30 Disyembre,2024 Lunes

1  day to 2025, Happy New Year

Happy 21st anniversary, Servants of God in Jesus Christ Christian Ministries Incorporated, Rev. Nestor Sadim, Rev. Manuel Soliman, Director Jorge Lopez

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

PM for any hospital discharge problem

ABS 2025

DA to resolve rice branding issues in January

By Nidz Godino

“We expect  this new labeling will be implemented as soon as possible…as a matter of fact, the secretary already called for  meeting to discuss  issue and immediately release guidelines on this,” Agriculture Assistant Secretary and spokesman Arnel de Mesa said Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. will lead  meeting on Jan. 3,2025 that will finalize a plan to remove branding on rice after he said that retailers and traders are intentionally confusing consumers with premium rice imports to justify  high prices of  grains.

De  Mesa said  Tiu Laurel wants to standardize  labeling of rice so that consumers will not be shortchanged by unscrupulous traders.

De Mesa said  Tiu Laurel personally uncovered during his inspection of various markets in Metro Manila  problem of  branding of imported rice.

“He discovered, during  inspection of  particular imported rice he is very familiar with, landed cost of imported rice is only P40 per kilo but it is sold in the market for more than P60 per kilo…profit margin is so big,” he said.

He stressed that based on  consultation of Department of Agriculture (DA) with traders and importers, they have already profited if at least P6 to P8 per kilo will be added to  landed cost of imported staple.

“If it’s landed cost P40 per kilo,  retail price should only be P48, so one of the solutions is to remove  branding on premium and special rice,” he explained.

He added that imported rice is classified through  degree of brokenness.

“It’s five percent for premium…there are also 15 percent, 25 percent and 100 percent broken, but when sold in the market, it is not being treated as 100 percent broken and instead it is being treated by  brand. ..traders usually label  rice as premium and special,” de Mesa said.

In  the past,  DA’s focus was only regular and well-milled rice as ordinary consumers often buy them since the two are cheaper.

Tiu Laurel said locally-produced rice will be exempted from this rule to protect Filipino farmers and traders.

Meeting  will include  Bureau of Plant Industry and  National Food Authority (NFA) to assess national rice situation.

De Mesa added  DA sees retail price of rice to further go down in 2025 amid  downward trend in international prices.

“We are expecting that by January,  price of imported rice in  world market will further decrease…hopefully, this will be reflected in the local market,” he said.

De Mesa further stated that Tiu Laurel has asked  Bureau of Internal Revenue to examine  books of  importers and traders to determine if they are paying  right taxes.

Tiu Laurel has said  DA can invoke  food security emergency under  amended Rice Tariffication Law,  would allow  release of buffer stocks from  NFA to stabilize prices.

He added that  DA is exploring  option of allowing government corporations like Food Terminal Inc. to import significant quantities of rice to compete directly with private importers.

Tiu Laurel also ordered  DA legal division to study whether provisions of  Consumer Price Act could be activated to deal with  seeming acts of profiteering.

Tiu Laurel noted that despite President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s reduction of  rice tariff to 15 percent from 35 percent in July, prices of rice have remained stubbornly high, frustrating both  government and consumers.

He also asked  Department of Trade and Industry to assist in monitoring  prices of rice in markets and groceries.

Farmers’ group Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) national manager Raul Montemayor  warned that  plan of  DA to remove branding on rice will further cause chaos on pricing of  staple.

“If you remove  brand, how can consumers determine  kind of rice they are procuring?” Montemayor asked.

Montemayor was reacting to  announcement of Tiu Laurel that plans to remove branding on rice after he said t retailers and traders are intentionally confusing consumers with premium rice imports to justify high prices of  grains.

“DA are just looking for  reason why  retail price of rice remains high…they failed to pinpoint  cause…removing branding of rice their solution, it may only further cause chaos in  pricing grains,” he said.

“They are pressured to address  high retail prices but forgot to help  local farmers,” he further stated.

Montemayor said it should be  economic managers who should be made accountable after Executive Order 62 failed to bring down  retail price of rice despite  decision to lower  tariff on imported rice to 15 percent from previous 35 percent.

