The 6th Asia Pacific Arts Festival (APAF) was recently held last January 19-20, 2019 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The APAF is a cultural exchange celebrated through performing arts competitions. Its goal is a pursuit towards harmony, peace and global friendship.

19 ballerinas from the ages of 7-19 years old represented the Philippines in Vietnam. The ballerinas who competed include but are not limited to the following: Sophia Marie Lily Lucito, Herbie Amber Bobier, Nasia Mabelle Castillo, Chloe ZiQian Chen, Bianca Denise Magbatoc, and Jamela Beatriz Napao. They are all performers from the Dance Theatre Arts Philippines.

According to Pamela Ortiz-Bondoc, the directress of the school, participation was on a volunteer basis. They did not want to discourage others by holding audtions or qualifying rounds. So the contingent was made up of dancers who were willing and confident enough to volunteer.

They bagged 27 gold, 7 silver and 1 bronze awards. The Philippines was awarded the title of overall champion. The festival was attended by participants from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, China, Hong Kong and Vietnam.

Do you have anything to add to this story? 

The post These ballerinas took home the overall championship from the Asia Pacific Arts Festival in Vietnam appeared first on When In Manila.

A Facebook video that has now been taken down documented the events of a Grab passenger aggressively confronting his driver. The video came from the car’s dashboard camera and recorded only the audio of the argument, as it was pointed outside towards the road and not inside the car. An investigation was launched which resulted in the grab passenger’s account being suspended.

According to records, the grab driver picked up a couple in Bukit Batok, an industrial area in Singapore, on January 13. The woman was pregnant and her husband asked the driver, Aza, to drive carefully on the roads. After Aza went too quickly over just one speed bump, the passenger requests to end the trip early “if he can’t drive better.”

Aza agrees to drop them off before the destination but the passenger continues ranting, saying he needs to drive slowly over road humps. The passenger also compares the driving to ‘rash driving’. This is defined by Singaporean law as driving in a “speed or manner which is dangerous to the public.” However, based on the video the average speed was barely 40kmh.

The grab driver is calm until the passenger accuses of him of being “a crazy person”. Aza only responds to say “you shouldn’t call me a crazy person” before calling the Grab hotline to make a report. This triggered the passenger who threatened to call the police and started shouting. The passenger even accuses Aza of hitting his pregnant wife, who vehemently denies this.

This Grab user was suspended, presumably after a report of the events was made. Grab Singapore released this statement on the issue: “Grab does not tolerate such behavior and have temporarily suspended the passenger’s account while we do thorough investigations. We are also in touch with the affected driver to provide support.”

Grab Philippines’ guidelines for suspending accounts are quite similar. They list “offense against the driver” as grounds for suspension, although the specifics remain vague. This should mean that if something like this were to happen here then Grab would act in the same vein.

(Also Read: A Singaporean boarding house for pets is under fire for animal cruelty)

Do you have any crazy Grab stories of your own? Share them with us in the comments! 

Source: Stomp

The post Grab user gets account suspended for lashing out and going “berserk” on driver appeared first on When In Manila.

Whether you watched the match, checked the results online, or even if you have no interest in boxing at all, there are two things you probably know about last Sunday’s match. The first is that Manny Pacquiao won. The second is that Adrien Broner thought he should have won instead.

During an after-match interview, the American boxer spat out the words: “Everyone out there know I beat him!” He continued his case to sportscaster Jim Gray by saying “I controlled the fight, he was missing, I hit him clean more times, I beat him.” He even alleges that the match was called in Pacquiao’s favor so that a (lucrative) rematch with Floyd Mayweather could take place.

Days after the match, the boxer continues to push his side of the story. Broner posted a photo of his face with the caption: “I fought @mannypacquiao tonight….. do it look like I took punishment #GoodFightBra”

View this post on Instagram

I fought @mannypacquiao tonight….. do it look like I took punishment #GoodFightBra

A post shared by Adrien AB Broner (@adrienbroner) on Jan 20, 2019 at 1:17am PST

(Pacquiao vs. Broner: People’s Reactions When Broner Said “Everyone out there know I beat him”)

But, the fight did end in unanimous favor of Pacquiao. The final results of the scorecards for 3 judges (117-111, 116-112 and 116-112) allowed Pacquiao to keep his World Boxing Association regular welterweight belt.

Do you think there’s any truth to Broner’s statements? Share your opinion with us! 

The post LOOK: Adrien Broner continues to insist he won against Manny Pacquiao appeared first on When In Manila.

We were so surprised when we saw photos by Christopher Guzman circulating on Facebook, sharing a fast food experience he recently had in China. I mean… I actually have no words. Just look at it! Even the logo looks exactly like our favorite bee here in the Philippines.

In his most recent video that he calls “Jollibee tinapatan ng JoyRulBee”, he says it is breaking news that there is a new JoyRulBee in China. According to Christopher, he has been living in China for 10 years now and has been to a lot of different cities there, but this is the first time that they have seen JoyRulBee. “Siyempre batang Jollibee pa rin kami,” he admits. Watch the video here:

The post LOOK: There’s a ‘JoyRulBee’ in China and It Looks So Familiar appeared first on When In Manila.

