Category: Lifestyle

Batangas – In a move to capture a larger share of the Christmas tourism market, the Batangas provincial government is launching a series of holiday-themed events and initiatives. These efforts are aimed at boosting the local economy by attracting both domestic and foreign tourists during the festive season.

According to Philippines News Agency, assistant department head at the Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (PTCAO), the province’s holiday tourism push will officially kick off with the switching on of Christmas lights and a fireworks display at the provincial capitol on Saturday. This event is part of a broader strategy to draw visitors to the province over the holidays and encourage spending on local goods and services. The theme for this year’s tourism program is ‘Batangas: Melting Pot of Rich Diversity, Gateway to Prosperity.’ Castillo emphasized the provincial government’s enhanced efforts in preparing for this year’s celebrations, under the guidance of Governor Hermilando Mandanas, who has been instrumental in driving the focus on strengthening Batangas as a holiday destination.

In addition to the lighting ceremony, the ‘Barakahan sa Kapitolyo’ event will be held from November 24 to December 24, showcasing a variety of products from the province’s farmers, fishermen associations, cooperatives, and local vendors. PTCAO also plans to offer the public an immersive underwater experience of the Verde Island Passage (VIP), a notable initiative that was also featured at the 34th Philippine Travel Mart in September. Governor Mandanas highlighted the significance of the VIP, known as the global center of marine biodiversity, for both the province and the world at large. He stressed the importance of raising awareness about this natural blessing and its role as a vital source of food.

Furthermore, the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office will celebrate National Children’s Month before the formal opening of the Christmas lights on Saturday at 6 p.m., adding to the festive atmosphere of the event.

Seoul – “Concrete Utopia,” a Korean disaster thriller, clinched the best picture award at the prestigious Daejong International Film Awards on Wednesday. The movie, acclaimed for its apocalyptic narrative and intense visuals, also secured the best actor award for Lee Byung-hun and four additional accolades, including best supporting actress and visual effects.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Directed by Eom Tae-hwa, “Concrete Utopia” paints a gripping tale of survival and human resilience. The plot centers around the inhabitants of an apartment building in Seoul, the sole structure left standing after a devastating earthquake. The film features an ensemble cast including Park Seo-joon and Park Bo-young. In a notable recognition of its cinematic excellence, the Korean Film Council has selected “Concrete Utopia” as South Korea’s entry for the best international feature film category at the upcoming 96th Academy Awards in March.

Lee Byung-hun, awarded best actor for his performance in “Concrete Utopia,” delivered his acceptance speech via a pre-recorded video due to his current commitment to filming the second season of Netflix’s popular series, “Squid Game.”

In other categories, Kim Seo-hyung won best actress for her role in “Greenhouse,” a crime thriller that delves into a myriad of social issues, including juvenile crime and sexual violence. The best director award was presented to Ryoo Seung-wan for “Smugglers,” a crime action thriller about two female divers entangled in a high-stakes smuggling operation.

SEOUL – The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra (SPO) has announced that pianist Lim Yunchan will perform in early January, marking the orchestra’s first performance under the leadership of newly inaugurated music director Jaap van Zweden.

According to Yonhap News Agency, The concert, titled “New Era with Jaap van Zweden,” is scheduled for January 25-26 and will be Lim’s first collaboration with the SPO. Lim, acclaimed as the youngest winner of the 2022 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, will feature in performances of Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 “Titan” and Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5 “Emperor.”

The Dutch conductor Jaap van Zweden, appointed earlier this year, will commence his five-year tenure as music director of the SPO starting January 2024.

SEOUL – “AMPERSandONE,” a new boy group from FNC Entertainment, made its eagerly anticipated debut on Wednesday. The band, emerging from the popular Mnet audition program “Boys Planet,” marks FNC’s first new boy group in three years, following the debut of P1Harmony.

According to Yonhap News Agency, a member of AMPERSandONE, during a media showcase in Seoul, the group’s journey to debut has been filled with challenges and aspirations. Jiho, along with fellow members Brian and Kamden, were contestants on “Boys Planet” who, despite scoring high, did not make it into the final lineup of the show’s debut group, Zerobaseone. The group, consisting of seven members – Brian, Kamden, Jiho, Siyun, Kyrell, Mackiah, and Seungmo – has generated significant buzz with their entry into the K-pop scene.