“We are telling  DA it did not create problem… economic managers were behind  lower tariff, which failed to address  high retail price of  rice but it is DA who is finding  solution…they should instead focus on problems of the farmers,  easy to pinpoint who is manipulating  retail price of rice as once  imported rice arrives, importer declares how much he spent to bring in  imported rice… Bureau of Customs has records…if  importer sells to wholesaler, it has  receipt from BIR,Montemayor added.

.Montemayor added that  wholesalers also have receipts of how much they sold  imported grains to  retailers.

“There are receipts so it is easy to determine who is manipulating  retail price of rice…as of now,  retailers are being blamed, but based on  data from  Philippine Statistics Authority,  profiteering comes from  importers and wholesalers and not retailers,” he added.

Based on  monitoring of  DA in Metro Manila markets,  retail price of imported regular milled rice is sold for as high as P45 per kilo; imported well-milled rice, as high as P56 per kilo; imported premium rice, as high as P60 per kilo and imported special rice, as high as P64 per kilo.

Meanwhile, former senator Francis Pangilinan has expressed full support for  government’s plan to declare  “food security emergency” as part of efforts to curb  prices of rice,  primary driver of inflation and  burden to many Filipinos.

Pangilinan said  government must exhaust all possible measures to lower rice prices.

“We fully support  government’s actions aimed at easing  burden of our countrymen who are already suffering from  high price of rice,” he said, referring to Tiu Laurel’s plan to declare  food security emergency.

Pangilinan served as  food security czar from June 2014 to September 2015 under  administration of the late president Benigno Aquino III. During his tenure, he reduced rice prices up to P3 per kilo by interventions that rice inflation reduced from 15 percent to 0.8 percent in  span of one year. This, in turn, brought down nationwide inflation to its lowest rate in 20 years. 

30 Disyembre,2024 Lunes

1  day to 2025, Happy New Year

Happy 21st anniversary, Servants of God in Jesus Christ Christian Ministries Incorporated, Rev. Nestor Sadim, Rev. Manuel Soliman, Director Jorge Lopez

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

PM for any hospital discharge problem

ABS 2025

Ahead  of New Year firecracker injured  142

By Jessica Tolentino

“We strongly urge  public to follow the law and use only authorized firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices and together, we can celebrate  coming New Year.” Col. Jay Dimaandal, Pampanga Provincial Police  director said, some 16,280 different kinds of fireworks were destroyed on Friday at PPPO headquarters in San Fernando City, Pampanga.

.As  New Year celebration approaches,  number of fireworks-related injuries (FWRI) nationwide rose to 142.

Department of Health (DOH) said  additional 17 cases pushed to 142  total FWRIs recorded from Dec. 22 to 29.

DOH said  current total number of cases is 35 percent higher than  105 cases posted during  same period last year.

Of total cases,  DOH said 115 are 19 years old and below, while 27 are 20 years old and above.

Males accounted for 127 of  total cases, while  remaining 15 are females.

High  of 73 percent, or 104 of those cases, were caused by illegal firecrackers such as boga, five-star and piccolo.

DOH further noted  60 percent of  FWRI victims were  ones actively using  fireworks.

As this developed,  DOH-Ilocos Region office asked  public to refrain from using boga, s now the leading cause of FWRIs.

Dr. Paula Paz Sydiongco, DOH Ilocos Region director, said they have monitored  rising trend of FWRIs in the region, particularly in Pangasinan.

Syndiongco said almost half of  31 FWRIs recorded in Ilocos from Dec. 21 to 25 were caused by boga.

Other causes of FWRI are five-star with five (16.1 percent); baby rocket with two (6.5 percent); whistle bomb, two (6.5 percent); kwitis or sky rocket, one (3.2 percent); fountain, one (3.2 percent) and others with six (19.4 percent).

Sydiongco said 20 patients suffered blast or burn injuries, while nine suffered eye injuries.

She said three cases were admitted, while 21 cases were treated in health facilities and eventually sent home. No deaths were reported.

In  Cordillera region, two more FWRIs were reported, bringing  total number of cases in  highland region to 10.

Two new cases are from Abra and Apayao. Baguio City still has  highest number of recorded cases with four, while Kalinga and Mountain Province have two cases each.

Victims’ ages ranged between four to 17. Of the 10 cases, nine are males and one is female.

Four cases sustained eye injuries, five had blast or burn injuries without amputation, and one case of blast or burn injury with amputation.