Netflix’s Tidying Up with Marie Kondo came at the best possible time. It hit the streaming platform on January 1, 2019, just when people all over the world were grappling with their New Year’s resolutions. Surely, for many of them, it was to get rid of clutter of all kind, whether it was in their home, their mind, or their heart. Netflix probably thought, well, we know the best person who can help.

If you’ve been living under a rock for the past few weeks, Marie Kondo is a Japanese organizing consultant who wrote the book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing. Her approach to tidying is anchored on the concept of tokimeki, or spark joy, which means to only keep the items that spark joy. And this year, the whole world got to know her cute yet effective method.

For eight episodes on Netflix, we got to see Kondo smile, coo, squeal, and jump with families and couples as they purged their belongings. The reactions have been varied: some seemed to enjoy the process while others were more reluctant to part with their things. In the end, though, they got into it and all the episodes ended with them looking happy at their homes.

The thing is: does decluttering even have a point?

Like everything that happens on the internet, people were quick to pounce on the concept. Why is this tiny and jolly woman telling us to get rid of our things? Why is she forcing us to only keep less than 30 books? In a now-deleted tweet, a woman called Kondo a monster for “forcing” people to decimate their library. Another woman called her misguided and said that “every human needs a very extensive library, not clean boring shelves.”

For non-believers: yes, there is a point.

The thing that detractors have missed is that Kondo is not forcing anyone to get rid of their items. What she’s advocating is for you to keep the items that spark joy. By shifting your perspective from throwing items out to keeping your favorite stuff, you really see the beauty of the concept. Imagine having a home with only the things you love. Sounds great, right?

You can clearly see this in the Netflix show. Not once did Kondo command her clients to throw away anything. She didn’t complain when some of the homes looked just as crowded as when she entered. Because the thing is: no one is forcing anyone to do anything they don’t want to do.

As for the 30 books, Kondo never said that everyone should have less than this amount. It’s what she has in her own home. By following tokimeki, you can have one book or 300, as long as they all bring a smile to your face.

Strangely, the KonMari method doesn’t just apply to decluttering the home. You can also apply it to your personal life. Think of the people, the situations, and the thoughts in your life. Do they spark joy? Do they still serve a purpose in your life, or do they complement the life you want to lead? Maybe it’s time to get rid of them. But before you do, it’s wise to follow an important step in Kondo’s theory: thank them because they once served a purpose. Then let them go.

KonMari may not be for everyone. And that’s okay. But once you’ve tried it, you’ll experience the life-changing magic of tidying up. Stan Marie Kondo and stream the show. Thank you for coming to my TED Talk.

Do you think decluttering has a point? Share your thoughts below!

Follow When in Manila Koji for more stories like this!

The post Does decluttering even have a point? appeared first on When In Manila.

If you grew up in the ’90s or the ’00s, chances are, you were a fan of the GMA show Encantadia. Now we have great news because the original Sang’gres are returning for a movie and it’s called Mystified. It’s also coming out next month!

Watch the trailer below:

Last year, it was announced that Sunshine Dizon, Karylle Yuzon, Diana Zubiri, and Iza Calzado were together in a meeting. Now, it can be announced that they filmed a movie and it will be streamed via iflix, where Encantadia is available.

In Mystified, the four sang’gres reunite to fight Sunshine Cruz’s character, who wants to destroy non-magic folk.

Apart from acting, the four actresses took on executive producer roles on the film, which will be released under Sang’gre Productions. Dizon and Zubiri handle expenses while Yuzon and Calzado focus on marketing. The film is directed by Mark Reyes.

Are you excited for this? Share your thoughts below!

Follow When in Manila Koji for more stories like this!

The post WATCH: The trailer of the Encantadia movie is here and it’s called “Mystified” appeared first on When In Manila.

A one-year ban on granting new working visas to Filipino workers has recently taken effect. The United States Department of Homeland Security (USDHS) decided to freeze applications for visas under the H-2A and H-2B programs until January 18, 2020.

These programs both offer temporary working visa’s to individuals. The H-2A program is specifically aimed at agricultural workers. The H-2B program, on the other hand, is for all other classifications of workers outside of agriculture.

The USDHS explains in a notice that the banning of workers is due to issues of overstaying and human trafficking concerns. On overstaying, they state: “The Philippines has a high H-2B overstay rate. In FY 2017, DHS estimated that nearly 40 percent of H-2B visa holders from the Philippines overstayed their period of authorized stay.”

Concerning human trafficking, the notice reads: “DHS and DOS (Department of State) are concerned about the high volume of trafficking victims from the Philippines who were originally issued H-2B visas and the potential that continued H-2B visa issuance may encourage or serve as an avenue for future human trafficking from the Philippines.”

While these numbers were mainly concerned with H-2B visas, the USDHS justifies that the harm is enough to preemptively remove the H-2A visa program. Especially since the visa applications for the H-2A program have quadrupled since 2015.

However, workers who already hold these visas will not be affected. They will be able to continue holding their H-2A or H-2B non-immigrant status. Only those seeking to extend or change their visas will be affected.

(This new Visa for Filipinos lets you study and work while on holiday in New Zealand)

Do you think banning these visa applications is justified? 

Source: Inquirer

The post The United States is denying entrance to additional Filipino workers this 2019 appeared first on When In Manila.

The House Committee on Metro Manila Development recently submitted a proposal to add extra hours to the daily schedule of the MRT and LRT. They are asking for an extension of 2 hours, so the MRT would operate until 12:30am and the LRT until 12mn.

