PH to lead Asian growth

Philippine economic growth to lead Asia in 2019: HSBC


ABS-CBN News
18 February 2019

MANILA -- The Philippine economy will continue to grow faster than its Asian peers this year, notwithstanding global and local risks, HSBC said Monday.

Inflation is easing and is likely to settle at less than 4 percent at the end of the year, but growth could be affected by possible oil and food price shocks, said Frederic Neumann, HSBC managing director and co-head of Asian economics research.

The failure of the US and China to settle their trade spat could deal financial markets with a "confidence shock." Slowing growth in China, Japan and Europe could weigh on exports, he said.

"The Philippines will lead in absolute growth terms," Neumann told ANC's Market Edge. Consumption will likely pick up in Indonesia, he said.

Filipino Oscar nominees

Filipino artists receive Oscar nod


Jan Milo Severo
Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines will be represented in the upcoming 91st Academy Awards as several Filipino creatives and their films have been nominated in various categories.

Filipino-American Matthew Libatique is nominated for Best Cinematography for his work in Lady Gaga's "A Star is Born."

Filipino-American Matthew Libatique is nominated for Best Cinematography for his work in Lady Gaga's "A Star is Born." 

Facebook/A Star Is Born

He was also nominated at the recently concluded Critics’ Choice Awards but was bested by Alfonso Cuaron of the film “Roma.”

Matthew Libatique

Matthew was first nominated for an Oscar in 2011 for his work in “Black Swan." 

Disney’s “Ralph Breaks The Internet” is nominated in the Best Animated Feature category. One of its story writers is Filipina Josie Trinidad, while its special effects team was headed by Cesar Velasquez.

Josie Trinidad

Nominated in the same category is “Spider-man: Into the Spider-verse” which featured Filipino-American Hailee Steinfeld who voiced Spider-Gwen.

Hailee Steinfield

Filipinos Louie del Carmen, Ryan Rubi and John Butiu formed part of the movie's animation team.




Meanwhile, two works by Filipinos are nominated in the Best Animated Short Film category: "One Small Step" co-directed by Bobby Pontillas and "Weekends" by Trevor Jimenez.

Bobby Pontillas

Trevor Jimenez

Popularly known as the Oscars, the Academy Awards will be held on February 24 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California.

Marvel's New Superhero

Marvel to introduce new Filipino superhero 'Wave' 

CNN Philippines Staff
16 February 2019

Metro Manila — Marvel Comics is about to bring a new legion of superheroes in the multiverse, one of them a Filipino heroine named "Wave." 

Wave will be among the new "Agents of Atlas" that will debut in May this year. 

She, along with other new characters — Aero and Sword Master from China — are tasked to save the world in "The War of the Realms" set in Asia.

"War of the Realms is this big, big Marvel universe story involving all the heroes from the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, Wolverine, the whole line," Marvel editor Will Moss explained. 

PH actress in HK Oscars

Homegrown Filipino actress Crisel Consunji

clinches 2 noms at HK Oscars

Rito P. Asilo

Philippine Daily Inquirer

15 February 2019

Two hours after learning that she was nominated for best actress in the 38th edition of the Hong Kong Film Awards (HKFA), Filipino actress Crisel Consunji still couldn’t believe her luck.

Crisel Consunji

Consunji (right) with Anthony Wong in “Still Human”

It is the first time a homegrown Pinoy performer is nominated for a top acting plum in the former British colony’s version of the Oscars.

Crisel’s impressive feat is made more significant by the fact that she’s nominated in two categories: She’s also up for best new performer.

“I’ve been teaching all afternoon, so it’s only sinking in now,” the 34-year-old actress-educator told Inquirer Entertainment on Tuesday.

Crisel, last seen on the Philippine stage in New Voice’s 2007 adaptation of “Into the Woods,” teaches preschool kids at Baumhaus, where she is head of learning and development.

The actress has been singled out for her portrayal of a nurse-turned-domestic helper in Oliver Chan Siu-kuen’s thoughtfully limned drama, “Still Human,” opposite veteran actor Anthony Wong, who also merited a nod for best actor.

The film is nominated in eight categories, including best film, best director and best new director (for Siu-kuen).