Meanwhile Dimaandal said destroyed illegal firecrackers were confiscated during  week-long police operation.

Dimaandal led  fireworks destruction, with  cooperation of  Bureau of Fire Protection and City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

He said  seized illegal fireworks included 2,070 piccolos, 1,280 five-stars, 300 poppops and 603 improvised boga cannons.

Dimaandal emphasized  importance of  campaign against illegal firecrackers to prevent firecracker-related incidents and to promote  safe holiday celebration.

30 Disyembre,2024 Lunes

1  day to 2025, Happy New Year

Happy 21st anniversary, Servants of God in Jesus Christ Christian Ministries Incorporated, Rev. Nestor Sadim, Rev. Manuel Soliman, Director Jorge Lopez

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

PM for any hospital discharge problem

ABS 2025

Headlines

Comelec hit for allowing Quiboloy in 2025 polls

By J.Lo

“This isn’t just  insult to  democratic process , insult to logic and fairness…why reward someone with  track record of breaking  law over  candidate with  clean slate?”  Workers’ and Peasants’ Party (WPP)  criticized  Commission on Elections for ruling in favor of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy, currently in detention on charges of alleged human trafficking and child sex abuse.

Party president Sonny Matula said  Comelec rewarded  lawbreaker by allowing Quiboloy to run in next year’s senatorial race.

He issued  statement after Comelec upheld  previous decision dismissing  petition to declare Quiboloy  nuisance bet.

Matula said  Comelec’s decision is contrary to reason and justice.

“With all due respect,.. Comelec’s decision-making seems to have lost its anchor in reason. ..how can you justify  process that allows for piecemeal justice… not just illogical;.. disservice to  Filipino people,” he said.

WPP is filing  petition with  Supreme Court seeking to overturn what it describes  “grossly unfair and discriminatory” Comelec ruling.

It further questioned Quiboloy’s failure to comply with  crucial deadline to submit  answer to  petition within five days.

“This is not just  technical lapse , blatant mockery and trivialization of  electoral process,” Matula said.

29 Disyembre,2024 Linggo

2  days to 2025, Happy New Year

Happy 21st anniversary, Servants of God in Jesus Christ Christian Ministries Incorporated, Rev. Nestor Sadim, Rev. Manuel Soliman, Director Jorge Lopez

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

PM for any hospital discharge problem

ABS 2025

Rizal’s ‘Josephine Sleeping’ revived at National Museum

By J.Lo

“If Rizal can be said to have ever loved anyone else by Filipino nation, then it must be said that he loved Josephine; he was her husband twice over… she was  one woman with whom he shared that most jealously prized of all his possessions, his name, and also his heart’s intimacies,” twin banners feature quotations from author Leon Ma. Guerrero, of  definitive Rizal biography “The First Filipino,” as well as  letter from Josephine Bracken herself to Jose Rizal.

That much is clear in “Josephine Sleeping,”  shows Rizal and his wife at their most vulnerable.

 Jose Rizal’s exquisite P31-million statue “Josephine Sleeping” will be unveiled tomorrow,  128th anniversary of the hero’s martyrdom, at National Museum of Fine Arts on T.M. Kalaw Drive, Ermita, Manila.

By all accounts, this gift to  Filipino people is priceless  immortalizing not only  country’s foremost hero but also  woman he loved, Josephine Leopoldine Bracken. It’s snapshot of  country’s greatest love story, eclipsing even  Manila Film Festival and  metro-wide New Year’s countdowns.

Speaking under cover of anonymity, its previous owner and descendant of Rizal’s sister Narcisa said, “When I learned that  National Museum was interested in acquiring this sculpture, I was overjoyed… seemed fitting for such  remarkable piece of our family’s legacy and of Philippine history  to be housed where it could be appreciated by everyone…however, as I followed  auction in real time, my heart sank when I saw  museum bow out early in  bidding.

For  moment, I feared this piece, so intimately tied to my great-grand uncle’s love for Josephine and his final days, might vanish into private hands.”

Thanks to  new law allowing it to match winning bids at public auction, National Museum of the Philippines was able to acquire extraordinary work seven days mandated after  Leon Gallery Kingly Treasures Auction this November 2024.