Representative Winston Castelo, chair of the committee, explains their proposal: “We should exert the powers of the Congress and ask them to operate past 10 (p.m.) because the bulk of the commuters are also still away from their homes.”

In response, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has promised to look over the proposal. DOTr communications director, Goddes Hope Libiran, announced: “The DOTr MRT-3 welcomes the suggestion to extend for two more hours the operating system of Metro Rail Transit Line 3 from its original schedule of 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. We will study the proposal given the changes in the current MRT-3 ridership profile, as compared to when the extended hours was tested in the past.”

(LOOK: What can we draw from this photo of commuting passengers?)

However, they did disclaim that this proposal may be difficult as maintenance is conducted during non-operation hours. Libiran continues: “We wish to stress that regular and efficient preventive maintenance works help ensure smooth train operations, as well as prevention of unloading incidents and service interruptions.”

Do you think an extension of operating hours would be worth the possible risks? 

The post Could the MRT and LRT lines be extending their operation hours? appeared first on When In Manila.

The Expanded Maternity Leave (EML) bill has been passed by both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Its last step before going into effect is getting President Duterte’s signature.

This new EML bill gives mothers an extended maternity leave of 105 days. This is 45 more days than the previous 60 days (or 2 months). An additional 15 days of maternity leave are given to single mothers, which would total 120 days (0r 3 months) of leave. It also allows mothers to transfer 7 more days of maternity leave to fathers, doubling paternity leave from 7 days to 14.

It provides a 30 day paid leave for adoptive parents, whether male or female. Another additional provision is giving women the right to take on an extra 30-day leave (after the 105-day leave), albeit it is unpaid. Lastly, the EML bill reinforces the law that termination or firing on the basis of maternity is unethical and blatantly illegal.

If 30 days pass without the President acting on the bill, it will automatically lapse into law. This means that we would be getting a new period of maternity leave by February 14, at the latest!

(Catcalling, Stalking, and Online Sexual Harassment might soon be criminalized in the Philippines)

According to Senator Risa Hontiveros, the last time this law was revised to factor in additional paid maternity leave days was in 1992. That’s about 26 years ago. Which is why she hails this bill as “a historic victory for women.”

Let us know your thoughts on the bill in the comments! 

Sources: EML Bill

The post Maternity Leave in the Philippines is about to expand to 105 days! appeared first on When In Manila.

I love / the internet / there are so many / memes.

Would you consider this a poem? Or is it a generalized sentence that I cut up for dramatic effect? This seems to be the formula for most Instagram poetry (charmingly shortened to “instapoetry”) that goes wildly viral. And while I personally believe that a lot of it isn’t very good, no one can deny the hundreds of thousands of people double-tapping their screens when they scroll by a cut-up sentence like this either.

Many poetry enthusiasts are wildly against it while others are trying to be more accepting of this new, digestible form. Some are trying to tear down the old, gatekeeping institution of poetry as too difficult and too highbrow, wondering why these cut-up statements can’t be considered legitimate art while some just scoff at the idea that it could ever be art.

We can definitely say that instapoetry has boosted poetry sales and gotten more people interested in the art form, sure–but many aren’t satisfied with just the monetary aspect of things. What about the appreciation aspect? The part that celebrates quality?

View this post on Instagram

page 64. #thesunandherflowers

A post shared by rupi kaur (@rupikaur_) on Jan 14, 2019 at 4:36pm PST

Any visit to a bookstore will see shelves of poetry stacked with the names of people who rose to fame on social media. Rupi Kaur, R.M. Drake, etc. They sit side by side with Sylvia Plath and Tracy K. Smith. And because they’re stacked under “poetry” (as there are no special “instapoetry” sections), it leads us to ask: Is it poetry of hundreds of thousands clamor for it and consider it to be?

I studied writing and, like many who put up their own opinions and articles about instapoetry, spent a long long time workshopping, writing, and reading poetry. A lot of these writers and poets are miffed at this new form because it completely derails from what many spent years studying and trying to perfect. While I am of the opinion that people can enjoy what they want, I have to admit that even I have to hold back a snide laugh when encountering a reposted Instapoem on my feed. But for the most part, I think people should just be free to enjoy what they do.

A lot of the criticism against Instapoetry has to do with the quality and how generalized it is. The language is consistently limp and the statements they make are unoriginal, regurgitated expressions of feelings that sound like thesis statements for sad love songs. They want so much to cater to a universal audience and tap into a universal feeling that they have no anchor–they become so unspecific that beyond their initial seemingly-wise impression, they don’t really mean anything.

View this post on Instagram

#atticuspoetry

A post shared by ATTICUS (@atticuspoetry) on Jan 25, 2019 at 6:16pm PST

However, others like that it’s so easy t understand. It’s bite-sized, not too long, and uncomplicated. And so they can sort of make an immediate connection that some more seasoned writers claim to be superficial. The emotional punch is still there, sure, but does it resound in a very profound way?

A lot of the arguments against the double-tap-hungry art form like to say that because these cut-up sentences are too bland and without any specificity that the impact they make is not as strong as it could be. That’s pretty subjective, yes, but is there a way to measure that? And maybe the fact that people make these poems their phone wallpapers or computer backgrounds might just have a counter to the impact argument.

