XPLORE NAGA 2013 !

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XPLORE NAGA 2013 is offer you one of the largest photography activity this coming Peñafrancia. In tradition in providing you hip and in style events, Xplore Naga 2013 is here to bring to the upcoming festivities to the forefront of festivals in the country and the world. Participants would be treated to a plethora of festivities and experience that aims to capture what makes the Peñafrancia Festival unique in the world. 

The Photography Academy-Manila in partnership with the City Government of Naga and Avenue Square we now give you this event that would surely give you a different take on the usual festivities this September.

Xplore Naga 2013 is an advocacy event for boosting local tourism by The Academy. It is part of the series of PhotoQuests for our Traveller Project, where we will visit local towns and cities with global festivals. 

With this event, first to be held in Naga to showcase to the world the beauty of Naga and its people by creating a gallery of inspirations, dreams, and hopes and using the power of social media to communicate this message. Photos will all be taken in Naga City during the Peñafrancia Festivities by local and professional photographers and students from Manila and Naga City. This would be a month long celebration for all. 

Awards to be given to the winners and an exhibit would follow for the photographs you took for the event at the Plaza Rizal.

Here's the following schedule of activities. 

September 9 

Time: (8AM-12NN)

Venue: TBA

Photojournalism Workshop with Francis Malasig

“Basics of Photojournalism and An Inspection of Photojournalism in the Country”. Francis Malasig of European Press Agency a renowned photojournalist who won the 1994 Freedom Forum Awards

September 13

Time: (2PM-7PM)

Venue: Avenue Square

Join your fellow photographers both hobbyists and professionals in witnessing the Translacion procession. The Formal Opening of the Xplore Naga PhotoQuest on September 13, 2013 at 2PM to 4PM at the Avenue Square and the awarding ceremonies would soon follow at the Avenue Square by 7PM.

September 17-21

Time: 10AM

Xplore Naga Gallery at the Plaza Rizal on September 17- 21 2013 at 10AM

See your best photos come to life as we exhibit them in life-size prints at the Plaza Rizal.

Your photos would have the chance to be published and exhibit at the Food and Art Gallerie at the 12th Floor of GT tower, Ayala Avenue, Makati City for 2 months and a coffee-table book will be published by the Academy entitled “Xplore Naga 2013 Book”

Explore and Enjoy the wonderful world of Naga City as it showcase the flavour and color to the country and the world!

For more info, send email at : info@thephotographyacademymanila.com

and visit : www.Thephotographyacademymanila.com

facebook.com/thephotographyacademymanila

Sarah is the MYX Celebrity VJ for the month of August

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MYX MUSIC AWARDS 2013 FAVORITE ARTIST IS MYX CELEBRITY VJ FOR AUGUST 

Popstar Princess, coach of the hit television show The Voice of the Philippines, and blockbuster actress Sarah Geronimo is set to make things much more heartfelt with her taking on the role of MYX Celebrity VJ for the month of August.

Catch Sarah as she hosts Pop MYX from August 4 to 10, Mellow MYX from August 11 to 17, and Pinoy MYX from August 18 to 24.

Finally, to cap the month off, she will personally be bringing “Your Choice. Your Music.” on My MYX from August 25 to 31.

Don’t miss out on this sweet treat of catching Sarah Geronimo as the MYX Celebrity VJ for August. MYX is available 24/7 on SkyCable (channel 23) in Metro Manila and many quality cable companies all over the Philippines. 

MYX is also on UHF via Studio 23 during choice hours every day. For more information, log on to myxph.com.

Silent Sanctuary's new album “MONODRAMATIC” transcend emotions of love, loss and everything in between

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Silent Sanctuary’s album “MONODRAMATIC” is now out ! 

Silent Sanctuary is a 5-member Filipino band have entered the OPM (Original Pilipino Music) scene in 2006 with their songs “Rebound”, “Ikaw Lamang”, “Summer Song”, “Kundiman”, and “Ingat ka”. From this band that gave you these hit songs comes their 4th studio album “MONODRAMATIC”.

Released by Ivory Music  & Video, Silent Sanctuary maintain their classically-influenced-rock sound with their new single “BUMALIK KA NA SA’KIN” and their previously released single “PAALAM” which could well be anthems for ex-lovers and hopeless romantics.

As a growing band, they experimented in their music by mixing in classical instruments to make a unique sound, “Gusto namin maramdaman ng listeners yung kung ano din ang mga naramdaman namin sa mga kanta.”