While it is Crisel and Siu-kuen’s first time to get nominated at the HKFA, it is already Anthony’s 12th nomination.

In 2003 alone, he was nominated for his supporting performances in three films (“Infernal Affairs,” “Just One Look” and “Princess D”) and won for the former. He triumphed again in the same category three years later, for “Initial D.”

Anthony also has two best actor awards from the HKFA: In 1994, he won over Jackie Chan (“Crime Story”) for his performance in “The Untold Story.” Five years later, he bested Jackie (“Who Am I?”) again, for “Beast Cops.”

For her part, Crisel says she’s “overwhelmed” by the career-boosting turn of events. “Who knew I’d get this far when I auditioned for the role of Evelyn Santos after answering a casting call on Facebook?” she quipped. “I know it’s just a nomination, but I feel like it’s such a big honor to be recognized for our efforts.”

She says she doesn’t just see the nomination as a personal achievement—she’s only too happy to share the good news with her fellow Filipinos and “Still Human” colleagues.

“I was surprised that I got two nominations. But more than anything, I love the fact that my joy is genuinely shared by so many people,” she told us just before midnight last Tuesday, when we asked what was going through her mind the first time she heard about her feat.

Other trivia about the HKFA: Maggie Cheung and Tony Leung Chiu-wai (“In the Mood for Love”) have both been awarded best actress and actor five times already.

Cecilia Yip, Crisel’s costar in “Still Human,” has three wins (“Let’s Make Laugh” and “This Thing Called Love” for best actress, and “Beyond the Sunset” for best supporting actress).

Chow Yun-fat has the most number of acting nominations (13), with three wins (“A Better Tomorrow,” “City on Fire,” “All About Ah-Long”). Trailing him is Anthony Wong, the lead actor of “Still Human,” with 12 nominations.

Other Chinese cinema luminaries who have won acting prizes at the HKFA include Jet Li, Andy Lau, Gong Li, Sammo Hung, Leslie Cheung, Tony Leung Ka-fai, Aaron Kwok, Shu Qi, Anita Mui and Zhang Ziyi.

What about Jackie Chan? He has the most number of nominations without a win: 10. Well, hope springs for the lithe, fit and limber 64-year-old action superstar, as demonstrated by his gravity-defying stunts in his current starrer “The Knight of Shadows: Between Yin and Yang,” which opened in Philippine theaters last week.

After all, our very own Eddie Garcia is already 89 years old, but that hasn’t stopped him from being productive. Last year alone, he won three best actor awards—for “ML” at Cinemalaya, “Hintayan ng Langit” at QCinema, and “Rainbow’s Sunset” at the Metro Manila Film Festival.

The winners of the 2019 Hong Kong Film Awards will be announced at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui on April 14.

R& B Grammy Awardee

Filipino-American R&B singer bags two Grammy awards 

CNN Philippines                                                                                                                                   12 February 2019

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 12) — Filipino-American R&B rising star H.E.R. brought home two awards from the prestigious Grammy Awards on Monday. 

The 21-year-old singer bagged the Best R&B album and Best R&B Performance for her song "Best Part," featuring Daniel Caesar. She won two out of her five nominations.

"So first thing I wanna say is this is unbelievable and second it's not even an album, it's an EP" she said after accepting her golden gramophone. "I'm speechless right now, I'm holding back tears."

H.E.R., born Gabriella Wilson, is the daughter of a Filipino mother and an African-American father, who was a musician. She said her love for music stemmed from the Filipinos' love for karaoke and growing up around her father's music.

Her stage name means "Having Everything Revealed."

Asia's new Talents

Filipino talent shines anew in Asia’s Got Talent Season 3

Nathalie Tomada
The Philippine Star
09 February 2019


MANILA, Philippines — After giving the previous seasons of Asia’s Got Talent (AGT) winning acts, the Philippines continues to field strong contenders in Season 3 of the regional version of the Got Talent franchise.

Getting the nods of celebrity judges David Foster, Jay Park and Anggun to move to the next stage of the contest were a father-daughter tandem, singing siblings and a dance crew who practiced every day in the last four years for their AGT dream, as seen in Thursday’s premiere episode.