People who do love instapoetry bring up how it’s challenged an art form that was once seen as way too complicated and too deep. Instead of something daunting, people see it as refreshing and engaging, an art that really adjusts to be the one to meet you head-on rather than you adjusting to understand it. It peels back all the layers that many dread to dissect to deliver a simplified statement. And sometimes people just want the heart of something, the core, and not have to pull back so many other meanings.

Poetry now is something they can engage with in plain language and understand at a glance. And they love it. And for many, it becomes a path to discovering some of the classics. They’re slowly exposed to poets outside of their apps, ones who started out in books and pages. And while this doesn’t happen to everyone who reads instapoetry, it at least opens up conversation.

View this post on Instagram

only 500 sets left!!! the 4 book bundle is now available via the link in the bio for $12. #rmdrake

A post shared by R. M. Drake (@rmdrk) on Jan 25, 2019 at 4:20pm PST

And who’s to determine the authority on poetry? I may find myself laughing a little in the face of some of these poems when I see them but I’m no expert, I’m not the poetry god, neither are my professors who are poets (whom I love), nor are their professors. Academics who dedicate their lives to the craft may have more knowledge, yes, but are they the definitive voice?

I still personally dislike instapoetry. Not that I detest it, it just isn’t impactful to me–but that’s because I was exposed to other poetic voices, too. Those poems with all their specifics and imagery and every meticulous aspect that poetry has (that I love) are what move me. But to hate instapoetry just because it doesn’t resemble my own favorites? It seems like a lot of energy wasted. And while instapoetry and their ridiculous line-cuts will always be an inside joke with myself and my writer buddies, I still believe in letting people like what they like.

So is instapoetry real poetry? In the eyes of experts, calling it poetry is a huge reach, one they disagree with. But just because it’s a reach does that automatically disqualify it? Maybe not. Maybe to them, it’s bad poetry, too raw, too unfiltered, not quite perfected. Maybe it’s something that could become a poem. Maybe it’s part of a bigger poem that’s yet to be written.

What do you think about this? Let us know!

The post Is Instagram poetry “real” poetry? appeared first on When In Manila.

On the first day of the 4th Philippine Apostolic Congress on Mercy (PACOM) in San Juan, Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David dedicated a talk on how ‘selfie culture’ is moving the people farther away from God. He posed that indulging in too many selfies could make people have an excessive interest in themselves.

His talk, “IMG (I am God): Selfie Syndrome and the Image of Mercy”, warned that “selfie syndrome is a possible manifestation of a narcissistic personality disorder.” Taking selfies in itself doesn’t make you a narcissist, but taking too many or letting it become a habit is what leads to a high level of self-interest. This narcissistic behavior shows itself in a lack of empathy, inflated self-importance, and an obsession for admiration.

Bishop David believes this is directly in contrast to living a righteous life. If narcissism can be characterized as shamelessness, arrogance, envy, entitlement, and self-centeredness then it also means forgetting God as the center of your life. He says that young people must “explore self-centeredness versus God-centeredness to fight against the narcissism of modern life to rediscover their relationship to God.”

(LOOK: You Can Have Your Selfie Up in an EDSA Billboard for Just P1,000)

But others argue that selfies don’t necessarily mean you think highly of yourself. A lot of millennials have reclaimed this selfie culture to use it as an instrument of self-love. People take selfies to gain confidence or to learn to accept their bodies. As with most things, perhaps it just becomes a thing of balance.

Do you think taking too many selfies is a bad thing? 

Source: Manila Bulletin

The post Caloocan Bishop says taking selfies can make you narcissistic and self-obsessed appeared first on When In Manila.

The situation for stray animals and abandoned pets in the Philippines has been bad for as long as I can remember. There is so much news of adoption shelters operating at maximum capacity and having to put down their rescues. It’s a common sight to see owner-less dogs trotting up and down the streets. These animals who were bred to be pets have had to learn to take care of themselves.

Usually, this looks like dogs scavenging through trash for a meal, or turning on the puppy eyes when begging for food. A viral post on Facebook tells the story of how a pack of strays has learned to stick together and look out for one another, too. It’s more typical to see stray dogs off on their own, as lone wolves. This is why seeing a group of strays working together is something of a special sight.

Gee Kay Pee Rodri’s post is about meeting Poochie, the leader of a pack of stray dogs by the Valley Golf area in Ortigas Extension. She and her daughter came across the dog waiting outside a Jollibee, presumably begging for food. They decided to give him a burger but instead of accepting it, Poochie led them over an overpass to the rest of his pack. After accepting the food from the pair, Poochie offered it to a fellow stray and didn’t even take a bite of his own!

Photo c/o Nini Perez

The full story reads:

And we thought it only happened in the movies.

Tonight, the daughter and I witnessed something extraordinary from a pack of scruffy stray dogs hanging out in the Valley Golf area along Ortigas Extension.

We just came from a Ministop convenience store and were passing by a Jollibee outlet when we saw this cream-colored dog sitting by the steps of the side entrance. He sat with a noble pride, enough for us to take notice. So we stopped in front of him, said hello…and he lit up like a bulb with a beautiful smile.

Detecting that he could be befriending us because he’s hungry, I told the daughter to buy him a burger while I stayed with him so he won’t run away. But as the daughter stepped out with the burger in hand, the dog stood up and trotted away. We thought he was running away from us but he stopped after reaching the other corner and looked at us – as if telling us to follow him.

