Maniolas

Arnel Pineda launches a talent search to open an opportunity for Asian musicians to be known internationally.

Jericho Rosales teaches school kids the sanitary habit of proper handwashing.

Almost 20 years ago, in a column for another paper, I said “Goodbye to Garamond,” in reference to how the world of typography — the way by which the printed word is presented to us by publishers, advertisers  and the media — was perceptibly changing. Printed letters — like the ones you’re looking at this very instant — are shaped into what are called fonts (a term often used interchangeably with “typeface,” although some experts will insist that there’s a subtle but important difference). They’re how the letters physically look, which in turn may convey psychological, emotional or subliminal messages to the reader. We’ll get to that in a minute. First, here’s a bit of what I wrote back then: “Have you ever wondered about those fonts whose letters look as though they had been scratched onto plywood with a nail by a heroin addict going through withdrawal? Remember the flickery font they used for the credits of Brad Pitt’s Seven?… These, folks, are examples of what’s been called ‘grunge’ typography and ‘degenerative’ art. The idea seems to be to produce aesthetic pleasure through severe disorientation… Goodbye to Garamond, and all those reassuringly clean and classically balanced fonts. Hello to something like WaxTrax, which fairly drips all over your screen. And so it goes in the BraveNewWorld of cyberspace.” Cyberspace and the Internet, of course, were still a novelty for most people back in 1996, and were full of raw and rough edges — visually and even audibly. Remember when Read More …

TELEVISION host Bianca Gonzalez and professional cager JC Intal will exchange wedding vows on December 10, 2014. Bianca said they are both excited for their laidback church wedding in Manila. “We want it not to be formal. People will still have to wear coat and tie and long dresses but the feel, the program, chill lang. Nothing super formal na may releasing of doves pa. Just the usual speeches from our loved ones,” Bianca said. Bianca added that they are finalizing details of the special event and she’s thankful that JC has been very supportive during the preparation. “Super chill lang naman but I’m very hands-on even if you have people assigned to do things. I always want to check updates. I made our save the date on our own, even the layout of our invite, I want to make it on my own,” she said. “And si JC, diba sabi nila the guys usually na parang oo lang nang oo, pero siya nagbibigay talaga siya ng opinyon niya when I ask for it.” JC’s groomsmen are his four brothers and a friend while Bianca’s bridesmaids are her girl friends way back in high school and college. “Our guest list is funny because mine is puro work, so TV, publishing, and then siya puro players. So for him, closest friends niya, Chris Tiu, James Yap, Marc Pingris, ganyan. And me of course, I’ve invited Toni [Gonzaga], Mariel [Rodriguez], Drew [Arellano], Luis [Manzano] and their plus ones,” Bianca said. (Sunnex)

Rafael Rosell talks about soul surfing and enjoying the silence, that’s why he won’t reveal his surf spot.