Jiho shared his journey of four years as a trainee and his gratitude for the debut, especially after facing uncertainties about his future in the music industry. He recounted the advice from his mother during his trainee days, which added to his determination to succeed. Brian also expressed his motivation post “Boys Planet” and his ambition to make a lasting impression with AMPERSandONE.

The group’s debut single album, named “Ampersand One,” features three tracks: “On and On,” “Sweet and Sour,” and “Sheesh.” These songs encapsulate the themes of resilience in pursuit of dreams and the experience of first love, resonating with young adults’ experiences.

The debut of AMPERSandONE has sparked curiosity among music enthusiasts, particularly regarding its potential to replicate the success of Zerobaseone, a fellow K-pop group that emerged from “Boys Planet.” Zerobaseone has quickly risen in popularity, achieving impressive sales milestones with their debut and follow-up albums.

Siyun, another member of the group, highlighted AMPERSandONE’s distinctive appeal. He believes the group’s relatable lyrics and diverse cultural backgrounds of its members contribute to its unique charm and musical versatility.

The showcase concluded with Kamden expressing the group’s aspiration to win a rookie award, reflecting the high ambitions and hopes of AMPERSandONE in the competitive world of K-pop.

SEOUL — Director Kim Han-min is poised to release “Roryang: Deadly Sea,” the final chapter in his trilogy centered on South Korea’s esteemed naval hero, Admiral Yi Sun-sin. At a media event on Wednesday, Kim expressed his anticipation for the film, which culminates a decade-long project. A

According to Yonhap News Agency, “Roryang” integrates the expertise and advanced cinematography technologies he honed in the first two films of the series. The previous installments, “Roaring Currents” (2014) and “Hansan: Rising Dragon” (2022), garnered significant public attention, with “Roaring Currents” drawing a record-breaking audience of over 17.6 million viewers and “Hansan” attracting more than 7.2 million.

The film, distributed by Lotte Entertainment, portrays the last naval battle led by Adm. Yi in November 1598 during the Imjin War, the Japanese invasion of Korea from 1592-98, culminating in the admiral’s death. “Roryang” features a 1 hour and 40 minute battle sequence, described as depicting “Asia’s deadliest naval warfare,” filled with elaborate effects and intense night fight scenes. The film also delves into the interpersonal tensions and confrontations among its characters.

Kim Yun-seok, known for his roles in “Tazza: The Hidden Card” (2014) and “Escape from Mogadishu” (2021), portrays Admiral Yi, while Baek Yoon-shik plays his nemesis, Japanese general Shimazu Yoshihiro. Director Kim Han-min selected Kim Yun-seok for the lead role, citing his ability to embody both the passion and pragmatic attitude of Admiral Yi. Actor Kim Yun-seok acknowledged the pressure and privilege of portraying the iconic figure.

The director, who made his feature film debut in 2007, reflected on Admiral Yi’s personal significance, noting his growing respect and contemplation of Yi’s legacy and the lessons derived from his relentless pursuit of enemies. Despite the dark themes associated with death, the director hopes the film will offer comfort and courage to audiences.

“Roryang: Deadly Sea” is scheduled for release in local theaters on December 20.

SEOUL – Yang Hyun-suk, the founder and former head of K-pop agency YG Entertainment, has been sentenced to a six-month prison term, suspended for one year. The Seoul High Court found him guilty of attempting to coerce a former trainee into changing her police testimonies related to a drug scandal.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the decision overturns a lower court’s acquittal of Yang. The charges stemmed from allegations that he threatened a former trainee who had given testimony to the police in 2016 about drug suspicions surrounding B.I, a former member of YG’s boy band iKON.

Prosecutors brought additional charges against Yang following the district court’s acquittal, accusing him of forcing the trainee into a face-to-face meeting to reverse her testimonies about B.I’s alleged drug use. The appeals court found Yang guilty of using his influence as the de facto CEO of YG Entertainment for this purpose, thereby interfering with the criminal justice process.

However, the court upheld the lower court’s decision to acquit Yang of charges related to revenge blackmailing the trainee, citing unreliability in the testimonies.