And we did! He went up the overpass, every now and then looking behind his shoulder to see if we were still following him. When he got to the other side of Ortigas, we realized that he was part of a pack of stray dogs!

The dog we were following approached me again so I gave him the burger. What happened next was the most heartwarming thing ever. He took the burger from me, set it by the sidewalk, then huffed to call in a hazel-colored packmate.

It was the packmate who benefited from the free burger. He polished the thing off in just seven gulps.

Dogs. They’re probably the animals with the biggest heart. Bless these innocent strays.

We talked to Gee and Nini Perez, another Facebook user who has met these dogs so that we might get more information on the story. They learned the name of the dog from the guards at Jollibee since Poochie is apparently a permanent fixture there. Nini gives a little background on Poochie:

I was inside Jolibee when I noticed him following Kuya Guard with the biggest smile on his face. That’s when I went out and gave him some of my food and when he saw me, he actually hugged me! As per Kuya Guard, he usually hangs around Jolibee every night and since the crew has also grown to love him, they give him food whenever they can. Kuya Guard even told me na Poochie is so smart that he knows how to use the overpass when I raised concern dun sa cars na labas pasok ng village (about the cars leaving and entering the village).

Both say that they hope stories like this show people that all dogs are good dogs. There’s a lot of stigma against stray dogs and mixed breeds in the Philippines, but none of it is true. They deserve a good home and love just like any other dogs.

(A Singaporean boarding house for pets is under fire for animal cruelty)

How do you think we solve the problem of stray dogs here in the Philippines? 

The post LOOK: This stray dog looks out for his pack because no one else will appeared first on When In Manila.

Photography is a hobby and a business that keeps on growing. With technology progressing everyday, more and more people are taking this hobby to the next level and making their dreams come true with one shutter click. With the heavy use of Instagram, photographers are getting more attention with their unique techniques, eye and of course, pure talent.

Here are some photographers that you should watch out for in 2019.

Up-and-Coming Photographers to Watch Out For in 2019

Al Amin

Instagram: @altaniameen

Also known as a videographer, Al has the talent for the visual arts. His works as a photographer are also notable as seen through his travel photos. At a young age, Al has been commissioned by different brands to make different kinds of content. His photos usually evoke feelings through their composition, colors, and subject.

Kevin Cayuca

Instagram: @kevincayucaph

A part of Master Photographer Xander Angeles’ Edge of Light Studio, Kevin Cayuca is a versatile talent that can take on any kind of photography. Most known in the world of fashion and travel photography, Kevin has constantly been reinventing his craft by learning new techniques and niches. He recently got into food photography, as well, where he showcases his mastery in light and composition.

Josa Camille Bassig

Instagram: @josabassig

Specializing in portraits, Josa is a young photographer that is breaking in the business head first. As a registered occupational therapist, Josa knows how to work around her clients. Her background has given her opportunities to connect with the people she photographs. She is often commissioned for commercial photography and her works have already been featured in different local media.

Gia Soriano

Instagram: @giaallana

Known in the K-industry, Gia Soriano specializes in events photography. She is the name behind some of the trending photos of K-stars. She has photographed Korean stars like Lee Jong-suk, Seventeen, Momoland, Minzy, Nam Joo-hyuk, G-Dragon, Park Shin-hye, and Dara, just to name a few. Aside from the K-fandom, Gia has also photographed the concerts of Harry Styles, Coldplay, Dua Lipa and Taylor Swift. Gia is a photographer for different media organizations and has also been a K-model for BonChon’s Korean Beef Stew.

Vyn Radovan

Instagram: @vynimalism

As one of the regular photographers of ABS-CBN’s publishing titles Chalk and ABS-CBN Lifestyle and Sports, Vyn specializes in portraits and events photography. He takes photos of local and international celebrities during events or special shoots. He also takes on food and travel photography projects when his hectic schedule permits it.

Rainier Gonzales

Instagram: @rgvizuals

More commonly known as RGVizuals, this photographer specializes in street or urban photography. His photos have trended online and garnered a solid following of people who love to see urban living through the eyes of a young photographer. His long exposure shots of Manila streets have been a staple style for his photographs, but he has also ventured into taking lifestyle and fashion photos. He is one of the photographers that was featured by local publications in collaboration with an international shoe brand.

Kharren Granada

Instagram: @kharrengranada

Being the only female in-house photographer at Edge of Light Studio, Kharren Granada knows that she always needs to up her game. Her love for photography has led her to specialize in fashion photography and she is currently one of the most sought-after names when it comes to fashion, beauty, and lifestyle. At EOL, she is often commissioned for photo shoots and advertising requirements.

Juanico Fernandez

Instagram: @Juanicofernandez

If you love food and travel, this is the photographer for you. As a frequent traveler and a foodie, Juanico or Nico is always on the lookout for the newest restaurants or places that people have never been to before. He always looks for different angles for his favorite travel destinations by using his camera, GoPro, and drone. As one of the resident photographers/writers of the website ‘Our Awesome Planet’, Nico can take you on an adventure through his photos.