One of the Pinoy acts to receive three “yes” votes was HK Sisters, who got a standing ovation after singing Phantom of the Opera’s Think of Me. When asked what it would mean to them if they won the $100,000 prize, the Castillo sisters — Harrah Kaym 16, and Hannah Korin, 17 ­— said “our father is a seafarer so we only see him for about two months and he works on the ship for six to nine months.



If we win this, we get to spend more time with him.” Prior to AGT, the sisters won awards at the World Championships of Performing Arts as individuals and as duo.

Another Pinoy talent who stood out was Zianne Angierein Garcia a.k.a. Zeexhie. When she was a toddler, she became an Internet sensation for her cheer stunts with her choreographer father Renier.

She also nearly won Eat Bulaga’s Hype Kang Bata Ka contest last year. The child wonder charmed the AGT judges who all gave her cheer dance performance with her father a resounding “Yes!”

Junior Good Vibes, a 15-member dance crew from Sampaloc, also received three yes votes for their audition. Foster told them, “There’s 15 unique stories, and all those stories came to life and I felt everything that you guys are feeling and I’m very proud of you.”

Though failing to make it to the next round, Pinoy stand-up comic/singer ZooDiva left audiences in stitches by incorporating animal sounds to his song.

In the same episode, crazier acts included a Japanese with a farting talent who amused the judges so much they made him stay on. Jay Park also made AGT history by pressing the Golden Buzzer for TK Jiang, a digital magician from Singapore. The Golden Buzzer sends a contestant all the way to the semi-finals.

The STAR previewed the episode ahead of its premiere, which was followed by a presscon with DMX Comvaleñoz, the dance group from Compostela Valley who was a runner-up in the past AGT season.

Asked how the show has changed their lives, a member happily shared, “Actually, artista na kami sa aming lugar.” The gigs came one after another, bringing the group to Indonesia and Malaysia. Such good news earned applause during the presscon for the members, who once struggled with getting passports because they either didn’t finish school or never had any valid IDs in their life until they joined AGT.
The group has pieces of advice for fellow dance group Junior Good Vibes, other Filipino talents in the current edition and those who want to join AGT in the future.

For one, contestants have to jazz up routines. “Actually, nakikita ko (I always see Junior Good Vibes) practicing near National University, sa may kalsada. Mahirap kasi ilang taon silang nag-training para makuha ang pangarap nilang makapag-compete sa Asia’s Got Talent. My advice is don’t maintain routines but level up always. Don’t focus on one genre.”

Second is to use their God-given talent to the best of their ability. “Never stop dreaming. To all Pinoy performers, todo lang. Bigay lang lahat (give it your all) even in the auditions. Huwag kayong panghinaan ng loob (don’t lose hope). Do your best in dancing, singing or beat-box or kung anong tanging alam ninyo (whatever unique talent you have). Don’t stop because it’s God’s gift to you.”

Third, to enjoy the whole AGT experience, win or lose. “Kung may hahadlang na magulang, trabaho o pera (if there are obstacles, be it your parents, work or money, don’t worry) darating din ang panahon para sa ‘yo. Just sit down and wait, rehearse, practice, enjoy… Don’t be afraid to lose.”

In the debut season of Asia’s Got Talent in 2015, the Pinoy shadow play group El Gamma Penumbra emerged as the grand winner. Among other Filipinos who shone in the last two editions of the talent show were classical singer Gerphil Flores, beat boxer Neil Llanes, as well as dance crews Junior New System and Urban Crew.

PH First Hybrid Train

First Filipino-built train rouses pride, offers commuter relief


Art Fuentes
ABS-CBN NEWS
05 February 2019

MANILA -- Air-conditioned, big enough for 880 passengers and running on similar technology that powers Toyota's Pruis hybrid cars, the first Filipino-built train will be deployed in the first quarter, giving relief to thousands of commuters.

The Hybrid Electric Train (HET) built by the Department of Science and Technology is tested on the tracks of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) in Calamba, Laguna, Jan. 30, 2019. Art Fuentes, ABS-CBN News

Built by the Department of Science and Technology, the Hybrid Electric Train (HET) took 5 years to develop and test and before the locomotives can be deployed on the Philippine National Railway (PNR) tracks, which stretches from Metro Manila to Laguna.