Previous  owner continued jubilantly, “when  National Museum was able to acquire  statue after  auction, I felt  overwhelming sense of relief and pride…although letting this treasured family heirloom go was not  easy decision, I now know it was  right one…this sculpture belongs to Filipino people, just as Rizal himself does.”

Owner  was moved to donate  precious sketch of Josephine that was displayed at  Rizal Centennial in 1961 alongside  statue.

Rizal’s “Josephine Sleeping”  hailed as  country’s very own “Mona Lisa”  can now be viewed for free at  lofty Spoliarium Hall of  museum, between  most famous masterpieces by Juan Luna and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo.

Specially-designed glass vitrine, lined in velvet, will contain  extraordinary statue alongside  devotional book “The Imitation of Christ” by Thomas  Kempis, Rizal dedicated and gave to his “dear and unhappy wife” just hours before his death by firing squad at  Luneta.

Said Jorell Legaspi, deputy director-general for museums of National Museum, “We plan to re-design  present Rizal Gallery next year to create  stronger narrative for ‘Josephine Sleeping.’

Artwork  may be viewed by  public for free from 9 in the morning  to 6 in the evening on tomorrow,Dec. 30 and following day 31, with  break on Jan. 1,2925.

Viewing resumes seven days  week thenceforth, Monday to Sunday.

29 Disyembre,2024 Linggo

2  days to 2025, Happy New Year

Happy 21st anniversary, Servants of God in Jesus Christ Christian Ministries Incorporated, Rev. Nestor Sadim, Rev. Manuel Soliman, Director Jorge Lopez

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

PM for any hospital discharge problem

ABS 2025

Headlines

P20/kilo rice achievable-Quimbo

By Nidz Godino

“Kadiwa ng Pangulo Rice-for-All program resumed Friday, Dec. 27, on its seventh day, targeting more public markets in time for  celebration of New Year,”  Presidential Communications Office said affordable rice will soon be available in more public markets nationwide as  government eyes  expansion of its P40 per kilo program.

Rice retailers have started lowering prices following successful implementation of  program led by  Department of Agriculture (DA),  PCO noted.

Staple, being sold at Kadiwa stores at P40 per kilo in some areas in Metro Manila, is cheaper by P3 to P5 compared to those being sold by market retailers.

Public  may purchase up to 25 kilos of  affordable rice.

“Market retailers are currently reducing their prices to keep up with  lower price offered by rolling stores,” the PCO said, quoting  DA report.

So far, EDSA Balintawak Market distributed 110 sacks of rice; New Marulas Public Market in Barangay Marulas, Valenzuela City, five sacks and Malabon Central Market, 32 sacks.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. earlier said among  cities that agreed to allow  sale of P40 per kilo of rice in markets are Quezon City, Pasay, Caloocan, Manila, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Malabon and Makati.

Current  retail prices of rice range from P48 to P55 per kilo, DA said.

DA targets to open at least 1,300 more Kadiwa stores next year and 1,500 Kadiwa kiosks inside  markets, Tiu Laurel said.

He noted  Office of the President has approved  allocation of P5 billion for  Rice-for-All and P29 per kilo of rice programs.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.has ordered  expansion of  government’s rice programs and Kadiwa outlets nationwide.

Meanwhile, Marikina 2nd District Rep. Stella Quimbo has asked  National Irrigation Administration (NIA) to further study its contract farming program to achieve  government’s target price of P20 per kilo of rice in local markets.

Quimbo made call during House quinta committee hearing before Congress went into Christmas break.

Committee, chaired by Rep. Joey Salceda, is probing alleged rice price manipulation by traders and rice importers.

Quimbo requested  NIA to present its findings at future meetings of quinta comm.

At  recent quinta comm hearing, NIA administrator Eduardo Guillen said Irrigation agency collaborates with irrigation associations, providing funds equivalent to 50 percent of  target yield for farm inputs, with  remaining paid at harvest time.

Under the program, farmers are free to sell any surplus yield above  contracted target.

Guillen said P29 per kilo of rice reflects only 25 percent of  total yield under  contract farming program, with  remaining 75 percent being sold at higher prices.

Contract  farming program, he said, is aimed at shifting  practice of planting rice only during  wet season, when farmers are guaranteed water for their crops.