Ralph Lee

Instagram: @ralphleephotography

Weddings are a big business all around the world and Ralph Lee is one of the young photographers that is making his mark in the industry. Though he specializes in weddings, Ralph has also had experience in taking sports photos and portraits of some of the biggest athletes in the Philippines. He has these works published in different newspapers and magazines. Ralph’s wedding photos give different perspectives, especially when it comes to destination weddings and pre-nuptial shoots.

Jilson Tiu

Instagram: @jilson.tiu

Jilson has a special eye for photos. His photos of Manila are always thought-provoking and have a different kind of perspective. Though everyday urban living can be seen everywhere, Jilson shows it beautifully through his photos. The streets are his playground; this kid is truly one to watch out for.

Mike Gella

Instagram: @mikehellyah.studio

Known as a fashion photographer, Mike Gella is really a force to reckon with. At a young age, he has landed magazine covers and features that showcase his expertise in the craft. Mike has photographed some of our favorite celebrities like Maymay Entrata, Maris Racal, Ruru Madrid, and Jake Cuenca, just to name a few.

Martin San Diego

Instagram: @martinsandiego

A correspondent for Rappler, Martin San Diego prides himself on being a photo journalist. His photos don’t just tell stories; they also evoke emotions in everyone who looks at them. With a signature feel for his photos, Martin often finds himself showing the different sides of Filipino living – from Marawi to the pride march to different provinces – each with a unique story to tell.

Dennis Robert

An event stylist, a food stylist, and a photographer – this is Dennis Robert. His works greatly showcase his dedication for his craft as he knows how to perfectly compose his subjects with props. Though styling can be a whole new different job, Dennis does all of this himself so that he can visualize the final output of his works, especially if they are commissioned. He has been commissioned by the likes of SM and Fino leatherware.

Mars Guisala

Website: http://www.marsguisala.com

If you love food, Mars Guisala is someone you should follow. She specializes in food photography and has been commissioned by different brands to take photos of their food for commercial and social media use. We consider Mars as an all-around superwoman as she is also a food stylist.

Vince Tanching

Instagram: @theurbanwanderer

Traveling never looked this good. Vince will guide you through different urban jungles of the world. His photos of UST’s Paskuhan is very iconic to students and anyone who waits for the event every year. He is a proud Nikon user and holds speaking engagements to teach photography to everyone who is passionate about it.

Dennis Murillo

Instagram: @thedennismurillo

Traveling around the Philippines, Dennis takes photos of the most wonderful places. His photos of landscapes and seascapes are postcard-worthy and will make you want to travel stat. He also has landscape photography videos on YouTube, so you can see the ideation process and how his photos are developed.

Cholo Isungga

Instagram: @alterstar

Not just a photographer, Cholo is also a videographer. His works vary from urban to portrait to landscapes. His photo and video works are commissioned by different brands – a name synonymous to great work and ethics.

Know any other photographers who should be on this list?

The post Up-and-Coming Photographers to Watch Out For in 2019 appeared first on When In Manila.

The clean up of Manila Bay kicked off last January 27 (Sunday). Thousands of volunteers and government workers came together to launch the rehabilitation effort. According to ABS-CBN, around 5,000 people were present.

5,000 volunteers at govt employees, pormal na sisimulan ang Manila Bay rehabilitation. pic.twitter.com/U7IT9ja6pU

— Jekki Pascual (@jekkipascual) January 26, 2019

While this was happening in Manila, simultaneous clean-up efforts were being made in various rivers or streams that flow into Manila Bay. These estuaries are located in Navotas, Las Piñas, Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga, and Bataan. Below you can see volunteers gathered in Barangay Tawiran to begin the clean-up.

Photo c/o Kevin Manalo 

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has said it will take a good number of years before the rehabilitation can be completed. It will also need around Php 47 billion. This is because the damage done to Manila Bay is already so great. Its average fecal coliform level was at 330 million most probable number (mpn) which is 3.3 million times above the standard 100 mpn.

It also doesn’t help that both businesses and inhabitants nearby Manila Bay contribute to its pollution. It is estimated that around 40,000 families who live in the vicinity negatively impact the bay. Establishments have already been tasked to comply with environmental regulations.

Volunteers filled more than 300 bags of trash after about an hour

Rehabilitation efforts will continue on both an institutional and volunteer level. Local government units which occupy the area by Manila Bay are to initiate weekly clean-up sessions. Establishments and factories are to undergo inspections. Trash skimmers will be used by the public works department solely for Manila Bay.

Photo c/o Kevin Manalo

Regular citizens are called to be mindful of proper waste disposal, especially in the Manila Bay area. Volunteers will be welcome to any and all clean-up efforts. MMDA Chairman Danny Lim has announced that these sessions will take place every Saturday, starting at 7am along Baywalk for the foreseeable future.

(LOOK: Single-use plastics might soon be banned in the Philippines)

What more do you think can be done to rehabilitate Manila Bay? 

Source: Photos from Kevin Manalo

The post LOOK: Thousands volunteer to begin the rehabilitation of Manila Bay appeared first on When In Manila.

How many times has this happened to you. It’s your down time. You find a moment for yourself to relax and take a pause from a busy day. So you open social media to entertain yourself a bit, maybe find funny videos of dogs doing silly thing. But boom. There it is, the first post you see on your news feed a lengthy, angsty, with matching capslock-cos-intense letters or too-personal details you didn’t need (or want) to know.