Composed of Sarkie Sarangay on vocals and guitars, Chino David on violin, Anjo Inacay on cello, Jason Rondero on bass and Allen Calixto on drums, Silent Sanctuary spices up their signature “classical music meets rock music” sound with the release of their new album called “Monodramatic”.

The group’s previous studio albums, Fuschiang Pag-ibig and Mistaken for Granted, proved to be a success as it both spawned hits, which dominated radio, TV, online and various music charts. For this album, Silent Sanctuary delivers a more flavorful spice without deviating much from the distinct, classic sound which was loved by many, “Marami kaming ginamit na instruments sound, and elements na di pa namin ginagamit sa mga dating album,” explains vocalist Sarkie Sarangay.

“We always want to top our previous work. Yung habang mas tumatagal mas gumaganda yung mga kanta,” adding, “gusto namin lagi masulit ng listeners yung album kaya di pedeng basta-bastang output lang,” shares bassist Jason Rondero. For drummer Allen Calixto, the whole album was a way to be able to evolve and develop their sound rather than sticking with the same traditional formulas for songwriting, “Lumawak pa yung isip ko sa music, kasama dun re-learning yung drums.”

The current hit single “Bumalik Ka Na Sa ‘Kin” gives us a sneak peak of what’s in-store for everyone who’ll get a copy of album. This upbeat pop-rock song with a captivating chorus will surely occupy your mind incessantly and leave you subconsciously humming which gives a perfect balance as the lyrics express an earnest desire to get back together with a significant other. The album also features an interesting collaboration with Ashley Gosiengfiao of Midnight Meetings entitled “Meron Nang Iba”.

Violinist Chino David has pointed out that they’ve worked extensively on the songwriting and production to deliver a worthwhile listening experience to their fans, “Iba yung treatment namin sa album nato. Maraming dinaanang revisions at pagpili sa material.” With strong melodic hooks as well as harmonic surprises, listeners will surely be glued to their speakers. “Yung vision, mag-enjoy yung mga listeners tulad ng pagka-enjoy namin habang ginagawa yung album,” shares cellist Anjo Inacay. 

‘Monodramatic’ pushes the boundaries of what Silent Sanctuary has done previously and will surely transcend emotions of love, loss and everything in between.

TRACKLISTING:

1. Bumalik Ka Na Sa’kin 

2. Meron Nang Iba

3. Abot Langit

4. Sama-Sama

5. Masanay Ka Muna

6. Sa’yo

7. Sa’yo (Orchestral Version) *Bonus Track

8. Meron Nang Iba *Bonus Track

Silent Sanctuary’s album “MONODRAMATIC” is now available in music stores nationwide.   Also available for download on iTunes at http://bit.ly/128U7xY and MyMusicStore.com.ph at http://bit.ly/11NvTt9

Visit : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4G24ZvTMPI&feature=share&list=UU-41daFrBBou8CAoaa7_6Ig

Be updated with your favorite local and international artists! Visit Ivory Music & Video's Facebook page athttp://www.facebook.com/ivorymusicandvideophilippines

More photos at     https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.701669036525642.1073742494.121819191177299&type=1 as Silent Sanctuary successfully launches their newest album, "Monodramatic", at Trinoma last August 9, 2013.

Philippine Airlines plans service to direct flights to two European cities by the end of 2013

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Here's the announcement regarding the plan to restore direct service between the Philippines and Europe, Philippine Airlines has revealed that it is likely that the carrier will only be able to mount direct flights to two European cities by the end of 2013.

Copyright Photo: Angelo Agcamaran/PPSG

Ismael Augusto Gozon, Senior Vice President of Operations for Philippine Airlines, indicated that the airline is planning direct flights to two countries in Europe by year end. The flights would be to one of the previously announced planned destinations of London, Amsterdam, Paris, Rome, and Madrid. "We will fly to two European destination before the end of the year," said Gozon. "We will likely use the Airbus A340 or Boeing 777 for the direct flights to Europe.

The European Union lifted the ban on Philippine Airlines flights to Europe on July 12 paving the way for the carrier to restore direct service to the continent by the end of this year. "We have to apply for everything all over again. We literally have to start from zero," said Gozon. "We will really try to fly there before the end of the year."