"Nakita namin na safe and reliable yung train natin kaya we are proud na pwede natin sabihin na comparable na yan sa imported ones na binibili natin na trains," said Pablo Acuin, a senior science research specialist at the DOST who headed the HET project.

(We saw that our trains are safe and reliable and we can say they are comparable to the imported ones that we buy.)

Currently, only 6 to 7 of the PNR's 11 train sets work on any given day, as 5 others undergo maintenance. Ideally, the PNR should have 15 trains, said the railway's spokesperson, Joseline Geronimo.

"Kami naman, syempre excited din kami kasi makakadagdag yan sa aming fleet," Geronimo said.

(We are excited to add more trains to our fleet.)

The PNR ordered 7 new train sets from Indonesia but these will not arrive until the middle of 2019. Acuin said the DOST-built trains could be in service by March.

The HET cost P120 million to develop, compared to the $47.4 million (P2.37 billion) cost of the Indonesian-made locomotives.

HOW IT STARTED

The hybrid electric train was conceived in 2012, according to Acuin. Back then, the DOST was helping PNR retrofit its fleet of locomotives. 

“But we decided to develop a new train instead of retrofitting (the trains),” said Acuin. 

To do this, the DOST assembled a team of engineers from various fields, as no one in the department had any experience working with locomotives, he said.

In 2013, the team came up with a design for a hybrid electrical train because they saw it as more energy efficient and environment-friendly.

The design called for a diesel-powered generator, an electric motor, a bank of electrical batteries, and what the engineers call regenerative braking technology.

Like Toyota’s Prius, the Filipino-built train taps kinetic energy normally lost when the train slows down or stops, and converts it to electricity which is then stored in 260 lead-acid batteries. 

This stored energy can then be tapped to help propel the HET as well as power its automatic doors, aircon and onboard CCTV security system.

After coming up with the design, the team started looking for a local fabricator who can make the train coaches. While the engine, motor, and bogie (the train’s chassis, axle and wheels) will have to be sourced abroad, the coach could be made locally. 

Fil-Asia Automotive and Industries Corp, which makes bus bodies and special trucks won the bidding to fabricate the train coaches.

The train's 5 coaches took less than a year to make, said Davie Ang, production manager for Fil-Asia. It took 2 years to integrate the train's different components and by the end of 2015, the trains were ready for testing.

It took another 2 years and 5,000 kilometers of performance tests to determine the HET’s reliability, availability, maintainability and safety before the DOST was ready to turn over the train to the PNR in 2018.

Unlike the trains of the MRT and LRT which run on elevated tracks, PNR trains face more challenging environments such as floods, said Geronimo, the PNR spokesperson.

POTENTIAL BUSINESS

With the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte actively promoting railways for mass transport, Acuin sees potential in tapping local engineers and fabricators to supply trains to these massive infrastructure projects. 

The government’s infrastructure portal lists 5 major railway projects aside from the subway and light railway systems that have already broken ground or are under construction. These are the PNR North 1, PNR North 2, PNR South Commuter, PNR South Long Haul and the Mindanao Railway projects.

“We just need na magkaroon ng demand kasi, para yung industry mag-invest sila dun sa mga facilities na gagawa ng mga components o systems ng train,” Acuin said.

(We need demand so that there will be investments in facilities that build train components or systems.)

The DOST filed 4 patents during the course of developing the HET, underscoring how much local engineers learned while working on the project, he said.

Mass production will help bring train building costs further down, said Fil-Asia's Ang.

"Actually yun ang ina-eye namin. Kung mag mass produce si PNR, why not?" Ang said, adding that a train-building industry will also provide a lot of jobs for locals. 

(Actually, that's what we are eyeing. If the PNR will mass produce, why not?)

If such an industry takes off, the DOST will no longer be involved as its mandate ends with research and development and transferring this technology to the private sector.

"Ang plano namin before, magbuo sila ng consortium o joint venture para in case na magpagawa ng PNR or any local government unit ng local train na ginawa natin, they have the materials, the financial capacity and manpower to create the train," Acuin said.

(Our plan before, was for a consortium or joint venture to be formed in case the PNR or any local government unit will want trains built, they will have the materials, the financial capacity and manpower to create the train.)