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‘Granny Prostitutes:’ Sex workers and the stigma of aging
By Cristina DC Pastor “Granny Prostitutes” – titled “Lola Magdalena” in the Philippines – is the story of five maturing sex workers who live together in an old ‘bahay sa tisa,’ inherited by Bela (played Liza Lorena) from her deceased paramour. The semi-retired prostitutes also include Dalena (played by Gloria Diaz), Luningning (Pia Moran), Corazon […]
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NYAFF opens July 12 with Philippine film ‘Granny Prostitutes’ et al in lineup
This year’s New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF), from July 12–22, features more than 90 new and classic titles from China, South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia, Mongolia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and beyond, with nine world premieres, 12 international premieres, and 38 North American premieres. The Philippines will be represented by the […]
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When screen time becomes reading time
By Marissa Bañez I like my screen time. I like watching movies, shows, clips, reels, etc. on TV, my computer, my phone. Escapism at its finest, except when I find myself asking, “What did that person say?” I usually rewind to see if I could hear or understand better. Unfortunately, all too often, I still […]
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Susie Ibarra’s ‘Sky Islands’ musical piece vs climate change premieres on July 18
Renowned Filipino composer and percussionist Susie Ibarra previewed her latest work in progress—Sky Islands, a musical tribute to our rich and fragile ecosystems inspired by the distinct rainforest habitats of Luzon, Philippines. Sky Islands combines the creation of new gong metal sculptures, which create a physical floating garden series of sounds, with a musical score to float the composition […]
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Catch FilAm father-and-daughter in ‘Hadestown’ till June 30
By Tricia Capistrano “Sus ginoo!” Jon Jon Briones exclaims in Hadestown, where he plays Hermes, the messenger god. I had heard that Briones was in the Broadway musical along with his daughter, Isa Briones, who plays Eurydice, and expected impassioned songs from the father and daughter. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the more senior […]
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I LOVE MY JOB: DI Michael Reyes: A love for dancing since he was 3
By Cristina DC Pastor Michael Reyes became a dance instructor through a stroke of luck. Sixteen years ago, he used to frequent a local haunt (Bistro Filipino in South Ozone Park at the time) with his friends Jun Cloma and Allan Matamis when the general manager (Will Reyes Jr.) invited him to join his dancing […]
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What have we learned from the GomBurZa past?
By Allen Gaborro In 1872, in what was pre-revolutionary Philippines, an atmosphere of intrepidness, nationalism, and self-awakening descended on Filipinos as three Roman Catholic priests were unjustly put to death by the Spanish colonial authorities. The trinity of priests (Mariano Gómes, José Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora), were garroted—after what was widely believed to be a […]
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Sharon Cuneta, Kiko Pangilinan file cyber libel case vs. Cristy Fermin
By Hana Bordey GMA Integrated News Sharon Cuneta and her husband, former Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, are the latest to file cyber libel charges against Cristy Fermin. According to GMA Integrated News’ Nelson Canlas, the couple filed the case before the Makati City Prosecutors Office on Friday, May 10 for “broadcasting baseless and malicious statements […]
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On Global Filipinos: Sine Filipino Film Festival is launched in Toronto
By Loida Nicolas Lewis It took seven years before Michael Masangkay agreed with Agnes Miranda, his co-founder of Sine Institute to launch the first Filipino film festival also known as Sine Film Fest or SFF in Toronto. He said it was time. Out of a total population of 35 million, there are one million Filipinos […]