If you have a social media account, no matter if it’s Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or wherever, you’ve probably come across this type of posts at least once. I want to know: what do you do? How do you react to the post? How does it make you feel?

Image: Facebook.com/maegamimami

Personally—and I’m only speaking for myself here; I’m not saying this is what people should do—I hide those posts. I don’t like unnecessary drama and negativity on my timeline. Life is already hard enough. There’s already too much bad news from around the world. I don’t want to made aware of other people’s personal dramas, too. It’s too depressing. Or perhaps that’s just me, as I’m a bit of an empath, and can easily absorb other people’s bad juju even when they’re not mine to carry. So yes. Hide, hide, hide. And if they still post to much of those, I eventually unfollow. Not unfriend (I mean, there’s no need to burn bridges) — just unfollow so I don’t have to see their negativity on my news feed anymore.

But I want to know. Is it just me? Am I overreacting? How do you feel about it?

ALSO READ: Victims shouldn’t have to feel bad for waiting before coming out with their sexual harassment experiences

The age of social media and “freedom of speech”

I’ve once seen a very angry post online from a person who was obviously mad at someone. It wasn’t even passive aggressive at all—I could feel her yelling at the screen, perhaps hoping that person she was mad at would read her post and know it was directed to her. But that’s the thing. It’s not just directed towards that other person. It was directed to me, to all her online friends, and to everyone who’s ever seen that post. I felt her rage. Like she wasn’t just yelling at the person who had wronged her, she was yelling at everyone on her friends’ list. It made me cringe, and honestly feel a bit embarrassed for her.

My mom had also told me before about a Facebook friend of hers, who had a habit of airing her family’s dirty laundry on social media. She told me the contents of that person’s status posts. They were really bad. Infidelities, family drama, the legit soap opera material type. The kind that goes beyond personal expression of frustrations to an actual exposé. My mom said rant posts like that irked her, so I taught her how to unfollow people.

These are just some examples (I know we’ve all seen so many), but encounters like these ones made me think about that thin line between self-expression and airing dirty laundry. Or worse, to deliberately insult or besmirch someone.

But some might argue: well, your page, your rules. You should be able to post freely on your own wall. You want to express your anger, your frustrations, your hurt. That’s your right. And it makes it easier too for people who actually care for you to reach out to you. And we all need that support sometimes.

That’s the great thing about social media and the internet, after all — everyone’s voice can now be easily heard. Everyone now has a platform to speak out their opinions and tell their stories. But the same greatness of it can sometimes be its very weakness, too. With everyone having that power right under their fingertips, it’s so easy to press the “post” button without thinking twice. It’s so easy to spread good news and turn unknowing good samaritans into overnight sensations, but in that regard it’s so easy to spread hate and malicious stories as well, even when we have no facts to prove for it, or even if it hurts someone in truly degrading and permanent ways. Everyone is suddenly easily found guilty. It’s so easy to spread negativity. It’s so easy to spread hate.

The bottomline

In the end, I know that we can’t avoid this altogether; we’ll always see angry or hateful rants here and there, but perhaps there is a way we could be more responsible about it. As mentioned, although there’s a fine line, there’s still a difference between voicing out about having a bad day and using social media as a tool to insult or fight with people. I guess the bottomline is that—figuring out the intention. Why do you need to do this? So perhaps before you post a ~rant~ on social media, ask yourself this: are you posting just to express your emotions and blow off steam, or is it something more than that?

Besides, if you constantly feel the need to post angry statuses on social media, maybe that’s a sign it’s time to do something about the issues you’re going through, instead of just repeatedly ranting about it. ;)

How do YOU feel about this topic? We’d love to hear your thoughts. Speak out in the comments! 

The post Real Talk: Should You Really Post Rants About Your Personal Life on Social Media? appeared first on When In Manila.

Videos circulating on Facebook shows Alain Robert climbing GT Tower in Makati. Robert is a French rock and urban climber who has gained fame from scaling skyscrapers all over the world — then subsequently getting arrested for it. On the morning of January 29, he seems to have scaled the high-rise tower in Makati sans any safety gear.

One video shows a distant perspective of the daredevil climbing down the building. He is clothed in dark long sleeves and yellow pants, while different camera equipment is strapped onto him.

The second video is a closer look which actually captures him passing over a window as a meeting is ongoing.

The GT tower is the 7th tallest building in Makati and the 9th in the country standing at 217.20 meters, according to Emporis. Makati Police Chief Rogelio Simon announced to Inquirer that Robert would be apprehended and arrested for causing nuance and threatening the safety of bystanders.

This is crazy! Would you be brave enough to do something like this? 

The post WATCH: Alain Robert, the ‘French Spider-Man’, climbs a Makati skyscraper appeared first on When In Manila.

Photos of a cleaner and brighter Manila Bay have been circulating after the clean-up efforts last January 27. Around 5,000 volunteers and government workers put in the work to clear up the coastline. Simultaneous clean-up activities were also being held in Navotas, Las Piñas, Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga, and Bataan.

(1) Sands have finally surfaced! This is the new face of Manila Bay coastline in Roxas Boulevard following a historical clean-up drive on Sunday that hauled tons of garbage. pic.twitter.com/9oe0yoLM45

— Michael Joe Delizo (@michael_delizo) January 28, 2019

To give you a clearer picture of the change that’s been made, we have these photos comparing Manila Bay today to what it was beforehand.