Guillen said NIA can supply irrigation water during  dry season, would allow farmers to harvest earlier, before  typhoon season begins.

If NIA managed to sell rice for P29 per kilo under  contract farming program, Quimbo said it could also achieve  target of P20 per kilo of rice.

27 Disyembre,2024 Biyernes

4  days to 2025, Happy New Year

Happy 21st anniversary, Servants of God in Jesus Christ Christian Ministries Incorporated, Rev. Nestor Sadim, Rev. Manuel Soliman, Director Jorge Lopez

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

PM for any hospital discharge problem

ABS 2025

Firecrackers for sale on line taken down

By J.Lo

“If we see  violation, we will request for  takedown,” Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) director Brig. Gen. Bernard Yang said in  news briefing apart from entrapment operations, PNP-ACG has also intensified its drive against social media accounts to deter  online sale of firecrackers.

Data from ACG showed  115 social media pages were deleted for selling firecrackers online, 59  from Facebook followed by 54 on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Website  was removed for  same offense and also one on Spotify.

At least 93 online accounts are still active, 71 on Facebook, 20 on X, one on Spotify and  website.

ACG chief said they have intensified  cyber patrolling against  online sale of firecrackers. Yang said it does not matter even if  firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices are legal, stressing that selling items online is prohibited.

“Legal or illegal, it’s prohibited,” he said.

Since Nov. 20,  ACG has confiscated assorted firecrackers such as atomic bomb, Judas belt, whistle bomb, kabase, Goodbye Philippines and Piccolo worth P76,400.

Among those who were arrested for  online sale of firecrackers are alias Rico and alias Chris, who were arrested in San Fernando City in Pampanga on Tuesday.

Suspects, who are from Makati City, were apprehended in an entrapment operation at around 2:20 in the afternoon. Seized from them were 201 atomic bombs, 15 reams of pla-pla and 10 bundles of kabase with  combined value of P60,000.

Suspects  are facing cases for violation of Republic Act 7183,  regulates  sale, manufacture, distribution and use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices in relation to RA 10175, or  Cybercrime Prevention Act.

PNP has also intensified its drive against tutorials circulating in online platforms on how to make boga,  improvised cannon which has been prohibited for its destructive effects. PNP  is looking for people behind  videos.

PNP public information officer Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said  ACG and other police units were directed to investigate and unmask  people behind  online tutorials.

Department of Health said  boga is among  most common causes of firecracker-related injuries, alongside  five-star and Piccolo.

 Total  of 69 cases of firecracker-related injuries have been recorded nationwide, according to  Department of Health (DOH).

There were 26 new firecracker-related injuries added to  43 cases registered by 62 sentinel hospitals on Christmas Day.  Injuries  were logged from Dec. 22 up to yesterday morning. Of those injured, 65 were male and four were female, with most victims aged 19 and below.

DOH data showed that 51 (74 percent) of the cases actively used firecrackers, and 59 or 86 percent used illegal firecrackers such as boga.

DOH warned  too much use of firecrackers and fireworks can result in body burns, loss of hearing, blindness, eye irritation, even death.

Apart from poisoning, using firecrackers can also affect  person’s respiratory system and other organs due to toxic chemicals such as lead, sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.

In Bolinao, Pangasinan, there will be  total ban on firecrackers and pyrotechnics this yuletide season and in welcoming  new year, in accordance with Executive Order 70 series of 2024 signed by Mayor Alfonso Celeste last Dec. 20.

EO imposes  total ban on  manufacture, sale, distribution, and use of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices in the municipality.

“Firecrackers shall be subject to confiscation by  PNP and,or BFP from seller/s and,or users of violating provisions of this Executive Order,” it added, and that “Barangay Council is hereby authorized to stop any activity which is not in conformity with this policy and shall immediately report and coordinate with BFP and  PNP.”

In Bulacan, however, firecracker enthusiasts can greet coming new year with  bang in 46 community firecracker zones in the province.

Bulacan Provincial Police Office said these zones are located in different places in Bulacan’s 20 municipalities and four cities.

Zones  are  only places where legal firecrackers can be used and exploded by fireworks enthusiasts based on Executive Order 28 signed by then president Rodrigo Duterte in June 2017. 