London remains a high priority as one of the initial destinations for Philippine Airlines. It was revealed that the newly proposed target date for direct service to London will be December 2013 as the airline has faced delays in obtaining regulatory approvals. Philippine Airlines is expected to use London Gatwick airport as the airline's gateway to the United Kingdom and may initially use the recently acquired A340-300 aircraft to operate the service.

Meanwhile, the Civil Aeronautics Board has taken initial steps to reopen talks with Italy and France in order to establish fresh air service agreements that can support the expansion of Philippine Airlines. Discussions are expected to be held with Rome and Paris within the next six months. According to Carmelo Arcillo, CAB Executive Director, discussions with Rome for flights to Fiumcino Airport are scheduled for September 4-5, 2013 while discussions with France for resumption of service to Paris Charles de Gaulle airport is not scheduled until January 2014.

Philippine Airlines recently announced that it would be transferring the majority of its domestic operations to its subsidiary PAL Express in order to concentrate on higher yielding international long haul routes. But according to Brendan Sobie, analyst at the Centre for Aviation Asia Pacific, it is a risky move that will further strain the carrier's limited resources. "It's a high-risk venture. Re-establishing an airline on long-haul routes that are intensely competitive is an expensive proposition with huge, upfront costs," said Sobie. Ramon Ang, President of PAL, has taken a contrarian approach since assuming control and management of Philippine Airlines. The carrier reported losses of $95 million in 2012.

DOT, DSWD, and USAID launch One-Step Project

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The convergence program, called The One-Step Project, seeks to improve the lives of the poor with more direct interventions through tourism. The One-Step Project is a step to include the poor at the start of the development process and integrate communities, including but not limited to the beneficiaries of DSWD’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (Pantawid), in the tourism value chain. 

The Department of Tourism (DOT) has inked a partnership with the Department of Social Work and Development (DSWD) and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony held last August 5, 2013.

Signatories to the One Step Project (L-R): USAID Philippines Mission Director Gloria Steele, DOT Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez, Jr. and DSWD Secretary Corazon J. Soliman.

Tourism Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez, Jr. said the project aims to alleviate poverty by improving the “reach” and “power” of our people and to be given opportunities to succeed. “The eradication of poverty begins with the restoration of trust in leadership,” the tourism chief added.

The One-Step Project taps the potential of the 13 million poor Filipinos and the 2.1 million Pantawid households in nine priority tourism clusters. It aims to identify the poor households with greater propensity for success, particularly those living in the tourism clusters that host more than 21 million domestic and foreign tourists, and enroll them in tourism enterprises either as part of a destination community or a supplier community.

Under this partnership, the DSWD, through its Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), will help DOT translate the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) into a community-driven eco-tourism development plan to ensure inclusive economic growth. The DSWD SLP provides opportunities to its underprivileged participants to be self-reliant by engaging in income-generating activities.

“Tourism has been identified as a major economic driver to spur job creation, income, and revenue generation, and more importantly to spread the benefits to the countryside. This project provides institutional links to ensure effective implementation.  It is providing the poor employment and business opportunities with long-term benefits.  That brings much more stability in governance and raises the emotional quotient of our nation. Inclusiveness is a strategy, not a goal,” Secretary Jimenez said.

According to USAID Philippines Mission Director Gloria Steele, the deeper support towards inclusive growth is a major component of the bilateral agreement of the United States and Philippine governments.

DSWD Secretary Corazaon “Dinky” J. Soliman thanked the DOT and USAID for strengthening the Pantawid program, the government’s conditional cash transfer endeavor, as a vital poverty-reduction and community empowerment initiative.

Using the financial support from the USAID Advancing Philippine Competitiveness (COMPETE) Project, a national technical working group (TWG) will provide the general framework of the project, including the identification of the major activities to be conducted and funded. The One-Step Project will be implemented with support from an organizational structure composed of national and regional TWGs.

The national TWG is composed of the Champions, DOT Undersecretary Maria Victoria Jasmin and DSWD Undersecretary Parisaya Taradji; and Chairperson, DOT Assistant Secretary Rolando Canizal. TWG members include Director Honorita Bayudan, Director Georgina Ann Hernandez, and Angela Mari Ferrer from DSWD; Director Rica Bueno, Phoebe Areño, and Alex Macatuno from DOT. The REID Foundation serves as its technical secretariat, while the regional TWG is composed of the regional directors of the DSWD and DOT, in coordination with other regional offices and their respective local government units (LGUs).