seeing the baby in the near future."

Hundreds gathered outside the hospital to celebrate the news. The crowd sang: "Happy birthday dear royal baby," in absence of a name. 

Later several hundred people were outside Buckingham Palace, where an ornate easel announced the birth.

Congratulations  Prince William and Duchess Catherine ! 

Here's the Prayer for royal baby.

The Church of England has put this on its website.

http://www.churchofengland.org/media-centre/news/2013/07/prayer-for-the-royal-baby.aspx

God our Creator,

who knows each of us by name

and loves us from all eternity:

we give you thanks for new life and human love.

Bless William and Catherine

as they welcome their son into the world.

Give them patience and wisdom

to cherish and love him as he grows.

Surround the family with the light of hope and

the warmth of your love today and always;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Chalk Magazine Initiates Campus Talk in DLSU

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Chalk magazine’s Bright Young Manila 2013 campaign just keeps heating up as it taps into yet another UAAP campus, the De La Salle University, this Wednesday (July 24), as the Chalk Bright Young Manila Campus Talk brings even more fun and power to the country’s next generation of trendsetters and industry leaders.

Offering talks on music, arts, and pop culture, Chalk has invited multi-talented model and TV personality Sarah Meier-Albano, MYX Channel Head Andre Allan Alvarez, and fashion and celebrity photographer Roy Macam to give the youth their unique insight and guidance for pursuing their own passions.

Sarah Meier-Albano

Andre Allan Alvarez

An open forum for body and skin care is also set to take place with Chalk’s own Beauty Editor Michelle Katigbak-Aljeandro as well as Bright Young Manila 2012 and fashion-beauty blogger Dani Barretto. Fashion advice is also well on the way as Chalk’s own fashion editors Bianca Santiago-Reinoso and Kate Paras give their tips on how to look fresh and bright on campus—plus, an exciting performance from the La Salle Dance Company, special participation of some DLSU Lady Spikers, raffles, games, and special awards. 

Don’t miss out on this leg of the Chalk Bright Young Manila Campus Talks happening at the De La Salle University this Wednesday (July 24) at 3:00 p.m. Keep up to date with the details by visiting www.facebook.com/chalkmagazine.

This campus event is in partnership with DLSU University Student Government.