27 Disyembre,2024 Biyernes

4  days to 2025, Happy New Year

Happy 21st anniversary, Servants of God in Jesus Christ Christian Ministries Incorporated, Rev. Nestor Sadim, Rev. Manuel Soliman, Director Jorge Lopez

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

PM for any hospital discharge problem

ABS 2025

Headlines

Hard to counterfeit polymer bills

By J.Lo

“Counterfeits were of low quality, as their elements poorly matched advanced security features of polymer banknotes,” Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported  significant decrease in counterfeit banknotes since  introduction of polymer currency, with only one fake P1,000 polymer note detected per 82 million pieces in circulation.

This compares to  one per 19,000 counterfeit rate recorded for  older paper-based notes.

In  statement,  BSP  collected data based on  P1,000 polymer notes launched in April 2022.

Key  findings show  documented counterfeits of P1000 polymer banknote were only one per 82 million pieces. This means that there were 10 counterfeits out of 825.4 million in circulation from 2022 to November 2024.

In contrast, documented counterfeits of  P1000 paper currency stood at one per 19,000 pieces. There were 98,316 counterfeits found out of 1.86 billion in circulation, reflecting  vulnerability of traditional materials to forgery.

According to  BSP, polymer banknotes incorporate advanced security features such as flora clear window, vertical clear window, embossed mirrored denomination and iridescent figure, among others,  reduce risk of counterfeiting.

In a separate study conducted by De La Salle University’s Center for Engineering and Sustainable Development Research in 2023 and commissioned by  BSP, global warming potential (GWP) of  P1000 polymer banknote is 38.36 percent lower than that of its paper counterpart.

“Lower GWP is attributed to  longer lifespan of polymer banknotes,  reduces  consumption of resources, such as electricity, throughout their life cycle,”  BSP said.

Findings  were in line with studies conducted by other central banks,  Bank of England, the Bank of Canada and Banco de Mexico.

Department of Health also reviewed evidence from data collected during  COVID-19 pandemic, confirming  polymer banknotes are resistant to damage and dirt caused by water, oil and grime.

Meanwhile, BSP research shows  polymer banknotes can last for as long as 7.5 years compared to 1.5 years for paper banknotes.

Central  bank also receives fewer worn-out polymer banknotes compared with paper banknotes. From 2022 to November 2024, only 0.08 percent or 689,571 pieces of P1000 polymer notes issued were returned as worn-out or damaged, significantly cutting replacement costs.

By contrast, 54.4 percent or about one billion pieces of  P1000 paper notes issued during  same period were returned in poor condition.

TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

Psalm 103:1-2

Psalm 103

Of David.

¹ Praise the Lord, my soul;
    all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
² Praise the Lord, my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits—

26 Disyembre,2024 Huwebes

5  days to 2025, Happy New Year

Happy 21st anniversary, Servants of God in Jesus Christ Christian Ministries Incorporated, Rev. Nestor Sadim, Rev. Manuel Soliman, Director Jorge Lopez

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

PM for any hospital discharge problem

ABS 2025

Demand for Japs content booms post ‘Shogun’

By Cynthia Montojo

“Demand from Western markets is clearly increasing,” said Kaori Ikeda, managing director at TIFFCOM,  content trade fair affiliated with  Tokyo International Film Festival.

 Fueled in part by  success of TV hit “Shogun,” foreign studios are hungry for quality Japanese content and local creators are adapting to meet demand.

Fans of Japanese manga and anime cartoons have often criticized foreign adaptations that are unfaithful to  original material.

But “Shogun,” based on  1975 novel by Australian-British writer James Clavell, broke  mold when  period drama series  mostly in Japanese and hailed for its authenticity  won 18 Emmy awards in September.

Other recent Japanese works have also become worldwide hits. Franco-US-Japanese show “Drops of God,” based on  manga of the same name, won best drama series at  International Emmy Awards in November.

Netflix’s 2023 adaptation of  manga superhit “One Piece” starring Mexican actor Inaki Godoy as  lead  was hailed by viewers and critics alike and will return for  second season.

More adaptations of major manga and anime hits are in the works, including  superhero adventures of “My Hero Academia” and  ninja escapades of “Naruto.”

But Japanese companies lack “know-how” when it comes to things like negotiating rights, she said. So TIFFCOM has organized Tokyo Story Market, a space to facilitate networking and meetings between international producers and Japanese publishers.