According to ABS-CBN, hundreds of bags were filled with trash by volunteers in just a few hours.

There’s finally space for children to (safely) play along the Bay!

People are even brave enough to swim in the waters! Although that might not yet be advisable since the contamination level has probably not been fully dealt with.

However, netizens have brought up that Manila Bay clean-up’s are nothing out of the ordinary. There is an effort made at least once a year to ‘rehabilitate’ the area. It works for a while but pretty soon people start littering again and establishments continue to violate regulations. While this year’s effort is already showing great progress, it will only matter if it’s able to be sustainable.

(LOOK: Thousands volunteer to begin the rehabilitation of Manila Bay)

To continue improving Manila Bay hopefully the traction doesn’t die down with the hype. People and corporations should remember to keep proper waste regulation in mind. Further clean-up sessions will be held each Saturday for the foreseeable future and will hopefully still see a loyal group of volunteers. Also, local government units in the area should enforce environmental regulations with vigilance.

What else can be done to keep Manila Bay clean and healthy? 

The post Before vs After: What Manila Bay looks like post-clean up and how we can keep it this way appeared first on When In Manila.

Photo from Debbie Allen’s Twitter post

Two-time Grammy Award winner and R&B superstar James Ingram has died at age 66.

Longtime friend Debbie Allen confirmed the news via Twitter.

She posted, “I have lost my dearest friend and creative partner James Ingram to the Celestial Choir. He will always be cherished, loved and remembered for his genius, his love of family and his humanity. I am blessed to have been so close. We will forever speak his name.”

I have lost my dearest friend and creative partner James Ingram to the Celestial Choir. He will always be cherished, loved and remembered for his genius, his love of family and his humanity. I am blessed to have been so close. We will forever speak his name. pic.twitter.com/TDJfpbbJWa

— Debbie Allen (@msdebbieallen) January 29, 2019

Baby, Come to Me, which is a duet with Patti Austin, was James’ first No. 1 pop hit. The song was released in 1982. It was followed with I Don’t Have the Heart in 1990.

He was well known for his soundtrack work, most notably a duet with Linda Ronstadt on “Somewhere Out There,” for the 1986 animated film “An American Tail.” It reached No. 2 on the pop chart and won the Grammy for Song of the Year (with the award going to songwriters James Horner and Cynthia Weil).

His other chart-toppers included 1981’s Just Once (Quincy Jones featuring James Ingram), 1984’s What About Me? a collaboration with Kenny Rogers and Kim Carnes that reached No. 1 on the adult contemporary chart, and The Secret Garden (Sweet Seduction Suite), a cut from Jones’ Back on the Block album that went to No. 1 at R&B in 1990.

Information about the official cause of death or funeral plans has not been released.

The post Grammy-Winning R&B singer James Ingram passes away at 66 appeared first on When In Manila.

If you’re single for Valentine’s and you’re feeling particularly petty, you can name a cockroach after your ex. Yes, it’s true. The Hemsley Conservation Centre in Kent, the United Kingdom is hosting the Name a Cockroach program, where you can name an insect after the person who broke your heart. And you can do so for £2 (roughly P137).

According to the conservation center’s Facebook page, “For those that don’t quite require revenge, there’s another way to make you feel better about getting back at your ex this Valentine’s Day. The HCC is offering the chance to name a cockroach in honor of your, or your friend’s worthless ex-“someone” on this special holiday of love. We are highlighting these creatures through our ‘name a cockroach programme’ (we think adopt is a little too strong, after all – you probably don’t want to adopt your ex).“

The program is for a good cause as the money raised through the program will be used for projects at the center.

To avail of the service, you can go to the Hemsley Conservation Centre website’s page dedicated to the program and select if you want to name one for you or a friend. Make sure to click “Add Note” to input the name of the ex. Once payment has been confirmed, you get a certificate. However, the name won’t be included in the certificate to avoid any potential issue.

On Valentine’s Day, the center will release a photo of the Roach Board with a list of the exes’ names, which will be right next to the cockroach enclosure.

Who do you want to name a cockroach after? Share your thoughts below!

Follow When in Manila Koji for more stories like this!

The post You can officially name a cockroach after your ex in time for Valentine’s Day for P137 appeared first on When In Manila.

If you’ve been enjoying the recent cold spell in Manila, then here’s some good news for you: PAGASA predicts the temperature to stay the same or even go lower until February. If you (unfortunately) don’t like the cold… then I guess you’ll just have to bundle up a bit more in the coming days.

According to Benny Estareja, PAGASA’s weather forecaster: “Magpapatuloy pa rin yung amihan sa mga susunod na araw (The northeast monsoon will continue in the coming days).” This is due to the northeast monsoon or cold air coming from China and Siberia.

Ana Liza Solis, PAGASA’s chief of climate monitoring and prediction section, says that we can expect the temperature to drop to 18.4 degrees Celsius in Metro Manila. Baguio may also experience a low of 9.6 degrees Celsius.

(9 Classic Pinoy Comfort Food Perfect for The Cold Weather)

While this news might not exactly be unexpected considering January and February are consistently the coldest months of the year, it’s still somewhat of a relief given how hot the previous months have been.

Do you love or hate the cold weather? Let us know in the comments! 

The post PAGASA reports that the weather will grow even colder in February! appeared first on When In Manila.