Maniolas

Miss Universe Philippines Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, Bb Pilipinas International Janicel Lubina, and other beauty queens share what it is like to be Binibini.

By Abner Galino The musical, originally directed by Nonon Padilla, with Libretto by Bienvenido Lumbera and Music by Ryan Cayabyab, features Miguel Vera as Crisostomo Ibarra and Maria Cristina ‘Kit’ Navarro as Maria Clara. It also stars John Arcilla, Joji Isla, Annie Nepomuceno and many more. Photo shows Joseph Gelito (right) with Miguel Vera. For actor Miguel Vera, the second time around must have always been sweeter (pun intended, or not). Happily meeting the press after the successful restaging of the well-known play Noli Me Tangere at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, Vera said he was happy with his performance as the lead character Crisostomo Ibarra. The actor said he was more relaxed that night and believed that he has done as much or perhaps better than when the play debuted in Los Angeles in August last year. The fans who gave the cast a standing ovation during the curtain call certainly confirmed Vera’s assessment. Nonie Belarmino, one of the show’s producer, added that if things would turn our right, they would bring Noli me Tangere to San Diego, another Filipino-American hub in southern California. Belarmino believes that Noli Me Tangere remains a potent vehicle, not only for showcasing Filipino culture, but as well as for passing on the patriotic sentiment to the younger generation of Filipino-Americans. “Ang nag-iba lang naman yung panahon at yung mga karakter, pero ang sitwasyon (sa Pilipinas) ganon pa rin. Nandiyan pa rin ang korupsiyon at abuso,” Belarmino explained. The cast of Noli Read More …

Buying power expected to hit $1-T by 2018 By Hannah De Castro-Abinuman Nielsen says the Asian American segment is considered as the fastest growing and most culturally diverse segment in the US population and is perceived to potentially be the multicultural majority in the United States in the near future. In 2014, the Asian-American Buying power was at $770 billion. Showing a 46% growth in population from 2012 to 2014, this unique market segment is expected to increase its buying power to $1 Trillion by 2018. Asian Americans are making a significant and powerful impact on the new American mainstream. Nielsen’s 2015 Asian American Consumer report entitled, “Asian-Americans: Culturally Connected and Forging the Future,” radically highlights how this flourishing segment is making a powerful impact on today’s economy and culture with their unique tastes, preferences and habits. In one year, the buying power of this market segment notably increased by more than $50 Billion. In its most recent report, Nielsen says the Asian American segment is considered as the fastest growing and most culturally diverse segment in the US population and is perceived to potentially be the multicultural majority in the United States in the near future.  In 2014, the Asian-American Buying power was at $770 billion. Showing a 46% growth in population from 2012 to 2014, this unique market segment is expected to increase its buying power to $1 Trillion by 2018. “Asian Americans are focused on the future, trendsetting and leading the way in technology, digital entertainment and Read More …