Foreign studios are also getting better at avoiding some of the pitfalls of the past, such as  2017 film version of  manga “Ghost in the Shell” starring Scarlett Johansson.

Critics accused  movie, whose main actors except Takeshi Kitano were all non-Japanese, of “whitewashing.”

Similarly,  2017 supernatural thriller “Death Note” was panned for veering too far from  original manga.

“Manga authors are highly respected and fan communities are very vigilant,” said Klaus Zimmermann, producer of “Drops of God.”

His adaptation takes some liberties, such as starring  French actor as one of the main characters, but Zimmermann insists it was developed in collaboration with  authors of  original manga, “It was about finding  spirit of manga so as not to distort it.”

Yuki Takamatsu,  rights negotiator at manga’s publishing house Kodansha, said  process of adapting “Drops of God” was “amazing.”

“Everyone was open to tackling those challenges together… at every step, everyone was understanding about how we should do it,” he said.

Past failures were in part down to publishers struggling to communicate their wishes to foreign producers, who in turn lacked  proper understanding of manga and anime, Takamatsu said.

“Back just 15, 20 years ago, most of enquiries we received from those big studios were like, hey, I know ‘Dragon Ball’, do you have ‘Dragon Ball’ IP?” Takamatsu said.

“But nowadays, especially since Covid,  producers in their 30s, 40s, they watch anime together with their kids on Netflix or Amazon” and then reach out, he said.

Japanese broadcasters have also become “better and better at presenting and marketing their content” abroad, said Makito Sugiyama, executive director at the Broadcast Program Export Association of Japan (BEAJ).

This includes their participation at global events such as MIPCOM in Cannes,  annual trade show for the television industry, Sugiyama said.

Japanese broadcasters have long had success selling show concepts abroad, like  one for “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” known in Britain as “You’ve Been Framed.”

Now, some Japanese dramas are also finding  wider echo abroad.

Nippon TV’s original drama “Mother” became  hit thanks in part to its Turkish remake, and has been broadcast in around 50 countries.

Western viewers have overcome their initial reluctance to watch series with Asian actors, believes Masaru Akiyama, chief executive of  BEAJ, “They have got used to it, they don’t care anymore…they want to see, they want to feel  stories.”

“Shogun” was “game changer for Japan,” he added, and Ikeda agrees.

“That  samurai story with such attention to historical detail can become mainstream entertainment is proof of  potential” of Japanese content, she said.

26 Disyembre,2024 Huwebes

5  days to 2025, Happy New Year

Happy 21st anniversary, Servants of God in Jesus Christ Christian Ministries Incorporated, Rev. Nestor Sadim, Rev. Manuel Soliman, Director Jorge Lopez

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

PM for any hospital discharge problem

ABS 2025

‘Home Along Da Riles’ comeback in 2025

By Cynthia Montojo

“Cosmes are back…see you in 2025…our favorite family returns along da riles this 2025” teased Claudine in the caption, also including  line from  theme that goes “Kung tayo ay may unity, ang imposible ay pwede.”

Actress Claudine Barretto teased fans of “Home Along Da Riles”  iconic comedy series would be returning in  new year.

Claudine posted on her Instagram account  video showing  miniature version of  “Home Along Da Riles” set celebrating Christmas.

Miniature  set, designed by Pampanga-based artist Nhoda Muñoz, was accompanied by  slowed-down version of  show’s theme song composed by Homer Flores.

Coincidentally, Claudine posted  video just as  original show marked its 32nd anniversay since it first aired on ABS-CBN.

 “Home Along Da Riles” ran from  1992 to 2003 in  cast led by the late Dolphy, Nova Villa, Bernardo Bernardo, Smokey Manaloto, Gio Alvarez, Maybelyn dela Cruz, and Vandolph Quizon.

Claudine was  main cast member until 1998 when she departed  show for other commitments, returning for guest appearances.

Also appearing on the show were Babalu, Carding Castro, Paula Peralejo, Nikki Valdez, Ces Quesada, Rica Peralejo, Vhong Navarro, and Dennis Padilla.

Restored  version of the series’ movie adaptation opened  Philippine Film Industry Month back in September 2023 attended by the cast, who also recently reunited for  Christmas party.